Speakers

Dr. Korie L. Edwards

Dr. Korie L. Edwards is Associate Professor of Sociology at The Ohio State University. She is a leading scholar of race and religion in the United States and President of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, an international, interdisciplinary association (www.sssrweb.org). Ultimately, though, what drives Dr. Edwards’ scholarly agenda is her passion about and commitment to matters of racial justice and diversity in the church. She has written several books and articles on multiracial religious organizations. These include The Elusive Dream: The Power of Race in Interracial Churches (author, Oxford University Press); Against All Odds: The Struggle for Racial Integration in Religious Organizations (co-author, New York University Press); and “Much Ado About Nothing: Rethinking the Efficacy of Multiracial Churches for Racial Reconciliation,” which appears in the edited volume Christians and the Color Line: Race and Religion after Divided by Faith (author, Oxford University Press). Dr. Edwards’ current scholarship focuses on matters related to race and religious leadership. She is developing a book on contemporary African American religious leaders and their engagement in civic and political activity. And she is heading a national study of multiracial church pastors called The Religious Leadership and Diversity Project (see www.rldp.net for more). The RLDP is the most in-depth, comprehensive project ever conducted on leaders of multiracial congregations.

Dr. Gabriel Salguero

Dr. Gabriel Salguero is a pastor at Calvario City Church in Orlando, FL. Much of his work focuses on leadership development, faith and public life, diversity and racial reconciliation. Dr. Salguero is the founder and president of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition (NaLEC) which offers an important leadership voice for the close to 7 million Latino evangelical in the United States. He is a member of the board for the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE). For his ministry and outreach, he has been featured on CNN, CNN-Español, Telemundo, and the Associated Press. He previously served as the Director of the Institute of Faith and Public Life and Hispanic Leadership Programs at Princeton Theological Seminary.

Geno Olison

Geno Olison is the lead pastor of the South Suburban Vineyard, a multiethnic church in the south suburbs of Chicago. He is a gifted leader and communicator who has devoted his life to church planting and cross-cultural ministry. He currently serves on the National Executive Team for Vineyard USA and is helping to lead key diversity initiatives within the Vineyard. He is passionate about helping people build cross-cultural relationships through the local church.

Rich Nathan

Rich Nathan is the senior pastor of Vineyard Columbus, a position he’s been serving in since 1987. Rich is also the author of several books including Empowered Evangelicals, Who is My Enemy?, and most recently Both-And.

Phil Strout

Phil Strout is the National Director of Vineyard USA. He brings over thirty-five years of experience in the areas of church planting and cross-cultural missions to his role, and is a self-described contemplative activist – with a focus on the deepening interior journey of the Christian being the catalyst for sustainable, fruitful longevity in life, faith, and mission.

Kathy Maskell

Kathy Maskell is the pastor of discipleship at Blue Route Vineyard Community Church in Media, Pennsylvania, leads the Vineyard Justice Network, and is a newly appointed member of the Vineyard Executive Team. As a church planter, former educator, former U.S. Advocacy Director for Love 146, and wife and mother, she brings a wealth of wisdom and experience to the issues of justice in today’s world.

Caleb Maskell

Caleb Maskell leads the Society of Vineyard Scholars and is the Worship Pastor at Blue Route Vineyard Community Church in Media, Pennsylvania. He is currently finishing his PhD in the Department of Religion at Princeton University, focusing on the history of American Christianity. He has taught at Princeton Theological Seminary and Fordham University. Caleb is passionate about developing leaders and institutions that will help to produce a healthy, courageous, and hospitable future for the church in the 21st century.

Josh Williams

Josh Williams is the Lead Pastor of the Elm City Vineyard, a dynamic multi-ethnic church in New Haven, CT. He is a graduate of Yale Divinity School and is currently serving a 1 year term on the Vineyard USA Exec Team. Josh is passionate about trying to live out justice, love, and community as a leader, father, and husband each and every day.

Dr. Charles Montgomery, Jr

Dr. Charles Montgomery, Jr is the Vineyard Columbus East Campus pastor. Charles earned his Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Morehouse College, a Master of Divinity from Emory University, and a Ph.D. from Union Institute and University, with an emphasis in Ethical and Creative Leadership. He is an avid Ohio State Buckeye fan (Go Bucks!) and has been blissfully married to his lovely wife, Lady Kimberly, since 2003.