On the Mainstage
Keynote Speakers
Jonathan Merritt
Jonathan Merritt is one of America’s most trusted thought leaders at the intersection of faith and culture. Across two decades, Jonathan has shaped the American religious landscape through hundreds of articles published in outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Daily Beast, Christianity Today, and USA Today, and as an award-winning contributing writer for The Atlantic. He currently serves as a Vice President and Executive Editor for Simon & Schuster. Jonathan holds a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, a Master of Theology from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, and has done additional graduate work at The General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church in Manhattan.
Erin Edwards and Irvina Edwards
Rev. Dr. Erin Edwards is a pastor, speaker, and theological leader passionate about helping people reclaim faith, wholeness, and authentic community. As Director of Ecclesial Innovation at Brite Divinity School, Erin works at the intersection of ministry, inclusion, and spiritual formation. A gifted communicator known for blending storytelling, humor, and deep theological reflection, Erin speaks nationally on healing from church hurt, Spirit-filled faith, and courageous leadership. Erin is also the author of the forthcoming book Still Anointed: Gay, Called, and Refusing to Choose.
Irvina Edwards is mom to Erin and has a story to share as a parent coming to accept her gay child. Irvina grew up in church, at a time when there was no talk of sexuality. But as someone who loves and trusts God, Irvina leaned on the Spirit to guide her. Irvina is an accomplished Gospel singer, who will share with us through music.
Brent Bailey
Brent Bailey (he/him) is an Associate Pastor at LaSalle Street Church, an independent church in Chicago. He grew up in the Houston area and completed his undergraduate and M.Div. studies at Abilene Christian University, and he’s finishing a year-long mentorship with the Bakos Project. Brent lives in the city with his husband, Steve, and their dog, Hank, short for "Henri Nouwen," who modeled the kind of contemplative spirituality and compassionate presence to which Brent aspires.
Marcus George Halley
The Very Rev. Dr. Marcus Halley is the College Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual and Religious Life at Trinity College, where he leads initiatives in interfaith engagement, pastoral care, and community formation. An Episcopal priest, teacher, and author, his work explores the intersections of spirituality, justice, reconciliation, and public life. His work includes authoring Proclaim!: Sharing Words, Living Examples, Changing Lives and Abide in Peace: Healing and Reconciliation and curating a Substack newsletter and podcast called Everyday Liturgist. Deeply shaped by the Black church tradition and ecumenical collaboration, Dr. Halley is committed to cultivating communities rooted in compassion, courage, and hope.
Katherine Johnson
Katherine works as the Programming Manager for The Reformation Project, an organization dedicated to advancing LGBTQ inclusion in the church. After earning a B.A. in Christian Ministries, Katherine has gained over 20 years of ministry experience in churches and parachurch organizations. She also holds an M.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies from Western Seminary and a Th.M. from Columbia Theological Seminary with a focus on Hebrew and Old Testament exegesis. Her greatest passion is studying and teaching Scripture with the goal of helping people to encounter it in ways that foster a life-giving relationship with God and personal growth in Christlike love.
Worship & Special Music
Long time friends Toby, Caroline, John Michael, and Steve join together to lead us in worship again! Toby Snell grew up in Wichita Falls, TX, and moved to Nashville, TN, in 2010 to pursue degrees in music and education from Vanderbilt University. They were raised in the Church of Christ tradition and have been involved with Centerpeace for 12 years, including as a Fellow in Bakos Project. They currently manage a French cafe and attend Eastwood Christian Church where they have been involved in the music and youth ministries.
Caroline Snell was raised in the Church of Christ in Ripley, TN, and graduated from Harding University in 2012. She has served in Americorps programs in rural Arkansas and New York City, and now manages a graduate medical education program in Memphis, TN. Caroline has been involved with CenterPeace as a Bakos Fellow and worship leader since 2023. She is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity at Vanderbilt University and attends Eastwood Christian Church. Toby and Caroline were married last November and live in Nashville with their two dogs, Scout and Lily. They enjoy fishing, stargazing, and cheering on their eleven nieces and nephews in their various recitals, games, and activities.
Steve Slagg is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who grew up in Missouri and lives in Chicago. In addition to performing and recording in the Chicago DIY music scene, he leads worship at Urban Village Church Wicker Park with his co-leader John Bagley. Steve's most recent album I Don't Want to Get Adjusted to This World was released in 2024. He lives with his husband Brent Bailey and their dog Hank.
John Michael Bagley is a New York native who moved to Chicago to attend Wheaton College and after graduating decided to make the city his home. John Michael earned a degree in sociology and now serves as a public school teacher, educating and mentoring 5th graders. He served on the worship team at Urban Village Church for five years before become the worship lead two years ago. John Michael comes from a musical family and his musical skills have been employed in a variety of settings including on the theatrical stage and for gospel ensembles. He has also been called upon to preach from the pulpit several times in his life.
Ariel Merivil
Ariel (he/him) is the Minister of Music at Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, where he leads the church's music ministry and conducts multiple choirs. Previously, he served as Associate Minister of Music to First-Plymouth Church in Lincoln, Nebraska, for six and a half years. Ariel is known for his exceptional vocal skills and deeply expressive musical communication, embracing a wide range of styles, including Negro spirituals, gospel, and contemporary genres. He is dedicated to inspiring others and fostering meaningful worship experiences that connect people with the divine.
Meet worship duo Marsha Stevens-Pino and Justin Ryan. Marsha Stevens-Pino is a singer, songwriter, and founder of Balm Ministries whose music and ministry have somehow stretched from the Jesus Movement to the LGBTQ+ Christian community—and over more than five decades without anyone successfully convincing her to retire. Often called the “mother of contemporary Christian music,” she has spent the past 40 years creating music and spaces of hope for people who have been told they must choose between their faith and who they are. Marsha lives in Florida with her wife, Cindy, and continues to write, teach, perform, and have a passion for sharing that the News about Jesus is still Good.
Justin Ryan is an award-winning Christian singer, songwriter, speaker, and creator of the weekly online series Southern Gospel Sissy, where he explores faith, music, and LGBTQ+ inclusion through storytelling and song. A veteran of the Southern gospel and Christian music world, he has shared stages and recorded with artists including Porter Wagoner, Dolly Parton, Tanya Tucker, George Jones, and Loretta Lynn. Justin’s music and ministry have taken him across the United States, where he has become a leading voice for LGBTQ+ Christians seeking to reconcile faith and authenticity. He currently serves as the successor to the ministry legacy of pioneers Marsha and Cindy Stevens-Pino through BALM Ministries and was honored with the Purple Grass Award for Excellence in Evangelism. In addition to his music and speaking ministry, Justin is a featured columnist for Maryland OUTloud Magazine and is currently writing new music and a forthcoming book chronicling his and his late husband Scott’s journey through cancer, grief, faith, and hope.
Tim Ouyang
CenterPeace is proud to welcome Tim Ouyang for a special evening of music and conversation. Performing under the name Tim Be Told, Tim is a songwriter, producer, and recording artist from the San Francisco Bay Area. After beginning his career in Christian music, Tim publicly came out in 2017. His journey has since shaped music that explores faith, identity, loss, hope, and the search for belonging. His most recent album, God Songs, has resonated with many listeners navigating the intersection of faith and sexuality while also speaking to universal questions of purpose, doubt, grace, and healing. His music has been streamed more than 13 million times on Spotify. Beyond his work as a recording artist, Tim is a recording engineer, producer, mixer, and arranger specializing in pop and rock production as well as orchestral and choral arrangements. His production and arranging work has included collaborations with Grammy Award-winning artist Israel Houghton and rapper MC Jin, and he has performed the national anthem for the Golden State Warriors. Tim studied music production at Berklee College of Music and has a degree in architecture from the University of Virginia. When he is not making music, he works as an interior designer in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Melissa Lancaster
Melissa founded Durant Studios in 2003 after graduating from Lipscomb University. With extensive experience across a wide range of video genres—including film, commercials, music videos, weddings, and photography—Melissa brings both creativity and technical expertise to every project. What sets her apart from many in the industry is her dual proficiency in video production and professional audio recording and engineering, ensuring that every project not only looks exceptional but also delivers outstanding sound quality. Melissa has led worship full-time for 15 years until recently shifting focus to her videography career. She currently leads worship for churches on occasions and special events.
From North Carolina, comes a dynamic worship team. Jesse Huddleston (he/she/they/we) comes from a family of artists, educators, and public servants, all from North Carolina, where he has lived since 2006. As a Black genderqueer human living in the US South, she practices showing up whole in every setting and perpetuating more generative and humanizing ways of being together. With vocations rooted in community engagement and cultural preservation, Jesse currently serves as Director of Music Ministry at CityWell United Methodist Church, as Director of Development & Community Engagement at the LGBTQ Center of Durham, and as Board Chair of the Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice. In their spare time, Jesse drinks their water, moves their body, says their prayers, counts their blessings, and minds their business.
Loren Daniel is a Durham, North Carolina native and has been part of the CityWell Church community since she was 10 years old. Growing up at CityWell has been a gift, and it has played a significant role in shaping her faith and understanding of spirituality. Through this community, she’s experienced the beauty of love, justice, freedom, and belonging and continues to learn what it means to live out her faith alongside others. Worship has always held a special place in Loren’s heart. She’s grateful for the ways music connects us to God and to one another and is honored to be part of a community that continues to inspire and nurture her faith.
Shaelin Keairnes (she/her) is a queer Christian Southerner who is joining as a musician with CityWell UMC. Throughout her childhood and young adulthood in Georgia, she was nourished by engaging in the community and musical creativity of her local church. Having followed her healthcare career to North Carolina, she now takes great joy in connecting to a spiritual community where she is celebrated as her fullest self--with her partner by her side. Her soul is routinely nurtured by making a joyful noise on Sundays, and she is honored to join for this year's conference!
Laura Jesson
Laura Jesson (they/them) is a Los Angeles viola performer who obtained their music performance degrees from University of Texas, Austin and University of Southern California. Laura is a performer with many groups, including serving as assistant principal viola with both the Los Angeles Virtuosi Orchestra and the Westside Chamber Orchestra. They also perform with the San Luis Obispo Symphony, the Downey Symphony, the Thousand Oaks Philharmonic, and the HELIX Collective.
In the summer of 2024, Laura performed in the International Pride Orchestra’s second annual concert in New York City. In the summer of 2026, they joined the Unbound Symphony for their inaugural festival performance in Seattle. Laura’s work can be heard on the score of Universal Pictures’ Girls Trip and can be seen on the television shows The Fosters and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
In their free time, Laura is an amateur chorister with the West Coast Singers LGBTQ+ chorus of Los Angeles, a coffee aficionado, and a frequent walker in many Los Angeles parks.