KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Dr. Jan G. Linn is the author of seventeen books, including Evangelicalism and the Decline of American Politics, Disciples: Who We Are and What Holds Us Together, How to Be an Open-Minded Christian Without Losing Your Faith, Rocking the Church Membership Boat, The Jesus Connection, and Reclaiming Evangelism. Jan has taught at the college and seminary level, the latter as a tenured senior faculty member at Lexington Theological Seminary until he chose to leave his position to join his wife in Minnesota, where they started a new church. They retired from the new congregation after 14 years as co-pastors. Jan is also known for his preaching, having been the preacher of the week at the Chautauqua Institution and a guest lecturer across the country. His current book is The Faithful Skeptic: In Search of a Humble Christianity.

Rev. Carol Devine is the national faith and climate director for ecoAmerica’s Blessed Tomorrow program. She is the founder of the creation care ministry Green Chalice. ​Carol served as a congregational pastor for 14 years in Kentucky, where ecumenical and interfaith work was a priority. Before being called to ministry, Carol was a teacher and a Peace Corps Volunteer. She is a graduate of Transylvania University (BA), University of Kentucky (MS), and Lexington Theological Seminary (M.Div.). ​She is the mother of three adult children and loves to travel, hike, kayak, cycle, garden, and read. 

Rev. Dr. Marcus Leathers is the Regional Minister for the Capital Area Region. He received his D.Min in Art and Theology from Wesley Theological Seminary and his M.Div. from LTS in 1993. He also holds a B.A. in Chemistry from North Carolina State University. He serves the Christian Church as a Core Organizer and Trainer for its Reconciliation Initiative, “Many Members One Table.” Previously, Marcus spent 17 years as pastor of Shepherd Park Christian Church. 

Rev. Dr. Delores Carpenter is the Moderator for the Capital Area Region. She is a professor of Religious Education at Howard University School of Divinity and a world-renowned preacher, teacher, and lecturer. She previously served as the senior pastor of Michigan Park Christian Church in Washington, DC. Her research has focused on African American women in ministry, hymnology, liturgy, and preaching.

For more information: Delores Carpenter - Database: Christian Educators of the 20th Century - Biola University

Rev. Dr. Rosetta Robinson Battle is the founder of The Heartsing Table and director of the Emergency Assistance Coalition at Interfaith Works. She was ordained by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1995 and received her Doctor of Ministry from Wesley Theological Seminary in 2008. She serves on the Board of the Council of Churches of Greater Washington and is a member of the Black Ministers Conference of Montgomery County. She joined the staff of Interfaith Works in 1995.

Rev. Dr. J. Edwin Lloyd Jr. has served as the pastor of Whosoever Will Christian Church since 2006. He received a Master of Social Work and an M.Div. in Religion/Religious Studies from Howard University, as well as a Doctorate of Divinity. His work outside of the church includes: as rehabilitation counselor (SW VA Center), nonprofit development executive (WWCC), and Director, Risk Reduction Program (Federal).

Rev. Dr. Ken Brooker Langston is the Executive Director and Team Leader of Disciples Center for Public Witness (Disciples of Christ), and organization dedicated to justice advocacy, interfaith cooperation, and civic engagement, serving as a bridge between faith communities and broader social and political movements.​

For more information: dcpublicwitness@gmail.com

Rev. Carmen Jennings Woodson is a bi-vocational ordained minister. She is Pastor at Luray Christian Church in Luray, VA. She is also a Manager, Retail Experience, for USPS Headquarters in Washington, DC. She has a M.Div. from CTS, undergraduate degrees in Leadership and Ministry, and is currently working towards a second master’s degree in psychology with an emphasis on life coaching. She is passionate about discipleship development and serving in ministry.

Rev. Dr. Maria Francesca French is the associate pastor at Hagerstown Christian Church, where she also oversees the youth program. She holds two seminary Masters and a Doctorate from Wesley Theological Seminary via Wesley House at Cambridge University. Her books include Reconfiguring: A Collection of Post-Christian Thoughts and Theologies and Safer than the Known Way: A Post-Christian Journey. 

For more information: mariafrancescafrench.com

Antoine M. Thompson is the CEO of Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition, a public-private partnership that promotes the use of clean, American transportation fuels for homeland security, improved air quality, environment justice, diversity and inclusion. He is a nationally recognized leader for environmental justice, green business, housing, diversity and urban policy.

Commissioned Minister Michael Lynn Kline was commissioned while serving FCC Boonsboro and went on to apply as Co-Pastor at Grace Christian Church. He also serves on regional committees, ​including Congregational Care. Mike is committed to youth sports and has been a leader and example.

Andres Akamine is a physics teacher at Technical High School in Hagerstown, MD. He studied in New Zealand and Switzerland to complete his masters. For the last two years he has integrated a science component into the Hagerstown VBS program, which has contributed to a better understanding of the relationship between science and theology.