Lead By Faith

Meet the 2024 Lead By Faith Cohort

Lead By Faith is a fellowship for faith leaders navigating the challenges of leading through a polarized election year. The 2024 Lead By Faith cohort includes twenty faith leaders from across the country representing a diversity of religions, races, and political ideologies. Throughout this year, Lead By Faith fellows are working together to build trust across differences, identify shared values, and transcend toxic polarization in their congregations.

Andrea Clark Chambers | Tulsa, OK

Rev. Dr. Andrea Clark Chambers, hailing from Tulsa, Oklahoma, continues a rich family tradition of preaching, inspired by her paternal grandmother, Rev. Hazel Gordon Clark. Answering her call to ministry in 2002, she was ordained in June 2007 at Antioch Baptist Church under Rev. Dr. M.C. Potter’s leadership. Currently, she leads as Senior Pastor of Restoration Community Church, a virtual faith community reaching members and communities nationwide.

Drew Herring | Danville, VA

Drew Herring serves as the Senior Pastor of West Main Baptist Church in Danville, VA. Prior to this role, he was the Pastor of Adult Education and Outreach at Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth, TX. Originally from Reidsville, NC, Drew holds a Master of Divinity with a Certificate in Baptist Studies from Duke Divinity School. He is married to Jenny, a Physical Therapist, and they have a six-year-old son, Judah.

Rev. Bryant C. Warren | Chicago, IL

Reverend Bryant C. Warren is the CEO of the Victory Community Coalition (VCC), a non-profit organization advocating for just communities in the Chicago Southland. He also serves as Director of Social Justice at Victory Apostolic Church. With a background in education and military service, Bryant is dedicated to community empowerment. He holds a Master of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary and is an alumnus of Northern Illinois University.

Wadan Khan | Phoenix, AZ

Muhammad Asif Wadan Khan is an Ambassador to Arizona for the Muslim Public Affairs Council’s Mustard Seed Movement, dedicated to promoting social justice and interfaith dialogue. With expertise in project management and fraud operations, he ensures the safety and security of platforms like DoorDash. Wadan leverages his MBA in Organizational Leadership from GCU to foster mutual understanding and respect among diverse groups.

Jamie L. Capers | Jackson, MS

Jamie L. Capers, a native of South Carolina, is a devoted husband, father, and proclaimer of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. With degrees from the University of Mississippi, Interdenominational Theological Center, and Columbia Theological Seminary, his career encompasses pastoral ministry, education, and authorship. Currently serving as pastor of Lynch Street CME Church in Jackson, MS, and Presiding Elder of the Greenwood/Jackson District, Jamie’s vision for ministry extends globally through Greater Heights International, LLC, of which he is the founder. Married to Angela, they are blessed with three children.

Ilene Adler | Chicago, IL

Ilene Adler, based in Chicago, brings her lifelong connection
to faith and spirituality to her role as a lay leader at Mishkan
Chicago. Previously from San Francisco, where she co-ran a
tech-focused PR firm, Ilene is now actively involved in fostering interfaith and bipartisan connections. She serves on the boards of Fuente Latina and the American Jewish Committee (AJC) Chicago.

Eric Dorsey | Chicago, IL

Eric Dorsey serves as the Community Cares Director at Community Christian Church in Chicago, overseeing the community outreach and justice ministry across seven locations in the Chicagoland area. Additionally, he leads Community Freedom, an initiative dedicated to planting churches in prisons and jails. Eric is also a part of the executive advisory leadership team at CCC.

Najla Sharrief Salahuddin | Jackson, MS

Najla Sharrief Salahuddin, a dynamic leader based in Jackson, MS, serves as the Beloved Community Project Manager for The International Museum of Muslim Cultures. Alongside her role, she’s an entrepreneur, Certified Spiritual Life Coach, and a leader at Masjid Muhammad. With a background in education and a Bachelor’s in Psychology, Najla was born in Michigan and raised in Atlanta. She is a proud sibling of nine and a newlywed, deeply committed to community organizing within the Orthodox Muslim faith.

Qonell D Totten | Danville, VA

Qonell D. Totten is a passionate advocate for youth empowerment and community development in Danville, VA. As the founder of One Accord Connections, he supports foster care youth and fosters positive outcomes for youth in the Dan River Region. Additionally, as a Youth Leader at True Holiness Church, he ensures older youth are engaged and supported, creating opportunities for them to thrive spiritually and socially.

Emon D. Thompson, Sr. | Jackson, MS

Emon D. Thompson, Sr. is a licensed Elder with the Pentecostal
Churches of the Apostolic Faith Organization (PCAF) in Jackson, MS, serving at Greater Bethlehem Temple Church. With over 30 years of service, he is dedicated to spreading God’s message of hope. Emon is also active in community leadership roles, serving on the City of Jackson Planning Board. As a Desert Storm Disabled Veteran, he served in the United States Army and is a successful business owner.

Everett Lees | Tulsa, OK

Everett Lees, a native Oklahoman, has spent the past decade serving his congregation at Christ Church Episcopal in Tulsa. Known for fostering one of the fastest-growing congregations in the Episcopal Church, his ministry focuses on bridge building. Active in a Jewish-Christian dialogue group and teaching part-time at Holland Hall, Everett is deeply committed to fostering understanding and community. Married for 20 years, he and his wife have three children.

Vinicent D. Holland | Warrenton, VA

Rev. Vinicent D. Holland, a resident of Fauquier County since 2007, is a licensed and ordained minister. He serves as the Pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in Woodville, VA, and as an Associate Pastor of First Baptist Church in Warrenton, VA. Additionally, he is involved in the Faith and Wellness Committee with the Mental Health Association of America in Fauquier County.

Jonathan Phillips | Jackson, MS

Jonathan Phillips is from Gary, Indiana, has served as a head pastor and ministry leader for over 30 years. He holds a BS degree in Public Relations, a Master of Theology degree, and a Doctoral degree in Theology. Currently serving as the Senior Pastor at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Jackson, MS, Pastor Phillips is known for his extensive community service and dedication to spreading the Gospel.

Richard Wehrle | Warrenton, VA

Richard Wehrle has been serving as the Pastor of the Midland Church of the Brethren since September 2019, following his leadership of a congregation in Harrisonburg, VA. He holds an MDiv from Bethany Theological Seminary, with a focus on ministry with marginalized communities and non-profit community development. Currently, he is engaged in ministry with the unhoused population and supports multi-vocational pastors through denominational ministry.

Desmond Glenn | Charlottesville, VA

Desmond Glenn, originally from Marvell, Arkansas, serves as the
Pastor of Community and Care at Portico Church in Charlottesville, VA. With a background in agricultural business and family and youth ministries. Prior to joining Portico in 2015, he worked for eight years with the USDA. Desmond is dedicated to fostering spiritual growth and meaningful connections within the congregation and wider community. He and his wife, Andrea, have been married for 15 years and have five children.

Jeni Hall | NW Arkansa

Jeni Hall is the lead pastor with nearly 8 years of experience, including 5 years on the Oregon Coast. Dedicated to the spiritual formation of her congregation, she believes in its transformative power in all aspects of life. Married to Mark, who serves as the worship pastor at
Bentonville Community Church of the Nazarene in NW Arkansas, they have a 1.5-year-old daughter named CoCo.

Raymond C. Ramsey | Danville, VA

Raymond C. Ramsey, originally from Southside Virginia, pursued his education at Danville Community College and Averett University. With a diverse professional background encompassing education, military service, and pastoring, he currently serves as the pastor of Greater Mt. Parrish Missionary Baptist Church in Danville, VA.

Dr. Bruce Bonecutter | Chicago, IL

Bruce Bonecutter, Ph.D., retired after 45 years in Public Health Psychology. He’s an Elder at LaSalle Street Church, a founding member of the “Sojourners” community, and active in the Lawndale Christian Legal Clinic. Bruce holds degrees from Michigan State University, the University of Chicago, and the Illinois Institute of Technology. Married since 1976, he and his wife, Faith, have one daughter.

Bridgett Jamison | Tulsa, OK

Bridgett Jamison leads an all-digital, multicultural church across multiple states. As an assistant pastor at Restoration Community Church in Tulsa, OK, she provides pastoral care and serves as a therapist for middle schoolers, high schoolers, and adults. Bridgett is dedicated to bridging communication gaps for better integration within her community.

Dr. Ernest M Coppage | Danville, VA

Dr. Ernest M. Coppage, has a rich academic background, earned his bachelor’s from Liberty University, his Master’s from Howard University, and his Doctorate from Virginia Union University. With 38 years of experience in law enforcement and 5 years in pastoral ministry, he serves as both a Pastor at Mineral Springs Baptist Church and a Chaplain at the Danville Police Department in Danville, VA.Dr. Coppage is happily married with six children and eight grandchildren.