SPARK Conference Speakers
Rev. Dr. Neil G. Thomas
Rev. Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson
Rev. Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson
The Reverend Dr. Neil G. Thomas has served as Senior Pastor of Cathedral of Hope of Dallas since being elected by its 4,500-member congregation on April 12, 2015. Before joining Cathedral of Hope, he was Senior Pastor of MCC Bournemouth in England (1989–2002) and Founders Metropolitan Community Church in Los Angeles (2002–2015).
Dr. Thomas
The Reverend Dr. Neil G. Thomas has served as Senior Pastor of Cathedral of Hope of Dallas since being elected by its 4,500-member congregation on April 12, 2015. Before joining Cathedral of Hope, he was Senior Pastor of MCC Bournemouth in England (1989–2002) and Founders Metropolitan Community Church in Los Angeles (2002–2015).
Dr. Thomas is a sought-after speaker who contributes to local, national, and international discussions on the intersection of faith, race, gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
Rev. Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson
Rev. Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson
Rev. Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson
The Reverend Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson served as Moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) from 2005 to 2016, succeeding founder Rev. Elder Troy Perry and becoming the first woman to hold the role since MCC was founded in 1968. Rev. Nancy served as pastor of Church of the Trinity MCC in Sarasota from 2001 to 2005 and of MCC Los Ang
The Reverend Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson served as Moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) from 2005 to 2016, succeeding founder Rev. Elder Troy Perry and becoming the first woman to hold the role since MCC was founded in 1968. Rev. Nancy served as pastor of Church of the Trinity MCC in Sarasota from 2001 to 2005 and of MCC Los Angeles, now Founders MCC, from 1986 to 2001. She joined MCC as Associate Pastor of MCC Boston in 1972 at age 22 and pastored MCC Detroit from 1975 to 1979.
A popular preacher and speaker, she delivered the Earl Lectures at Pacific School of Religion in 2002.
Rev. Dr. Michael Piazza
Rev. Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson
Rev. Dr. Michael Piazza
The Reverend Dr. Michael S. Piazza is an author and social justice advocate best known as former senior pastor and dean of the Cathedral of Hope in Dallas, Texas, where membership grew from about 350 to more than 3,500 under his leadership. He now serves as co-pastor of Progressive Spirit United Church of Christ (formerly Arlington Congre
The Reverend Dr. Michael S. Piazza is an author and social justice advocate best known as former senior pastor and dean of the Cathedral of Hope in Dallas, Texas, where membership grew from about 350 to more than 3,500 under his leadership. He now serves as co-pastor of Progressive Spirit United Church of Christ (formerly Arlington Congregational Church) in Jacksonville, Florida.
A sought-after speaker, he is currently CEO and founder of Agile Church Consulting, which helps congregations revitalize, innovate, and grow.
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Rev. Dr. Tijuana Gray
Rev. Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson
Rev. Dr. Michael Piazza
The Rev. Dr. Tijuana Gray is the Online Pastor at MCC of Greater Saint Louis, Missouri.
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Rev. Lauren Bennett
Rev. Lauren Bennett
Rev. Lauren Bennett
The Rev. Lauren Bennett was introduced to UFMCC at King of Peace MCC in Pinellas Park, Florida, where she was inspired by a community that united sexuality and spirituality. A few years later, she joined Metropolitan Community Churches as Conference/Meeting Coordinator, helping plan General Conference, and still serves part-time. Ordained
The Rev. Lauren Bennett was introduced to UFMCC at King of Peace MCC in Pinellas Park, Florida, where she was inspired by a community that united sexuality and spirituality. A few years later, she joined Metropolitan Community Churches as Conference/Meeting Coordinator, helping plan General Conference, and still serves part-time. Ordained in Washington, DC, on August 31, 2019, she now serves at MCC of Greater Saint Louis, where she was provisional pastor after four years as Associate Pastor and later became Lead Pastor.
Rev. Kevin Konkle
Rev. Lauren Bennett
Rev. Lauren Bennett
The Rev. Kevin Konkle was elected Senior Pastor of Metropolitan Community Church of the Palm Beaches in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. He has served at the church since September 2024. The church has experienced a 300% growth in attendance.
He is also Founding Pastor of MCC Merida, Mexico, a licensed mental health counselor in Florida. He
The Rev. Kevin Konkle was elected Senior Pastor of Metropolitan Community Church of the Palm Beaches in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. He has served at the church since September 2024. The church has experienced a 300% growth in attendance.
He is also Founding Pastor of MCC Merida, Mexico, a licensed mental health counselor in Florida. He has served in leadership roles including Youth Pastor, Administrative Pastor, Assistant Pastor, Senior Pastor, and Assistant General Superintendent across multiple denominations.
Rev. Konkle has planted three churches and is dedicated to community impact, unconditional love, and inclusivity.
Rev. Annie Ross
Rev. Lauren Bennett
Rev. Craig Cranston
The Rev. Annie Ross is the Senior Pastor at Imani Metropolitan Community Church in Durham, North Carolina.
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Rev. Craig Cranston
Rev. Lauren Bennett
Rev. Craig Cranston
The Rev. Craig Cranston was elected senior pastor of St. John the Apostle MCC in September 2022. Previously, he served on the staff of MCC Tampa after interning there as a clergy candidate in 2018–2019, and as pastor of Congregational Care at King of Peace MCC. He entered ordained ministry after years as a consultant and business leader f
The Rev. Craig Cranston was elected senior pastor of St. John the Apostle MCC in September 2022. Previously, he served on the staff of MCC Tampa after interning there as a clergy candidate in 2018–2019, and as pastor of Congregational Care at King of Peace MCC. He entered ordained ministry after years as a consultant and business leader for Fortune 200 companies.
He is certified as a marriage and family facilitator through Prepare/Enrich, leads national workshops in religious and secular settings, co-leads the Florida Network for MCC, and serves on the denomination’s national Board of Pensions.
Rev. Renae Phillips
Rev. Renae Phillips
Rev. Renae Phillips
The Rev. Renae Phillips is a member of the Board of Governors of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches.
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Rev. Kenny Callahan
Rev. Renae Phillips
Rev. Renae Phillips
The Rev. Kenny Callaghan is Senior Pastor of All God’s Children MCC in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and brings more than 35 years of ministry experience. He is known for strong leadership, pastoral care, dynamic preaching, and a commitment to fiscal responsibility. Ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in 2000 after more than
The Rev. Kenny Callaghan is Senior Pastor of All God’s Children MCC in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and brings more than 35 years of ministry experience. He is known for strong leadership, pastoral care, dynamic preaching, and a commitment to fiscal responsibility. Ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in 2000 after more than 15 years of leadership service, he joined the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches in 2016.
He previously served as senior pastor of MCC Richmond in Virginia and has ministered in many cities throughout California. Rev. Callaghan is committed to social justice and to serving people who are marginalized.
Rev. Bam Noriega
Rev. Renae Phillips
Rev. Jeremy Riden
The Rev. Bam Noriega is Assistant Pastor of Founder's MCC in Los Angeles, California.
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Rev. Jeremy Riden
Rev. Renae Phillips
Rev. Jeremy Riden
The Rev. Jeremy Riden is the Provisional Pastor at Church of our Savior MCC in Boynton Beach, Florida.
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SPARK Conference Speakers
Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski
Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski
Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski
The Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski is the Senior Pastor of the Congregational Church UCC of of the Peninsula.
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Rev.
Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski
Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski
The Rev.
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Rev.
Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski
Rev.
The Rev.
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Rev.
Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski
Rev.
The Rev.
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