Zach Lambert

Zach Lambert is the Lead Pastor and founder of Restore Austin, a church he planted in 2016, where he strives to create community for spiritual refugees who are reconstructing faith. He is a co-founder of Post Evangelical Collective and serves on the boards of Restore Houston, The Hub Garage, the Austin Church Planting Network, and the Austin chapter of the Multi-Faith Neighbors Network. Zach holds a Masters of Theology, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Ministry at Duke Divinity School. Zach is the author of the forthcoming book, Better Ways to Read the Bible.

Sean Palmer

Sean Palmer is Teaching Pastor at Ecclesia Houston, one of America’s most innovative and vibrant multi-site churches, serving a predominance of Millennials and young adults. Previously profiled in Christian Standard Magazine as one of “40 Leaders Under 40,” and with 24-years of ministry experience, Sean is a sought-after national keynote speaker, teacher, writer, and workshop facilitator. He is author of Speaking by the Numbers: Enneagram Wisdom for Teachers, Pastors, and Communicators, as well as 40 Days on Being a Three (Enneagram Daily Reflections) and Unarmed Empire. Sean studied Youth and Family Ministry at Abilene Christian University and Homiletics at the Austin Presbyterian Seminary, The Graduate School of Theology at Abilene Christian University, and Fuller Seminary.

Sally Gary

Sally Gary is Executive Director of CenterPeace, a non-profit she founded in 2006 to build Christian spiritual community for LGBTQ+ people and to provide a resource for parents and churches to have constructive conversations on sexuality and gender. Sally holds a master's degree in communication from Abilene Christian University, as well as a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Texas Tech University School of Law. Sally is a teacher and mentor at heart. Most of all, she is dedicated to helping LGBTQ+ people to know they are loved and that they belong. Everywhere.   

Gloria and Darren Hagood

Darren and Gloria Hagood, founders of HealYourLovePeriod (HYL.), are committed to fostering transformative healing experiences through breathwork, sound healing, and guided meditations. With over a decade of ministry experience and degrees in Biblical Text and Masters of Divinity, they recognized the limitations of traditional church settings in addressing personal growth and spiritual connection. Motivated by this insight, they established HYL. to provide a safe haven for individuals seeking holistic healing and reconnection with the Divine. Through their expertise in breathwork coaching and sound healing, alongside ministerial training, Darren and Gloria offer a comprehensive approach to spiritual well-being, guiding others towardsprofound transformations.

 Carlos Carbajal 

​Carlos was born and raised in Honduras and has served the Miami community for over 10 years. He is the founder and pastor of Oikos Miami, a faith community in South Florida, where love and hope are the fundamental pillars. Oikos Miami lives by the message that at Jesus' table, everyone is welcome and accepted without any restrictions. Carlos is also the founder of Meals With Dignity, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing dignified meals to the most vulnerable in Latin America. The foundation also offers business, education, and technology training to communities in developing and extreme poverty areas, aiming to help them create contexts of comprehensive transformation and benefit for themselves and their families. Additionally, he is the co-founder and CEO of Thrive Media & Consulting.

Richard Hays

Richard Hays, George Washington Ivey Professor Emeritus of New Testament at Duke Divinity School, is internationally recognized for his work on the Gospels, the letters of Paul, and on New Testament ethics. He has lectured widely in North America, Europe, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Japan. An ordained United Methodist minister, he has preached in settings ranging from rural Oklahoma churches to London’s Westminster Abbey. Hays is a prolific author of numerous books including Moral Vision of the New Testament, Echoes of Scripture in the Gospels, and Reading with the Grain of Scripture. His latest book, written with Christopher Hays, is The Widening of God's Mercy: Sexuality Within the Biblical Story.

Portia Andrews

As a proud Dallas native, ACU Wildcat alumni & armed with a Master's degree in Business Administration, Portia Andrews embodies leadership characterized by integrity and respect. Her passion & extensive experience within a property prominent management group as well as consulting for POC/women owned businesses underscores her unwavering commitment to her community. Beyond professional pursuits, Portia is deeply involved in advocating fervently for her LGBTQIA+ community, influenced by her faith. As a dedicated, long-standing supporter of CenterPeace, she tells her story to continue to foster inclusive dialogues within her fellow African-American queer community. This dedication reflects her passion for fostering understanding and unity within the communities she holds so dear.

Ben and Ewduar "Ed" Campbell

Ben and Ed have been married for four years and are actively involved in their church in Madison, Wisconsin. Both have served in ministry for over the past two decades. After Bible college, Ben engaged in church planting, youth ministry, and discipleship, as well as taught intercultural studies. Ed, who is from Colombia, also has experience in church planting, as well as prison ministry, and Christian education. Both Ben and Ed serve with the Bakos Project, as mentors for young LGBTQ Christian leaders. 

Lucas Hall

Lucas Hall is a transgender advocate working to build awareness and inclusion in the world through education and personal testimony. Lucas is currently a seminary student at Austin Presbyterian Seminary and works at a crisis respite center for youth, many of whom are LGBTQ+. Lucas has worked in various spaces advocating for youth and counseling families as they navigate unknown waters related to gender identity and sexual orientation. Lucas also comes from a Christian background and although he has faced many obstacles has held onto his faith.

Nathan and David Almeida

Nathan and David Almeida have an amazing story of God's grace as they navigated their faith and sexuality across continents to find each other. Nathan is a graduate of Wheaton College and Regent University. David is from Colombia where he served in ministry, including as a worship leader. Devout in their faith they hope their testimony will be an encouragement to others.

Scott Royster and Phil Whitson

Scott Royster, a retired elementary schoolteacher and Phil Whitson, a retired accountant, have been partners since 2012 and were married in 2021.  They live in Amarillo, TX where they attend Southwest Church of Christ. Together they care for their dachshunds, Toffee and Cowboy. 

Idalmis Gil and Elva Arriola

Idalmis Gil and Elva Arriola are a hispanic couple of Cuban origin who live in Miami, Florida. They celebrate life and love God. Married for 21 years, they have overcome many obstacles in life while strengthening their relationship with God, and have founded a beautiful family together. Their lives are an example of the love and grace of God, and they are committed to share with others the love of God through their stories

Aubin Petersen

Aubin Petersen grew up in Odessa, Texas attending First Baptist, a Southern Baptist Church. She is a graduate of Baylor University and Brite Divinity School. She serves on the Board of Advocates for Baylor University Diana R. Garland School of Social Work, as well as the Board of The Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists. Aubin is a member of Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth where she and her husband, Mark, serve as leaders of the Ragamuffin Sunday School Class. In 2011 she heard her young neighbor had been kicked out because he was gay. She knew people needed a way to become educated and better informed about diverse sexual orientation and  gender identity and what better way than by LGBTQ+ folks, family and allies telling their own stories. Hence, Another Story® needed to be told about diverse sexuality and gender besides what so many faith communities were telling.