Extravaganza General Session Speakers

Extravaganza Speakers

There are six general sessions throughout the Extravaganza. These carefully selected speakers will inspire, challenge and equip you for the ministry ahead. Additional speakers will be added so be sure to check back for updates. 

 


 

Extravaganza Theologian 

Michael Chan

Dr. Michael Chan

Executive Director for Faith and Learning, Concordia College
Prior to joining Concordia College in June 2022, Dr. Michael Chan was associate professor of Old Testament at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. He joined Luther Seminary after completing his Ph.D. at Emory University and a year of research and teaching at the University of Helsinki. He is a graduate of Luther Seminary (M.A. in biblical theology) and Pacific Lutheran University (B.A. in elementary education). 
Instagram: @chanofthewoods

 

EXTRAVAGANZA Emcee

Matthew Lovett
Matthew Lovett is a native of Philadelphia, PA and graduate of the first HBCU in America Lincoln University with a B.S in communications and minor in religion and philosophy. His roots began at Tasker Street Missionary Baptist Church where his father has been Pastor for 42 years. During his time at the church, Matthew taught Sunday School, served as church musician, assisted in any foreign mission initiatives, served in a Men's Fellowship with a focus on incarcerated individuals and at risk youth, served as Co-Commissioner for a youth summer basketball league, served many meals to families in need, and also served in gun buyback events where individuals could come surrender their firearms at the church, no questions asked, and receive gift cards or food vouchers.

Matthew met his spiritual Mother, Pastor Regina Goodrich at Mediator Lutheran Church, an ELCA congregation in Philadelphia in 2018, and became layman and armor bearer. Pastor Goodrich has allowed Matthew to preach the Word, become a part of the Multicultural Initiative. Matthew serves on the ELCA Youth Ministry Network Board of Directors.

Matthew is here to serve, nothing more and absolutely nothing less.


 General Session #1

Rev. Carla Christopher posing headshot in front of antique items and window frameRev. Carla Christopher (she/they)
The Rev. Carla Christopher (she/they) is a former Poet Laureate of York, Pennsylvania who plays in a poetry-funk fusion band, Groove Ink, and spoils her dog (Bishop Winifred Mandela) shamelessly. In her spare time she serves as Assistant to the Bishop for Justice Ministries in Lower Susquehanna and Delaware-Maryland Synods, is a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Consultant and Trauma-Informed Care / Restorative Justice Mediator for multiple synods and faith-based organizations. Carla works joyfully as a member of churchwide Congregational Vitality team as curriculum developer and trainer as advocates as a Statewide Policy Council member with Lutheran Advocacy Ministries of PA. A former youth and family caseworker who studied brain development and early childhood education at Columbia University before attending United Lutheran Seminary, Carla has supported multiple congregations in community engagement and youth ministry as part of renewal and redevelopment. She writes regularly for ELCA World Hunger, Sundays and Seasons, and Sparkhouse and loves energetic storytelling from her queer, Creole, Romani, Spanish perspective. Co-chair of the Commission for A Renewed Lutheran Church and chaplain for Proclaim, an ELCA ministry that supports LGBTQIA2S+ seminarians and rostered leaders, Carla specializes in dreams shepherded into movements, especially when empowerment of children and youth are at the center.

 

Jeff HIllerJeff Hiller
Jeff Hiller is an actor and comedian mostly known for playing Joel on HBO comedy series, "Somebody Somewhere". Jeff grew up going to Shepherd King Lutheran Church in San Antonio, TX, was a graduate of Texas Lutheran College and was a full time volunteer at the Urban Servant Corps in Denver, Colorado.

General Session #2

Rev. Carla Christopher posing headshot in front of antique items and window frameRev. Carla Christopher (she/they)
The Rev. Carla Christopher (she/they) is a former Poet Laureate of York, Pennsylvania who plays in a poetry-funk fusion band, Groove Ink, and spoils her dog (Bishop Winifred Mandela) shamelessly. In her spare time she serves as Assistant to the Bishop for Justice Ministries in Lower Susquehanna and Delaware-Maryland Synods, is a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Consultant and Trauma-Informed Care / Restorative Justice Mediator for multiple synods and faith-based organizations. Carla works joyfully as a member of churchwide Congregational Vitality team as curriculum developer and trainer as advocates as a Statewide Policy Council member with Lutheran Advocacy Ministries of PA. A former youth and family caseworker who studied brain development and early childhood education at Columbia University before attending United Lutheran Seminary, Carla has supported multiple congregations in community engagement and youth ministry as part of renewal and redevelopment. She writes regularly for ELCA World Hunger, Sundays and Seasons, and Sparkhouse and loves energetic storytelling from her queer, Creole, Romani, Spanish perspective. Co-chair of the Commission for A Renewed Lutheran Church and chaplain for Proclaim, an ELCA ministry that supports LGBTQIA2S+ seminarians and rostered leaders, Carla specializes in dreams shepherded into movements, especially when empowerment of children and youth are at the center.

 

Ross Murray headshotDeacon Ross Murray
Director of The Naming Project
Ross holds a BA in Youth & Family Ministry from Augsburg College and a MA in Outreach & Discipleship from Luther Seminary and is a consecrated Deacon in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He has worked with youth and families in rural parishes, camps, multicultural urban congregations, college campuses, and has presented models of youth & family ministry all over the country. Ross is responsible for communication, fundraising, and development of the programs of The Naming Project. Ross is especially interested in helping youth cultivate a holistic identity that includes sexuality and spirituality.

 General Session #3

This general session will be unlike any other General Session. We are delighted to announce that this session will include a special staged reading of a play entitled, "Jabari Dreams of Freedom," written by Nambi E. Kelley and directed by Daniel Carlton. The play will be cast with members of our own Multicultural Initiative.
JABARI DREAMS OF FREEDOM is a 45 minute dream, a piece for ages 8 and up, using rap, freedom songs, hip hop dance, history, and humor to tell the story of a young Black boy from the South Side of Chicago who is afraid to leave the house, but learns to dream of freedom.

JABARI DREAMS OF FREEDOM is presented through special arrangement with TRW PLAYS 1180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 640, New York, NY 10036. www.trwplays.com

Nambi E. KellyNambi E. Kelley
Producer & Writer
Nambi serves as a season 2 co-producer on Peacock's Bel Air. Be sure to check out Nambi's full bio & credit listing. Nambi's newly formed production company, FIRST WOMAN, is currently producing a digital and in person national tour of Nambi's young audiences' play, Jabari Dreams of Freedom, directed by Daniel Carlton. The in person tour recently premiered off-Broadway at the renowned New Victory Theatre on 42nd Street. The digital version of Jabari has received been selected in several film festivals.  Ms. Kelley has a BFA from The Theatre School at De Paul University, formerly known as The Goodman School of Drama, and holds an MFA in interdisciplinary arts from Goddard College in Vermont.

Daniel CarltonDaniel Carlton
Actor & Director
Daniel Carlton is a multiple award winning Harlem based Actor, Storyteller, Playwright, Poet, Director, and Teaching Artist who has appeared on New York, national, and international stages. His work has also been presented in schools, jails, homeless shelters, libraries, and every imaginable place to perform. Recent Projects: Writer/Director of “March On” (Apollo Theater, National Black Theater Festival). Writer " Pigfoot Mary Says Goodbye To The Harlem Renaissance. ) Director of The National Tour of “Freedom Riders” (Mad River Theater Works). Performing multiple characters in” Finding North'' by David Gonzalez (National Tour). Also developing from a commission (co writer with Nambi E Kelley and Director ) of a new hybrid Digital and Live Play “This Ability" for Chicago Children’s Theatre. Writer/ Performer " Check Yo Invite" (HarlemStage) “The Eagle in Harlem” , one of his storytelling shows for younger audiences , has been seen by thousands of school age children. Collaborator with Iquail Saheed of Dance Iquail on “ Public Enemy “ (dramaturg and text) a developing dance piece based on the incarceration of young Black Men (Spring 2022, Eastern State Penitentiary Site, Philadelphia, and world tour) www.danielcarlton.com.

 General Session #4

The tAble & ELCA Disability Ministries
We are delighted to have representatives from the tAble and ELCA Disability Ministries be highlighted and lead this session.

The tAble is an intentional gathering of youth who live with a wide range of disabilities. First held in 1997 under the name DAYLE (Definitely-abled Youth Leadership Event), the tAble is one of the pre-gathering experiences that celebrates the ways we have been uniquely created and called into the family of Jesus. Every three years young people form a community as they preview the sites and themes of the ELCA Youth Gathering and create lasting friendships with others who “get” an integral part of their life story. The tAble is one of the few places in the ELCA and wider church intentionally designed for the full inclusion of young people, regardless of ability.

 General Session #5

Pastora Jade Ortiz Pastora Jade Mohorko Ortiz
Pastora Jade Mohorko Ortiz is an Oxnard, CA native. She is the Mission Developer for Redimidos, a Synodically Authorized Worship Community (SAWC) and Pastor of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church. Pastora Jade, bilingual in Spanish and English, is of Puerto Rican heritage, a wife to Victor Ivan and mother to Jaivan, Jaidani, and their angel Janaiv. She is a public high school teacher in Oxnard, graduate of California Lutheran University, the University of LaVerne, and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS). Jade grew up in the Foursquare and Pentecostal church, and at a very young age learned the importance of community connection and relationships as vital to sharing God’s love. She found the Episcopal and Lutheran churches to be wonderfully accepting, full of tradition, and was invited to work in youth ministry. After 17 plus years in Youth ministry, she entered the TEEM Program. Pastora Jade has a love for serving Christ and sharing the Good News with reminding everyone they are loved by God as they are. Pastora Jade also serves on the ELCA Youth Ministry Network's Board.

Jamie Bruesehoff headshot in front of plants and a white wallJamie Bruesehoff
Author & Advocate
Jamie Bruesehoff is an award-winning LGBTQ+ advocate, heartfelt writer, and mother of three, including a transgender teenager. Rooted in her queer identity, her experiences raising a transgender child, and two decades of youth and outdoor ministry experience, Jamie equips leaders to create more inclusive spaces for LGBTQIA youth. She is the author of Raising Kids beyond the Binary: Celebrating God’s Transgender and Gender-Diverse Children. Her family and work have been featured by media outlets and organizations around the world, including Disney, NPR, Good Morning America, USA Today, The Today Show, CBS News, Human Rights Campaign, The Trevor Project, and The GenderCool Project. Jamie holds a B.A. in Religion from Gettysburg College and an M.A. in Religion from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. Whether it’s in front of ten people or more than thirty thousand, Jamie shares her experience in a way that touches hearts, changes minds, and inspires positive change.

General Session #6: Worship

Bishop Michael Rinehart against a white backgroundBishop Michael Rinehart
Bishop of the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod 
Michael Rinehart is Bishop of the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, a community of over one hundred congregations, campus ministries, retreat centers, and other agencies. Michael studied music at Valparaiso University, a Lutheran university in Valparaiso, Indiana, focusing on organ performance and singing in the VU Schola Cantorum, Chorale, Concert Choir. He received his Master of Divinity at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. He lives in Montgomery, Texas with his wife and children.

Worship Presider

Rev. Nicolette PeñarandaRev. Nicolette Peñaranda
Rev. Nicolette Peñaranda serves as the Program Director for the African Descent Ministries of the ELCA. One of Rev. Nicolette’s most recent projects includes being the Illustrator of “God’s Holy Darkness,” a children’s book that “deconstructs anti-Blackness in Christian theology by celebrating instances in the story of God’s people when darkness, blackness, and night are beautiful, good, and holy.” She is a guest artist for Sanctified Art’s 2023 Advent and 2024 Lent resources. Rev. Nic is a DMin student at United Lutheran Seminary.

 

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