EBENEZER ALONGE is the organizing pastor of David’s Court Ministry International. He is also the convener, Supply of the Spirit Prayer Conference, Pray-on-the-Go Daily prayer meeting, and Hope for Me Conference. He earned a Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees in English from University of Ibadan, Ibadan Nigeria. He also earned a Master of Divinity Degree from Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur Georgia USA. Born and raised in the ancient city of Ibadan Nigeria, Eben pastored for several years before relocating to America to attend Seminary with his wife and kids in 2017.

Ruth Lin Nakai (The Weaving Table) is a Chinese American spiritual director, facilitator, and creative whose work weaves together faith, art, and healing. Through workshops, cohorts, and spiritual direction, she creates contemplative and creative spaces for spiritually curious people, especially those navigating disorientation, transition, or spiritual reconstruction. She is the community steward of The Weaving Table, an emerging New Worshipping Community for those untangling, reclaiming, and reimagining their spiritual lives. Rooted in the belief that our spiritual lives are not problems to be solved but sacred processes to be tended in community, The Weaving Table welcomes those longing to release what no longer serves and gently weave new possibilities for wholeness and collective flourishing. Ruth lives in Chicago with her husband and their two children and is always glad to connect with fellow practitioners imagining new expressions of church—over conversation, collaboration, or better yet– a really good cup of bubble tea.

Rev. Raafat Girgis – All People Intercultural Community (APIC)

Raafat has served the church in America and abroad since his ordination by al Delta Presbytery, Synod of the Nile, Presbyterian Church in Egypt, in 1982. In 1993 he was received by the Presbytery of the James and became a member of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) He spent equal years of his ministry in the USA and abroad; received equal number of degrees (3 from his mother country) in social sciences, history, and theology, from seminaries and universities in Cairo & Alexandria, Egypt and received his MATS and Th.M. from Chicago, Il. Currently, he serves as Founding Pastor of All People Intercultural Community, (APIC), a sponsored ministry of the Denver Presbytery in partnership with Grace Presbyterian Church in Highlands Ranch. Before starting his current ministry Raafat worked as the lead pastor for several Presbyterian Churches in, California, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Raafat also served on the national staff of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) for 15 years directing the denomination’ Multicultural Ministries.

Raafat seeks to cultivate safe intersections where differences meet & interact. Raafat appreciates ministries that seek to provide the good news in a cup that people recognize, breaking barriers, and building bridges that are wide and strong enough for all people to safely cross over. Raafat also appreciates connectional ministry that focus on building both inboard and abroad missional partnerships & purse just and peace priorities.

Chris Dingman -Known for his distinctive approach to a unique and beautiful instrument. Chris Dingman has worked with legendary artists Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter, and many of today’s jazz, creative, and world music luminaries.

Working in NYC since 2002, Chris’s trajectory was forever changed when, in 2018, he improvised and recorded music as an act of care for his father in his final months of life. This music became the 5-hour extended album Peace. Since then, Chris has brought his special brand of healing music far and wide, from live sessions at Omega Institute and The Rubin Museum of Art, to talks for the Gold Foundation and the American College of Physicians, and since 2022 to the online New Worshipping Community Transformations. 

Chris has been profiled by NPR, the New York Times, AMNY, and many other publications, and has received fellowships and grants from Chamber Music America, New Music USA, South Arts, and the Thelonious Monk Institute.

Rev. Laura Bethany Buchleiter (or just “LB” if you prefer!) is a pastor, speaker, writer, advocate, and consultant with over 30 years of experience in various Christian ministry settings. She speaks on topics ranging from gender identity and sexual orientation to spiritual and religious trauma and faith formation. In all her work, Laura Beth draws heavily on her own experiences with PTSD, gender dysphoria, nomadic living, and the joys and challenges that come with those while working in faith communities.

When not working with congregations, LB spends her time writing and producing music, creating art from one of several mediums, and connecting with nature in any way possible – specifically being as close to water as possible.

Ike Sturm is a bassist, composer, and worship leader who founded Finding Our Way Home, a new worshiping community in New York City. He previously served as Music Director for the Jazz Ministry at Saint Peter’s Church in Manhattan, where he composed the internationally acclaimed Jazz Mass. Ike is currently preparing to release RIVER, a 16-movement work for 100 voices and string orchestra, commissioned by Montview Presbyterian Church. Ike continues to create expansive, spirit-filled music that brings people together across genres and landscapes.

Jesse Lewis is a New York–based guitarist known for ambient music that blends instrumental textures with natural soundscapes, incorporating elements like birdsong and wind into his improvisations. Described by The New York Times as “an articulate ace” and by Stereophile Magazine as “a poet of the steel string,” he is a versatile collaborator across jazz, world music, pop, and electronica. Lewis has performed at premier venues including the Blue Note, Birdland, Carnegie Hall, and major international festivals.