Location: Fort Worth,TX, USA
Rev. Dr. Michael Bell is an ordained Baptist minister, having led congregations in Washington, D.C., and Texas. He has earned degrees from Wiley University (B.S.), Howard University Divinity School, where he was a Howard Thurman Fellow (M.Div.), the University of Texas at Tyler (M.A.) and the Interdenominational Theological Center & Morehouse School of Religion with the Doctor of Ministry. A lifelong educator, he has taught in public schools and is a former Assistant Professor of Religion at Jarvis Christian University. He has preached, lectured and taught at a number of colleges, universities, seminaries and conventions. A denominational leader, he has served in numerous elected and appointed positions in both the Baptist General Convention of Texas, where he was elected the first African American President in its history, and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. He has organized and led several community organizations in Tarrant County, Texas. He has written articles, op eds and columns for assorted publications. He has a chapter in the anthology Justice Looks Like...Reflections on Living the Gospel in an Unjust World.
Rev. Russ Boyd has served as Senior Minister of Ridglea Christian Church since May of 2017. A native of Radford, Virginia, Russ earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina as a Religion and Political Science double major in 2000. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University in 2003, and was ordained by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) after graduation. He is currently pursuing his Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. During his seminary years, Russ served as Youth Minister at Creekwood Christian Church in Flower Mound, Texas. After graduation and ordination, he accepted a call to serve as Associate Minister at Collierville Christian Church near Memphis, Tennessee. In 2007, Russ was called as Associate Minister for Youth at University Christian Church of Fort Worth where he served for nearly 10 years.
Rev. Barbara Ely Heptig graduated from Brite Divinity School in May, 2012 with a Master of Divinity. Since that time, she has become a Certified Spiritual Director. She is very active with LGBTQ rights with LGBTQ Saves serving as the Chair of the Board of Directors 2020 from 2022. She has extensive training in spiritual development, spiritual disciplines and the Enneagram. Prior to Covid, she ministered to the homeless in Fort Worth with Union Gospel Mission, the Liberty House, the Patriot House. She was the first chaplain (unpaid) at the Presbyterian Night Shelter. She is a trained Stephen Minister. She received training in church mediation through the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center. She also received training in discernment using the clearness committee model through Parker J. Palmer's Center for Courage & Renewal. Prior to Covid, she hosted a local radio show called The Feral Christian with topics related to the LGBTQ community. She has been on staff at Ridglea Presbyterian Church and St. Stephen Presbyterian Church. She is currently a member of First Presbyterian Church - Fort Worth where she taught Sunday school, participated in mission trips, youth groups, Enneagram workshops, Room in the Inn, Presbyterian Women, covenant groups, small groups, Women's Retreat, and Multicultural youth camps. She was ordained in 2016. Barbara's hobbies are stained glass, fostering kittens and feral cat trap, neuter, and release. Barbara has been a licensed attorney for 45 years. She has been married for 48 years and has two children and five cats (currently). Her passions include LGBTQ and women's rights. She has traveled extensively, including trips to China and India.
Rev. Dr. Lucia Kremzar serves on the national Board of Presbyterian Women and is also active at the church, Presbytery, and Synod levels. She loves teaching, preaching, and inspiring others in faith. Lucia's first vocation was social work-she served pregnant teenagers, abused and neglected children, and the elderly. She heeded the call to professional ministry, attending TCU's Brite Divinity School from 2000-2005. In 2012, Lucia earned the Doctor of Ministry in preaching from Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN. Between 2005 and 2020, she served churches in Bridgeport, Grand Prairie, and Flower Mound. Today, she serves as a Supervised Ministry facilitator at Brite and as an occasional supply preacher in Grace Presbytery. For fun, Lucia delights in reading, gardening, music, following sports, and attending live theater. She and her husband Matt have three grown children whose residences include Austin and Plano. They also have two lovely granddaughters, ages four and two.
Rev. Dr. Alfie Wines is a coach/mentor, 8x author/editor/contributor which includes 3 Amazon bestsellers, biblical scholar, theologian, book/writing coach, editor, transformational speaker, emotional motivator, and spiritual entrepreneur. She holds an MDiv and a PhD in Biblical Interpretation - Old Testament/Hebrew Bible from Brite Divinity School. Dr. Wines, Managing Director of The Sinew Consulting Group, helps people make connections that enable them to build their businesses and their lives with ease and flow. She is The Book & Online Course Whisperer who helps you get your book out of your head, ready for publication and turn it into an online course without stress or overwhelm by using her TEOW (Think, Explore, Outline, Write) process. Dr. Wines writes biblical commentaries, essays, and a guest column (Durable Faith) for the Working Preacher, Craft of Preaching, and Enter the Bible websites sponsored by Luther Seminary. She serves as a Board Member and writes blogs for Equity for Women in the Church, an ecumenical movement that empowers people of all ages, races, and denominations to realize the full potential of their divine giftedness and to advocate for clergywomen's equity and inclusion in ministry. She is a member of Daughters of Abraham, a group of Christian, Muslim, and Jewish women who live and strive for peace. Currently, Dr. Wines serves as Pastor Emerita at Grace Methodist Metroplex, Fort Worth, TX, on the campus of Texas Wesleyan University where she previously served five years as pastor.