Philosophy & Community

Series Facilitator: Sam Heath is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Commonweath Justice Coalition. His faith background in Southern Baptist, Presbyterian, and now Anglican denominations enables him to tell stories about the realities of justice and injustice in America and hold together a view of the world as a place both exceptional and exploitative. He was a church elder in Charlottesville, VA for 6 years, where he still lives with his wife and three kids. Before founding the coalition, Sam led Equal Justice USA’s Evangelical Network and taught high school history for 10 years in North Carolina and Virginia. He has a B.A. in education and psychology from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and a master’s in theology from the University of Virginia.

Listening to the Community speaker: Pastor Keeyon Carter co-pastors Wellington Heights Community Church with his partner, Pastor Stephanie. They both minister and live in the Wellington Heights neighborhood. The ministry is focused on embodying the holistic gospel, that is, on the spiritual flourishing of people, as well as on the social, structural, and economic flourishing of people and places. Their mission is to join God in the reconciliation and restoration of all things through worship, reconciliation, and neighbor development. They have two sons who share their passion for welcoming all into the beloved community!

Reconciliation speaker: Rev. Dr. Hanna R. Broome, is a native of Spartanburg, SC, and an ordained Elder in the Central North Carolina Conference in Eastern North Carolina Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Zion Church. Rev. Dr. Broome is a graduate of the University of South Carolina-Upstate with a BA Degree in Information Systems Management. She received her Master of Divinity Degree in Biblical Leadership from Columbia International Seminary. Rev. Dr. Broome completed her Doctor of Ministry degree, Courageous Leadership in a Changing Culture, from Drew Theological Seminary. She holds current offices and positions in numerous organizations which include Director of Religious Affairs for Repairers of the Breach, President of the NC Council of Churches, Church Growth and Development of the AME Zion Church, Faith Communities for the North Carolina Poor People’s Campaign Moral Movement, NAACP, National Council of Negro Women, and Faith Leaders of Color against the Death Penalty. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and is the proud mother of three sons and six grandchildren.

Church-Based speaker: Rev. Dr. Eun Strawser is a co-vocational co-lead pastor, Ma Ke Alo o, co-founder and CEO of `iwa Collaborative, author of Centering Discipleship: A Pathway for Multiplying Spectators into Mature Disciples (IVP) and You Were Never Meant to Lead Alone: The Power of Sharing Leadership (IVP) www.ekstrawser.com.

Leadership Development speaker: Rev. Sandra María Van Opstal, a second-generation Latina, is Co-Founder and Executive Director of Chasing Justice, a movement led by people of color to mobilize a lifestyle of faith and justice . She is an international speaker, author, and activist, recognized for her courageous work in pursuing justice and disrupting oppressive systems within the church. As a global prophetic voice and an active community member on the west-side of Chicago, Sandra’s initiatives in holistic justice equip communities around the world to practice biblical solidarity and mutuality within various social and cultural locations.

Empowerment speaker: Rev. Jermaine B. Armour, Pastor Armour and his wife Tanya moved to Wilmington in January of 2014. He is a native of Buffalo, NY and holds a Master of Arts Degree in Christian Education from the Interdenominational Theological Center and an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Ministry from Livingstone College. He serves on several community boards, including One Christian Network, Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry (WARM), Kids Making It and the Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the Red Cross. Pastor Armour and is wife have two children, Jadah Alana and Jermaine Elijah.

Redistribution speaker: Rev. Darryl Answer was born and raised in London, England. He currently co-pastors New Community Church with his wife Stephanie. After a few years of living in their neighborhood and building relationships, they invited a small group of neighbors to a Bible study in their home. This was the birth of New Community Church. Today, New Community exists to build community, make disciples, and be the church. They do this through a network of spiritual families who collectively live as followers of Jesus, live out their calling, and are deeply rooted in their neighborhoods.  Darryl is the founder of Verge Solutions LLC and has served in a variety of leadership roles within churches, non-profit organizations, and in community development organizations. Darryl works in neighborhoods as a mobilizer and connector of residents and institutions around their shared vision for community. Through Verge Solutions LLC, Darryl provides consulting, training, and facilitation for organizations and communities in the areas of entrepreneurial mindset (ELI), shared equity housing, and community development through an Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) lens.  Darryl and Stephanie live in Kansas City, MO with their two children, Jaidyn and Kian, and their hyper-active mini golden doodle, Bruno. 

Relocation speaker: Rev. Dr. Jonathan Brooks Jonathan Brooks currently serves as Lead Pastor at Lawndale Christian Community Church. He was the former pastor of Canaan Community Church in Chicago for 15 years. He is also an adjunct Professor for Northern Seminary in their Christian Community Development Program and Trinity Christian College’s Chicago Semester program. He served as the Chicago City Director for Mission Year, a year long service program that focuses on the intersections of faith and justice. Jonathan has also been an educator in inner city Chicago for well over a decade and is a firm believer in investing in your local community. He has a deep desire to impress this virtue on all who will listen whether congregation, classroom or community.

Wholistic Approach speaker: Trishonda Roberson is a pastor, coach, and nonprofit executive—but those are just titles. At her core, she’s a woman who’s been broken and rebuilt by grace. Her life’s work is rooted in one truth: God can transform pain into purpose and use ordinary people to bring extraordinary change. She knows what it feels like to lead while silently battling depression, doubt, and the weight of unmet expectations. But God met her in those hidden places and reminded her that healing isn’t weakness — it’s where strength begins. That revelation changed everything and birthed her passion for helping people, churches, and communities discover wholeness and walk boldly in purpose. Her journey has taken her from hospital rooms as a mental health nurse, to pulpits as a minister of the Gospel, to boardrooms and classrooms as a community leader and advocate. Each season has taught her that transformation happens when faith meets action — when we heal what’s broken, lead with compassion, and build communities where everyone can thrive.