SPARK Conference Speakers
Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston
Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston
Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston
The Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston is the current Modertor of UFMCC, and she has been involved in MCC for 30 years, starting as a young LGBT activist who helped to plant a local church. She has served as European District Coordinator and as Regional Elder, working with our churches in Western Europe and Africa.
She became involved in UFM
The Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston is the current Modertor of UFMCC, and she has been involved in MCC for 30 years, starting as a young LGBT activist who helped to plant a local church. She has served as European District Coordinator and as Regional Elder, working with our churches in Western Europe and Africa.
She became involved in UFMCC in 1989 and was one of the founding co-pastors of Living Springs MCC in Bath, England.
After serving for nine years as Pastor at Northern Lights MCC, in the UK, she spent a year travelling and fulfilling her wish list, including volunteering for three months in Swaziland, Southern Africa.
Rev. Dr. Neil G. Thomas
Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston
Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston
The Reverend Dr. Neil G. Thomas has served as Senior Pastor of Cathedral of Hope of Dallas since being elected by its 4,500-member congregation on April 12, 2015. Before joining Cathedral of Hope, he was Senior Pastor of MCC Bournemouth in England (1989–2002) and Founders Metropolitan Community Church in Los Angeles (2002–2015).
Dr. Thomas
The Reverend Dr. Neil G. Thomas has served as Senior Pastor of Cathedral of Hope of Dallas since being elected by its 4,500-member congregation on April 12, 2015. Before joining Cathedral of Hope, he was Senior Pastor of MCC Bournemouth in England (1989–2002) and Founders Metropolitan Community Church in Los Angeles (2002–2015).
Dr. Thomas is a sought-after speaker who contributes to local, national, and international discussions on the intersection of faith, race, gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
Rev. Wanda Floyd
Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston
Rev. Dr. Michael Piazza
The Rev. Wanda Floyd is Senior Pastor at Love MCC in Las Vegas, Nevada. Rev. Wanda Floyd has over 20 years’ experience which reflects a balanced approach to healthy church life, coupled with a Master’s of Divinity degree. Strong and proven track record in church work through excellent performance as a lay minister, pastoral leader, asso
The Rev. Wanda Floyd is Senior Pastor at Love MCC in Las Vegas, Nevada. Rev. Wanda Floyd has over 20 years’ experience which reflects a balanced approach to healthy church life, coupled with a Master’s of Divinity degree. Strong and proven track record in church work through excellent performance as a lay minister, pastoral leader, associate pastor and full-time pastor. Experience working with church leaders, membership, and community organizations to promote Jesus Christ in the world, while leading the church through effective communication and engagement.
Rev. Dr. Michael Piazza
Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston
Rev. Dr. Michael Piazza
The Reverend Dr. Michael S. Piazza is an author and social justice advocate best known as former senior pastor and dean of the Cathedral of Hope in Dallas, Texas, where membership grew from about 350 to more than 3,500 under his leadership. He now serves as co-pastor of Progressive Spirit United Church of Christ (formerly Arlington Congre
The Reverend Dr. Michael S. Piazza is an author and social justice advocate best known as former senior pastor and dean of the Cathedral of Hope in Dallas, Texas, where membership grew from about 350 to more than 3,500 under his leadership. He now serves as co-pastor of Progressive Spirit United Church of Christ (formerly Arlington Congregational Church) in Jacksonville, Florida.
A sought-after speaker, he is currently CEO and founder of Agile Church Consulting, which helps congregations revitalize, innovate, and grow.
Rev. Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson
Rev. Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson
Rev. Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson
The Reverend Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson served as Moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) from 2005 to 2016, succeeding founder Rev. Elder Troy Perry and becoming the first woman to hold the role since MCC was founded in 1968. Rev. Nancy served as pastor of Church of the Trinity MCC in Sarasota from 2001 to 2005 and of MCC Los Ang
The Reverend Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson served as Moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) from 2005 to 2016, succeeding founder Rev. Elder Troy Perry and becoming the first woman to hold the role since MCC was founded in 1968. Rev. Nancy served as pastor of Church of the Trinity MCC in Sarasota from 2001 to 2005 and of MCC Los Angeles, now Founders MCC, from 1986 to 2001. She joined MCC as Associate Pastor of MCC Boston in 1972 at age 22 and pastored MCC Detroit from 1975 to 1979.
A popular preacher and speaker, she delivered the Earl Lectures at Pacific School of Religion in 2002.
Rev. Renae Phillips
Rev. Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson
Rev. Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson
The Rev. Renae Phillips is a member of the Board of Governors of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches.
Rev. Phillips has been serving in Metropolitan Community Churches since 1989 and has dedicated her life to ministry, leadership, and community building.
She has pastored churches in Texas and Florida, led congregat
The Rev. Renae Phillips is a member of the Board of Governors of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches.
Rev. Phillips has been serving in Metropolitan Community Churches since 1989 and has dedicated her life to ministry, leadership, and community building.
She has pastored churches in Texas and Florida, led congregations through transitions, and has been recognized for her incredible work in ministry.
Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski
Rev. Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson
Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski
The Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski is the Senior Pastor of the Congregational Church UCC of of the Peninsula.
He has spent over 32 years of ordained ministry in churches from New York to California and congregations both small and enormous (1,000 in the pews on Sunday!).
He was ordained in 1983, began his ministry in the Metropolitan Community C
The Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski is the Senior Pastor of the Congregational Church UCC of of the Peninsula.
He has spent over 32 years of ordained ministry in churches from New York to California and congregations both small and enormous (1,000 in the pews on Sunday!).
He was ordained in 1983, began his ministry in the Metropolitan Community Church denomination in New York and then San Francisco before attending the United Church of Christ seminary.
The first 25 years of his ministry were spent in largely gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender congregations including the largest LGBT church in the world in Dallas, the Cathedral of Hope (which is also one of the largest UCC churches).
Rev. Annie Ross
Rev. Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson
Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski
The Rev. Annie Ross is the Senior Pastor at Imani Metropolitan Community Church in Durham, North Carolina.
MORE TO COME...
Rev. Kevin Konkle
Rev. Elder Lillie Brock
Rev. Elder Lillie Brock
The Rev. Kevin Konkle was elected Senior Pastor of Metropolitan Community Church of the Palm Beaches in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. He has served at the church since September 2024. The church has experienced a 300% growth in attendance.
He is also Founding Pastor of MCC Merida, Mexico, a licensed mental health counselor in Florida. He
The Rev. Kevin Konkle was elected Senior Pastor of Metropolitan Community Church of the Palm Beaches in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. He has served at the church since September 2024. The church has experienced a 300% growth in attendance.
He is also Founding Pastor of MCC Merida, Mexico, a licensed mental health counselor in Florida. He has served in leadership roles including Youth Pastor, Administrative Pastor, Senior Pastor, and Assistant General Superintendent across multiple denominations.
Rev. Konkle has planted three churches and is dedicated to community impact, unconditional love, and inclusivity.
Rev. Elder Lillie Brock
Rev. Elder Lillie Brock
Rev. Elder Lillie Brock
The Rev. Elder Lillie Brock is the Pastor of Church of the Trinity MCC in Sarasota, Florida.
in 2000, she was ordained into professional ministry and credentialed by the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC). She currently serves as an Elder.
Rev. Brock has been involved with MCC churches for more than half of th
The Rev. Elder Lillie Brock is the Pastor of Church of the Trinity MCC in Sarasota, Florida.
in 2000, she was ordained into professional ministry and credentialed by the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC). She currently serves as an Elder.
Rev. Brock has been involved with MCC churches for more than half of the denomination’s life. Rev. Elder Lillie’s father was also an MCC Pastor.
Rev. Kenny Callahan
Rev. Elder Lillie Brock
Rev. Kenny Callahan
The Rev. Kenny Callaghan is Senior Pastor of All God’s Children MCC in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and brings more than 35 years of ministry experience. He is known for strong leadership, pastoral care, dynamic preaching, and a commitment to fiscal responsibility. Ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in 2000 after more than
The Rev. Kenny Callaghan is Senior Pastor of All God’s Children MCC in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and brings more than 35 years of ministry experience. He is known for strong leadership, pastoral care, dynamic preaching, and a commitment to fiscal responsibility. Ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in 2000 after more than 15 years of leadership service, he joined the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches in 2016.
He previously served as senior pastor of MCC Richmond in Virginia and has ministered in many cities throughout California. Rev. Callaghan is committed to social justice and to serving people who are marginalized.
Rev. Craig Cranston
Rev. Elder Lillie Brock
Rev. Kenny Callahan
The Rev. Craig Cranston was elected senior pastor of St. John the Apostle MCC in September 2022. Previously, he served on the staff of MCC Tampa after interning there as a clergy candidate in 2018–2019, and as pastor of Congregational Care at King of Peace MCC. He entered ordained ministry after years as a consultant and business leader f
The Rev. Craig Cranston was elected senior pastor of St. John the Apostle MCC in September 2022. Previously, he served on the staff of MCC Tampa after interning there as a clergy candidate in 2018–2019, and as pastor of Congregational Care at King of Peace MCC. He entered ordained ministry after years as a consultant and business leader for Fortune 200 companies.
He is certified as a marriage and family facilitator through Prepare/Enrich, leads national workshops in religious and secular settings, co-leads the Florida Network for MCC, and serves on the denomination’s national Board of Pensions.
SPARK Conference Speakers
Rev. Jeremy Riden
Rev. Jeremy Riden
Rev. Jeremy Riden
The Rev. Jeremy Riden is the Provisional Pastor at Church of our Savior MCC in Boynton Beach, Florida.
MORE TO COME..
Rev. Bam Noriega
Rev. Jeremy Riden
Rev. Jeremy Riden
The Rev. Bam Noriega is Assistant Pastor of Founder's MCC in Los Angeles, California.
MORE TO COME...
JT Priar
Rev. Jeremy Riden
JT Priar
JT Priar is the Young Adult Minister at Church of the Trinity MCC in Sarasota, Florida.
MORE TO COME...