Jazzy Johnson is a community educator, womanist play facilitator, and organizer specializing in curating and facilitating transformative liturgical and religious education experiences of learning at the intersections of Christian faith, identity, justice, and repair. She graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and Sociology Minor and Emory University Candler School of Theology with her Master of Divinity degree, certificate in Religious Education and concentration in Justice, Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation. Jazzy facilitates and researches B/bibliodrama, a text-based method of play-filled critical interpretation and embodied, collective storytelling. Jazzy is currently a Ph.D. student at Emory University in the Graduate Division of Religion. Her research interests live within the interconnections between pedagogy, performance, play(ing), protest and poetics in Liturgical theology, Religious Education, and pastoral care.

We are sooooo excited ti be blessed for 22 years serving our church community! We moved into our church home 3709 W Grand Ave 60651 on this date September 14th. 11 years ago!

Dr. Valerie Ranee Landfair is the Founder and Executive Director of Firstfruit Ministry, Inc. of Evanston, Illinois. She has 17 years of management experience from a Fortune 500 company (Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management, Illinois State University, 1986).In 2009, Valerie completed her Masters of Divinity at North Park Theological Seminary. Her Ph.D. in Theology at Regent University in Virginia was completed in December 2017.She has taught at McCormick theological Seminary, North Park Theological Seminary, North Park University, Trinity Christian College, and Saint Xavier University teaching: Leadership and Church Growth, Leadership in Urban Ministry, Religion, Forming Disciples: Lament, Repentance, and Hope in Congregations, and Introduction to Bible.

Brandi Sanders serves as the Global Personnel Specialist for the Evangelical Covenant Church, supporting missionaries around the world. A lifelong worship leader and singer, she currently leads worship at LaSalle Street Church in Chicago while also serving alongside her husband, Pastor X, at New Community Covenant Church. They have 3 daughters who keep life entertaining and a little crazy. With a heart for ministry and a deep love for the local and global church, Brandi seeks to encourage others to grow in faith and live out God’s call in their lives.

Speaker | Valeri Chow Tao | "Serving with Jesus"Valeri is a 3rd generation Chinese American, born in Washington DC. She has called Chicago home for almost 20 years and has lived and worked on every side of the city. Valeri is committed to bear witness to the good news that God has and is making all things new. In addition to her pastoral work, she works in operations at a national nonprofit. Valeri and Mark have two children, who continue to humble and teach them how to be fully alive.

Speaker | Pastor Mark Tao | Series Forward | "God the Provider"

Speaker | Kevin Swanson | New Community Covenant Church
He currently serves as the Associate Pastor of Congregational Care. Kevin has served in pastoral ministry for 13 years following 28 years of ministry in foreign missions. He and his wife Linda have been married for 47 years. Kevin’s twin focuses at New Community are strengthening marriages and equipping the church for financial stewardship.

Tiana Coleman is the Associate Pastor at Missio Dei in Uptown, Chicago. She is a recent graduate of North Park Theological Seminary, graduating with a degree in Restorative Justice Ministries. Tiana and her husband Dave are parents to two wonderful teenagers. Baking is her love language. Tiana is also deeply committed to justice, reconciliation, and the flourishing of all human beings.