Churchnet September 2017 | Page 8

Plenary Speakers

Starsky Wilson is a pastor, philanthropist, and activist pursuing God’s vision of community marked by justice, peace, and love. He is pastor of Saint John’s Church (The Beloved Community), president & CEO of Deaconess Foundation, and former leader of the Ferguson Commission. Wilson has led activism on a myriad issues, including youth violence prevention, Medicaid expansion, public school accreditation, voter mobilization, capping payday lending, and raising the minimum wage.

Shane Claiborne is a prominent speaker, activist, and best-selling author. Shane worked with Mother Teresa in Calcutta, and founded The Simple Way in Philadelphia. He heads up Red Letter Christians, a movement of folks who are committed to living “as if Jesus meant the things he said.” Shane is a champion for grace which has led him to jail advocating for the homeless, and to places like Iraq and Afghanistan to stand against war. And now grace fuels his passion to end the death penalty.