Preacher: Amy Howard

Rev. Amy Howard is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church, currently serving at First United Methodist Church, Tuscaloosa. She is passionate about helping people experience the transformational love of Jesus through communities of belonging. With a background in Christian Education and campus ministry before her last thirteen years in a pastoral role, she especially loves to help young people discover the ways they can use their enthusiastic faith to make a difference in the Church now. Above all though, she loves being "momma" to Cora and Bryson.

Preacher: Cameron Thomas

Cameron Thomas serves as pastor of the Hutchinson Missionary Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. Cameron received his Bachelor of Arts degree at Samford University and his Master of Divinity at Beeson Divinity School. Currently, he is pursuing a Ph.D. in preaching at Baylor University. His research interests include pastoral ministry, Black preaching tradition, and the formation of preachers. In 2020, he launched Cameron R. Thomas Ministries to support preachers in the Black church and community. Cameron is married to Terah Stockdale Thomas.

Worship Leader: Nate Glasper

Nate Glasper, Jr. is a Resource Development Specialist and Campus Worship Associate at the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. He serves as Adjunct Professor in the Department of Visual & Performing Arts at Calvin University and is currently the director of the Calvin University Gospel Choir. For the past 18 years he has been the Worship Pastor for Grace for the Nations Church in Grand Rapids, MI. Nate is a sought-after worship leader and teacher for ministry events in the USA and abroad, focusing on topics such as, Worship as a Lifestyle, Intercultural Worship and The Message Behind Gospel Music. One of his goals is training and equipping the next generation of worship leaders and songwriters. Nate is a graduate of Cornerstone University (B.S.) and Calvin Theological Seminary (M.A.) Nate is married to LaShaunda and they reside in Kentwood, MI with their little girl, Nyla Joy. 

Visual Artist: Maria Fee

Dr. Maria Fee is an artist, theologian, and educator. Her visual art explores ideas of fragmentation, metizaje (cultural mixing), alienation, and hospitality. These notions also drive her theological endeavors currently explored in the book Beauty Is a Basic Service: Theology and Hospitality in the Work of Theaster Gates, Fortress Press. As a seminary professor, Maria applies art-based methodologies to theological courses such as The Visual Arts and the Christian, Word and Sacrament, and Capstone Theology and Art. Dr. Fee holds an MFA in painting, M.A. in theological studies, and a PhD in theology and culture. 

Spoken Word Artist: Jonathan Skaggs

Jonathan Skaggs is a performer, writer, and producer originally from Sanibel Island, Florida. He holds a degree in Musical Theatre from Samford University and a certificate in Worship Leadership from the Center for Worship and the Arts. As a performer, Jonathan has traveled the country as an actor and singer, working on both professional theatrical productions and Christian storytelling tours.

As the Creative Director for GENERATE by YM360, Jonathan wrote, produced, and directed three Christian music and storytelling touring productions, which were seen by over 30,000 audience members. He routinely writes and produces commercial film projects. His film Ride On, which he wrote and executive-produced, premiered in 2025.

Jonathan grew up heavily involved in church, where he first discovered his passion for storytelling. He hopes to play a small role in inspiring and launching young artists into lives filled with storytelling and artistry.

Currently, Jonathan serves as the Director of Enrollment Management for Samford University's School of the Arts, leading recruitment and admissions efforts for all arts degrees. His greatest joys are spending time with his wife and going on adventure walks with his son.

Dance Coordinator: Sarah Smoot

Reverend Sarah Wilcox Smoot is an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church and is the senior pastor of Church of the Reconciler in Birmingham, Alabama. She holds a Master of Divinity from Duke Divinity School and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry from Wesley Theological Seminary. Sarah is a lifelong dancer and weaves dance into her ministry with the church. She believes liturgical dance is a ministry of giving thanks for the body, as well as offering worship to God. Sarah creates movement prayers that are accessible to all people in order to reconnect the body with the journey of faith. Sarah’s dance influences include ballet, modern, and African styles, and she performs with Sanspointe Dance Company. She is married to Tyler Smoot, and they have two children ages 7 and 4.

Worship Coordinator: Jonathan Rodgers

Jonathan Rodgers has been a pianist, worship leader, arranger/composer, and conductor for over twenty years. Currently, he is Assistant Professor and Coordinator of the Music and Worship program at Samford University. He has served churches in Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama and has also been on faculty at Lee University. A native of Memphis, Rodgers earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Master of Music in Church Music degrees from Samford University and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Southern Mississippi. Jonathan has a heart for the local church and currently serves as Worship Minister at The Church at Liberty Park. Jonathan is married to Alicia, and they reside in Birmingham with their four children. You can find his published arrangements on various platforms (including JWPepper and Sheet Music Plus) or follow his most recent album "Be Still: Worship at the Piano" on Spotify. For all other info, be sure to visit his website: jrodgemusic.com.

Tech Coordinator: Andrew Henderson

Andrew Henderson is a Worship Arts Director and experienced AVL technician with a passion for creating immersive worship experiences. After growing up in Alabama, Andrew studied acoustic guitar, audio engineering, and music production at Appalachian State University, where he met his wife, Michelle. The couple moved to Birmingham after graduating, where they both started to become deeply involved at their local church, Grace UMC. Andrew now serves as the Worship Arts Director at Grace, leading and training the church’s mostly-volunteer music and tech teams. In addition to his work at Grace, Andrew has been running his own company, Lost in Sound, since 2012, providing live event production and AVL integration for churches and venues. He’s worked with a variety of churches, helping them build and optimize their technical setups to enhance worship environments. Andrew is passionate about teaching others and enjoys equipping worship teams with the skills to effectively use AVL systems in ministry. This summer, Andrew will serve as the Tech Director at Animate, overseeing audio, video, and lighting for worship, as well as leading hands-on classes on AVL systems and techniques for campers interested in technical ministry. When he’s not leading worship, training teams, or working events, Andrew enjoys spending time with Michelle and their children, running, and playing music around town.

Showcase: Cedar Creative

Cedar Creative is a Birmingham-based film production company built on one simple premise: every problem can be solved with a story. We work hard to find engaging questions to ask with each piece and bring them to life on screen.

Preston Little

Preston first picked up a camera in 2013 and never looked back. He grew into his career as a filmmaker by working on film sets during college. He loves seeing ideas come to life on the screen.

Kevin Johnson

As a kid, Kevin loved nothing more than telling a good story. His two great passions are communication and organization. Kevin’s 10+ years of experience in communication and organizational leadership helps us move the Cedar vision forward.

Ethan Milner

Ethan’s childhood obsession with movies has carried him to a career of making films and telling stories. His big goal is to make cinematic, original content that tells your story. With 10+ years of experience, Ethan can help you tell your story in an engaging, visual way.

Greyson Welch

Greyson began his film career crewing on feature films. In between learning from larger sets, he diligently created his own projects. Years later - Greyson still loves the process of making films and hopes to do so for the rest of his life.