Neighbors Conference 2026
Equipping Local Churches to Build Healthy Neighborhoods.
March 27-28, 2026 • Crossroads Mall OKC
(Crossroads Mall Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 73129)
This year's conference is focused on the theme "Longing for Home." In a cultural moment when many people are experiencing loneliness, alienation, or displacement, the church can be a community of welcome that helps people find healing and wholeness in the presence of God.
Join keynote speaker Walter Kim, President of the National Association of Evangelicals, and local faith leaders for practical training on how churches can serve their communities and work to build healthy neighborhoods.
Breakfast and Lunch are provided during the Saturday sessions.
Keynote Speaker
Walter Kim
President | National Association of Evangelicals
Walter Kim is President of the National Association of Evangelicals. He earned his PhD at Harvard, was a chaplain at Yale, and has served in diverse pastoral ministries. He is on the board of World Relief, Christianity Today, and The Salvation Army, USA. He is often sought out for his theological and cultural commentary on issues facing the church and society.
Speakers
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Kori Hall
Kori Hall is the Chief Strategy Officer at City Care, and she has a background in social work and community advocacy and specializes in services for marginalized communities. She is a public speaker who uses creative arts and storytelling to advocate for local issues. She hopes to equip community members with the tools they need to bring change to their cities, one neighborhood at a time.
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Justin Pickard
Justin Pickard is the Executive Director of Crossover Community Impact and an elder of Crossover Bible Church in north Tulsa. After being influenced by the writings of civil rights leader John Perkins, Justin and his wife Leah moved into the north Tulsa community in 2005 to begin practicing the principles of Christian community development. In 2010, Justin partnered with Philip Abode of Crossover Bible Church to launch Crossover Community Impact. Justin holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tulsa and a Master of Urban Planning from Harvard University where he focused on community development and housing.
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Clarence Hill Jr.
Clarence Hill Jr. is the founder and lead visionary of the Stronger Together Movement and the HOPE, city transformation movement. Clarence is also the author of Dream Clock: A New Tomorrow for Us and Them and Race to Jesus: The Time is Now to Walk as One.
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Chris Campbell
Chris is the executive director of the 111Project which exist to mobilize the local church to see that every child has family. Through 111Project's CarePortal platform, over 50 school partners have presented over 5,000 request to support local families in Oklahoma. 111Project is active in helping churches support children before, during, and after foster care.
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Nathan Williams
Nathan Williams is the Sr. Pastor/Lead Elder of Church Ablaze in Oklahoma City. He has been married for 41 years to his high school sweetheart, Tina Williams. They delight in the opportunity to serve their generation and prepare the way for the next.
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Krista Rice
Krista Rice is a curator of joyous moments where connections and relationships collide. Currently the Volunteer Manager at Restore OKC, she has been building teams of volunteers over the last 14 years. Krista brings her background in ministry, activism, speaking/emceeing, and love for Jesus to every space she serves. In a vulnerable community, she believes in RAW conversations, AUTHENTIC coffee and UNAPOLOGETIC community.
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Joel Kersey
Joel Kersey serves as the Southcentral Representative for the National Association of Evangelicals. He mobilizes ministry leaders across the state to help Christians engage public policy in ways that honor God and demonstrate love for their neighbors.
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Clarissa Watkins
Clarissa is a foster parent living in South Oklahoma City. She serves as the Programs Director for Redemption Community Development Corporation, where she works to strengthen neighborhoods and create opportunities for families to thrive. Her work and home life are both centered around seeing kids grow up safe, supported, and reminded of the love of Christ.
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Sam Oswald
Sam has been a foster dad since 2022. Along with his wife and two "forever" kids, they have welcomed 6 children into their home. He is a normal guy with a non-ministry job, who never expected to enter this mission field. Sam is passionate about supporting the whole foster care community and encouraging more people to get involved.
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Chauncey Shillow
Chauncey and his wife Morgan live in South Oklahoma City with their four children. A disciple of Jesus and a pastor of Redemption Church, Chauncey works to bring the gospel of Jesus to their neighbors in South OKC, throughout the Oklahoma City metro, and to the ends of the earth. A shepherd and teacher at heart, Chauncey loves to engage individuals and families from every culture with the hospitality of God. He and his family are deeply engaged in loving their neighbors by loving schools and educators.
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Eric Costanzo
Dr. Eric Costanzo is pastor of South Tulsa Baptist Church and author of (2) books and numerous articles. Eric is also Executive Director for RisingVillage.org, an organization with initiatives to help marginalized people become full participants and contributors in their communities. Eric and his wife Rebecca have four children - two sons at OBU and two daughters in Middle/High School.
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Dylan Shelby
Dylan Shelby is a Missions Resident at Frontline Church in Downtown OKC. He has been involved in the Afghan Resettlement effort since 2021.
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Morgan Shillow
Morgan Shillow is the founding Head of St. Paul’s Community School. She lives on mission in south Oklahoma City with her husband and their four children, investing deeply in the flourishing of students, families, and the broader community. Morgan has a deep love for creating beautiful spaces and can rarely resist bringing home plants of every size.
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Andy McDonald
Andy McDonald is the pastor of Redeemer Church in Norman, OK. He is married to Christy, and together they have five children—Jachin, Kimberlyn, Bo, Berline, and Caleb. Andy and Christy's family and ministry has been shaped by the Gospel truth of caring for vulnerable children both in the home and through church and community partnerships.
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Joshua Williams
Local Missions Coordinator at Frontline Church Downtown. Joshua is married to his wonderful wife Brittany and they have two little girls Maker & Wilder.
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Jessica Padgett
Jessica lives in South OKC with her husband, Zack, and their son, Matthias, and serves as the School Partnership Coordinator at Redemption Community Development Corporation. In her previous roles as a teacher at Shidler Elementary School and as a community engagement coordinator for OKCPS, she witnessed firsthand how vital strong family and community partnerships are to a school’s flourishing. Now, in her role with RCDC, Jessica is passionate about coming alongside local schools to support and serve them with the love of Jesus.
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Alivia Barnett
Alivia was born in Houston and raised by a single mother, shaping her deep commitment to supporting and empowering others. She is a certified TBRI Practitioner and holds a master’s degree in Family Science. Passionate about problem-solving, Alivia delights in creating safe spaces where people can thrive and embody who God made them to be.
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Ashley Dickson
Ashley Dickson is a community development leader and social impact strategist with more than a decade of experience advancing neighborhood revitalization and civic engagement across Oklahoma City. As a trained community organizer and architect of transformative initiatives like Strong Neighborhoods, she specializes in designing trauma-informed, equity-centered processes that build social capacity and trust. She believes the true goal of community development is to create the conditions and opportunities for all neighbors to experience their very best quality of life.
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Chris Brewster
Chris Brewster — adopted son of God and therefore birthright citizen of Heaven (for real.) Husband to Christi, high-school sweetheart and wife of 34 years. Wild about our 9 kids and even more wild about being Lolo to 3 grands. Educator serving 5000 Saints in South OKC. Pastor of the Well, a group of believers who work hard to love God and love others. Only here for a minute so trying to make it count!
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Justin Jefferson
Justin Jefferson, Chickasaw, is at Redemption Church in South OKC, leading a children's Bible study and serving on RC's encouragment team.
He does Native Ministry to remind everyone that God's creation is good.
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Aaron John
Aaron John, Chickasaw & Choctaw, is a Pastor at Hope Community Church in Norman, OK.
He primarily works with Children & Youth, wanting to see them succeed into -and through- adulthood. He is also always looking for ways to bless Native people.
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Lee Roland
Lee Roland is a seasoned leader in education and the community with over 35 years of experience as a teacher, principal, and education consultant. He is the author of "Fantastic Voyage," which details his transformative leadership at Tulakes Elementary. In 2019, he was honored with induction into the Oklahoma African American Educators Hall of Fame.
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Martin Meza
Martin Meza is a passionate leader, speaker, and minister dedicated to seeing lives transformed through the power of God. With a heart for people and a calling to build, he has committed his life to raising up leaders, strengthening the local church, and helping individuals discover their purpose. As someone who has experienced transformation firsthand, Martin carries a message of hope, urgency, and victory, empowering others to grow, serve, and make an impact in their communities. He has been married to his wife Angela for 21 years, and together they have three children.
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Tre Clark
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John-Mark Hart
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Brent Vawter
Support the
STRONGER TOGETHER
Movement

