Staff
The Rev. Derek Terry (he/him)
Acting Executive Director
Rev. Derek Terry (he/him) serves as the Acting Executive Director of the Open and Affirming Coalition and as Part-time Pastor of St. Peter’s United Church of Christ in Cincinnati, Ohio—an Open and Affirming congregation. A passionate and dynamic leader, Rev. Derek is known nationally as a pastor, artist, speaker, writer, and activist committed to justice and inclusion.
With a background that bridges ministry, advocacy, and creative expression, Rev. Derek brings a powerful voice to conversations on civil rights, racial and social justice, LGBTQ+ inclusion, income inequality, body positivity, and courageous living. He has served the Coalition for the past two years as Program Director, playing a key role in developing resources, supporting congregations, and strengthening the movement for LGBTQ+ inclusion in the United Church of Christ.
In addition to his work with the Coalition and his local church, Rev. Derek is a fashion and art enthusiast, creative, and bold advocate for marginalized communities. He preaches and teaches in diverse communities, calling people to deeper compassion, creative resistance, and a more inclusive vision of church.
ONA@openanfaffirming.org
Ann Randall (she/her)
Financial Director
Ann M. Randall, CPA, has an accounting and financial-management practice in South Euclid, Ohio, working primarily with non-profits and small businesses. She has worked in the non-profit sector for 30 years. Some of her proudest achievements include facilitating racial diversity and parent involvement in her children’s elementary school. She served as the Christian educator in a Presbyterian More Light Church for many years.
Admin@openandaffirming.org
Leadership Team
The Rev. Kevin Tindell (he/him)
President, Pastor of Community Engagement, Gather Church
The Rev. Kevin E. Tindell is the Leadership Team’s Co-President. He is an ordained minister in the Fellowship of Affirming Ministries. He currently serves the Pastor of Community Engagement at Gather Church in Chicago. Kevin counsels and coaches many who struggle with their identity, especially with regard to their spirituality and sexuality. He has served on the UCC’s Chicago Metropolitan Association Council and Congregational Life Committee. He is the proud father of three sons: Carter, Christian and Camran.
The Reverend Dr. Greg Gray (he/him/his) A pastor, scholar, and advocate for inclusive worship.
The Reverend Dr. Greg Gray is originally from Monroe, GA, where he grew up in the church. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 2008 with an AB in Speech Communication and in 2011 with an AB in Music (Voice), and graduated with a Master of Divinity at Candler School of Theology in May 2014. He completed a Master of Sacred Theology at Boston University School of Theology in May 2015, and a Doctor of Ministry also from Boston University School of Theology in May 2018 focusing on the worship practices of the church and how we can make them inclusive of all people through our diverse expressions of liturgy and music.
Kentavis Goodwin-Brice, M.S. (he/him) Program Administrator, Social Work Professional, Black Sociologist, Adjunct Professor.
Kentavis Goodwin-Brice is an experienced social services professional with over fourteen years of public service experience. He is a newer resident of Connecticut coming from the state of Nebraska in November of 2020. Kentavis is originally from the state of Louisiana but lived in Nebraska where he received most of his formal education. Kentavis holds a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology with a minor in public administration from Wayne State College. Kentavis also obtained his Master of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with focus areas in sociological studies and organizational leadership/management.
Kentavis enjoys studying race/race relations, social class, gender, and organizational leadership by bridging the gap of traditional sociology and encouraging “sociology in action” through service to the people. He is currently revising his autoethnography which focuses on Black male leadership in social service organizations with the intention of seeking publication in academic journals. Kentavis teaches social welfare at Wayne State College as an adjunct sociology professor. Kentavis is employed full-time by the State of Connecticut Department of Children and Families (CT DCF) and works in the Health Management and Oversight Division where he serves as the Statewide Multi-Disciplinary Evaluation (MDE) Contract Manager and Program Coordinator overseeing the MDE program and contractual compliance of seven healthcare clinics with thirteen clinic sites across Connecticut that medically screens children and who enter the CT DCF foster care system.
He serves his community in the following capacities:
- Co-Chair of the Hartford Stage Young Professionals Board
- Urban League of Greater Hartford Young Professionals, Cultural/Social Events Chair
- Faith Congregational UCC Trustee Board and Church Council
The Rev. Lesley Jones (she/her)
Founder & Senior Pastor, Truth & Destiny Fellowship UCC
The Rev. Lesley E. Jones is the founder and senior pastor of Truth & Destiny Fellowship United Church of Christ in Cincinnati, OH. Born in New Bern, NC , to teenage parents, she spent her early years being raised by grandparents who taught her early about “unconditional love” and “uncompromising faith.” She is a 1990 graduate of Miami University (OH) with a B.S. in Social Science Education. She also holds certificates in ministry, pastoral counseling and organizational leadership. Among many other leadership roles, she has served as the executive director for both the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission and Equality Cincinnati. Pastor Jones has ministerial standing both in The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries and the United Church of Christ.
The Rev. Yunus Coldman (he/him/his)
Co-Facilitator & Northeast Regional Coordinator, TransSaints | Associate Pastor, Rivers of Living Water NY UCC
Reverend Yunus Coldman holds ministerial standing with The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries (TFAM) and has a Master’s in Interfaith Theology. Seeking a spiritual path that embraced multiple traditions, he was ordained as an Interfaith Minister at The New Seminary of Interfaith Studies in 2011. His ministry is dedicated to bringing divine love and guidance to those who seek counsel and spiritual support.
In 2013, Reverend Yunus made the life-affirming decision to transition and became a visible advocate for the Transgender community within ministry. He serves as Co-Facilitator and Northeast Regional Coordinator of TransSaints (a ministry of TFAM), and Associate Pastor at Rivers of Living Water NY UCC. He is also an Honorary Board Member of Harlem Pride, Inc.
His ministerial work includes serving on various committees, including the National LGBT Task Force and LGBT Faith Leaders of African Descent. He has provided chaplaincy services to the Transgender community at Rikers Island and served on New York City First Lady Chirlane McCray’s Unity Project Faith Network Team. Reverend Yunus is a sought-after speaker, panelist, and facilitator on the intersections of faith, race, gender, and LGBTQ+ advocacy.
His work has been recognized with several awards, including the 2018 Humanitarian Award from Princess Janae Place, the 2019 Inaugural National Trans Visibility March Torch Award, and the 2021 New York Senate Proclamation “Honoring Black Queer and Trans Leaders” from State Senator Robert Jackson.
Reverend Yunus is also the CEO of Soulful Touch Services, a licensed NY Wedding Officiant, and a Certified Reiki Master Teacher, offering spiritual counsel, meditation, and ceremonial services.
The Rev. Terry Parish (he/him/his)
Officer, Board of Directors, Western NC Association | Interim Minister of Music, Peace UCC | Facilitator, Community of Practice for Bi-Vocational Pastors
Rev. Terry Parrish is an eastern North Carolina native (which means he knows that barbecue is pulled or chopped and served with a vinegar-based sauce, like God intended) living in Kannapolis NC.
He earned his BA in Business Administration from Queens University in Charlotte in 2001, a Master of Divinity from Wake Forest University School of Divinity in 2013, and a Master of Arts in Religious Studies with a concentration in Pastoral Leadership from Grand Canyon University in 2014.
He has also served as Pastor of Hebron United Church of Christ in Midway, NC, from August of 2017 until the church closed in November 2022.
Terry currently serves as an officer on the Board of Directors of the Western NC Association, the Interim Minister of Music for Peace UCC in Hickory, NC, and is the facilitator for a Community of Practice for Bi-Vocational pastors.
The Rev. Joslin Love Kearse (she/they)
Intentional Interim Pastor, Immanuel UCC | U.S. Army Veteran | Consultant for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging & Cultural Competency
Rev. Joslin Love Kearse (she/they) is the Intentional Interim Pastor at Immanuel UCC in Catonsville, MD. A York, PA native, she is also a U.S. Army veteran with a career in community advocacy and education that also spanned several years in economic development for urban centers. Rev. Kearse was ordained in the UCC on June 1, 2024, becoming the first Black person to be authorized into ministry within the York Association through the MID process. Prior to ordination in the UCC, Rev. Kearse was ordained within The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries in July of 2023. Having earned an MBA from Eastern University in St. Davids, PA, a MDiv, MA in Social Transformation and a Certificate in Spirituality and Social change from Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA, Joslin has spent recent years consulting with churches, universities and nonprofits from California to Macedonia and across the United States around growth initiatives based in diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and cultural competency.
The Rev. Craig Hoffman (he/him)
Treasurer, Program Assistant for Global H.O.P.E. Team
The Rev. Craig Hoffman serves as the Coalition’s treasurer. He is a life-long member of the United Church of Christ. Born and reared in rural Pennsylvania, he earned a B.S. in Biology from Juniata College, a Master of Divinity degree from Andover Newton Theological School and a masters in Non-Profit Management from New York University. Ordained in 1993 to serve persons living with HIV/AIDS in the South Bronx and later in Greenwich Village in NYC, his ministry expanded to administration, serving the National Setting of the UCC on the Financial Development Team for 14 years and currently as the Program Assistant on the Global H.O.P.E. Team. He and his husband, Allen, reside in Cleveland, OH. (They personally embody the ecumenical partnership of the UCC and Disciples of Christ since 1989.) Craig has a long history with the Coalition, having attended his first National Gathering in 1988 while a seminarian. In his spare time, he enjoys watching documentary films, serving as a Cleveland Tree Steward, genealogy research and visiting cemeteries, and campaigning for progressive political candidates who are advocates for the environment and equal rights.
