Conference Speakers
Caleb Maskell
Caleb Maskell explores the deep theological foundations of creative compassion.
Caleb studied theology, philosophy, and literature at the University of Chicago and earned his M.Div. from Yale Divinity School, where he combined rigorous academic study with hands-on ministry and worship leadership. His PhD is from Princeton, where he also taught while serving as worship pastor of the Blue Route Vineyard. In 2007, he co-planted Elm City Vineyard Church in New Haven, Connecticut. Since 2010, Caleb has led the Society of Vineyard Scholars, cultivating thoughtful theological conversation for the Vineyard movement. He is currently the Interim National Director for Vineyard Worship as well as the Associate National Director of Theology and Education for Vineyard USA. Caleb is passionate about forming leaders and institutions that support a healthy, courageous, and hospitable future for the church, and he lives in Denver with his wife Kathy and their two children.
You can learn more about Caleb here.
J. Scott McElroy
J. Scott McElroy trains others in creative compassion through the CARE approach (Compassionate Artistic Response and Engagement).
Scott McElroy has seen the arts help connect, heal, and reveal the heart of God.
For decades, he's helped churches and artists rediscover the power of Spirit-led creativity to bring beauty, healing, and hope to the world.
He is the author of Finding Divine Inspiration: Working with the Holy Spirit in Your Creativity, Creative Church Handbook: Releasing the Power of the Arts in Your Congregation, and How to CARE: Crisis, Trauma, and Mental Health Ministry with the Arts. As founder of The New Renaissance Arts Movement, Scott equips and connects artists and church leaders around the globe to collaborate with the Holy Spirit in creative ministry. While directing the new CARE Arts Ministry, he helps equip believers to facilitate healing through the arts.
With a Master of Arts in Theology and Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary, specializing in Worship, Theology, and the Arts, Scott draws from years of work in creative professions, as an award-winning radio producer, writer, visual artist, and voiceover artist. He hosted the Animal Planet TV series Wildlife Journal and narrated a series of scripture meditation recordings, including "Fear-Less: Bringing Freedom From Fear, Anxiety, and Worry." His writing has appeared on sites like Crosswalk.com, Christianity.com, and RelevantMagazine.com.
Scott and his wife, Danielle, live on a park in Indianapolis with their mountain cur, Madeline, in the same neighborhood as both their adult children.
Anabeth Morgan
Anabeth Morgan explores and advocates for creative compassion through poetry, lyrics, and music.
Anabeth is a worship leader, songwriter, and staff pastor at the Arvada Vineyard, serving in Vineyard communities since 2011. She is known for her deep sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and her ability to create worship spaces where people encounter God’s presence. Anabeth has contributed to numerous Vineyard Worship projects and released the studio album, A Place Your Glory Dwells, along with recent songs such as “You Meet Me Here,” “Heaven’s Work,” and “King of Heaven.” She and her husband, Kyle, have two children, Jovie and Miles. Anabeth serves as Interim Lead for Equipping and Leadership at Vineyard Worship, helping to develop Spirit-led worship leaders and songwriters, and local church worship culture.
Learn more about Vineyard Worship.
Joanna Taft
Joanna Taft practices creative compassion through innovative arts leadership.
Joanna serves as Founding Executive Director of the Harrison Center in Indianapolis, Indiana.
She is a leader in the field of creative placemaking and she has served as Founder of Herron High School and creator of civic initiatives such as the Cultural Entrepreneur Initiative, City Gallery: Indy’s Urban Living Center, PreEnactment Theater, and the Polklore Micro-Museum. For these endeavors, she has received the Governor's Arts Award, the Indianapolis Business Journal Women of Influence Award, the Girls Inc. Touchstone Award, the Hoosier Heritage Lifetime Achievement Award, the Arts Council of Indianapolis ARTI Award, the Jefferson Award, and two Cultural Vision Awards.
She also serves on the boards of the Marion County Board of Zoning Appeals (Chair), the Indiana University Public Policy Institute, and Covenant College, among others.
Learn more about Harrison Center.
Mark Nicholas
Mark Nicholas is passionate about helping artists, songwriters, and churches explore the power of creative compassion.
Mark is a multi-faceted artist who counts music, metalwork, gardening, and breadmaking among his interests. He is a 35-year music industry veteran whose career spans album production, publishing, digital distribution, live mixing, and creative leadership. Originally from Nebraska, his path led him to Nashville, where he built a reputation for humility, versatility, and deep connection with creatives. He has contributed to everything from Grammy and Dove Award-winning projects to pastoral moments of songwriting with grieving mothers.
Mark currently serves as Interim General Manager of Vineyard Worship. He calls Nashville home and his teenage son and wife of 26 years his heartbeat.
Website: https://deependmusic.co/
Jen Alward
Jen Alward combines creative compassion with a Master's in Art and Art Therapy to lead others to healing.
Jen began creating as a child and never stopped, eventually discovering the healing properties of the arts. She became an Art Therapist, obtaining her Master’s in Art Therapy and Marriage and Family Therapy from Notre Dame de Namur University in California (NDNU). In addition to her counseling practice, Jen’s creativity blends with her faith, encouraging others to make art that helps them see themselves and God more clearly at LearningToSeeStudio.com.
Jen collaborated with J. Scott McElroy on How to CARE: Crisis, Disaster, and Mental Health Ministry with the Arts and has written books to help parents connect with their children (Hope and Healing at Home), and face the pain of grief and heal (Finding Hope).
Jen practices Art Therapy from the Northwoods of Wisconsin and has taken her love for healing through the arts around the world to places in Ethiopia, Ukraine, Russia, Czech Republic, Morocco, Haiti, Egypt, Thailand, and Laos.
Learn more about Jen and her work on her website: https://www.learningtoseestudio.com
Linda Sylvester
Linda Sylvester leads others in creative compassion and blends expertise on embodiment and trauma with art practices for healing.
Linda is a Physical Therapist with a passion for healing through the arts. She is certified in trauma-informed care, as a CARE Arts Facilitator, and as a Stephen Minister at Evanston Vineyard Church. She founded and has led the Hope for Artists Arts Community since 2010 and regularly facilitates Healing and Care Retreats at the church and on mission trips, helping process loss, trauma, and health issues through prayer, creativity, and spiritual practices. Linda embraces all forms of creativity and especially enjoys singing, and writing poetry, lyrics, and stories.
Learn more about Hope for Artists.
Steven Potaczek
Steven Potaczek inspires the next generation of compassionate creatives.
Steven is a writer, professor, and keynote speaker who helps artists navigate the intersection of creativity, technology, and the marketplace. He is the author of the new book Fear Not, Creative: Futureproofing Artistic Work in the Age of AI and is the Founding Director of the Commercial Music program at Samford University, USA. An award-winning songwriter and music producer, he has written several Billboard Top 40 hits, placed songs on shows like Parks and Recreation, New Girl, and America's Next Top Model, and collaborated with brands like MTV, National Geographic, and the NBA. A husband and father of two, Steven is a self-proclaimed pinball wizard that lives in Birmingham, Alabama, with his dog, Bear.
MORE SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED SOON!