Our hosts are joined by Rev. Alvin C. Bibbs & Rev. Marian Edmonds-Allen on the final episode of Walking Through Samaria

Rev. Alvin C. Bibbs, Sr. is a Justice, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Executive and a
highly sought-after motivational speaker, author (Crazy Enough to Care: Changing
Your World Through Compassion, Justice, & Racial Reconciliation, published by
InterVarsity Press) and serves as an organizational coach/facilitator to
congregations, corporations, and not-for-profit organizations across North America.
Along with currently serving as President & CEO of the Justice Journey Alliance™,
Leadership Foundation of Chicago.

Rev. Marian Edmonds-Allen is the executive director of Parity, an NYC-based
national nonprofit that works at the intersection of faith and LGBT concerns, and
the Director of Blessed by Difference. Marian has worked with youth and families
in various denominations and settings throughout the country for more than 20
years, focusing on strengths-based interventions and supports to affirm beliefs and
faith practices for LGBT persons. In 2013, Marian was named Person of the Year by
Q Salt Lake for her visionary leadership, and in 2015 was named a Petra Fellow for
her work with LGBT Homeless Youth. Marian attended Western Theological
Seminary and Eden Theological Seminary, she is a Doctor of Ministry candidate at
Eden Theological Seminary with the topic Covenantal Pluralism, Religious Freedom
and Mission: Evidence for Healing the LGBT and Faith Divide.

First - Mike is a husband to Karen, a dad of 5, and constantly learning what that all means.

Mike worked in Christian retail for 25 years at various levels. His last position was AVP of Ministry Partnerships at Family Christian where he advocated for orphaned, vulnerable children and families. He led efforts for customers to support Family’s ministry partners, and developed programs with: Back2Back Ministries, Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund, Compassion International, iDisciple, Operation Christmas Child, Pray America, 410 Bridge, and World Vision.

He is currently the Advancement Director at Back2Back Ministries in Cincinnati, OH where he has been the last 5 years, being responsible for leading the fundraising and marketing teams since April of 2020.  

He serves on Cincinnati Children's Hospital Psychiatric Patient and Family Advisory Council and previously on the Ohio Interagency Council on Youth as a parent representative with lived experience.

He is passionate about organizational health, encourages vulnerability-based trust, authenticity ,and self-awareness in leadership.  Mike is also certified by The Table Group as a Working Genius Facilitator.

Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago is where Anthony Thompson’s life of resilience began. His mother gave birth at the age of 15 and continued her toxic behavior.  She would live 7 more years before she died of a drug overdose. Anthony’s biological father is still unknown to this day. 

Growing up with so many rejections and fears crippled Anthony for the majority of his life. As a result, Anthony buried his pain in drugs, sports, and status. 

While working with celebrities and Fortune 500 companies, Anthony received an invitation to work and travel with a renowned evangelist. Anthony accepted the offer and had an encounter with Jesus that changed his life. He later met and married the love of his life in Sydney, Australia. 

While in Australia, Anthony launched and grew a successful 6 figure social media agency. He also went on to serve alongside Hillsong and their executive team as Head of Growth.  

Most recently, Anthony’s personal access and observations of some of the greatest leaders in the world led him to focus his efforts on helping executives get healthy in spirit, soul, mind, and body. Having worked with executives from Meta, Salesforce, Google, Hillsong, and others, Anthony views these opportunities as God’s workmanship. 

Anthony, Chantelle, and their three children live in Scottsdale, Arizona where you can find them enjoying the incredible heat. 

Anthony has a passion to speak, write and inspire others to grow in spirit, soul, mind, and body. He believes God’s Word has everything you need to become the champion you were created to be.

Welcome Anthony to the Walking Through Samaria podcast!