Benjamin Conner, Ph.D., is Professor of Practical Theology directs the Center for Disability and Ministry at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, MI. The Center exists to support ministry leaders of all abilities in nurturing and receiving the gifts and contributions of persons with disabilities through formational opportunities including theological education, consultation, forums, and publications.  For nearly two decades Ben served with Young Life, including working with Capernaum, Young Life’s work with youth with disabilities, and serving on the Capernaum mission-wide committee.  His writings include Amplifying Our Witness: Giving Voice to Adolescents with Developmental Disabilities (Eerdmans, 2012) and Disabling Mission, Enabling Witness: Exploring Missiology through the Lens of Disability Studies (IVP Academic, 2018), among others.  He is also an occasional horse-leader, side-walker, stall-mucker, and general support for his wife, Melissa, who runs Renew Therapeutic Riding Center.

Dr. L. S. Carlos was born in the Latin American coastal port city of Cartagena, Colombia. After being adopted by a North American family, he was raised in Fargo, North Dakota.
Carlos has earned a B.S. in Church Ministry from Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida; an M.A. in Religious Studies from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida; as well as both an M.Th. in Ministry and Mission (Practical Theology) and a Ph.D. in Divinity, from the University of Aberdeen, King’s College, in Aberdeen, Scotland. He is also a recipient of Western Theological Seminary’s the Henri Nouwen Doctoral Fellowship. WTS is also Dr. Carlos’ community where he serves as the Assistant Professor of Christian Ministry and Disability Theology; the Director of the Friendship House Community; the Director of the Friendship House Fellows Program; and the Student Accessibility Coordinator.
Dr. Carlos has served in various pastoral capacities for 15+ years in over 10 different denominations. Dr. Carlos identifies as a Charismatic-reformed Pentecostal who lives with congenital Cerebral Palsy. Thus, the lived experience of disability informs and shapes Carlos’ current research around the faithful development of Christian Communal Theology.

Victoria White is Program Director for With Ministries, an organization providing resources that support faith formation and congregational inclusion with individuals with disability. She brings over 20 years of experience in educational and ministry settings, chronic illness, and mentorship under the late advocate and author Barbara J. Newman. Victoria holds a teaching degree (secondary education) from Grand Valley State University and is pursuing a master’s degree in Disability Studies in Education from Calvin University. Taking and teaching courses with Christian Leader’s Institute and Calvin Theological Seminary also broadens her perspectives on inclusive worship. Victoria is a popular writer, speaker, and coach for faith communities that are faithfully building belonging for persons of all abilities, but most of all she seeks to be faithful to her Lord, Jesus.