Staff Profiles
- Elbert Brown > Ambassador of Welcome
- Lindsay Barrett> Director of Development
- Caroline Blasius > No Barriers Dinner - "Go-To" Person
- Ashley Collinson > Documentarian of Extraordinary Happenings
- Edd Conboy > Director of Counseling services
- Wendy Gaynor > Choir Czarina/Music Coordinator/Breaking Bread Engagement Coordinator
- Nate Gonzalez > Facilitator of Corporate Worship
- Dwyane Grant > Go to Guy
- Mike Hill > Hospitality Enforcer
- Shawn Hyska > Director of Finance
- David Van Houten > Dean, Center for Subversive Theology
- Kirsten King > Community Impact Coordinator
- Tony Moore > Music Man,
Choirmaster, Talent
- Liam O'Donnell > Arts Marshall
- Summer Page > The Developer formerly known as Summer
- Amy Root > Director of Social Services
- Becca Blake > Facilitator of Transformative Arts
- Erika Funk > Youth Initiative Minister
- Bill Golderer > Convening Minister
Elbert Brown
Ambassador of Welcome
Elbert is the first face you will see when you enter the big red doors. You will be greeted by a smile as big as those doors. Elbert is a native of the Cayman Islands and has been part of BSM since its opening in 2005. Elbert knows the building like the back of his hand and cares for it the way he cares for his children. Elbert has been married for over 40 years to his wife Zilfia.
Becca Blake
Facilitator of Transformative Arts
becca@broadstreetministry.org
Becca was born and raised outside of Baltimore, MD, where she learned to call everyone “hon” as she grew up in a huge, crazy, loving family. Ever since she can remember, Becca has loved people, the arts, and the church, and these passions manifest themselves in her work at BSM as the Facilitator of Transformative Arts. She grew up going to magnet art schools where she “majored” in drawing and photography, and then took a break from art-making to go to college at Eastern University for Theology and Creative Writing. A semester at Oxford University led her to plunge herself into academia at Princeton Theological Seminary, but the longer she studied the more she realized she had been avoiding a call to ministry in the Church. During her time at PTS she interned both at Trenton Psychiatric Hospital and BSM, and after graduating in May 2009 she stayed on at BSM and continues to be involved in several aspects of BSM life, including the blog, the e-newsletter, wedding coordination, the Diaconate, Breaking Bread, and worship planning.
Becca is passionate about breaking down the stigmas surrounding mental illness and the effectiveness of the arts in spiritual expression and psychological healing, and she believes that the beauty of God lies within every person. In her non-existent spare time, she enjoys creating art, singing in the choir, exploring the Philly art scene, watching all kinds of films, dancing the night away, buying too many magazines, and going on adventures with her loved ones.
Lindsay Barrett
Director of Development
lindsay@broadstreetministry.org
Lindsay was born and raised in Ohio and remains a solid member of Buckeye Nation. When she’s not watching college football or classic movies, she’s probably on the train from Princeton to Philly. After graduating from Capital University in Columbus Ohio with a degree in history and religion she enrolled at Princeton Theological Seminary to study Christian Ethics. She’s in love with C.S. Lewis and Augustine.
Lindsay has worked everywhere from Capitol Hill to an automotive parts factory. Her interest in social justice led her to internships with Senator John Kerry, The Center for American Progress, The Bonner Foundation, and The InterFaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington. After hearing about BSM’s unique approach to ministry she interned one summer and never left, so they made her Director of Development (she even has her own business cards!). She hopes that BSM continues to grow and be in relationship with many more people in Philadelphia.
Caroline Blasius
Comic-Relief Specialist
No Barriers Dinner—“Go-To” Person!
Caroline Blasius is a sophomore acting major at the University of the Arts, she is originally from Knoxville, TN but is happy to call Philadelphia her home now, which is why she is so glad to be a part of Broad Street Ministry and all the wonderful things it does for the community. Caroline has been acting since she was very small which is what brought her to PA. When she is not at school, work or napping she enjoys pina coladas and getting caught in the rain. Caroline works hard to bring the community together the last Wednesday of every month @ the No Barriers Community Dinner.
Ashley Collinson
Documentarian of Extraordinary Happenings
Ashley grew up in the tiny little town of Friendship, Maryland where nothing ever happened. Between choir practice and school plays she carried around a sketchbook and doodled. Bored of farms and having to drive everywhere she decided to go to art school in the City of Brotherly Love. She still isn't over the culture shock.
One day Ashley ended up washing dishes at Broad Street Ministry. When word got around that she could sing and paint they let her do all sorts of cool things. Ashley is a Senior Illustration major at the University of the Arts with a concentration in Art Therapy and a minor in Photography. When she's not doing art she's sleeping so she can do art tomorrow. She's the one with the camera and she likes meeting knew interesting people. Is it cool if she takes your picture for the website?
Edd Conboy
Director of Counseling Services
Edd is not your typical therapist. He combines his training and real world business experience in his effort to help clients get unstuck and create new pathways in their lives. Edd also works with individuals whose normal stress has advanced into a state of distress, supporting them as they move into effective action, and begin to sustain joy in their lives as they strive to attain their life goals.
A seasoned therapist with more than twenty years experience in the field, Edd has worked as a coach and consultant to bring the skills, knowledge and expertise of the psychotherapeutic community into non-traditional settings in addition to his work as a private practitioner. While working with people from all walks of life - from business, community and non-profit leaders to inner-city youth, he is particularly effective working with a wide range of individuals facing unique stresses like those of world-class professional and amateur athletes, survivors of trauma, as well as couples with chronically ill children.
Erika Funk
Youth Initiative Minister
erika@broadstreetministry.org
Growing up on the beaches of Southern California beaches shaped Erika's outlook on life. It has also shaped her understanding of what it mans to be the church and made her empathetic for those who don't understand church. On the West Coast, where church attendance averages 7%, church is an option of the minority. Church is one's family of choice not necessarily one's family of origin. First Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica became Erika's spiritual family at a young age and guided her into leadership roles as a teen.
She began working with teenagers at 17, accepted her first position as a youth director at 19 and realized she had a lot to learn at 19 and a half. It was at a church youth camp that Erika found her call to ministry confirmed. Graduating from San Francisco Theological Seminary in 1993 Erika turned east and took the position of Associate Pastor for Christian Education and Mission at First Presbyterian Church in Pensacola, Florida. During her six years there Erika served as a leader for many Montreat Youth Conferences, the 7% conference for young P.C.U.S.A. pastors, and The Covenant Network of Presbyterians. She also served on the boards of many non profit groups such as United Ministries (serving the homeless), United Way, Community Drug and Alcohol Commission and Leadership Pensacola. In 2000 Erika moved back to California to serve as Associate Pastor of The Federated Church in Placerville. Over the last 20 years Erika's passion has been for youth with an emphasis in mission and service. She's taken groups to Mexico, San Francisco, Native American reservations and the Appalachians. Erika sees her move to Philadelphia and work with Broad Street Ministry as a continuation of her commitment young people, especially those who are unconnected from or uncertain about the church.
Wendy Gaynor
Choir Czarina/Music Coordinator/Breaking Bread Engagement Coordinator
wendy@broadstreetministry.org
Born and raised in the country outside of Pottstown, PA, Wendy grew up a nature caring, bare-feet trodding, choir singing, lawn mowing, picture taking, bon-fire making, tom-boy looking, people loving off-beat kind of kid. From the age of 11 she walked around the countryside and later into the world with a video camera strapped around her neck. Through the lense and out from behind it, she loves to meet and form relationships with those around her.
After graduating high school in '94, she traveled the planet a bit with Up With People, and then attended West Chester University where she recieved a BA in Communication Studies. She is currently a freelance video producer. She hopes to make use of her childhood hobby and bridge into the world of documentary film-making, a craft she has had the pleasure in taking part in since college. Wendy has many loves and interests and finds it difficult deciding what to pursue during any given season, but allows her heart to choose. "Music has always been a constant thread in my life." she says of her many avenues of expression. So she finds herself drawn into a wonderful community of people at BSM and is thrilled with the opportunity to be in a position of leadership within a choir again after so long and help build relationships within the music ministry and find ways to connect it with all the music that is happening in the city right now.
Nate Gonzalez
Facilitator of Corporate Worship
nate@broadstreetministry.org
"Downsizing? I have no problem with that. I have been recommendingdownsizing since I first got here. I even brought it up in my interview. Isay, bring it on."
-Dwight Shrute, The Office
Born and raised in homegrown terrorist New Jersey, Nate was taught at a very young age to have an appreciation for music and song. His father and mother often played guitar and sang either around the house or at weekly bible studies. Nate's earliest passion for music was originally kindled on a vintage piano. At the age of 10, he would sit at the keyboard long hours, honing his ear and plunking out anything from Bryan Adam's "Everything I Do" to practically every song off of Michael W. Smith's "I 2 Eye" album.
Growing up in a continually changing house of worship and interning throughout many local church congregations, Nate has developed a very strong, eclectic background of religious music covering anything from traditional hymns to more contemporary worship styles. Once in college, he learned how to take this vast history of sacred song and apply solid structure and balance to the mix. In May of 2003, Nate graduated from Valley Forge Christian College with a B.A. in Church Music.
Now, in his fourth year of faithful service to the Philadelphia music scene, Nate brings to Broad Street Ministry a style of leadership that radiates a healthy balance of spiritual maturity, heart and personal conviction.
Dwyane Grant
Go to Guy a.k.a. 'Da Man'
Dwyane grew up on the streets of New York. He came to Philadelphia in ’96 for a change of scenery and attended Slippery Rock University. Dwyane fell in love with and was adopted by Broad Street Ministry in 2008, where he found family. He spends his time here taking care of the building and watching out for his co-workers. Outside of BSM Dywane enjoys donating his time to volunteer organizations and is a recent graduate of Ready Willing and Able. His favorite color is brown. He’s De’Angelo’s biggest fan and loves working with the seminarians.
"Big Mike" Hill
Hospitality Enforcer
Last November, Mike moved out of Ready Willing an Able where he had been enrolled for 9 months. It was there that Mike met Dwyane who talked Mike into applying for the job of Hospitality Enforcer. So far Mike has had a great experience here at BSM. His favorite part of the job is seeing people that he cared about during the 3 years he spend on the streets sleeping in Love park. Before he was accepted to the Ready Willing and Able program he stayed at Ridge Shelter for a year after serving 12 years in the state penitentiary. Mike has resolved to stay off the streets from now on. His recovery has been a wonderful awakening experience, and he still gets teary eyed talking about it because he feels so much better about himself today. He now keeps in touch with his two living children, and finds joy in their smiles. Mike loves being at Broad Street Ministry and enjoys the company of the people he works with. His favorite color is blue, and he prefers spaghetti and meatballs to cheese steaks any day.
Shawn Hyska
Director of Finance
shawn@broadstreetministry.org
Not many people would have thought that a MBA graduate with a degree in accounting would end up at seminary let alone at Broad Street Ministry. But that's exactly what happened. Shawn's first exposure to BSM was in the Summer 2008 as a pastoral intern from Princeton Seminary. Despite not having any major artistic skills, Shawn quickly fell in love with BSM and it's focus on hospitality. After graduating from Princeton in 2009 and with the job market being extremely tight Shawn accepted a temporary role filling in at BSM in an important capacity. This role had no guarantee of a future job - not the most brilliant business move, by any standards. That all changed having been offered the fun, exciting, and challenging position of analyzing finances for BSM. It's a role that utilizes both of Shawn's skill sets from business school and ministry.
When Shawn is not at BSM, you can find him either at the Pennsylvania Bible Society (www.pabible.org) where he works as their historian, at home following the Phillies (year-round), or watching the Food Network. Shawn considers himself a life-long Philadelphian (haven grown up in Bucks County, a half hour northeast of Philly) and loves his city.
Kirsten (that's right, Kir-sten—not Kris-ten) King
Community Impact Coordinator
kirsten@broadstreetministry.org
Born and raised in "Or-A-Gone", Kirsten came to Philly in 1999, searching for running water, indoor plumbing, and a new world to immerse herself in. After graduating from Philadelphia University with a degree in psych, Kirsten stuck around the area, deciding that she couldn't do without the finer things Philly had shown her.
Six and a half years after her arrival, almost three years after graduating with a degree she's never used, Kirsten still searched for a way to immerse herself in the people and culture of the city when she came across the family of BSM. Now she finds herself working to deepen the ties of friendship that have formed in this new family of faith. She enjoys getting tasks organized and completed (vision ain't nothin' without execution!). She is just tryin' to help BSM live into its mission of helping Philadelphia to be more compassionate and more just!
Tony Moore
Music Man, Choirmaster, Talent
tony@broadstreetministry.org
Anthony A. Moore (AKA) Tony Moore was born in Philadelphia, Pa and spent his early childhood in Okinawa, Japan and Europe. He began his career in the music industry as a bassist for local groups and churches in the City of Philadelphia. He founded gospel recording group Tony Moore & Jehovah's Chosen (TMJC) who have released two independent albums entitled "Love Lifted Me" and "Action Figures." Tony is currently working with Rock Star Entertainment founded by Vidal and Dre, executive producers for such recording artists as: Floetry, Jill Scott, Usher, Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, and Chris Brown. As assistant music supervisor, Tony has written songs for the action thriller film "Cover" produced by Bill Duke (X-Men 3) starring Vivica A Fox, Patti La Belle, Lou Gossett Jr, Maya, and Leon (Five Heart Beats), and Aunjanue Ellis (Ray). "Cover" will be released in February 2008. Tony is also working on a new Vivica A Fox movie which is being filmed in Philadelphia.
Tony has established a partnership with Mike Lemon Casting Agency. Through this partnership TMJC has been cast in multiple commercials, movies, and television appearances.
At the hub of all this activity, Tony Moore about to step off as the musical director for Broad Street Ministry under the guidance of Pastor Bill Golderer. Tony is responsible for weaving a unique sound for the BSM choir, integrating other musical influences in the community and being the 'glue' that binds it all together.
Liam O'Donnell
Arts
Marshall
liam@broadstreetministry.org
Liam O'Donnel was born July 3rd 1979 at Jefferson Hospital in Philly.
As a child he had dreams of either being a writer or a superhero. Liam
grew up in the Philadelphia area, collecting comic books and going to
punk and hardcore shows. He didn't grow up in the church, but found his
way there as a teenager. He is a skeptic at heart but prays that through
the practice of love, justice can be made real. If he could see any band
(living or dead) play a concert it would have to be a multi band bill.
Velvet underground would open, followed by Black Sabbath (when Ozzy was
in it), and then on to Crass and then Snapcase before KRS-1, Chuck D,
and the guys from A Tribe Called Quest closed the show with a mind-blowing
freestyle session. Liam spends most of his time reading or watching movies,
and when he isn't doing these things he is arguing about the books he
has read or movies he has watched with his friends. Liam writes
and performs poetry, has been in one touring band, and generally goes
to shows at an obsessive rate. He is currently doing his ThM. at PTS in
the religion and society dept, hoping they will let him write about horror
movies and liberation theology. Liam dreams of one day being awesome,
and hopes the best for all God's children.
Summer Page
The Developer formerly known as Summer
Summer helps BSM to find financial resources for everything we put our
hand to at BSM. She would love to take long walks on the beach but she
has too much fun spending her time at Broad Street! She was born and raised
in New Jersey but currently lives in Philadelphia. She does "stuff"
in her spare time and loves to help others.
Summer is a communication major at The University of the Arts and is in
love with the artistic environment that Broad Street invokes. Growing
up, she was exposed to various forms of art from music to dance. She also
believes that through art, comes power and change. This is exactly why
she loves her position as the development assistant. She loves working
with all of the "artists" at Broad Street, helping them change
the world, and making a difference.
Amy Root (soon to be Carlson)
Director of Social Services
amylroot@gmail.com
Amy was born and raised in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. During college she traveled the world visiting the countries of Israel, Jordan, Turkey, Greece, England, France and South Africa. After graduating from college in 2001, with a BA in Biblical and Theological Studies, Amy moved to Ecuador and lived there for 2 months visiting friends and serving in a soup kitchen and at the Quito City Dump, where an alarming 250 people live. It was during her last visit at the city dump that she was certain she would dedicate her life to serving the poor and fighting against systemic injustice.
Returning from Ecuador, Amy began her career working at Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota for the next five years. Amy worked in various capacities at GW/ES as a Job Placement Specialist where she helped the homeless and those living in public housing to find jobs. After that, she worked as a Training Specialist and Case Manager where she developed and taught a curriculum on work and life skills to individuals moving from welfare to work. Her last position was as a Social Security Advocate where she assisted individuals who were unable to work get SSI benefits.
In 2006 Amy left her Midwestern home and headed east to Princeton Theological Seminary where she completed her Masters of Divinity. In conjunction with Princeton Seminary Amy also pursued a degree in Social Work (MSW) at Rutgers University, which she will complete in January 2011. During her time at Princeton Amy, worked at a church in New York City where she was a pastoral intern, working primarily with their homeless community. During her seminary career Amy also interned at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, as a hospital chaplain. It was during this internship that Amy was introduced to Philadelphia and began attending worship at Broad Street Ministry. After several months at BSM Amy realized that BSM could really use a social worker. So, after months of organizing Amy began working at BSM as the MSW intern, working with the under-resourced individuals who find their way to BSM. Amy connects these individuals with community social services, and offers them basic services on site.
In her spare time Amy is planning her July 3rd wedding where she will marry the love of her life! So don’t be confused when her name changes mid-summer from Amy Root to Amy Carlson!!!!
David Van Houten
Dean, Center for Subversive Theology
david@broadstreetministry.org
"I'm just some skinny white guy from west of West Philly."
I run to avoid reality and am learning how to do yoga to counter the physical and mental effects of over 30 years of running. Caffeine is my drug of choice and I'm addicted to buying books. I have two sons who remind me daily what's real but aren't really sure what I do. I'll follow my wife wherever she goes (because she's my corporate sponsor). I specialize in non-paying jobs and like poetry and sad, angry music. My best friend says I'm too cynical to be religious. I've studied Spanish, Greek, Hebrew, Latin, French and German but have forgotten almost everything I've learned and still struggle to write a coherent English sentence. When I grow up I want to be rap star, yeah, because
I'm just another white man with a Ph.D, trained in the obscure art of theology.
You'll never see my face on mtv, no, I studied at a school of divinity.
Like I said before, I can't dance, I can't sing.
I'm a poser, fake, imposter,
Just like my bling bling.
And I almost forgot,
Calvin is my co-pilot.
Bill Golderer
Convening Minister
bill@broadstreetministry.org
Bill is the founding pastor and convener of the Broad Street Ministry in Philadelphia. BSM is an innovative ministry that emphasizes hospitable outreach, civic involvement, and creative expression. Prior to that Bill served as the founding Director of the Center for Church Life at Auburn Theological Seminary in New York City where he was also a lecturer in Reformed theology at Union Theological Seminary whose campus Auburn shares. Auburn and Union have long been pioneers on the landscape of bringing a progressive theology to bear upon and be relevant to the culture. His work at Auburn also included creating opportunities for multifaith understanding in our post-9/11 world, and addressing the coming crisis of leadership that will confront the church in the coming decades. To learn more about the work of Auburn Seminary, visit www.auburnsem.org.
Prior to that Bill served as Associate Pastor for Youth, Young Adult and Public Church Ministry at the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago. His time there was spent mainly integrating the Gospel with the demands of everyday life through fellowship, advocacy/outreach programs, public forums, and discernment exercises. While serving in Chicago, Bill helped to found a national network of Presbyterian clergy under the age of 40--called the 7 percent. The group takes its name from the statistic that only 7 percent of clergy currently serving the Presbyterian Church U.S.A are under the age of 40. To learn more about the ministry of Fourth Church, visit www.fourthchurch.org. To learn more about the 7 percent, visit www.bmbweb.com/sevenpercent/.
Sebastian
Prior to that Bill was the Founding Director for Religious Outreach for The Interfaith Alliance in Washington D.C. This membership organization that has grown to over 150,000 members works to promote interfaith cooperation around shared American values of civic participation, freedom of religion, diversity, and civility in public discourse and to encourage the active involvement of people of faith in the nation's political life. To learn more about "TIA's" work, visit www.theinterfaithalliance.org.
His energies away from ministry are devoted to home renovation with his partner Julie, manically listening to sports radio, marveling at the wonder that is his sons, Sebastian and Decon, and hating email.
BROAD STREET MINISTRY ©2008 315 South Broad Street (Across from the University of the Arts and the Kimmel Center for Performing arts-between Spruce and Pine) | Philadelphia PA 19107 | 215.735.4847 | info@broadstreetministry.org
