2025 CCCU Imago Dei Conference

Pastor Corey Brooks is a dedicated leader, visionary pastor and nationally recognized community activist committed to transforming lives and revitalizing underserved communities. As the senior pastor of New Beginnings Church of Chicago, Pastor Brooks has spent more than two decades fighting for peace, justice and economic opportunity for the residents of Chicago’s most vulnerable neighborhoods.

In 2011, Pastor Brooks gained national attention for his 94-day rooftop vigil, where he camped atop an abandoned motel to raise awareness and funds to replace the crime-ridden building with a community center. His efforts led to the founding of Project H.O.O.D. (Helping Others Obtain Destiny), a nonprofit providing education, job training, violence prevention and economic development opportunities to at-risk youth and families.

Pastor Brooks’ work has been featured on national media platforms, and he is widely regarded as a leading voice in the movement to address the root causes of urban violence and poverty.

Rebecca Hernandez serves as the organizational development and racial equity director at Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), a faith-based international relief and development organization. Previously she worked at George Fox University and Goshen College. Throughout her career, Dr. Hernandez has developed and advocated for policies and programs to serve diverse communities through health and education. She completed her Ph.D. in human development and family studies at Oregon State University, her master’s in public administration at Portland State University and her B.A. in education at Southeastern University.

Dr. Hernandez has authored several articles and book chapters about Christian higher education and race, including in Diversity Matters (2017) and Thriving in Leadership (2012). Dr. Hernandez served on the inaugural CCCU Commission for Diversity and Inclusion and was the co-developer of the Multi-Ethnic Leadership Development Institute in 2011.

As a researcher and practitioner, Rev. Dr. Esther D. Jadhav works on developing initiatives and programs that elevate the critical role of theology in activating cultural responsibility as an institutional distinctive. Bringing her academic background in anthropology, sociology and theology, along with experiences in diverse settings, Esther combines her passion for Christian higher education and the Church to help communities thrive.

Esther provides institutional leadership and guidance across the university in all areas of cultural responsiveness and spiritual development, with primary responsibility for institutional outcomes rooted in Asbury’s commitment to be a Christian community that practices hospitality, mutuality, redemptive social action and grace-filled reconciliation.

Dr. Jon S. Kulaga is the 10th president of Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU). Kulaga’s distinguished 38-year career in higher education demonstrates visionary leadership and strategic planning, including expertise in advancement, focus on innovation and a commitment to growing a Christ-centered university. Previously, Kulaga served as president of Ohio Christian University for five years and made notable achievements while serving in various executive and leadership roles, including chief academic officer and chief operating officer at Asbury University, and in academics, advancement and student life development roles at Spring Arbor University.

Kulaga holds a Ph.D. from Kansas State University, an M.A. from Michigan State University, and a B.A. from Spring Arbor College. He is an honorary Kentucky Colonel and has authored and contributed to six published books.

Rev. Dr. Michelle Loyd-Paige is an educator, author, speaker, podcaster, mentor and diversity consultant. Loyd-Paige completed her undergraduate work at Calvin College (now Calvin University) and received her Ph.D. in sociology from Purdue University. After retiring from a 38-year career in Christian higher education, both as teaching faculty and an administrator, she formally launched her own diversity consulting business. She is the coauthor of Diversity Playbook: Recommendations and Guidance for Christian Organizations. Loyd-Paige is also the founder and CEO of the nonprofit Preach Sista!, creating opportunities for people to deepen their faith and care for their souls, and she cohosts the Antioch Podcast: Conversations on Biblical Anti-Racism. Loyd-Paige is an ordained Christian minister serving on the teaching team and leading the liturgical dance ministry of Maple Avenue Ministries in Holland, Michigan.