Affirming Christian Fellowship 37th Annual Conference

Maria Caruana

Friday Evening

Maria was raised in Brooklyn, New York.  She remained an atheist until her relationship with Jesus began in 1986.  At that time, God delivered her from a life of alcohol and drugs to live life in abundance with Him.  Following God’s call into pastoral service, Maria graduated from Christ Evangelical Bible Institute in 1994 and moved from Phoenix to San Francisco in 1996, in order to share a life with her spouse, Terrie.  Maria served as pastor of Freedom in Christ Church from January 1998 through December 2018.  She currently serves on the board of City of Refuge and the Y.A. Flunder Board of Directors and is an Associate Pastor of City of Refuge UCC Church serving on their Shepherds Table.

With compassion, mercy and honesty, it is Maria’s heart to tell everyone about God’s love and the relationship He wants to have with us through Jesus as well as to encourage all to be the individuals God has created them to be.

David Thomas

Saturday Morning

From his earliest memories, David Thomas has lived to know God and to make Him known. He earned a bachelor's degree in theology from Oral Roberts University and spent his early adult life as a youth pastor and a  missionary in Jamaica, Haiti and with the migrant workers of Southern Florida. 

In 1989, David decided to deal with the fact that he had always struggled with same sex desires and by God's grace, he learned a whole new understanding of the good news of God's grace. He now spends his time pastoring Abundant Grace Church in Granite Falls ,NC and working in the LGBTQ community to help them reconcile their spirituality and sexual orientation. He is the current president of Affirming Christian Fellowship.

Father Castello

Saturday Evening

Father Castello is an openly LGBTQ priest in the Old Catholic Church of the Americas. He is a sought after preacher who has a passion for bridging the ancient and modern worlds. He comes from a Pentecostal background and brings the fire of the Spirit when he preaches. Father Castello blends this anointing with the wisdom of the Church Fathers overcoming denominational barriers  with the wisdom and power of God. 

Jimmy Tran-Watson

Sunday Morning

Jimmy Tran-Watson grew up in a Buddhist household, but as a child, he would dream of climbing heaven's staircase and sit on God's lap to have conversations. As he got older he became a dedicated registered nurse working as an intensive care and addiction medicine nurse. Getting his Master's from Grand Canyon University, he taught at both Grand Canyon University and Glendale Community College nursing programs. He is also an award winning quilter and has won best of show at the Arizona State Fair; as well as placing in local quilt shows. One thing he doesn't mind sharing is his joy in knowing that God has always been there for him even during his own battle with abuse and process addiction. 

Dalena Watson, LPC, MT-BC, FAMI

Soul Healing Guide

Dalena Watson, LPC, MT-BC, FAMI, is a trauma-informed therapist and music therapist of 33 years specializing in creating sacred space to heal adults navigating trauma, LGBTQIA+ issues, spirituality, and burnout. She is passionate about helping people reconnect with their true selves. Dalena also mentors emerging therapists, leads soul-centered retreats, and designs experiential continuing education training. Her work bridges spirituality, creativity, and healing—inviting others to awaken the sacred spark within.

Karla Spence, Pastor, Cornerstone Fellowship in Tucson, Arizona 

Karla is the Pastor at Cornerstone Fellowship in Tucson, Arizona.  Karla and her wife Linda moved to Tucson from Albuquerque, NM, in 2003.  It was clear that God was calling them to join in ministry with Paul Chambliss who was Pastor at Cornerstone at the time.  In 2012, Karla became Pastor at Cornerstone when Pastor Paul retired and moved to Texas.  The Reverends Evelyn and Dennis Schave ordained Karla at Cornerstone in 2013. Cornerstone has been an affiliate of ACF for many years.

Karla and Linda were legally married in Santa Fe, NM, in 2014.  This year they celebrated 36 years together.  In their free time, they enjoy bird watching and exploring the other wonders of God’s Creation.

Robert Shegog

Robert Shegog is a graduate of Olivet College with a Master's from Northern Arizona University He retired from teaching and coaching wrestling at North High School where he was teacher of the year in 2005. Under pressure from his former wrestlers he co-author the book Wrestling with the Truth in 2022. The book reveals Robert's and his mother's deep faith. His single parent mother's influence and his perseverance living in the closet with HIV while a very successful public school wrestling coach 

Jack Mcconnell, St. Jude Community Church

Jack McConnell is a man of vision who has founded 21 churches and established a day homeless ministry as well as an LGBTQ+ resource center for his city. When he saw the discrimination and isolation among many in the local trans community, Pastor Jack formed the first transgender support group in the foothills of North Carolina. He holds an A.S. in Mental Health, a B.S. in Religious Studies from Barry University, and an M.S. in Psychology from New York Institute of Technology. Pastor Jack presently serves as Senior Pastor of St Jude Community Church in Winston-Salem NC, the Associate Pastor of Abundant Grace Church in Granite Falls NC, the Director of the LGBTQ+ Resource Center of Greater Hickory and has a private counseling practice in Catawba County NC.