GCN Conference 2010: Speakers & Entertainers

Tony Campolo, Ph.D., minister and author

Dr. Tony Campolo is an international media commentator on religious, social and political matters, having appeared on television programs including Larry King Live, The Colbert Report, Crossfire, and MSNBC News. He co-hosted his own television series, Hashing It Out, on the Odyssey Network, and presently hosts Across The Pond, a weekly program on the Premier Christian Radio Network in England.

An ordained minister and author of 35 books, he has served American Baptist Churches in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and currently serves as an associate pastor of the Mount Carmel Baptist Church in West Philadelphia.

Dr. Campolo is Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Eastern University in St. Davids, Pennsylvania. He and his wife, Peggy, live in the Philadelphia area and have two grown children and four grandchildren.

Mary Lou Wallner, TEACH Ministries

Mary Lou Wallner may be best known for her powerful appearances in the documentaries For the Bible Tells Me So and God and Gays: Bridging the Gap, but she has been speaking out on LGBT Christian issues for far longer.

After losing her lesbian Christian daughter to suicide in February of 1997, Mary Lou began to question the anti-gay beliefs she had been taught in the church. Moving from tragedy to transformation, she determined to help stop other gay sons and daughters from taking their own lives.

Mrs. Wallner and her husband are founders of TEACH Ministries, an organization charged "To Educate About the Consequences of Homophobia." Together, they spearhead a supportive Bible study in their home and work to help parents and Christians everywhere understand the importance of showing love to LGBT people.

Justin Lee, The Gay Christian Network

Justin Lee is the executive director of The Gay Christian Network (GCN), which sponsors this annual conference and ministers to thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Christians around the world.

Justin is a frequent speaker to college and church groups, where he uses his own unique blend of humor, pop culture, and in-depth Biblical analysis to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Justin has been featured in numerous media outlets, including the Dr. Phil show, The New York Times, OUT magazine, and CNN's Anderson Cooper 360.

Kori Ashton, singer/songwriter

Kori Ashton is a Christian solo artist who has opened for Tree63, David Crowder Band, Skillet and more.

For years she worked alongside of "ex-gay" organizations like Exodus International, PFOX, and Focus on the Family, but in 2004, Kori left those ministries and began sharing her music and the story of her journey as a gay Christian.

GCN is pleased to welcome Kori as our special guest, performing a Friday night concert opening for Derek Webb!

Derek Webb, singer/songwriter

Derek Webb is known both as a member of award-winning Christian rock group Caedmon's Call and for his powerful work as a solo artist.

Derek's new album, Stockholm Syndrome, has made waves in the Christian music world in part for a song decrying homophobia in the church.

This year, we're thrilled to have him as our special guest, performing a concert just for GCN Conference attendees!