Meet Our Instructors

Mattie Jo Cowsert

Mattie Jo grew up the youngest daughter of four kids in a Midwest, wholesome, Christian household. She lived in Branson, Missouri. which was a lot like being on a kitschy, yet charming movie set all the time, but a movie set nonetheless. Now a professional actor and author, she's ready to book that Hallmark Christmas movie so people back home know she's really made it.

Keith Giles

Keith Giles is the best-selling author of the Jesus Un series. He has appeared on CNN, USA Today, BuzzFeed, and John Fugelsang's "Tell Me Everything." Keith and his wife currently reside in El Paso.

Heather Hamilton

Heather Hamilton received her B.A. in Journalism from Georgia State University and spent many years doing video production before discovering her love of writing. After filming and editing stories with people from all over the world—celebrities, orphans, religious leaders, royal family members, political figures, and everyday people—Heather recognized the common threads and themes intertwining all humans across religions, cultures, classes, and demographics. She is passionate about fostering human connection through storytelling, writing, art, and exchanging ideas. She lives in Atlanta with her husband and three children.

Leslie Nease

Formerly recognized as Sister Christian from Survivor China, Leslie has a multifaceted background as a former Christian radio show host, speaker, and writer specializing in women's ministry. Today, she extends her expertise to others navigating similar paths through her podcast, Honoring the Journey and her coaching enterprise, Leslie Nease Coaching, where she comes alongside individuals navigating through life and faith transitions. Leslie lives in the mountains of Utah with her husband, Rod, and their two dogs, Winston and Henry. They have four adult children.

Bruce Pagano II, LCPC, NCC, CCTP

Bruce is a licensed clinical professional counselor and the owner of a counseling practice in Idaho, specializing in couples therapy and individual trauma, including religious trauma and spiritual harm. With 15 years of pastoral experience in various churches, he now preaches occasionally at a local United Methodist Church. An author of two books, Three Commands: Jesus's Fulfillment of the Law through Love and Certainty Kills: A Primer for Approaching the Bible with a God-honoring & Neighbor-loving Openness, Bruce combines his counseling and theological insights to help others grow in love and understanding. He lives in Treasure Valley, Idaho, with his wife, their daughter, and one of their sons. Bruce also has two adult sons—one in Arizona and another in Washington, where he lives with his wife and daughter.

Rev. Dr. Angela N. Parker

Rev. Dr. Angela N. Parker is associate professor of New Testament and Greek at McAfee. She received her B.A. in religion and philosophy from Shaw University (2008), her M.T.S. from Duke Divinity School (2008-2010) and her Ph.D. in Bible, culture, and hermeneutics (New Testament focus) from Chicago Theological Seminary (2015). While not engaging in scholarship, teaching, and preaching, Dr. Parker can be found relaxing with her husband, Victor, while researching puppies to adopt.

Amber D'Ann Picota

Amber D'Ann Picota was born and raised in a small town in Texas, but now resides with her family in Virginia. She is a mother to three teenagers and three Frenchies. Amber is a book worm, who loves hiking, camping, and travelling to new places. She is a published author and an avid writer. For over six years she served as a youth pastor before planting a church. She was the lead pastor to that church for four years. Amber has been deconstructing, reconstructing and decolonizing her faith for the past 6 years. She is a citizen of the Chickasaw nation and has been reconnecting to her tribe and heritage. Amber has a passion for empowering women to use their gifts, talents, and abilities to lead within the body of Christ.

Seth Showalter

Seth Showalter, MHA, MSW, LCSW, is a dedicated and compassionate therapist in Columbia, Missouri. With a personal understanding of the transformative power of therapy, Seth is committed to providing a safe and accepting space for individuals seeking support and guidance.

Angie Von Slaughter

Angie Von Slaughter is a creative spirit with a pastor's heart who embodies what it means to live life as an everyday mystic. Throughout her career, she has played the role of pastor, spiritual director, brand agency owner and podcast host. Her passion is to see others live fully alive, create work that matters, and imagine a spiritual journey that is open and inclusive to everyone. In every facet of her life, Angie is committed to helping seekers, misfits, and mystics find their true north.

Mary Terhune

Mary Terhune, R.N., Homeopathic Educator, Lecturer and Author of Out Of The Blue: True-Life Experiences of Awakening, Revelation, Transformation & Consciousness-Based Medicine, has been involved in the healing arts for over 40 years, journeying from allopathy to homeopathy, body-centered massage, Reiki and energy medicine after a profound spontaneous spiritual awakening. She studied at the Renaissance Institute of Classical Homeopathy and has a degree in sociology from Boston College. For more information or to contact Mary, please visit her website: www.maryterhune.com.

LaToya Thompson

With over 20 years of writing and editing experience, LaToya Thompson has been fortunate to partner with remarkable self-publishing authors who have trusted her with their vision. Desert-born, Rust Belt-bred, and Southern-fed, she currently resides in the Lone Star State, though her soul and spirit have made a home in many places with extraordinary faces. Her writing has traversed stanzas, newsprint, executive speeches, first-person essays, and magical short stories. Soon, she looks forward to offering her novel, memoir, and chapbook for readers’ literary enjoyment.

LaToya’s passion and commitment lie at the intersection of liberation, justice, and joy. She invites others to join her in creating a world where words empower, stories inspire, and every narrative is a step toward positive change. Together, she hopes to elevate voices and stories that matter.

John van de Laar

John van de Laar is a former pastor, a writer, musician, and course leader, who is passionate about helping people to show up fully, authentically, and courageously in their lives and relationships. If you’ve broken up with the church or your relationship with organised religion is ‘complicated’, John’s mix of ancient spiritual practices and evolutionary thinking can give you a new way to experience a life of meaning, purpose, and wholeness.

John holds a master’s degree in theology, is the author of three books (so far), and writes at https://sacredise.substack.com/publish/home.

John lives outside of Johannesburg, South Africa with his wife Debbie, and they have two adult sons.