Meet Our Hosts
Rev. Dr. Kim Purl
The Missouri Pastor
Pastor Kim Purl has ministered for 25+ yrs in LGBTQIA+ non-affirming church spaces.
Her ministry context over the past decade has been in rural Missouri with teens and young adults who have had big questions about biblical and spiritual views on sexuality, racism, immigration, and all hot topics.
Kim is a local pastor, friend, wife, and momma.
Her favorite food is Thai.
“This conversation is important because all faith communities need to be working together with their local communities to meet real needs.
Peaceful partnership is our testimony to the world of the power of God's holy love.
We must uncover what we can do to respect others and express holy love while remaining committed to our faith doctrines.”
View Pastor Kim’s website and
YouTube Channel
Jeremy Emmert
Converge
“I grew up on a farm in rural Indiana. I went to Purdue University and then on to Regent University in Virginia Beach for law school. I started practicing law first for a small firm in Indianapolis and then eventually served 10 years in the Air Force.
The Air Force gave me the chance to live in several parts of the country (Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, Virginia, Washington, and Washington D.C.). However, it was during that time that the conflict between my sexual orientation and faith became too much, so I thought I had to choose one or the other.
I walked away from a relationship with Jesus. I made that decision in isolation without the benefit of the counsel of others. In a way that only God could, that false dichotomy came to a resolution in October 2013 when I firmly reconnected with God.
I am becoming part of this conversation because no decision like that should be done in isolation. By walking humbly with others, we learn that the power of relationship comes not in agreement (theological or otherwise) but in abiding together in God's love despite our sure-to-exist disagreements.
It is an open secret our society doesn't agree well. We can change that one relationship at a time. Join us.”
Rev. Dr. Marian Edmonds-Allen
Parity
Rev. Marian Edmonds-Allen is the director of Blessed by Difference, the LGBTQ+ Religious Freedom Project, and the executive director of Parity.
Rev. Dr. Edmonds-Allen is a sought-after speaker, particularly for bridging faith divides and for her approach to inclusive religious freedom. She consults with faith leaders, denominations, and elected officials to find collaborative ways to improve outcomes and bridge divides while honoring and respecting theological differences.
“I’m a gender nonbinary, bisexual pastor from an Evangelical background who has spent years engaged with LGBT activism. Holy Dialogues allows me to bring ALL of who I am - the many parts of me - to conversations about faith and human sexuality. These conversations are a blessing to me and a blessing to the people I minister with.”