Guiding Voices
The Guiding Voices are trusted friends, practitioners, writers, artists, pastors, organizers, and leaders whose lives and work continue to shape the Parish Collective. While they are not staff or board members, their ideas, creativity, and faithful presence in neighborhoods around the world deeply influence our imagination and our work.
These are people we consistently learn from, collaborate with, and look to as thoughtful voices helping cultivate the broader Parish Movement
Rev. José Humphreys
GUIDING VOICE
East Harlem | NYC
A native New Yorker, Rev. José Humphreys is an ordained minister and Co-founder of Metro Hope Church, a multiethnic and multicultural church in East Harlem, New York City. He is also a social worker, consultant, and author of the award-winning book Seeing Jesus in East Harlem: What Happens When Churches Show Up & Stay Put. Through coaching and facilitation, Rev. José supports churches and organizations in shalom-making and trauma-informed healing.
As Co-Lead Pastor of Metro Hope Church, Rev. José has cultivated partnerships among East Harlem churches to provide whole-life mentoring circles for people impacted by the criminal justice system. He also works alongside church members, local churches, and residents to advance economic justice by supporting locally owned small businesses through the Buy Local Initiative. Rev. José lives in East Harlem with his wife, Mayra, and their son, Javier.
Drew Jackson
GUIDING VOICE
East Village | NYC
Drew Jackson is a poet, speaker, and public theologian. He is author of God Speaks Through Wombs: Poems on God’s Unexpected Coming and Touch the Earth: Poems on The Way. His work has appeared in Oneing from the Center for Action and Contemplation, The Isolation Journals with Suleika Jaouad, Made for Pax, The Journal from the Centre for Public Christianity, Fathom Magazine, and other publications.
Drew received his B.A. in Political Science from the Univ. of Chicago and his M.A. in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. He currently works as the Director of Mission Integration for the Center for Action and Contemplation, and lives in Brooklyn, NY with his wife and daughters.
Jonathan Brooks
GUIDING VOICE
North Lawndale | Chicago, IL
A lifelong resident of Chicago, IL, Jonathan Brooks currently serves as Co-Pastor of Lawndale Christian Community Church in the North Lawndale neighborhood. He previously served as pastor of Canaan Community Church in the West Englewood neighborhood for fifteen years. As an educator on many different levels and a firm believer in investing in the local community, Jonathan has a deep desire to instill this value in the students and young people in his congregation, classroom, and neighborhood.
Pastah J, as he is affectionately known, is a sought-after speaker, writer, artist, and community activist. He has contributed to numerous blogs, articles, and books, and is the author of Church Forsaken: Practicing Presence in Neglected Neighborhoods. Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Tuskegee University, a Master of Arts in Teaching from National Louis University, and a Master of Divinity from Northern Seminary with an emphasis in Christian Community Development. He is married to Micheál Newman-Brooks, and together they have two children. You can learn more at pastahj.com.
Majora Carter
GUIDING VOICE
South Bronx | NYC
Majora Carter is an urban revitalization strategist and broadcast producer/host from the South Bronx, New York. Her work spans environmental justice, economic development, social mobility, and real estate, earning recognition including a MacArthur "Genius" Grant, a Peabody Award, the Rudy Bruner Award Silver Medal, nine honorary doctorates, and numerous professional honors. Through her consulting work, she helps organizations challenge outdated assumptions and develop innovative solutions to complex community issues.
Majora is known for her belief that "Nobody should have to move out of their neighborhood to live in a better one," a quote featured in the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Her work focuses on strengthening local communities by reducing "brain drain," creating wealth-building opportunities, and advancing inclusive economic development.
As the founder of Sustainable South Bronx and Green For All, Majora pioneered innovative community development initiatives, including deploying MIT's first Mobile Fab Lab to the South Bronx. She later launched a consulting firm recognized as Best for the World by B Corp in 2014 and has partnered with organizations such as Google, Cisco, Etsy, Gust, and FreshDirect to expand economic opportunity in underserved communities. She is a graduate of the Bronx High School of Science.
Michael Mata
GUIDING VOICE
Koreatown | Los Angeles, CA
Michael Matabegan his ministry more than 40 years ago by moving into his Los Angeles neighborhood to serve alongside local youth. Throughout his ministry, he has remained committed to the flourishing of urban communities, equipping faith-rooted leaders to create lasting, positive change in marginalized and under-resourced neighborhoods through both formal and informal training.
Drawing on extensive experience in urban pastoral ministry, theological education, urban planning, and community development, Michael brings a unique perspective to the Parish Collective Board. His lifelong commitment to neighborhood transformation continues to shape and encourage leaders working locally, nationally, and globally.
Shannan Martin
GUIDING VOICE
Goshen | IN
Shannan Martin, best-selling author of Start with Hello, The Ministry of Ordinary Places and Falling Free: Rescued from the Life I Always Wanted, is a speaker and writer who found her voice in the country and her story in the city. She believes beauty and justice intersect at street-level, and strives to live with “neighbor” as an embodied part of her spiritual DNA. Shannan works as a cook at The Window, a local non-profit dedicated to feeding its community. Her husband, Cory, works as the chaplain of the Elkhart County jail, focusing on the spiritual and emotional health, practical needs, and robust re-entry support for men and women who have been incarcerated. Shannan lives in the Chamberlain neighborhood of Goshen, Indiana with Cory and their teenagers.
Tim Soerens
GUIDING VOICE
Ravenswood | Chicago, IL
Tim Soerens is the co-founding Executive Director of the Parish Collective, a global movement helping churches rediscover life with their neighbors and faithfully engage the places they call home. A speaker, church planter, and author, Tim has spent his ministry helping cultivate place-based communities that embody the good news in everyday life.
He is the author of Everywhere You Look: Discovering the Church, Right Where You Are and co-author of the award-winning The New Parish: How Neighborhood Churches Transform Mission, Discipleship, and Community. Tim also co-founded Neighborhood Economics, an initiative that encourages entrepreneurship and neighborhood flourishing.
Tim lives in the Ravenswood neighborhood of Chicago with his wife, Maria-Jose, and their sons, Lukas, Joaquín, and Benjamín.
We're Glad You're Here
Thank you for taking the time to meet the people who help shape the vision and imagination of Parish Collective. We hope you'll continue exploring our community and join us as we learn from one another, cultivate meaningful relationships, and seek the flourishing of our neighborhoods together.