Compelling Preaching Initiative - Indy

Arionne earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Development, with a concentration in Child and Adolescent Development with Music minor (in Voice), from Howard University in 2005. She continued her studies at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and completed a Master of Divinity, with a concentration in Music Ministry, in 2008. Upon graduation, she was awarded the prestigious Myrtle Saylor Seer Award for Commitment to the Expansion of Women in Scholarship and Ministry. After seminary, she pursued and completed the Certification in Youth and Theology at the Institute for Youth Ministry at Princeton Theological Seminary in 2009.

She is an ordained elder in the Indiana Conference of the A.M.E. Zion Church and currently serves as University Chaplain and Director of the Lantz Center For Christian Vocation at the University of Indianapolis. There she oversees worship, teaches courses in Christian vocation, provides pastoral counseling to students, and leads university religious and interfaith activities and initiatives. She also serves as an Associate Minister at Liberation A.M.E. Zion Church in Indianapolis, IN.

Arionne is the author of two books, “The Women of the Bible and You: A Weekly Devotional” and “Love Like I’ve Never Been Hurt: How To Heal From Heartbreak.” Arionne created and taught a 5-week women’s empowerment bible study called, “iSlay: Secrets of the Savvy Successful Women of the Bible.” She has also expanded iSlay Bible Study to include a conference experience for college women at the University of Indianapolis. She has been published by the Christian Recorder and Duke University’s Faith and Leadership Magazine. She previously served on the Board for the Center for Interfaith Cooperation, Indianapolis, IN.  And she is a member of the Professional Advisory Group for the Inaugural Howard University School of Divinity Clinical Pastoral Education Program.

Arionne has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors including the Black Girls Rock Award presented by the Xi Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha (2016) and the University of Indianapolis Staff Achievement in Inclusive Excellence (2018). She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

She is happily married to Christopher and they have one beautiful baby girl!

Darin Kent is a highly experienced media consultant, entrepreneur, and Chief Communications Officer (CCO) for the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (A.M.E. Zion Church). As the 18th Editor in Chief of the Star of Zion, he has achieved recognition for his contributions to the church's multimedia landscape. With a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and over 20 years in the industry, Darin's multimedia services company, www.DarinKent.com, LLC, has thrived nationwide. His leadership extends beyond the church, fostering strategic affiliations with various organizations, and his commitment to excellence in communication is evident in his role as a dedicated ministry leader and family man.

The Rev. Jeffrey L. Bower is an ordained priest of the Episcopal Church. He has served at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Indianapolis for the last seven years. Prior to St. Paul’s he served a decade as Rector of St. John’s, Speedway. He holds a BA from Wabash College, an MDiv. and MA in Church Music from Christian Theological Seminary, and is currently a DMin Candidate, at Bexley-Seabury Seminary in Chicago. Invested in lifelong learning, Jeff is currently in a one-year apprenticeship program in spiritual direction. A Husband, father, grandfather, and dog lover, he currently resides at Princes Lakes with his husband David and two dogs, Kodie and Hunter.

Jonathan Ember is the Lead and founding Pastor of Diversity Church. Jonathan graduated from the In Ministry Training program at Victory Bible Institute in May of 2008 and immediately started traveling the world sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. After 3 years of ministry in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil he returned to the U.S. in June of 2012 to start a new chapter. Through his experience of Christianity among different cultures, the vision for Diversity Church was conceived in his heart. Diversity Church launched on October 20th, 2013 in the Garfield Park Arts Center and in 2019 they expanded with a campus near Broad Ripple. Jonathan is ordained through the Assemblies of God and is passionate about spreading the gospel of Jesus to different people. He resides with his wife and daughter on the southeast side of Indianapolis.

The Rev. Dr. Jevon Caldwell-Gross has been a transformational ministry thought leader for almost two decades.  Serving in a variety of contexts, ranging from urban cities to multicultural suburban communities, Pastor J is known for his ability to connect with different audiences and to make the gospel accessible and practical.  He currently  serves as the Teaching and Online Pastor at St. Luke's United Methodist Church.  As a Pastor, Author and Professor, his mission is and has always been to equip churches and congregational leaders for relevant and effective ministry in a rapidly changing society.

An Itinerant Elder in the AME Church with a heart for effecting and energizing community change, Pastor Gladden is a mother, scholar practitioner, and dedicated social entrepreneur who has served as a community advocate, state ambassador, clinician and speaker throughout the world for three decades. She has earned degrees from Morgan State University, The Wesley Theological Seminary, and Indiana University. Over the course of her thirty year career, she has led and participated in short term humanitarian projects throughout the continental United States, Canada, England, France, Germany, Switzerland, Czech Republic, South Africa, Kenya and South Korea and has received numerous awards and recognitions, including a Clergy Renewal Grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc. (2023), a Reflective Leadership Grant from Leadership Education at Duke Divinity (2018), a Do Good X Fellowship from The Forum for Theological Exploration (2017) and a Wabash Pastoral Leadership Award from Lilly Endowment, Inc. (2014). She remains actively engaged in the landscape of religion in the public square through many roles, most notably as one of two staff pastors at Broadway United Methodist Church, the Social Justice Education Specialist at Indiana University-Indianapolis, Vice President of the Board of Directors of Faith in Indiana, and as the CEO of Good to the SOUL. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Sorority, Incorporated.

While you can experience Melody most Sundays at Church, you may also encounter her marching in the Pride Parade, providing spiritual guidance at a local coffee shop, exploring peaceful conflict mediation in the Irish countryside with the Wabash Pastoral Leadership Program, leading a group of youth to Puerto Rico for hurricane recovery work, or witnessing the effects of slavery and racism on a civil rights pilgrimage. Her commitment to the community—local, national, and global—is the way she leads. Back home, Melody preaches a message that she lives every day: to love, to forgive, to witness, to work for justice and peace, and to seek joy.

Melody earned her Master of Divinity degree from Earlham School of Religion. She was ordained with Metropolitan Community Churches in 2013 and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 2019.  She joined Downey Avenue Christian Church in 2017, first as associate pastor focused on family and youth ministries, before being called as the Senior Pastor.

Widow, Life Coach, Minister,Mentor, Wedding Officiant, CEO.

Tasha has been dedicated to the work of ministry for nineteen years at Womack Memorial CME Church and throughout the city of Indianapolis.. While rebuilding her life after the tragedy of losing her late husband Robert L Ratcliffe, it seems like NOTHING has gotten in her way as she continues to trail-blaze in this thing called life. She has been on thirteen podcasts in the last year. In January and February of 2022, Tasha was featured on the cover of her first magazine, “Huami Magazine.” In October of 2022 she was awarded “The Jefferson Award” through her mentoring, life giving business called “The Be You Movement;“ a movement that is currently serving two universities in the City of Indianapolis and two  charter Schools in greater Indianapolis. Tasha says her famous quote is “I stay in my GOD APPOINTED lane; there’s NO traffic in my lane.” She’s excited for all opportunities God has given to her for surely, the sky is definitely the limit!!!