meet the speakers
OF THE 2026 MINISTRY CONNECTION CONFERENCE
dr. justin lester
AI & MINISTRY
Rev. Dr. Justin R. Lester is a pastor, author, educator, and strategist committed to building joyful, justice-driven communities rooted in the Black Church tradition. He serves as the Senior Pastor of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Vallejo, California, where he is leading a multigenerational, tech-forward congregation into deeper discipleship and civic impact. A graduate of Marquette University (B.A., M.A.), Vanderbilt Divinity School (M.Div.), and Boston University School of Theology (D.Min.), Dr. Lester’s ministry bridges the sacred and the digital. His doctoral work focused on gamification in the Black Church, rethinking how spiritual engagement can be revived through play, design, and innovation.
Known online as @ThatTechPastor, Dr. Lester is a national voice at the intersection of faith, AI, and Black futures. He is the creator of PastorGPT, an AI platform built to serve pastors and churches, and the founder of TheoXTech, a national conference exploring theology, innovation, and emerging technology
CAROLA Manriquez
EVANGELISM IN PLURAL CULTURES
Carola Manríquez serves as Beyond Teams Coordinator at Gateway Seminary, where she leads the planning of international short-term mission trips and conferences while also teaching as an adjunct professor in the Kim School of Global Missions and at California Baptist University. A Chilean pastor’s kid and PhD candidate in Intercultural Studies at Biola University, her research focuses on Ibero-American missionaries serving in Muslim contexts.
Dr. Terrelle sALES
MARRIAGE & MINISTRY
Dr. Terrelle B. Sales is Associate Professor of Teacher Education at Pepperdine University in Malibu, Ca. Dr. Sales serves on the Board of Directors for the California Council on Teacher Education (CCTE). In Spring of 2024 he was elected President Elect of CCTE and will serve as President in Spring of 2026. Dr. Sales also works as an expert Consultant for the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. His research interests include the epistemological connection between education and theology, Jesus as Teacher, curriculum development, and the pedagogy of Jesus.
Dr. Sales received his BA in Liberal Arts and California Teaching Credential from Pepperdine University, his MA of Education in Teacher Leadership from Vanguard University, and his EdD in Educational Leadership for Social Justice from Loyola Marymount University.
DR. JULIUS WEST
CARING FOR PEOPLE IN A CRISIS
Dr. Julius L. West is the Lead Pastor of Sûnergeõ Christian Fellowship in Upland, CA. The church was founded in April, 2005 out of Julius’ desire to share the love of Christ with his neighbors through an outreach Bible Study. Sûnergeõ, which means Work Together, has a mission of “Equipping ordinary people to impact others in extraordinary ways through the life-changing power of the Gospel.” Julius has been blessed with a rich variety of professional experiences from his years of involvement in the entertainment industry, prior to a second act engaged in all aspects of full-time ministry. Julius received a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Gateway Seminary in Ontario, CA. He has been married to Tina since 1990 and has two adult children and two grandchildren.
pastor alpercy bennett
EMPOWERING DEACONS & DEACONESSES FOR GREATER MINISTRY
Alpercy grew up in Carson California. He has been involved in church ministries since he was a young child. He has served as a Junior Deacon, Junior Usher, Deacon, and Minister. Currently, he serves as the Pastor of the RISE (Relevant-Inspiring-Saturday-Experience) service at Mt. Zion Church Of Ontario, under the leadership of Pastor Brian E. Kennedy Sr. He is active in the couple’s ministry, Sunday School, and the Griefshare Bereavement Ministry. He is currently attending seminary at Gateway University. He lives in Southern California with his family.
dR. JEFF CATE
HOW TO STUDY AND INTERPRET THE BIBLE
Jeff Cate has been Professor of New Testament and Greek at California Baptist University since 1997. His academic research is primarily on the Greek and Latin manuscripts of the New Testament. Over the years, he has taught courses on an array of aspects regarding the NT including individual books, interpretation, history, and the Greek Language. He is originally from Tennessee and has served in ministry in churches in six different states.
mrs. ADRIENNE CLAY
ENGAGING CHILDREN IN MEANINGFUL BIBLICAL MINISTRY
Adrienne enjoys being part of a serving ministry and has done so by being a teacher, mentor and prayer warrior for the last 40 years. She especially loves ministering to and with children, youth, women and young couples. She serves as a Deaconess, Sunday school teacher, youth worker and praise dancer at Mt. Zion Church of Ontario. Adrienne works hard to let her light shine in every area of her life, and it is her belief that allowing her light to shine will bring others to Jesus Christ.
DR. CLIFF JENKINS
EQUIPPING BIBLE STUDY TEACHERS
Dr. Cliff Jenkins is the Leadership Development and Church Planting pastor for Mt. Zion Church of Ontario. He is also an Associate Director of Gateway’s Doctor of Ministry program and Associate Professor of Leadership Formation. Dr. Jenkins is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but has spent most of his adult life in Pittsburgh, PA. Throughout his ministry career, he has served in various leadership capacities, including pastor, interim pastor, and church planter. Dr. Jenkins is a Gateway DMin program graduate and also holds degrees from the University of Pittsburgh and Biblical Theological (Missio) Seminary. Dr. Jenkins advocates for racial unity within the body of Christ and develops thriving leaders through his company, Onyx Ministries. He is passionate about equipping men and women to grow in their relationship with God and become leaders through discipleship and academic development. Cliff has been married to his bride, Michelle, for over thirty years, and they have two grown children.
DR. ODESSA-ELISE DOWNING
WOMEN IN MINISTRY
Dr. Downing has extensive experience in teaching, facilitating, and training offering a Biblical approach to unpack the importance of women in ministry today.
Dr. Downing’s Christian journey is grounded in faith, purpose, and service. From early on, she has been guided by a desire to live out her calling, embracing the opportunity to serve, teach, and encourage others. By nurturing women in ministry, mentoring the next generation, and living a life of integrity, Dr. Downing demonstrates how a Christ-centered perspective transforms challenges into opportunities for growth. Her story inspires others to follow God and impact their communities with love and purpose.