Anne Scalfaro and Buster

The Healing Pulpit with Cedrick Von Jackson

Rev. Dr. Cedrick Von Jackson is a well-respected preacher, poet, speaker, writer, and educator. His list of accomplishments includes being a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Memphis Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree, a Chalice Press Award Winner, and an initiate of the University of Mississippi chapter of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, where heearned both a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a Master's degree in Educational Leadership. He completed a Doctor of Ministry at Memphis Theological Seminary. The title of his dissertation was "Rethinking Mental Health inthe African American Church Through Preaching, Teaching, and Hospitality." Affectionately known as "Pastor J," Jacksoncurrently serves as the Senior Pastor of the Historic West Hunter Street Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA, a 144-year-old institution with a distinguishedcivil rights legacy rooted in the ministry of Rev. Ralph David Abernathy. He also leads West Hunter Street Empowerment, Inc. (WHSEI), the church's 501(c)(3)nonprofit arm. Prior to his call to West Hunter Street, Pastor J served for over ten years as Senior Pastor of the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Sardis, MS., and four years as Senior Pastor of the Askew Grove Baptist Church in Sarah, MS. For several years, he served as Minister of Music at the church of his childhood, Second Baptist Church of Coldwater, MS. For over ten years, he served as the Musical Director for Tate County Mississippi's annual Martin Luther King, Jr. commemoration. He sits on the advisory board for WomanPreach! Inc., the premiere non-profit organization that brings preachers into fullprophetic voice around issues of equity and justice, both in the pulpit and in the public arena. In 2007, Jackson published a sermon entitled "AnUnscattering of the Sheep" in The African American Pulpit, a quarterly journal that serves as a repository for the very best of African American preaching and provides practical and creative resources for persons inministry. He served as a sermon illustration writer for The African American Lectionary, a collaborative project of The African American Pulpit and AmericanBaptist College of Nashville, TN. Pastor J has dedicated over twenty-seven years to the field of education. He has served as a classroom teacher, building principal, district special education director, school chaplain, and Dean of Students. Asa building principal, Dr. Jackson was recognized as "Outstanding Administrator of the Year" by Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society in Education at The University of Mississippi. Pastor J is the author of several published works at theintersection of faith, mental wellness, and prophetic imagination. His book, The Healing Pulpit: Sermons and Strategies for Mental Wellness, establishes himas a leading voice in faith-based mental health ministry and serves as the foundation for his broader platform as an author and speaker. He is also the author of two poetry anthologies, Following the Breadcrumb Path: Navigating the Journey Toward God, Justice, and Love and Theoethnimusicology, Vol. 1 -- Nothin' But the Blues. His poetry draws God into the narrative of the Blues,bringing a sense of hope. The grace of that hope brings with it a sense of victory. He is the founder of the Ziklag Conference, an annual gathering dedicated to reclaiming mental health through the lens of faith. In his spare time, Pastor J enjoys traveling, skiing, andwriting poetry, and he is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Rev. Jackson has been married to his college sweetheart, the former Eulanda Willisof Meridian, MS, for thirty-two years. She currently serves as a staff pharmacist at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, GA. They are the proud parents of two children, Jalise and Myles, one son-in-law, Patrick Wilson, onegranddaughter, Lyric-Patrice Kaye Wilson, and their dog, Lady. You can purchase The Healing Pulpit at www.judsonpress.com

Ilán Carlos Pabellon-Román (Content Warning- Suicide)

Ilán Carlos was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, and has been a member of the American Baptist Church in Puerto Rico and currently congregates and is pre-ministerial candidate in Comunidad Mesa Abierta, A church in the Evergreen Association. Ilán Carlos received a Bachelor's degree in Humanities and Music from the University of Puerto Rico, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He based his ministry in music at first before accepting his calling to ordained pastoral Ministry. Ilán Carlos is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity from Seminario Evangelico de Puerto Rico, where he is the first openly trans student. As a trans man, Ilán Carlos' ministry now revolves around creating visibility in our churches for the LGBTQ+ community and educating, not only churches, but members of the LGBTQ+ community and Spirituality within the Community. He helped create a Transvisibility Toolkit with and for the UCC, giving conferences in their Synod and at the National LGBTQ+ Taskforce. He raises his voice for dignity, understanding, love, and acceptance of all of God's creation. Ilán Carlos shares his life experiences and struggles to humanize the LGBTQ+ community in religious spaces to show God's grace, love, and mercy for all.  Trans Visibility Kit  https://new.uccfiles.com/pdf/The-UCC-Trans-Visibility-Toolkit-2022.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0DGkUA8wQuRgUVXF_i2DXuLurLzJiljjTZaFHyNy4bAoRBqQm21FS-_Jo [https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnew.uccfiles.com%2Fpdf%2FThe-UCC-Trans-Visibility-Toolkit-2022.pdf%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0DGkUA8wQuRgUVXF_i2DXuLurLzJiljjTZaFHyNy4bAoRBqQm21FS-_Jo&data=05%7C02%7C%7C17da688660aa4960d9c108de89e99dfc%7Ceddd919c7565493f94ee6a31158d6fe7%7C0%7C1%7C639099833653500691%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=uZSc1zXmiQNGdKpDdqPM25P6%2FpwFqzHgDMFil5ydd3E%3D&reserved=0] True Self Foundation: IG:@trueselffoundation FB: True Self Foundation trueselffoundation.org [https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Ftrueselffoundation.org%2F&data=05%7C02%7C%7C17da688660aa4960d9c108de89e99dfc%7Ceddd919c7565493f94ee6a31158d6fe7%7C0%7C1%7C639099833653541747%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=coF6s7t6tVLlPRdd%2Fz7%2F4b868okpQmlpsOVL%2FcJYv80%3D&reserved=0]

Margaret Marcuson

Margaret Marcuson helps clergy get lighter and less burdened by their ministry so they can have more influence with less stress. She has worked with leaders from over 20 denominations as teacher and coach over 25 years. She is the author of Leaders who Last (2009) and Money and Your Ministry (2014). An American Baptist minister, she served as pastor at First Baptist Church, Gardner, MA for 13 years. She lives in Portland, OR, where she sings in two choirs. Check out her new book, Sustainable Ministry: How to Lead (and When to Nap) coming on July 9th! Don't miss it! You can learn more about Margaret at margaretmarcuson.com

Author, Melinda Mitchell

One of my favorite authors is back, Melinda Mitchell! My colleague and friend is back with her second book, Fortunate Son (Stardust and Ashes), which was released in December 2025. It's a spicy retelling of David with a sci-fi twist. Can love save us all?

Dan Cash

This week, Meg chats with Dr. Dan Cash about 35 years in ministry, the wisdom found in everyday faith, and the inspiration behind his three books. It’s a heartfelt conversation about calling, growth, and finding grace in the beautiful mess of ministry. You can find 8 Questions Jesus Asked and Changing Church at www.judsonpresss.com and his first solo project, Dakota Dreams & Hoosier Heartland, a historical fiction on Amazon.