The inaugural Polaris Leadership Fellows completed a one-year leadership acceleration program designed to amplify and centralize the work of young adult Christian leaders. Fellows crafted subgrant projects, site visits, and pilgrimages to advance the common good and further their leadership impact in the world.
Michael DeChaun Adams-Lee
DeChaun is from Fayetteville, Georgia, and currently works as a civil engineer designing commercial, industrial, and residential developments. He also serves as the United Men’s Ministry President and the Chair of his church’s Habitat for Humanity ministry. DeChaun assists with youth church a few Sundays out of the month. Some of his interests include skating, spending time with family and friends, and building inspiring music playlists with his wonderful fiancé. He aspires to make a difference in his community through service and mentorship. DeChaun was nominated by the Connecting with Hope Innovation Hub at the Interdenominational Theological Center.
During the fellowship, DeChaun worked to more sustainably support the United Men’s and Habitat for Humanity Ministries. These ministries serve the local community with minor repairs and clean up for members in need. This project has revitalized recruitment strategies, offered continued training, and streamlined logistics for optimum service.
Ezrica Bennett
Ezrica is a journalist, author, and speaker. She is working to publish children’s books, poetry books, empowering books about identity and body image, as well as devotionals. Ezrica has worked with young adults for the past seven years as a leader for one of the largest churches in her denomination. Prior to moving to California, Ezrica was a student missionary for nine years traveling to and aiding in more than 15 overseas missions and visiting 95% of the US states to work with using young adults in schools, juvenile detention centers, and churches in low-income communities. Ezrica is passionate about helping young adults navigate the space of personal identity and faith. She’s also passionate about training church leaders to engage better with young adults. Ezrica was nominated by Discipleship Initiatives with Young Adults at Fuller Youth Institute.
During the fellowship, Ezrica created Nexus, an elevated dinner and discussion experience designed to foster environments in which young adult Christian leaders can enter important socio-cultural conversations not currently being had in church spaces.
Jean Carlos Diaz
Jean Carlos (he/him) is a gay Puerto Rican speaker and storyteller from the Twin Cities. He is part of the preaching team at New City Church, a faith community led by queer people of color in South Minneapolis. He serves the University of Minnesota as Director of Campus Ministry through the United Methodist Church. Whether speaking in churches or campuses, in person or online, Jean Carlos is an emerging voice helping people imagine a new world and a new life. He is married to his amazing husband, Fabo, and is passionate about moving people to things that matter. Jean Carlos was nominated by the Riverside Innovation Hub at Augsburg University. To learn more, visit JeanCarlos.org.
During the fellowship, Jean Carlos created a dynamic and inclusive online ministry that leverages social media platforms to spread God’s love, especially to the LGBTQIA+ BIPOC communities.
Hannah Echols Grieser
Hannah is a Georgia girl who loves writing and hearing people’s stories. She graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s in journalism and English and is pursuing an MA in Cultural Engagement and Spiritual Formation at Denver Seminary. Currently, she serves as the Communications Director for a faith-based financial education nonprofit and ghostwrites books on the side. In her free time, she enjoys leading her church cafe team and serving in the student ministry along with her husband, Mason. Hannah was nominated by Christian Curious at Denver Seminary.
During the fellowship, Hannah established Milk & Honey, a written content creation agency designed to help young Christian writers expand their careers by creating content and connecting them with opportunities to share their gifts with churches, ministries, and nonprofits that need their skills.
Alexa Eisenbarth
Alexa (she/her) is a graduate of Whitworth University and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. She is passionate and knowledgeable about the faith of young adults, as well as reimagining church for a changing religious landscape. Pastor Alexa has served a church in a rural community as an innovator, and now serves as the Associate Pastor at First UMC in Olympia, Washington. Pastor Alexa thrives when working on a team, values collaboration and creativity, and strives to build systems that work for the common good. Alexa was nominated by Holy Partnerships at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.
During the fellowship, Alexa connected churches to their neighborhoods through local walking pilgrimages intended to foster relationships and engender curiosity intentionally along their paths, because she believes every place is teeming with the sacred.
Nissi Frutos
Nissi is a passionate community educator from Texas who recently made a rewarding transition into the financial services industry. With a genuine commitment to making a positive impact, she thrives on empowering individuals from low-income communities with essential financial knowledge. Nissi’s goal is to promote financial literacy and help bridge the wealth gap, ensuring everyone has access to the tools they need to build a secure financial future. Nissi was nominated by The 787 Collective at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
During the fellowship, Nissi amplified the reach of her small group for Christian entrepreneurs, “Women of Wisdom,” by supporting a faith-based retreat and community building events for young women in business.
Chloe Guillot
Chloe (she/they) is an activist at heart who is interested in the intersection between Christian ministry and social justice advocacy. She graduated from Seattle Pacific University with degrees in Theology and Social Justice/Cultural Studies. Chloe currently works as a social media coordinator for justice-based nonprofits, combining her passion for social justice and theology with graphic design, communications, and digital media. They have spent the last two years leading pro-LGBTQ+ advocacy efforts at Seattle Pacific University and advocating for queer students at other Christian colleges and universities, garnering national media attention in outlets such as The Washington Post, CNN, Sojourners and more. Chloe grew up in Kansas, but their biggest pet peeve is Wizard of Oz jokes. She is fully aware that she is not in Kansas anymore. Chloe was nominated by Pace NW at Seattle Pacific University and Seminary.
During the fellowship, Chloe led community organizing initiatives centered around supporting asylum seekers by fostering spaces of active compassion and raising awareness through immersive artistic experiences.
Hunter Hambrick
Hunter was born in Memphis, Tennessee, but now lives in Denver, Colorado, with his wife, Cara, and serves as an associate pastor at Providence Bible Church. Providence is a gospel-centered, multi-cultural, neighbor-loving church located just east of downtown Denver. Some of his favorite hobbies include reading books, playing basketball, and crafting sermons. Hunter received his BA from Wheaton College (‘17) and his MDiv from Denver Seminary (‘22). He is in the initial stages of pursuing a PhD in New Testament studies. Lord willing, this next step in academic life will further fuel his life-long passion of helping people encounter God through Scripture. Hunter was nominated by Christian Curious at Denver Seminary.
During the fellowship, Hunter accelerated the necessary work of translation for a growing multi-cultural church seeking to come together as one community, celebrating their individual cultural expressions.
Briona Jones
Briona was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, but her involvement in church began at the Tuskegee Wesley Foundation. While at Tuskegee, she studied English and enjoyed engaging her community, celebrating homecomings, and attending mission trips. Briona has spent most of her time in ministry working with UMC affiliated organizations that serve children in the areas of spiritual growth and literacy. She also earned her MDiv from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and is currently studying pastoral care and counseling. She is passionate about education, mental health, and social justice! She is currently working as a hospice chaplain and her research interests include multidisciplinary perspectives such as literature, theology, and using psychoanalytical theory to promote education and awareness about social stigmas, stereotypes, and cultural biases. Briona was nominated by Holy Partnerships at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.
During the fellowship, Briona created a documentary film that explores the connections between lived experiences of faith and mental health through topics such as: falling in love with God, managing grief and loss, and seeking understanding and acceptance
Destyn A’Dante Land
Destyn is a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program Specialist dedicated to creating more inclusive work environments. Destyn was raised in Saint Paul’s historically Black Rondo neighborhood, where he learned the importance of community and knowing one’s history. He studied English at Augsburg University and earned a MEd in Youth Development Leadership from the University of Minnesota. Destyn is passionate about storytelling and deconstructing patriarchal masculinity on his podcast, Rethinking Manhood. A creative soul, you can often find him designing, writing, playing the piano, or facilitating workshops. Destyn strives to let his light shine in a way that “unconsciously gives other people permission to do the same” -Marianne Williamson. He is committed to love, empathy, listening to understand, and meeting people where they are. Destyn strives to do his part in creating a world where everyone has the right to “be free, to live fully and well” (bell hooks). Destyn was nominated by the Riverside Innovation Hub at Augsburg University.
During the fellowship, Destyn wrote The Rules We Live By: Stories and Reflections on Unlearning Patriarchal Masculinity, a devotional and workbook illuminating how patriarchal masculinity shapes lives, accompanied by Scripture and reflection to challenge individuals to lead more centered, complete lives.
Alexandria McCrory
Alexandria is a 27-year-old freelance designer and the founder of AlleyRay Designs, her Graphic Design Company, in the greater Chicagoland area. Alexandria has a deep passion and love for people and design. Her daily pursuit is to strive to use this passion to serve the kingdom of God. She believes that through art, visual expression, and the connecting of people, the beauty of the world can be witnessed by all. Alexandria holds a BA in Social Science emphasizing Graphic Design from Trinity International University. Aside from her freelancing & entrepreneurship, Alexandria also sits on the board of Mosaic House Ministries, teaches art to youth in after school programs, and serves in her local church. Alexandria was nominated by The Mosaic Young Adult Initiative at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
During the fellowship, Alley co-created The Bellus Project, an intentional space for young adult Christian artists to showcase their creativity and invite the community to contemplate God’s beauty through art and one another.
Seth Alan McManus
Seth grew up near Tallahassee, Florida, and currently lives in Indianapolis, Indiana. He’s been involved in intercultural young adult and campus ministry for several years and has had the privilege to work with many communities across the world, interning in Nairobi, Kenya and visiting and supporting ministries in places like Siem Reap, Cambodia, Puebla, Mexico, Beirut, Lebanon, and more. Seth enjoys movies, trying new food, podcasting, baking, and playing and listening to music. He works part time with a refugee resettlement agency in Indianapolis, part time with a cider company, and he is currently raising support to relocate to Gqeberha, South Africa to start a new campus ministry for university students in need. He also spent the past year facilitating a racial justice-based leadership cohort for students at Butler University. He studied at Johnson University and Asbury Theological Seminary focusing on Theology and Intercultural Studies. Seth was nominated by Discipleship Initiatives with Young Adults at Fuller Youth Institute.
During the fellowship, Seth fostered community for university students and young adults by connecting with stories and communities in Indianapolis and South Africa, with the goal of empowerment, education, conversation, and opportunity around racial justice and equity.
Juan Manuel Moreno
Juan is a first generation born Mexican American. Since Juan could remember, he didn’t know where he belonged. It wasn’t until Juan learned who he belonged to (Abba Father), that life started to bloom. In 2012, upon building a relationship with Christ, life began to unfold and strengthen. In the decade to follow many things found him, channels he would have never chosen. Learning about financial literacy, building/owning and operating a landscaping business, and playing the bass guitar for Journey church. Yet Juan strongly believes that none of these things matter, they don’t define who he is. What matters most is how God is interwoven in every season, no matter how high or low. Juan was nominated by The Mosaic Young Adult Initiative at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
During the fellowship, Juan co-created The Bellus Project, an intentional space for young adult Christian artists to showcase their creativity and invite the community to contemplate God’s beauty through art and one another.
Adam Murphy
Subdeacon Adam is the current director of FOCUS Detroit, a local center of The Fellowship of Orthodox Christians United to Serve (FOCUS) North America. He is a graduate of Boston College School of Theology and Ministry where he obtained his MA in Theology and Ministry, and of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, where he received his MDiv, as a seminarian of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America. Adam previously served in youth ministry and in pastoral assistant roles in parishes in the US and Canada. He is the founder of The Motor City Orthodox Christian Conference and is a coach for the Telos Project, which helps young adults and parishes work together to explore spaces for young adult engagement in the parish setting. Adam currently resides in Metro Detroit with his rescued pitbull, Henry. Adam was nominated by The Telos Project at the CrossRoad Institute.
During the fellowship, Adam invested in cross-cultural community building around the globe. He went on pilgrimage throughout Athens, Crete, Thessaloniki, and Aegina in Greece. The power of place helped Adam learn more about Orthodox engagement in ministry and the sharing of everyday life. He also created coffee pop-up shops at festivals and community meals in his neighborhood to help foster points of connection.
Lynne Onishi
Lynne (she/her/hers) was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. Her life and work are informed by rich histories, rainy days, and a deep sense of curiosity about the complexities of the world. Lynne has worked in both the local church and campus ministry settings with a focus on Asian American and Queer faith communities. She currently lives in Los Angeles, CA where she is pursuing a Master of Divinity degree at the Claremont School of Theology. Lynne loves finding and creating the places where her interests in psychology, the church, her culture, and the arts intersect and overlap. Lynne was nominated by the Wesley Innovation Hub at Wesley Theological Seminary.
During the fellowship, Lynne created a retreat intended to pass on knowledge among young adult leaders and offer structured systems of support to help them enter influential roles in their congregations.
Bethany Putney
Beth is a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the PC(USA) currently serving as a pastoral resident at San Marino Community Church in Pasadena, California. She grew up in the Pacific Northwest and graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in 2016. Beth is a recent graduate of the MDiv/MACEF dual degree at Princeton Theological Seminary, where she received the 2022 Covin Award in Youth Ministry and the 2023 Robert Boyd Munger Award in Youth Ministry. Beth has a heart for young people and conversations about social innovation in the Church. Beth was nominated by The Ministry Collaboratory at Princeton Theological Seminary.
During the fellowship, Beth explored avenues of creative engagement with faith and exploring artistic expression within the congregation. Consistent artistic activities were made available throughout different seasons within the church and culminated in a gallery event for the entire community.
Dimitrios Michael Rentel
A 2017 alum of the CrossRoad Summer Institute, Dima worked as the Orthodox Church in America’s Youth Project Coordinator in 2019, traveling the country and doing research on what the youth of America likes and dislikes about church. He graduated from Carleton College with a degree in Classics and Middle East Studies. He currently works at the Telos Center an Orthodox Christian young adult center in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He likes to cook python, direct choirs with no knowledge of music theory, and get lost in cities. Above all, he loves to meet new people and serve in God’s vineyard. Dima was nominated by The Telos Project at the CrossRoad Institute.
Makayla Roman
Makayla is a woman of God who infuses every aspect of her life with faith and love. She is an educated entrepreneur who combines her entrepreneurial pursuits with her love of God, bringing innovation and a Christ like purpose to all her ventures and to the world. Makayla attends Holy Bethel Church of God in Christ in Buford, Georgia, and is an active member of the Women’s Ministry, Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Outreach Ministry, Media/Public Relations Team and the Barbados First West Indies Jurisdiction. In her free time, she enjoys traveling the world, creating, listening to classical music, basking in the beauty of nature and all of the Lord’s creations, and immersing herself in different arts and cultures. She knows that she can do all things through Christ who strengthens her. Makayla was nominated by the Connecting with Hope Innovation Hub at the Interdenominational Theological Center.
During the fellowship, Makayla provided Bibles for children in the community that do not have access to their own Bibles while also offering opportunities for godly fellowship through which the children feel seen and cared for by the local church.
Allison Schwarz
Allison (she/her) is a small-town girl from Minnesota following the path to ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church. She loves making smoothies, playing softball, dog sitting, hiking, and traveling when she is not working on church or school stuff. She will graduate from Wesley Theological Seminary with her MDiv and a Public Theology specialization in May 2024. As an enneagram 8, Allison finds herself in positions of leadership frequently and is blessed to serve as a pastoral intern, student council president, and chair of the board for Provision Church, a new church plant in Northern Virginia. She’s excited about the opportunities ahead in her final year of seminary. Allison was nominated by the Wesley Innovation Hub at Wesley Theological Seminary.
During the fellowship, Allison found support for her transition into a call to be a full-time pastor, seeking mentorship and support in this new season of life. She embarked on a summer pilgrimage to walk the Camino de Santiago as a spiritual practice of preparation for what God has next for her life and ministry.
Jonathan Sherfick
Johnny lives with his wife, Eva, their 2 beautiful boys, Dylan and Charles, a third child on the way, and their beagle, Milo. He has always been involved in faith formation ministerial position since college. Johnny has been a 3rd grade Catholic School teacher and a Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) Camp Counselor and is currently the director of Youth Ministry at St. Mary of the Woods in Whitesville, Kentucky. Johnny was nominated by the Saint Meinrad Young Adult Initiative at Saint Meinrad Seminary.
Cody Kei Sugai
Cody (he/they) is a recent graduate of Seattle Pacific Seminary with an MA in Christian Ministry, and currently works with the Faith Formation Grant at Seattle Pacific University. Originally from Honolulu, Hawaii, Cody transplanted to Seattle in 2023. They have loved ministry since their time in youth group and their school’s Christian ministries and have always felt called to pursue ministry more deeply. Cody is currently looking to pursue a career in either youth or college-aged ministries, hoping to work in a local church to create communities of care and curiosity for youth to explore their faith. Cody loves listening to stories and encouraging others to see how God is already in them, and imagining how God is changing the world through the lives of the next generations. In their free time, they love trying new and local bars and restaurants with their friends. They are a huge Olivia Rodrigo fan, and will “fangirl” with anyone who will listen. Cody was nominated by Pace NW at Seattle Pacific University and Seminary.
During the fellowship, Cody crafted intentional time for a personal retreat focused on rest, encouragement, and story-sharing related to discernment. Their time was invested into reflection, dreaming towards planning for the future and navigating vocational exploration.
Ashley Diane Cuella
Ashley is a licensed local pastor in the United Methodist Church. She received her MDiv from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 2022. During her time at Austin Seminary, she served as chair of the LatinX Student Association and served as co-chair of the HESED Lecture Series, an annual conference centered on the concept of loving-kindness in the world. During seminary, Ashley developed a deep love for exegeting scripture and was named the recipient of The Alsup-Frierson Fellowship for Excellence in Biblical Studies and Hermeneutics. Ashley is currently serving in her second year as the solo pastor of St. Mark United Methodist Church in Austin, Texas. She loves shepherding her congregation and exploring ways to bring the love of Christ to the one-mile radius around her church campus. Ashley hopes to explore ways to bridge the gap between the sacred traditions of the Christian faith and the new ways that the Holy Spirit is moving in the world. Ashley was nominated by The 787 Collective at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
During the fellowship, Ashley expanded her nonprofit ministry “Go Love Our World”, which nurtures loving action towards self and others. She is also pursuing writing as a sustainable expansion of her ministry and call.
