ROOTED 2026
WORSHIP SPEAKERS

Pastor / Director at IMPACT FAMU Wesley

Rev. Dr. Juana Jordan, is a pastor, preacher, podcaster, writer, church planter, theologian, and self-proclaimed hope dealer. As a former award-winning journalist, radio host and media consultant turned Gospel storyteller, she has a knack for seeing and showing the hope in every person’s story and connecting their story with God’s story. She holds a Master of Divinity degree from Emory University Candler School of Theology and a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from the HBCU Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, NC. In 2024, she finished her DMin. in Spirituality and Story from Wesley Theological Seminary, where she centered her work on Thriving in Contested Spaces. 

Juana can be found at:  https://www.instagram.com/preachergirl_in_the_city

https://www.Facebook.com/JuanaJordan; https://www.substack.com/@juanajordan483388

Congregational Care Pastor at Hyde Park UMC - Tampa, FL

Rev. Dr. Sally Campbell-Evans was ordained as a pastor over thirty-five years ago. During her ministry, she has served as a missionary, directed hurricane relief efforts after Hurricane Andrew, worked with the Young Adult Volunteer Program in Miami, and served local churches. For the past 13+ years, however, she has served as the Pastor for Congregational Care at Hyde Park United Methodist in Tampa and loves being there. Sally is married to Rev. Clarke Campbell-Evans and they have three young adult children, one son-in-law, and two grandsons.

Director of Conference Vitality and Leadership Development for the Florida Annual Conference

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Sr. Director of Strategic Engagement at the Ministry Leadership Center

Brian Lawson is a United Methodist pastor serving as the Senior Director of Strategic Engagement at the Ministry Leadership Center and as Senior Pastor of Zellwood United Methodist Church. He has served in ministry for more than 20 years through youth and young adult ministry, congregational leadership, and nearly a decade of developing leaders through educational nonprofits that support the Church. Brian’s work focuses on organizational culture, strategic communication, and equipping leaders and faith communities for transformational ministry. He earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Ministry from Warner University and studied Christian education at Asbury Theological Seminary. Brian is also an artist, husband, and father.

Administrative and Media Director, FUMC Sanford

Sofia Friedley Fernandez is a worship leader based in Central Florida, serving several United Methodist congregations. Sofia is also a recent graduate of McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University, where she earned her M.Div in Christian Ethics. Her work centers on the intersection of Worship and Ethics - exploring how contemporary worship shapes moral formation, communal identity, and the church’s public witness. 

Alongside the Institute for Modern Worship team, Sofia has led trainings on trauma-informed ministry and Modern Worship Ethics, and she is dedicated to helping churches cultivate worship that is theologically rich, ethically grounded, and spiritually restorative for today's world. Outside of worship Sofia enjoys spending time with her wife, Olivia. Together they are passionate about sports, travel, and friends, always seeking new ways to integrate faith and creativity in their ministry.

Senior Director of Camps & Retreat Ministries at Camp Warren Willis and Florida Annual Conference

Jason Gant is a UM Pastor serving as the Senior Director of the FL Conference Camps and Retreats | Warren Willis Camp & Conference Center. he has served in ministry for over 30 years in student ministries, children & family ministries, and pastoral leadership, including two decades through the greatest expansion of Church of the Resurrection, United Methodist’s largest church. Jason has been a leading voice across the nation in next generation ministry authoring books, curriculum, bible studies, and parenting/family resources. Jason is married to Scharme and they have two daughters.