Team - The Reformation Project

The Team

Matthew Vines

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Matthew Vines is the founder and Executive Director of The Reformation Project. He is also the author of God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships, published by Convergent Books in 2014.

In 2012, Matthew delivered a speech at a church in his hometown of Wichita, Kansas, making the case that Christians should affirm gay Christians and their marriage relationships. His speech went viral, having been seen more than a million times and leading to a feature story in The New York Times. In 2013, Matthew launched The Reformation Project to equip and empower Christians to advocate for LGBTQ inclusion in their faith communities. He speaks regularly at churches, universities, and conferences across the country.

Melissa M. Gagnon

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Melissa Gagnon has worked-full time in the nonprofit world for 15+ years. Prior to her current role, she produced high-end galas and other fundraising events, and managed volunteer and in-kind giving programs. She has raised critical funding for various organizations, whose missions she has been passionate about – including those in healthcare, child abuse and advocacy, and food insecurity in northern New Jersey and New York City.

Melissa has served as a church Elder and volunteered in various leadership capacities over many years in churches, schools, and other nonprofit organizations. She has a BS in Business Administration from Ramapo College of New Jersey, an MS in Nonprofit Leadership from Fordham University, and is the mom of two grown children. Melissa is excited to be part of The Reformation Project team and partner with its incredible supporters as an ally, to help advance LGBTQ inclusion in Christian churches.

Katherine Johnson

PROGRAMMING COORDINATOR

Katherine Johnson earned her B.A. in Christian Ministries from Spring Arbor University and has over 20 years of ministry experience in a wide variety of fields, both in churches and parachurch organizations. She has also earned an M.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies from Western Seminary and a Th.M. from Columbia Theological Seminary with a focus on Hebrew and Old Testament exegesis.

Katherine is passionate about helping people to encounter Scripture in ways that foster a life-giving relationship with God and personal growth in Christlike love. She is dedicated to The Reformation Project’s mission because she is convinced that the full inclusion of LGBTQ believers in the life of the church would lead to greater flourishing not only for LGBTQ Christians but also for the Kingdom of God “on earth as it is in heaven.”

Board Members

Monica Everett

BOARD MEMBER

Monica Everett is a United States Air Force veteran. In the military, she began her search for the truth about what the Bible truly says about same-sex relationships. Over time, Monica learned that she was fearfully and wonderfully made, and she reconciled her faith with her sexual orientation. She then felt a calling on her life to lead ostracized LGBTQ individuals to Christ by living her Christian life out loud. Monica’s passion is seeing other same-gender-loving individuals come to Christ without fear or reservation. She has rallied for equality and inclusion in Savannah, Georgia, where she lives. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland University College and earned her Master of Divinity from Liberty University. She has one biological daughter, Brittany, and one granddaughter, Trinity, and she is engaged to her fiancé, Cassandra.

Pastor Candace Hardnett

BOARD CHAIR

Pastor Candace Hardnett is the Senior Pastor of Agape Empowerment Ministries in Savannah, Georgia. She and her wife Erika founded the church in 2009 and have worked diligently in the kingdom to bring about awareness of God’s inclusive love for all people. Pastor Candace served her country as a United States Marine for five years and then served as her squadron Lay Leader for the Marines and the Ministry of Convalescence at her church in San Diego, California. Pastor Candace has rallied in Washington, D.C. for equality, trained with GLAAD, marched and protested locally as well as worked with the Savannah city council and mayor to bring about equality within her city. She currently resides in Savannah, Georgia, with her wife and daughter, Maya, and is the proud mother of two older daughters who live on their own. Pastor Candace holds a BS in Religion from Liberty University and a Master of Divinity degree from Liberty University Rawlings School of Divinity.

Justin Lee

BOARD MEMBER

Justin Lee has been an influential evangelical voice for LGBTQ affirmation for more than twenty years. He is an international public speaker, podcaster, and the author of two books, Torn: Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays-vs.-Christians Debate and Talking Across the Divide: How to Communicate with People You Disagree With and Maybe Even Change the World. In addition to his work with The Reformation Project, he makes videos on the Bible and other subjects on his YouTube channel and at GeekyJustin.com.