Ryan Sims a native of Rochester NY. Not only is he the youngest of four, he is also a twin. Ryan and his wife, Felecia, have been married for over 20 years. They are the proud parents of two amazing children, their son Ashtien (20) and daughter Kyndle (18). Ryan received his BA in ministry, graduating Magna Cum Laude at Carolina Christian College, and an MBA at Carolina University. In September 2019, Ryan and a group of faithful followers launched C4 Church of the Carolinas, in which he is the lead pastor. C4 church strives to unite people of all races and cultures resulting in being a multi-ethnic, multicultural, and multi-generational church. In the fall of 2020 C4 and First Wesleyan Church of High Point started the beginning stages of merging two churches. C4 a new multiethnic baby church and First Wesleyan older flagship church in its prime embarked to become the Lead Pastor of “One Church” where he is currently serving. Their mission and slogan are to be “One that the world may believe.” One of Ryan’s favorite scriptures is Isaiah 6:8 “I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” Ryan has a heart to transform lives, and serve his community while reaching the lost.

Hispanic Discipleship Pastor Johel Rodriguez is from San José, Costa Rica. He and his wife have 3 children. Johel has a heart for church planting, that is what brought him to the United States, helping his cousin plant a Hispanic church in Indiana. He also planted a Latino church in SC and is currently planting a church in NC. Right now, he is working with his church district to unite all of the Latino pastors to have a vision for multiplication. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Discipulado hispano El pastor Johel Rodríguez es originario de San José, Costa Rica. Él y su esposa tienen 3 hijos. Johel tiene un corazón para plantar iglesias, eso fue lo que lo trajo a los Estados Unidos. Él iba a estar ayudando a su primo a plantar una iglesia hispana en Indiana. A su vez, plantó una iglesia latina en Carolina del Sur y, actualmente, está plantando una iglesia en Carolina del Norte. En este momento, está trabajando con el distrito al cual pertenece su iglesia para unir a todos los pastores latinos de modo que tengan una visión de multiplicación.

Purple Fish Podcast
In 2017 Mark O. Wilson joined the faculty of Southern Wesleyan University as Assistant Professor of Discipleship, Multiplication & Renewal. Prior to this, he served for 26 years as senior pastor of Hayward Wesleyan Church in Wisconsin. Mark’s passion is to encourage pastors and churches to be the best version of who God created them to be. He is the author of two books: Filled Up, Poured Out, and Purple Fish, and is currently completing a doctorate in preaching at Wesley Seminary. Mark and his wife, Cathy, have five grown children and live in Central, South Carolina.

Zach Szmara is the National Director of Immigrant Connection. He has been a Department of Justice accredited legal representative since 2014 and has served over 2100 immigrants from 100+ nations in the 6 years he has led his local Immigrant Connection site. He also serves as the pastor of The Bridge Community Church – a multilingual, multicultural, multiethnic church in Logansport, Indiana. He has spoken nationally on the topic of immigration, diaspora, multi-cultural/multi-ethnic diversity, and holistic outreach to immigrants and refugees. He is married to Lyndy, a special education administrator, and they have one son, Isaac.