Joseph Laycock is an assistant professor of religious studies at Texas State University, where he researches New Religious Movements and American religious history.

Scott Hildreth is an assistant professor of global studies at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he also directs the Center for Great Commission Studies.

Bishop Ric Thorpe leads the Gregory Centre for Church Multiplication and oversees the Diocese of London’s effort to plant 100 new churches between 2015 and 2020.

Scott Sanders is the executive director of Geneva Push in Sydney, Australia. Geneva Push encourages and assists church planters across Australia.

Hussein Kesvani is the author of Follow Me, Akhi: The Online World of British Muslims. He is also the Europe editor of MEL Magazine and writes about technology and identity.

Daniel Im is the senior associate pastor for Beulah Alliance Church in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He co-hosts the “New Churches Q&A” podcast and has helped lead church plants in Canada, Korea and the United States.

Ann Gleig is an associate professor at the University of Central Florida, where she studies Asian religions and the intersection of religion, gender and sexuality. Her first book, American Dharma: Buddhism Beyond Modernity, includes an exploration of online Buddhist meditation communities.

The Rev. Jerold Garber is the founding minister of First United Church of Christ Second Life, the first virtual reality church to be given full standing by a mainline Protestant denomination.

The Rev. Jeff Eddings is the southeast region and coaching associate for 1,001 New Worshiping Communities, a Presbyterian initiative to launch innovative new churches. Previously, he helped found the Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community in Pittsburgh.