Patricia Cecil is a specialist curator at the National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri. Her work focuses on enhancing insight into the ways faith and religion shaped and were shaped by World War I and its aftermath. 

Abby Olcese is a freelance writer based in Kansas who writes about “the weird, the nerdy, and the profoundly artsy corners of popular culture” — with a focus on faith and film — for various outlets, including Sojourners, Rotten Tomatoes, and RogerEbert.com.

Russ McCullough is professor of economics at Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas. He co-hosts the “Faith & Economics” podcast, which explores Christian teachings on economic issues.

Molly McGurk is the director of mental health services for Jewish Family Services of Greater Kansas City. Her organization also leads the Greater Kansas City Mental Health Coalition, which aims to reduce the stigma of mental illness.

The Rev. Mark Holland is executive director of Mainstream UMC, an organization that’s advocating for the United Methodist Church to allow individual pastors and churches to decide whether to participate in same-sex weddings.

Adam Pryor is an assistant professor of religion at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kan. His research interests include the origins of life, astrobiology and embodiment.

Samuel D. Brownback is the U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom. He previously served as governor of Kansas, as well as a U.S. representative and senator. 

Brad Roth is pastor at West Zion Mennonite Church in Moundridge, Kansas. He is the author of God’s Country: Faith, Hope and the Future of the Rural Church (2017), which is excerpted here.

Elizabeth Zeller is a sculptor and art consultant with the Zeller Arts Studio, as well as the director of the Contemporary Religious Arts Association in Kansas City, Kan. Much of her work takes Christian themes as its subject and she works in sculpture, iconography and pastels.