We believe it's important to find ways to listen to and learn from different voices and perspectives. That's why every August, we look forward to inviting some special Friends of Common Good Church to come and share their heart with us. Some of our guest speakers you might recognize, others you might not. Either way, we’ve got a stellar lineup of speakers that we can’t wait for you to hear from!
Join us in-person on Sunday, August 7th, 14th and 21st at 10am at Bellevue Youth Theatre as we engage, listen and learn together, or online and on-demand on your YouTube channel.
Sunday, August 7th
Pastor Peter Watts
Pastor Peter Watts was born and raised in South Los Angeles. After 20 years in public education Pastor Watts went into full time ministry where he decided to go back to school at Fuller Seminary where he completed a Masters in Theology in Spring 2017. Currently, he is a doctoral candidate at Fuller/North Park Seminary in the school of Theology.
In 2008 Pastor Watts and his family planted and organized The Rock Church which celebrated 13 years in September 2021. He is the author of the new book "Prodigal Father" which narrates his 30 year journey of forgiveness and reconciliation after finding his own biological father. Currently he is the cofounder and CEO of The Watts of Power foundation which focuses on changing the narrative of youth in foster care and education. He has been married to Dr. Didi Watts for 27 years with three adult children Jasmin, Avery, and Imani and one grandchild Jhenè.
Sunday, August 14th
Matthew Vines
Matthew Vines is the Founder and Executive Director of The Reformation Project and the author of God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships.
Matthew attended Harvard University from 2008 to 2010. He then took a leave of absence in order to research the Bible and same-sex relationships and work toward LGBTQ inclusion in the church. In March 2012, Matthew delivered a speech at a church in his hometown of Wichita, Kansas, about the Bible and same-sex relationships, calling for acceptance of gay Christians and their marriage relationships. The video of the speech was viewed more than a million times on YouTube, leading to a feature story in The New York Times that fall.
In 2013, Matthew launched The Reformation Project, a Bible-based, Christian non-profit organization that works to advance LGBTQ inclusion in the church while remaining grounded in a love for God, a love for the Bible, and a love for the church. The Reformation Project hosts a variety of events, including a conference, a Parents in Process group, a Pastors in Process group, and leadership training cohorts.
Join us for a post-talk live virtual Q&A on Zoom with Matthew Vines at 10:50am. Zoom link here // Passcode: commongood
Sunday, August 21st
Rev. Jermell Witherspoon
Jermell Witherspoon is a native Seattleite. Jermell pastors Liberation United Church of Christ, Everett United Church of Christ, and works for a non-profit called Zeno math. Pastor Jermell is passionate about bringing the Unwavering, unfailing, inclusive love of God to the world, starting with his community. Jermell has been actively in ministry for over ten years, and at 32 years old, is passionate and eager to draw others to a safe and loving community, within a radically gracious creator.
Pastor Jermell Is a graduate of Seattle University, from which he earned a Master of Theology in Pastoral Studies. An effective communicator of God’s Word; a passionate orator; Pastor Jermell is widely known for his practical and dynamic teaching style which opens the minds of God’s people, helping them to seek their own truths surrounding scripture, and spirituality.
Pastor Jermell Holds tight to our obligation as humans to love one another, across and within our many differences including but not limited to racial, economical, religious, gender, sexuality, etc. Pastor Jermell sincerely believes that the heart of God lies in the multiplicities of its work, and our ability to honor everyone’s seat at “The Table”.