CONTRIBUTORS

Pete is the Senior Pastor of King’s Cross Church (KXC), an Anglican church in the heart of central London serving God’s purposes to make all things new. Along with his wife, Bee, Pete planted the church in 2010, establishing a community with the simple vision to recklessly give themselves away to God, each other, and the people of King’s Cross and beyond.

Vibrant colour and bold text combine in Lakwena Maciver’s joyful and gently subversive work. Based in London, Lakwena’s work has been shown in cities internationally and at institutions including the Tate Modern, Tate Britain, Somerset House, and the Southbank Centre.

Amanda Cook is a multi award-winning artist, writer and musician. Her music explores the intersections of faith, doubt, love, loss, hope, despair and FUN. She’ll be joining us at Renaissance to lead worship.

Dr. Winfield Bevins is an internationally recognized author, artist, and teacher. He is the founding director of Creo Arts and the artist-in-residence and affiliate professor at Asbury Theological Seminary. Winfield is the author of numerous books, including Ever Ancient Ever New and Marks of a Movement.

John Pawson is an internationally renowned designer and architect, often described as the ‘Father of Modern Minimalism’. His best known projects include Calvin Klein’s flagship store, the new Design Museum in Central London, and the Monastery of Novy Dvur in the Czech Republic. He completed the restoration of Hackney Church for SAINT in 2020.

Black Girl Knit Club was founded in early 2019 by Sicgmone Kludje & Vea Koranteng. The pair worked  together on creative projects before laying the foundation to create their platform. Black Girl Knit Club have created a safe, inclusive and encouraging space for Black women to build their confidence and develop skills in craft. 

Launched in 2009, initially as a one off event at Durham University, Magnify has evolved into a global platform and network focused on empowering ambitious women of faith. Through our bi-annual print magazine, regular digital content and events, we have a community of almost 25,000 women based in cities from London to Lagos to Los Angeles and beyond.

Tom Herbert is a 5th generation baker, food equality champion and founder of The Long Table. He presented three seasons of Fabulous Baker Brothers for Channel 4 and Discovery, always championing great produce and connecting people around food. His most recent book is Do/Wild Baking. Tom is an ambassador for Tearfund.

Rachel is a New York-based chef, wine tasting instructor, and entrepreneur, with a thriving hospitality business, established in 2019. She runs dinner parties and wine tasting events for private and corporate clients, with an emphasis on exposing clients to natural wine.

Danielle Oreoluwa Jinadu is a disability advocate, speaker, fashion content creator and writer. Named a Next Gen Trailblazer by Prince Harry and Megan, nominated by Maro Itoje; she has utilised her voice to inspire change in the Global Health community. As best demonstrated through her TED x Talk ‘The Big Black Blood Issue’, speaking engagements at Google x Facebook and appearances on BBC Africa and ITV news.

KXC Worship is based at King’s Cross Church (KXC) - a church in the heart of London. The team helps lead on Sundays, write songs and release music that celebrates the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Nicky Brown is a producer, songwriter, composer and musician, with experience of working across the music industry, including with the London Community Gospel Choir. He is joining us at Renaissance to lead worship with the SAINT Music Collective.

Glenda Serwaa Gaspard musically known as Serwaa is an East London-born and raised singer/songwriter. A member, worship leader and production assistant at SAINT church, her creative passions are heavily influenced and inspired by serving God and serving people! Releasing her soulful debut single ‘Gone Too Far’ earlier this year and more recently featuring on an Afro-fusion/ Gospel collaboration with Zambian born artist El-tan, 2023 marks the beginning of an exciting musical career for Serwaa. 

EL-Tan is a Zambian born artist who started rapping at age 3, and started playing instruments at age 4. He started producing at age 9 and has been producing all his music ever since. Jazz, Hip hop, Blues, Seben, and Gospel are some of the genres that have shaped and influenced EL-Tan’s music. He is also inspired by his Jazz-pianist father, along with artists such as Chick Corey, Robert Glasper, John Mayer and Lil Wayne, with Jesus at the centre of it all.

Bulgarian violinist Greta Mutlu enjoys a busy and versatile career. Recent highlights include performances of Steve Reich's music at Carnegie Hall as well as BBC Proms concerts with Aurora Orchestra and Sinfonia of London. Greta regularly contributes to film soundtrack recordings in London's iconic studios. She is a full time band member in the West End production of Hamilton.

Deborah Pritchard is an award-winning, synaesthetic composer whose music is profoundly influenced by colour, light and the visual arts. Her work has been performed worldwide by the London Symphony Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, London Sinfonietta and the BBC Singers. She recently held the tenure of Visiting Fellow at Keble College, University of Oxford and is Associate of the Royal Academy of Music.

Theresa is a filmmaker based in London, UK. With a background of visual storytelling it has been her goal help people and brands share the best parts of themselves and maximise the potential of their message to the wider audience. She has worked for clients from around the globe such as chefs, artists, influencers and charities. Collaboration is at the heart of her creative process, in the hope to create light-filled and thought provoking work to inspire change, and ignite the imagination.

WAX Atelier is the London-based studio specialised in handmade wax products using natural and sustainable materials.Join WAX Atelier's co-founders Lola and Yesenia during this unique pop-up workshop where you will be guided to create a decorative candle, using naturally dyed beeswax sheets and hand-dipped candles.

Streams Studio's purpose is to empower and uplift Christians during challenging seasons of their journey. Come and meet the team and discover the heart behind the project whilst discussing the latest trends in digital ministry.

Experience Es Devlin's installation for SAINT, Shared Sky, with brand new artwork for Renaissance 2023.

Meredith Schomburg is an artist and illustrator currently based in London. She has worked with the likes of Apple, Airbnb, Nike, TED, SoHo House, among others. Come and meet Meredith as she showcases her art in Hackney Church House.

Bence is a London based balloon fashion designer creating custom pieces with biodegradable balloons. He will be showcasing a balloon installation at this year’s Renaissance Conference.

Visit Hackney Church Brew Co. on Bohemia Place for a tour of the brewery and a chance to hear their story.

Dez Brown is the CEO and Founder of Spark2Life. Dez founded and has pioneered the Spark2Life project since 2006 while leading a large inner-city youth ministry with 80+ in attendance.

Leroy Logan is one of UK’s most highly decorated and well-known black police officers. A highly respected and well-regarded commentator on policing and wider social justice issues, he believes that there is still much work to do in creating a more equitable and fair criminal justice system.

Daryl McCormack is an actor from Tipperary, Ireland. Moving to London in 2017 he secured supporting roles in BBC’s Peaky Blinders and Apple + award-winning series Bad Sisters.

Natasha Duursma is a London based cinematographer who has contributed to a diverse range of projects, from commercials to music videos to narrative based projects. She is dedicated to capturing images collaborating alongside directors that leave a lasting impression on the audience.

Jess Avery is co-founder and Director of the Awakening Project, an international network and conferencing ministry that exists to equip emerging adults to launch and lead communities that pursue the awakening of their generation.

Dr. Jennifer Tharp has coached for over 10 years and recently affiliated with Novus Global, an executive coaching firm that partners with clients to explore what they’re capable of. Jennifer’s clients are C-Suite and division leaders, as well as business owners and entrepreneurs, who are consistently achieving their impossible visions while also advocating for wellbeing for themselves and others.

Hugh believes deeply in our call to create and redeem culture. He is the Founder & CEO of Niya (a start-up career management platform for the unconnected) and Co-Leads Shift (a community of believers longing to see our generation captivated by God and shaping culture).

Anneka Wallington is the founder and CEO of leading social impact brand, Recognised. Recognised was created to help people feel seen, valued and recognised when they need it most. Recognised creates meaningful gifting concepts, delivers charity recognition projects through the Recognised Foundation, and educates people on how to live a more thoughtful life. Anneka was awarded Young Business Woman of the Year in 2021, is a Santander Womens Business Advocate and author of The Age of Recognition Report. She is passionate about social entrepreneurship and pioneering creative ways for people to show compassion to one another.

Sara-Louise is the Co-Founder of Impact Central, an accelerator, mentor network and Impact Fund for impact-driven start-ups. Impact Central supports founders scaling impact-driven start-ups who want to "see the world changed to become a more equitable, fair and environmentally beautiful place".

Nicola is the UK Regional Director for the Maclellan Foundation. Nicola and team support Maclellan and other investors in their mission to equip and support churches and ministries across the UK and Europe, and release local resources. She is married to Pete and they have two daughters: Olivia and Summer.

Dan is a multi award winning entrepreneur and founder of the Wonderful Group; a diverse group of organisations with a common mission to empower lives, businesses and communities for redemptive impact.

Joshua Luke Smith is a poet for the people, creating from the mandate to ‘Speak Into The Chaos’. He’s a pastor, poet, producer and published author. He’s the founder of Orphan No More, a record label and creative community as well as The Psalmists, a charity helping the lives of offenders through creative expression and self-reflection. Joshua has been featured in Complex Magazine, BBC 1XTRA, BBC 6 Music, Premier Radio, UCB Radio, Wordplay and many other media outlets. He has given a TED X Talk and tours extensively.

Joanne Woolway Grenfell has been Bishop of Stepney in the Diocese of London since July 2019. Joanne’s interests include mission and strategic development, education, particularly school governance, public life, and poetry. She has written a DPhil thesis on poetry and the culture of place in sixteenth century literature, and she used to teach English at Oriel College, Oxford. Her London diocesan responsibilities involve chairing the Joint Operations Team, being lead bishop for safeguarding, and overseeing the Diocese’s racial justice priority work.

Ali is an illustrator, fine artist, art teacher, and priest. In 2006, the Society of Women Artists awarded Ali Young Artist of the year. She is represented by central London gallery ‘Gallery Different.’ Ali divides her time between the studio and St. Peter’s Bethnal Green where she is associate Priest.

Rachel is a New York-based chef, wine tasting instructor, and entrepreneur, with a thriving hospitality business, established in 2019. She runs dinner parties and wine tasting events for private and corporate clients, with an emphasis on exposing clients to natural wine.

RECTOR OF SAINT

LEAD PASTOR - HACKNEY CHURCH