The Council is a leadership team of 8-12 members, commonly known as a Board of Directors. AllianceQ has five open council positions due to the resignation or removal of council members in the last 12 months. The bylaws of the organization state that the Council may appoint leaders to fulfill the terms of vacancies. This fall, two Council members conclude their terms of service; Tyler Heston and Robin Knauerhase rotate out of leadership in September. With a deliberate focus on organizational needs, the Council has appointed three new leaders to join in our work beginning August 1. We are excited about their gifts for this ministry!

With a strong pool of additional candidates who were referred for leadership or who submitted their own interest and applications, AllianceQ will present four nominees in the middle of August to the membership of the Alliance. Members will have the opportunity to return voting ballots by mail or virtual form with a deadline of September 14, one month from the presentation of nominees. The Council will total 11 members with tiered term lengths to both sustain and renew leadership.

Guiding the nominations team are James Thomas, Alysha Laperche and Tyler Heston.

James Thomas is an AllianceQ member and layperson. Alysha Laperche is an incoming Council Member and clergy candidate. Tyler Heston is an outgoing Council member and clergyperson.

James holds a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from Western Carolina University and a Master of Theological Studies from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. During graduate school, James discovered a passion for working with underserved students. This passion has led him to various positions that have included teaching GED classes in a correctional education program and academically advising first generation and low-income college students. He currently serves as the assistant director of a grant program that helps students earn a high school equivalency/diploma and vocational training. When he isn’t working, James enjoys reading about theology or education, fishing, and hanging out with his awesome wife, Jess. He’s also father to two adorable cats-Gemma and Gerogia. Pictured are Jess, James and Geronimo.

Alysha Laperche (they/them/theirs)

Alysha is a student in the Master of Divinity program at Phillips Theological Seminary. They are in process for ordination with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Northern California-Nevada region, where their sponsoring congregation is Lafayette Christian Church. Alysha’s specific interest in Christian ministry and scholarship is equity, justice, inclusion, and pastoral care concerns for people of the LGBTQ+ community. Alysha holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work, and it was the introduction to progressive values through those studies that led them to an affirming seminary community. Alysha discerned a call to ministry at a young age and has spent the last few years navigating the move through evangelical and fundamentalist Christian spaces, as they embarked on their coming out process and began intentional theological evolution. Alysha is excited to continue following their call to embody the inclusive love of God revealed in Jesus, particularly through working to actualize the vision of setting a place at the table for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Alysha was born and raised in Tampa, FL, but currently lives in Fort Worth, TX, with their partner.

Tyler Heston serves as the Minster of Youth in Country Club Christian Church in Kansas City, MO. Tyler grew up in Memphis, TN, but moved to Kansas City by way of Fort Worth, TX. Tyler received a degree in Religion in Society from the University of Memphis and became a Certified Nonprofit Professional as recognized by the Nonprofit Leadership Association before completing a Master of Divinity at Brite Divinity School. Tyler also served at University Christian Church in Fort Worth while completing graduate school. Aside from church and school, he enjoys a variety of things—from Beyoncé to the X-Files to traveling to eating sushi with friends. Tyler’s interest in serving on the Alliance Council comes from his history with the Disciples of Christ. In 2014, Tyler found a church home at Kingsway Christian Church in Germantown, TN, after coming to terms with his sexuality, leaving the church he grew up in and seeking a congregation with whom he could worship openly. Kingsway, and the Disciples of Christ as a denomination, immediately felt like home. Walking others through the process of welcoming LGBTQ folk into their communities of faith is a passion for Tyler.

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For more about leadership and the organization’s commitments to examine its identity and practices, its strengths and needs, read July’s “Reflections from the EDM: Changing who is at the table.”

Nominees will be announced August 17 with ballots mailed on that day alongside an email invitation to vote. Active members are eligible for voting. Do you want to become a member or do you need to renew your membership?

Read all August news here.