Bakht Singh (1903−2000) was dedicated by his parents to become a Sikh. The British missionary school he attended in Punjab gave Bakht Singh the impression that Christianity was an arrogant cultural identity rather than an authentic, life-transforming relationship with Jesus. Though fiercely loyal to his religious heritage, he sensed that neither his affluent lifestyle, nor Sikhism, nor any of the faith traditions he investigated were able to produce real happiness or peace. As a young adult, Bakht Singh had a spiritual encounter with Jesus and recognized the Living Christ as the Teacher of truth and goodness he had longed to meet. Bakht Singh eventually became a world-renowned preacher and revival leader, and is considered the ​“father” of India’s indigenous church movement. 

Sojourner Truth (c. 1797 –1883), born Isabella Baumfree, was an American abolitionist and women’s rights activist. Truth was born into slavery in Swartekill, New York, but escaped with her infant daughter to freedom in 1826. After going to court to recover her son in 1828, she became the first black woman to win such a case against a white man. She was a powerhouse preacher who readily shared whatever God laid on her heart with listeners from all walks of life.

Richard is founder, past president and current team member of Renovaré. Having studied at George Fox and Fuller Theological Seminary, Foster has served as a pastor and taught worldwide on spiritual formation. Author of dozens of articles and six books, including Celebration of Discipline, Richard continues to write on the spiritual life. He and his wife, Carolynn, have two grown children, Joel and Nathan, nine grandchildren, and live near Denver, Colorado.

Tina L. Dyer is the founder and principal of Grafted Together Consulting, which exists to support leaders, individuals, and teams in cultivating spaces where truth and authenticity are welcomed, creativity and innovation are unleashed, and equitable and inclusive practices are normalized to create a sense of belonging where all people can thrive.

Tina holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of California at Davis, and a Master of Arts in Christian Spiritual Formation and Leadership from Friends University, Wichita, KS. She is an alumna of the Renovaré Institute and serves on the Renovaré Board as Treasurer. Tina is a joyful Mom to two young adult children.

Grace Pouch curates and shares resources with the Renovaré community as Content Manager. She is also a Coordinator Companion with Renovaré’s Fellowship of the Burning Heart. Grace is a graduate of the Renovaré Institute, Erskine Theological Seminary, and Davidson College. She lives in South Carolina with her husband William and their two children.