Lets Connect

The Collective
Story

We have found that young adults are seeking intentional community, creative expression, ongoing faith formation, and opportunities to engage in peace and justice work. Our Collective Story centers their experiences, as well as those of congregations and organizations that seek the flourishing of young adults.

Lets Connect

Why a Young Adult Collective?

There is not one solution to the question, “How do we engage young adults in spiritual formation?” And often that question has been answered without the voice of young people. As a collective we bring together young adults, and those passionate about the spiritual formation of young adults, to ask better questions, share unique stories, and create resources and experiences for transformation toward healing and wholeness.

Develop Life Skills

Brave Space for Faith Formation

Accompaniment through Transitions

Christian Practices

Curiosity

The 787 Collective Council

The Collective Council serves as a vital link in nurturing the spiritual journey of young adults. The Council contributes to the development of Collective programs and partnerships offering careful recommendations for engagement and relationship opportunities.

mercedes collins

At the heart of Mercedes Collins lives a little girl who always knew she wanted to help others. Born and raised in Houston, she had a love for being around youth her whole life. You could always find her playing outside and laughing, and still can. She adopted this love of youth from watching her mother and grandmother work with kids. This led to her getting a degree in education at The University of Texas in Austin with a minor in Black Studies. Almost a decade later, she still lives in Austin and has had the privilege of working with youth and young adults on multiple facets, from being a part of the founding members of a young adult ministry at a local church, teaching middle and high school students, to volunteering. Through her personal journey of getting to know God, she has also had the privilege of experiencing different types of churches such as Baptist, non-denominational, Methodist, Catholic and other forms of religion. No matter the path she takes, she is a teacher at heart. She prides herself on her love of knowledge and understanding. A gift that she uses to build better relationships with others, along with being super funny. This community driven social advocate loves psychology and wants to continue to use her testimony to help others live a fruitful life.

Rev. Al Curley, III

Rev. Al Curley, III or “Pastor Al” is a native of Long Island, New York. He currently oversees various ministries as the Executive Pastor in Training at the Cornerstone Church of Arlington TX, under the leadership of Rev. Dwight McKissic, Sr. Al is married to the beautiful Mrs. Brianna Cheyenne Curley, and is the father of Albert Curley IV “Quad” and Bryce Curley. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in History from the State University of New York at Old Westbury, and his Master of Divinity Degree with a certificate in Preaching from Princeton Theological Seminary. Currently, he is pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree with a concentration in Homiletics and Intergenerational Church Health at Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary. During his free time, you can find him cheering on the Baltimore Ravens, watching
home renovation shows, or being a butler to his wife and son. He strives to promote the good news of Christ to all generations in a way that impedes not only the soul but the very course of one’s life. Not only that, he also seeks to impact communities needing love and support so that they may thrive and create infrastructure for the success of future generations. It is his prayer that God is pleased with his service and people can see that he loves God and loves them as well.

shaneka dicks

Shaneka Dicks is originally from Prince Georges’ County, MD. She completed her B.S. in Psychology in 2014, from Chowan University located in Murfreesboro, After moving to Arlington, TX, Shaneka is currently working to complete a MSW (Social Work) and later hopes to provide community and care to youth and families in need in the greater DFW area. With a passion for advocacy, social justice, accessing resources that will move communities from surviving to thriving, Shaneka has poured this perspective into work with aged-out foster youth/young adults, teenage girls and young women, and couples walking through the journey of adoption. She believes, utilizing mental health resources is essential to thriving and living the life God so desires for His people.

cecie suknaic

Cecie (she/her) serves as Pastor of Spirit in the Hills Lutheran Church in Spicewood, Texas – a community nestled in the edge of the Central Texas hill country just outside of Austin. She also serves as Co-Leader and Founder of Gather:Austin, a collaborative, city-based young adult ministry that has been gathering since December 2022. Through these communities, Cecie lives out her call to intentional, creative, and relational based ministry. She is grounded in feminist theology, stories, and storytelling, and is passionate about empowerment, accompaniment, justice, God’s collective dreams for the future, and innovative ministry. She also enjoys running, baking, reading, and discovering the best flavors of sparkling water.

Joel Timmons

Joel works at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran in Austin, primarily with youth ministry, in addition to young adult ministry, preaching and worship leadership. He started in 2018 while earning an M.Div. from APTS (‘22). He is seeking ordination in the ELCA. Joel is the co-leader of Gather: Austin, a collective of young adults from the ELCA churches in Austin. He loves connecting with others his age in conversations of faith and meaning making, while also having a blast.

Rev. Brandon Wooley

born the middle son of Billy and Sheniqua Wooley, alongside his two brothers and sister in Austin, Texas. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology from Wiley College, “Home of the Great Debaters” in Marshall, Texas. During his tenure at Wiley, he held several leadership positions including class president, campus ministry president, and residential life president. Additionally, he served as a Student Ambassador, Pathway Pastoral Intern, member of the world-renowned A Capella Choir, and a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. Most notably, he was not only a Presidential and Dean Scholastic Scholar, but he was also named as the very first Mister Wiley College since its founding in 1873. Rev. Wooley has earned a Master of Divinity degree from Vanderbilt Divinity School in Nashville, Tennessee with a certificate in Black Religion and Cultural Studies, where he served as a member of the Vanderbilt Divinity School Black Seminarians, Vanderbilt Divinity School Honor Council, a student-intern, and Armor Bearer at Mount Zion Baptist Church under the leadership of Bishop Joseph W. Walker III., Currently, he is pursuing a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Planning from the University of Texas at Austin to which his work will focus on the intersectionality between the Black church and educational institutions. Rev. Brandon L. Wooley was licensed to preach at the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Austin, Texas where the late Rev. Dr. G.V. Clark served as his Pastor and Father in Ministry. Currently he serves as the Youth Pastor at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church under the dynamic leadership of Rev. Dr. Daryl L. Horton. In 2022, he was elected as the National Youth President of the National Baptist Convention of America International Incorporated (NBCA) under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Samuel C. Tolbert, Jr. Due to his fervent dedication to ministry and service within the Kingdom of God, Rev. Wooley additionally fulfills the role of Minister for Children, Youth, and Young Adults at the Greater St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Edilsa Lopez

Originally from a small indigenous town in Guatemala, Edilsa came to the United States when she was 13 years old as an unaccompanied minor. Edilsa attended school in Houston and was accepted to the University of Texas at Austin. She studied International Relations & Global Studies and business. Edilsa is a DACA beneficiary and now works as a financial accountant. She is also a mother to a beautiful 3 year old and loves doing outdoor activities. Edilsa came to know the Lord when she turned 15 years old and ever since has been involved in ministry.

Ashley Hamel

Ashley Hamel (she/her) serves at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church as this Director of Discipleship, and has newly come on as the Director of the Epworth League – a historic ministry for young professionals in the city of Houston. Ashley is both a life long Texan and United Methodist (though depending on the side of the family she’s also first generation in both.) She received a Bachelors of Social Work from the University of North Texas in Denton, but upon graduation couldn’t shake the feeling she might be called to ministry. After several years in Youth Ministry she found herself in the foreign land of New Jersey where she spent four years at Princeton Theological Seminary where she received her Masters of Divinity, Masters of Arts in Christian Education and Formation with a focus on Youth and Young Adults, and a Certificate in Theology, Ecology, and Faith Formation. She loves learning, and also buying books she’ll never read. Curiosity gets the best of her when she’s learning around the topics of theology, psychology, human behavior, or also a good ghost story. She has four pets: two cats and two dogs, who she loves above and beyond the shedding. Her drink of the moment is a green tea lemonade, and her daylist at the moment of writing this is, “journaling cottagecore morning”.

Pastor Chris Palmer

Hi – my name is Chris Palmer! I am a Minister of Word and Sacrament currently serving as Associate Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Waco, TX. The child of a preacher in a low/working-class neighborhood, I’ve wrestled with religion my whole life. Often, church seemed to be what wealthy people did. Eventually God showed me that Jesus is good news for all people – a lesson I keep learning over and over every day. My wife, Katherine, is a PhD student at Baylor University. We met when we were both at Princeton Seminary. Before that, I spent a bunch of years living in Scotland, where I worked for the Church of Scotland. In Waco, we’ve got one pup, Jed, and live in a beautiful community of friends and neighbors. Katherine thinks that I spend too much of my time watching cooking videos and Philadelphia Eagles highlights on my phone. Go Birds!

Our Mission

“The 787 Collective creates new ways for young adults and communities of faith to be in relationship for mutual transformation toward healing and wholeness.”

Our Vision

We envision a vibrant network of innovative learners who are centering young adult leaders for healing and transformation in congregations, third spaces, and beyond.

the 787 Collective Leadership

Fostering connection and renewal, our Young Adult Ministry Leadership Team is dedicated to supporting the spiritual journey of young adults. Through innovative approaches, we bridge Christian communities and young adults, nurturing growth and transformation.

Melissa Wiginton (she/her)

Melissa Wiginton serves as Vice President for Strategic Engagement and Partnerships at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. She led the designing of The 787 Collective, and of Houses of Hope, an initiative for small town churches. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for LEAD and as a facilitator for Edge Leaders with the Texas Methodist Foundation. Ms. Wiginton earned a Master of Divinity degree from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University, a Juris Doctor from The University of Texas School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. She is a practicing Christian and a member of the United Methodist Church.

Min. Jade Evans (she/her)

Jade Evans is a licensed Baptist minister, seminary leader, and emerging scholar of religion. She has earned a BFA from Syracuse University and a MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminary. Currently she is a Ph.D. student in Religious Studies at the University of Texas at Austin, where her dissertation examines African diasporic memorial work as a form of religious resistance. When not studying, Jade serves as the Assistant Director of Congregational Innovation for The 787 Collective at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and as an Associate Minister at David Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. Additionally, she serves on Ascension Seton’s Clinical
Pastoral Education Consultation Committee and the Advisory Board for Progressive Youth Ministry.

Rev. Phil Dieke (he/him)

Phil Dieke is a Deacon in the United Methodist Church. After serving in local churches for more
than sixteen years he joined the staff at Austin Seminary to oversee the execution of grants
supporting The 787 Collective and Houses of Hope. Phil earned a Master of Theological Studies from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University and a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies at Missouri State University. He currently serves as an executive member on the Board of Directors at Texas Impact and as the Chair for the Board of Church and Society in the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. You can find him on social media (@phildieke) and as a podcast co-host for Radical Sacred.

Navigating Transitions.

For many young adults, the most exciting part of their lives is moving from a season of study and preparation to the next level of professional life. These next steps can be graduate school or starting a job.

The next step can be about taking the next serious step in a relationship. The key is they feel this is the moment to start making decisions that will shape the next part of their lives.

As a Collective we seek to embrace young adults during these seasons of transition. Would you like to join us in supporting young adults through various transitions?

A Bridge Program Into Young Adulthood

Things shift from a clear milestone and goal (graduating college) to a life-long project reflecting the authentic way God works in their lives.

The transition from college to young adulthood is often one of the most difficult transitions. We are committed to building bridges between these two space based. Through research and deep relationship building we have found The Next is Now. Find out more from our research.

The Collective Story

Why a Young Adult Collective?

Develop Life Skills

Brave Space for Faith Formation

Accompaniment through Transitions

Christian Practices

Curiosity

The 787 Collective Council

Our Mission

Our Vision

the 787 Collective Leadership

Navigating Transitions.

A Bridge Program Into Young Adulthood

The Collective
Story