Pastor Ray Minniecon is a descendant of the Kabi Kabi nation and the Gurang Gurang nation of South-East Queensland. Ps Ray is also a descendant of the South Sea Islander people with deep and abiding connections to the people of Ambrym Island. Ps Ray has a BA in Theology from Murdoch University in Western Australia. At Murdoch, he helped establish the Aboriginal Education Unit where he assisted in the founding of a graduate degree program in Aboriginal Studies. Ps Ray assisted in developing the Aboriginal Employment Strategy for Murdoch University and assisted in developing the first Veterinary Studies for Aboriginal people. He is the father of three children and he has two grandchildren. Ps Ray loves writing, singing and songwriting. He also loves music, sport, public speaking and travel.

Aunty Jean Phillips is one of Australia's most senior Aboriginal Christian Leaders of all denominations. Aunty Jean started out in ministry with the AIM (Aborigines Inland Mission) and for over 60 years Aunty Jean has faithfully followed Jesus, focussing on justice, and serving those living in poverty. Aunty Jean has served many Aboriginal communities, churches of all denominations, raised up the next generations of Aboriginal Christian Leaders, and has called non-Aboriginal Christians to come on the journey of fighting injustice for decades. She has been a strong and vocal advocate bringing light to issues such as social justice, better housing, employment and creating awareness through church seminars of Australia’s true history – her contribution to building bridges through understanding. Aunty Jean currently lives in Brisbane and is still in full time ministry serving the Brisbane and Logan communities.

As a Kabi Kabi, Gureng Gureng, Ambryn and Torres Strait Islander woman with over 20 years’ community development experience in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, Larissa helps break down barriers to building relationships with First Nations peoples. Larissa brings people together over stories of culture, history and values. It’s a skill she’s using to complete her Master of Narrative Therapy and Community Work (UniMelb).

In 2023, Larissa is on a mission to get out the 'Yes' vote on the Voice Referendum. She’s advocating for a #voicetopower - by informing and educating people on the Voice.

Her other passion is her dog name Binna-gurri, which in her Murri language, simply means, ‘listen with your ears’!

Te Raina’s passion for Indigenous justice started early. Whether by giving an award-winning speech on Maori sovereignty when I was 13 or being part of Scarred Team Indigenous Ministries at St John's Anglican Glebe, she’s been advocating for First Nations' self-determination from the start. The reason? She likes getting people excited about change and seeing the world be a better place. Right now, that's #voicetopower, a campaign to get out the 'Yes' vote on the 2023 Voice Referendum.

Outside of the office, she’s learning her Indigenous language, Maori and is committed to continually learning about faith and organising. A fan of ironic humour and slap-stick comedy, she’s currently laughing her way through Cunk on Earth on Netflix.

Safina is a proud Wuthithi and Mabuiag Island woman who grew up cross culturally in New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Australia. Safina is passionate about culture, education, the arts, justice and faith and supports and contributes to the work of Common Grace as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian Consultant. Safina lives with her husband and three children in the Victorian coastal town of Wonthaggi on Bunurong Country.

Jana Holland is a Trauma-informed Spiritual Care Practitioner. She holds a BS in Communications and Psychology from the University of Wisconsin, a MA in Global Leadership and Spiritual Direction from Fuller Seminary, and Graduate Certificates in Intergenerational Trauma and Somatic Trauma Therapy from the Embody Lab.

Jana is a creative thinker, and deep listener, having sat across the table from people from all walks of life throughout twenty-eight countries. At the core, she is a peacemaker and uses her gifts to encourage others toward a more compassionate and integrative life.

Jana will be hosting a workshop on Trauma Informed Spiritual Care.

Bianca Manning is a Gomeroi woman and an emerging Aboriginal Christian Leader. Bianca is Common Grace's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Justice Coordinator and also works closely with Senior Aboriginal Christian Leader Aunty Jean Phillips doing ministry and service in the Brisbane and Logan areas.

Bianca will be hosting the SURRENDER Festival with Ben Chong.

Ben is 2nd generation Malaysian-Chinese and lives on Gubbi Gubbi country (Sunshine Coast) with his wife Chelsea – who he first met at a SURRENDER conference! Ben directs the SURRENDER Leadership Program, helping emerging leaders from diverse cultural backgrounds to lead themselves and others well, with integrity, sustainability and joy. After attending his first SURRENDER Conference in 2006, Ben found a home in the SURRENDER community and is excited to meet with SURRENDER friends in Melbourne again.

Ben will be hosting the SURRENDER Festival with Bianca Manning.

Mark joined the Justice and International Mission Team of the Uniting Church Vic-Tas Synod, in 1999 and became its director in 2004. In 2019, Mark became the Senior Social Justice Advocate. Mark is a active in seeking social justice in the areas of climate change, refugees, modern slavery, regulation of the online world, family violence, tax reform, poverty, and alcohol reform. Mark is a member of a number of advisory bodies to the Commonwealth and Victorian governments in these areas. Mark has a PhD in chemical engineering.

Dr Mick Pope is a meteorologist and ecotheologian. He has spent the last 20 years thinking, speaking, and writing about the relationship between Christian theology and environmental issues like climate change. He is the author of A Climate of Hope (with Claire Harvey), A Climate of Justice, All Thing New, and From Creation to Caanan (Spring, 2023).

Mick will be hosting a workshop on Climate justice and the Way of Peace.

Jane Kelly is Common Grace’s Creation and Climate Justice Coordinator. She has overseen their successful Knit for Climate Action campaign, gifting climate stripe scarves knitted by everyday Christians to Australian and international political leaders, and sending a gracious and strong message to take urgent action on climate change. Last year Jane had the opportunity to attend COP27, from which she brought back valuable insights and knowledge to further advance Common Grace’s efforts to promote climate justice.

Jane will be cohosting a Workshop on Climate Justice and the Way of Peace with Mick Pope.

Mark is the Managing Director of Social Engine – a social enterprise giving ‘at risk’ young people employment. Mark has extensive experience in leading community organisations and is the current chair of Surender Australia. In 2018, Mark was appointed a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for significant service to the community, particularly to disadvantaged and at-risk youth, through social welfare support organisations. Mark has a deep passion and commitment to supporting ‘at risk’ young people. He is big believer in the positive impact of social enterprise & youth mentoring especially in giving young people opportunities and reducing loneliness, isolation, and disconnection for young people.

Mark will be hosting a panel on social enterprises.

Sally Quinn is CEO and Co-founder of Green Collect, a dynamic social enterprise working to build the circular economy through a movement that brings together practical care for both ‘people and planet’. This vision, which has shaped Green Collect as an inclusive workplace, is lived out everyday by over 50 staff from diverse backgrounds and life experiences. As a passionate collaborator, Sally is Chair of Social Enterprise Victoria, active in Social Enterprise World Forums and just recently returned from an overseas study Fellowship. Now planning to take up a hobby, Sally is looking for suggestions from people who know how to do that!

Joel McKerrow is an award winning writer, speaker, educator, artist, creativity specialist and, having performed for hundreds of thousands of people throughout the world, is one of Australia’s most successful internationally touring, performance poets. Full-time in his creative career for the past fifteen years Joel is currently the Director of The School for Creative Development, the Artist Ambassador for ‘TEARFUND Australia, and host of The Deep Place: On Creativity and Spirituality Podcast.

Joel will be performing at the Surrender Festival.

Anthony is the Co-Founder and Director of the L’Arte Central Social Enterprise Café, Florist & Art Space. In 2022 L’Arte became an Australian Government recognized Social Traders Certified Social Enterprise joining 490 other businesses around Australia.

Across its two enterprises, L’Arte employs 25 locals and gives participation activity, training, and employment opportunities to 20 NDIS recipients who have mental health, and other health challenges. L’Arte does this across three streams being Café, Florist, and commercial Kitchen activity that includes Corporate Catering.

Jonathan Cornford is the co-founder of Manna Gum, a ministry in good news economics, and also a member of the Seeds Community in Bendigo.

Jonathan will be cohosting a workshop on Faithful Presence in a Disadvantaged Community with Anthea Taylor.

Anthea Taylor, along with her husband Colin, have been members of the Seeds Community since 2011, moving to Bendigo from Ballarat with a strong sense from God that it was time to pull up stakes and more determinedly follow their heart for mission.

Anthea will be cohosting a workshop on Faithful Presence in a Disadvantaged Community with Jonathan Cornford.

Annabella Rossini-Clarke has a heart for building local community and enabling global social change. For more than ten years, Bella has run Turning Teardrops Into Joy, a sustainable social enterprise selling coffee to raise funds for a variety of international development projects. Initial support for a maternity clinic in Ghana was followed by projects in South Africa and Fiji, plus research into the on-going social problem of modern slavery ... and the journey continues.

Derek Bradshaw is the founder and director of Now and Not Yet. For nearly a decade the organisation has embedded itself in communities running social enterprises to positively impact communities through hospitality, love, acceptance and social justice. It now has 4 social enterprise cafes and works with asylum seekers, people facing barriers too long term employment and the homeless. Derek also consults widely to support other missional social enterprises and organisations.

Stevie has spoken and performed her poetry at conferences, schools, youth events, churches and meetings of support services.

She works for CBM Australia as a Community Education Officer. She has travelled to South Africa and Zambia, visiting projects supported by CBM to end the cycle of poverty and disability.

Having cerebral palsy, Stevie advocates for assistance that is respectful and empowering.

The Most Revd Justin Welby was ordained in 1992 after an 11-year career in the oil industry. He spent his first 15 years serving in Coventry diocese, often in places of significant deprivation.

In 2002 he was made a Canon of Coventry Cathedral, where he jointly led its international reconciliation work. During this time he worked extensively in Africa and the Middle East. Archbishop Justin has had a passion for reconciliation and peace-making ever since. He was Dean of Liverpool from 2007 to 2011 and Bishop of Durham from 2011 to 2012, before being announced as the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury in late 2012.

Archbishop Justin Welby will be sharing a video message.