Leadership Council

The work of the Alliance is coordinated by a leadership council, elected from the membership of the Alliance to three year terms. We seek to balance our desire for egalitarianism with full congregational/affiliated ministry autonomy and the need for purposeful leadership.


Rev. Dr. Sam Lopez, Chair

Contact Sam for information about the Alliance or pursuing Holy Orders.

Denver is my hometown’ and Wendy is my beautiful wife. We married 46 years ago, parented two beautiful daughters Elisa and Elena, and we are proud grandparents! Growing up in the Pentecostal Church, my heart was lit on fire, and I started preaching at 15 years old. I went on to a Pentecostal Bible College and focused on Pastoral Studies, later earning a Doctorate in Divinity. I was ordained into the ministry in 1982. I’ve served congregations all over the mid- and southwest US, planted 3 churches, and now make my church home in Arvada, on the north side of Denver where I planted Amazing Love Sanctuary. As my faith expanded throughout my life I have found solace in a theology based on unconditional love and total acceptance with unreserved grace, messy and dirty, you know, the Jesus way! And when I’m not preaching about love, I’m living in love with my wife on vacations in Cancun, Mexico…or watching a good Broncos game! My Mission Statement: I am a Pastor, and Ministering Love is the highest vision I hold. Everyone is welcome at the table, and I dedicate every day of my life to creating spaces for those who want to be embraced by Christ’s Love. There’s enough for all.


Rev. Helen Drivick, Co-Chair

Contact Helen for administrative questions about the Alliance or about ministry affiliation.

(She/her) I’ve left the church many times throughout my life, but I just can’t seem to shake free from the Jesus message of inclusive love. I guess it’s the institutions I’ve always bristled against. So here I am, ordained into the Progressive Christian Alliance, one of the most institution-less organizations I’ve ever encountered. I’ve found a home here. I believe God is Love; that God loves us into being and into community. I believe that we can never fully know or express what the Divine is, but we can love our way closer to Them. Therefore, in the Spirit of Love, let us all walk in Love, with Love and toward Love to change the world. I’m also a work in progress and hope to remain so until I draw my last breath. With my funny, steadfast and (mostly) unflappable spouse and two great kids all supporting my calling, I gladly serve.


Rev. Chris Wickersham, Treasurer

Contact Chris with any questions about finances.

Chris (they/them) is a native Floridian, husband to Kayte, and father of 7 who has put down deep roots in Arizona. After many years serving in the United Methodist Church, Chris sojourned with the United Church of Christ and several non-Denominational fellowships before finding a home in the Progressive Christian Alliance. Chris is part of one•n•ten, an organization with a long history of support for youth in the LGBTQ+ community and is deeply involved in the formation of a progressive community of faith in Phoenix’s West Valley.


Rev. Dr. Christopher Montgomery, OSL, Secretary

Contact Christopher for questions about records, ministry affiliation, membership, the website, or accessing the clergy portal.

Christopher was a parish pastor in Church of the Brethren and Mennonite Church USA congregations for over a decade before discovering the Progressive Christian Alliance. He is the rector of The Pilgrim House, a PCA affiliated ministry. He holds a BA in music, an MDiv in postmodern theology and organizational leadership, and a doctorate in liturgical studies. He is also a certified conflict mediator. He is a vowed member of the Order of Saint Luke, a dispersed religious order dedicated to liturgical scholarship and sacramental spirituality. By day he leads a nonprofit ministry in South Dakota providing transportation to medical appointments for vulnerable people groups in Sioux Falls. By night he is a husband and father to three rowdy kids and three even rowdier dogs.


Rev. Marie Bat’el

Contact Marie for information about holy orders or clergy support.

Rev. Marie Bat’el received her MDiv from The Pacific School of Religion. She is currently retired from formal ministry. She is a part-time substitute teacher, is involved in a spiritual community, and refers to herself as a “Minister in the church of everyday life.” She is originally from Boston, MA and now resides in Southern Oregon. She leant her services to the PCA as the Ordination Co-chair and then Ordination Chair from approximately 2017-2019. 


Rev. Ford Frazar

Contact Ford for pastoral support, prayer, or counseling needs.

Ford is a hospital chaplain in Las Vegas, NV.


Rev. Sarah Ann Hardman

Contact Sarah for questions on theology or justice statements from the Alliance.

Sarah is an advocate, passionate voice for justice, and pastor of 12+ years. She has roots in the Syrian Orthodox faith and launched an interfaith church plant in 2012, Third Way Church. Sarah holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in theology and is a current PhD candidate. As an ordained reverend and pastor of an interfaith church, Sarah combines her spiritual wisdom with her social justice advocacy, creating a unique and powerful perspective on healing and transformation. Her faith-based approach to social justice has touched the lives of many, inspiring change not only within her congregation but also within the broader community. She has worked for over 10 years as an advocate for survivors of human trafficking. Sarah is also a homeschool mom to two teens and a newborn, blogger, writer, artist, and advocate for Arabic culture as a Syrian-American.


Rev. Dr. Phillip Ladd

Contact Phillip for questions on holy orders/ordination.

I grew up in Ohio where I met Lurene, the wonderful woman who became my wife. I was ordained into ministry in 1982. I pastored churches in both the Minneapolis and Chicago areas. After receiving my Doctorate in Counseling, I transitioned my ministry to one of administration and counseling. I was an administrator at a Children’s Home. For two decades, I was Co-President and Co-Owner of a Successful Psychological/ Counseling Practice in Central Illinois. We moved to the Phoenix, Arizona area in 2019 to be closer to our kids and grandkids. I received Ordination Standing in the Progressive Christian Alliance in 2020. I am a progressive, open & affirming minister involved in social justice activism. I am still active as a Licensed Psychotherapist. I continue to be involved in the leadership of my church.


Rev. Dr. Brian Salter

Contact Brian for questions on holy orders/ordination.

Rev. Dr. Brian C. Salter’s primary Christian vocation is that of husband to Rev. Liberty Salter, who also serves on the Leadership Council of the Progressive Christian Alliance. Together they give the first and best of their ministry to their five children, two of which are “grown and gone” with three teenagers still at home. Dr. Salter is currently involved in three secondary Christian vocations: church planting of the Progressive Christians of Dothan in Alabama, Chaplain with Emerald Coast Hospice in Chipley, Florida, and his service on the Leadership Council of the Progressive Christian Alliance. In all of the above, he has a heart for the religiously marginalized, ostracized, traumatized, and rejected and he assertively advocates for full affirmation and full inclusion of ALL in the FULL life of the Church. Dr. Salter previously served for over eight years as an active-duty Navy Chaplain and as Trombone Player with Army Bands for over five years. Also previously a pastor of three churches, he has over twenty-three years of professional ministry experience. Dr. Salter holds an earned Doctor of Ministry of highest accreditation from Columbia International University, a Master of Divinity from Luther Rice Seminary, a Master of Arts in Religion from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Bachelor of Science in Religion from Liberty University. He “flips” this conservative evangelical education to further the progressive Christian movement after having taken a long and sincere journey of deconstruction and reconstruction of his personal faith. “Jesus said, ‘Love God, and love one another’ Period.”


Rev. Liberty Salter

Contact Liberty for questions on ministry affiliation or new ministry development.

Rev. Liberty Salter’s primary Christian vocation is that of mother to her three children still living at home, along with her first grandchild. With a God-given heart for her family, she has led the Salters through seemingly impossible challenges and crises, defying all odds. Hers is truly a Marian testimony that “NOTHING shall be impossible with God!” Rev. Salter’s is a “ministry in the trenches.” She has taken homeless children into her home on several occasions, feeding and clothing them, and giving them hope. Some have gone from dropping out of school to obtaining their GED. She has assisted others in finding and sustaining work and obtaining suitable long-term living arrangements. Still others- she has lovingly walked with them as they have battled addictions, abuse, and neglect. In the “get-your-hands-dirty” and very messy ministries that most would probably avoid, Rev. Salter has willingly and aggressively engaged in those ministries on the front lines, all in the progressive Name of Christ. In addition to the above, Rev. Salter serves as Pastor of the Progressive Christians of Dothan, a new missional church plant in ultra-conservative southeast Alabama. She provides a fully welcoming home to Christians Christians say aren’t Christians and others who are not Christians. She treats everyone with equal human dignity and respect and brings this to the table in her service on the Leadership Council of the Progressive Christian Alliance. Rev. Salter has previously served as Program Manager with Teen Challenge, an in-residence ministry to young women who struggled with severe life-challenges. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Liberty University and is pursuing a Masters in Social Work at Troy University. 

With her husband, Brian, Liberty is passionate about deconstructing and reconstructing her faith. She is passionate about being progressive.