Board Members

Rev. Anita Cobb, Chair

Program Director
Journey of Faith, Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Indiana

Rev. Anita M. Cobb is a native of Indianapolis, In. Rev. Anita has been in ministry for over 25 years and is ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Rev. Anita is the Program Director for quest: A Journey of Faith which is a faith formation initiative for children and families. Anita is dedicated to the growth and development of young people especially in their faith formation and expression of God and Spirituality. Having answered a call to ministry at age 15, Anita believes in the power of community and experience to live into a faithful understanding of what it means to be a Christian.

Rev. Derek Elmi-Buursma, Treasurer

Pastor
Loop Church Chicago

Derek Elmi-Buursma (he/him) is the pastor of Loop Church, an open and affirming church community in Chicago that seeks to faithfully engage the rhythms of life in the city. Understanding how important and formative the undergrad experience can be, Derek is committed to serving an organization that intentionally invests in the faith life of college students. During a time in which religion can be polarizing and even harmful, the work of the Inclusive Collective as a place of community building, reflection, and active engagement for students from different faith backgrounds feels both special and significant.

Rev. Daniel Cochran

Pastor
Gary United Methodist Church

Rev. Dr. Daniel Cochran is an ordained pastor in the United Methodist Church and adjunct professor of religion at Elmhurst University. He believes God made us for relationship, calling us to form and nurture beloved community with all our neighbors. He celebrates and supports the Inclusive Collective as a place that welcomes all people into a dynamic and transformative relationship with God through communal worship, fellowship, formation, and mission.

Rev. Marcus Payne II

Pastor of Teaching and Engagement
Lighthouse Chicago

Pastor Marcus Payne II, he/him. is the Pastor of Teaching and Engagement at Lighthouse Church of Chicago, a Black-centered, LGBTQ+ affirming church. He brings over a decade of ministry experience, including work in camp settings, leading discipleship cohorts, and pastoral leadership. Pastor Marcus is passionate about transforming lives not only through preaching and teaching, but also through service and building authentic relationships within the communities he serves.

Rev. Jonathan Crail

Pastor
First United Methodist Church of Oak Lawn

Rev. Jonathan Crail is the Senior Pastor at First United Methodist Church of DeKalb, near Northern Illinois University. Jonathan believes that God gifts each person with talents and passions and calls us to use them to bless the world, starting with our neighbors. He is passionate about promoting asset-based ministry and community development with the idea that rather than focusing on the deficits and things that are lacking (the glass is half-empty), we can grow together and create thriving communities by identifying the resources that are already present in each person and each neighborhood (the glass is half full).

Steven Chrzas

IC Alumni