OUR ACTS XXIX FAMILY
We are missionaries of hope called by God to renew and transform the Church.
REACQUIRE A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW
We desperately need to see again, not some things but all things. Things like who is God, why did He create the world, why’s everything so messed up, what’s God done about it and how should we respond to what He’s done? This principle restores our sight.
BE RECONFIGURED TO JESUS FOR MISSION
Jesus is not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters and Paul didn’t have a staff. This principle involves letting the Lord heal us, remind us what biblical leadership looks like, the importance of the complementarity of the body of Christ, healthy culture and more. This principle restores our identity.
RESTORE THE INITIATIVE TO GOD
Prayer should not be an agenda item; it should drive the agenda. The apostles and saints didn’t simply pray before they did their work; they prayed in order to know what to do. This is the art of synodality and restores the initiative to God.
OUR APOSTOLIC VALUES
How we do what we do is as important as what we do.
Fr. John Riccardo
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Fr. John was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit in 1996. In 2019, after 23 years in parish ministry, he founded ACTS XXIX to proclaim the gospel in an attractive and compelling way and to equip clergy and lay leaders for the age in which God has chosen us to live. Fr. John is a graduate of the University of Michigan, the Gregorian University, and the Pope John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family.
Mary Guilfoyle
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A wife, mother, and grandmother, Mary has been with ACTS XXIX since its founding in 2019. During her time in parish leadership as Director of Evangelization and Discipleship, Mary equipped over 100 parishes across the country to prayerfully discern how best to care for their people and reach those who have fallen away from the Church. Mary co-hosts the You Were Born For This podcast alongside Fr. John Riccardo, leads The Rescue Project, and serves on the ACTS XXIX leadership team, helping to equip bishops, pastors, and lay leaders. She is passionate about the role of healing and believes it is essential to becoming more fruitful on mission. Mary is a graduate of Washburn University.
Albert Faraj
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A husband, father, and grandfather, Albert has been active in parish life throughout his entire adult life. He brings over 30 years of experience in leadership in both entrepreneurial and corporate settings. His expertise includes developing leadership teams, vision and strategy, and operationalizing transformation. His work has spanned multiple continents. He is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University and the University of Michigan.
Rick Popp
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A husband and father, Rick is a recognized authority in leadership with over 30 years experience as a consultant and HR executive. As an active part of the leadership team, he equips bishops, pastors, leaders, and their teams for Mission. Rick is a graduate of Northern Michigan University.
Emilie Stevenson
Missionary | All Things Creative
Joe Csicsila
Missionary | Lorraine Cross Media
Julie Kavulich
Missionary | Hospitality and Beauty
Kelly King
Missionary | Finance & HR
Laura Knaus
Missionary | Mission Coordinator
Leslie Kemp
Missionary | Donor Support
ACTS XXIX benefits from the leadership and counsel of its Board of Directors, which is composed of thought-leaders in faith, business, and media representing diverse industries across the country.
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Most Reverend Edward J. Weisenburger
Archbishop, Detroit, Michigan
Most Reverend Samuel J. Aquila
Archbishop, Denver, Colorado
Michael Bishop
Former SVP, First Tennessee Capital Markets Group
Lisa Brenninkmeyer
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Walking With Purpose
Richard Genthe
Retired Owner, Genthe Chevrolet
Sharon Hyland Sisbarro
Retired USMC
Harry Kemp
Chief Administrative Officer, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary, Lear Corporation
Kathleen McCann
Executive Partner, Nonantum Capital Partners
Michael Perkins
President, St. Kevin Foundation
Michael Ritchie
Executive Vice President, Head of National and Specialty Businesses, Comerica Bank
EMERITUS MEMBERS
Most Reverend Allen H. Vigneron
Most Reverend Michael Byrnes †
Al Kresta †
Pat Lencioni
The Episcopal Advisory Council prayerfully supports the mission of ACTS XXIX and its members help inform our decision-making.
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Most Reverend Allen H. Vigneron
Archbishop Emeritus, Detroit, Michigan, Chair
Most Reverend Samuel J. Aquila
Archbishop, Denver, Colorado
Most Reverend Paul S. Coakley
Archbishop, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Most Reverend Bernard A. Hebda
Archbishop, St. Paul-Minneapolis, Minnesota
Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann
Archbishop Emeritus, Kansas City, Kansas
Most Reverend Alexander K. Sample
Archbishop, Portland, Oregon
Most Reverend Andrew H. Cozzens
Bishop, Crookston, Minnesota
Most Reverend Earl K. Fernandes
Bishop, Columbus, Ohio
Most Reverend Daniel E. Flores
Bishop, Brownsville, Texas
Most Reverend James R. Golka
Bishop, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Most Reverend Robert D. Gruss
Bishop, Saginaw, Michigan
Most Reverend Daniel H. Mueggenborg
Bishop, Reno, Nevada
Most Reverend Daniel E. Thomas
Bishop, Toledo, Ohio
Most Reverend Carl A. Kemme
Bishop, Wichita, Kansas
OUR LADY
“The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.”
LUKE 1:49
ST PAUL
“…the gospel is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.”
ROMANS 1:16
ST JOAN OF ARC
“I am not afraid. God is with me. I was born for this.”