Illuminate Conference

Karen Swallow Prior, PhD, is the author of “On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life through Great Books” (2018); “Fierce Convictions: The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More—Poet, Reformer, Abolitionist” (2014); and “Booked: Literature in the Soul of Me” (2012). Her writing has appeared at Christianity Today, New York Times, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, The Gospel Coalition, and other places.

Douglas McKelvey moved to Nashville in 1991 to participate in the early work of Art House Foundation, an organization dedicated to a shared exploration of faith and the arts. In the decades since, he has worked as an author, song lyricist, scriptwriter, and video director. “Every Moment Holy,” McKelvey’s collection of liturgies, has sold over 300,000 copies across two volumes and five editions.

Jason Emmanuel Petty, better known by his stage name Propaganda, is a Christian rapper, spoken word artist, and poet armed with a bold message. His ideas stem from where he sits at the intersection. He sees how cultures cross and inspire one another, and can see the oneness of us all. Propaganda will cause you to nod your head, but more importantly he will stretch your mind and heart.

Elissa Yukiko Weichbrodt, PhD, is associate professor of art and art history at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia. She enjoys writing for general audiences on the intersection of art history, politics, and pop culture. In 2023, Baker Academic published Weichbrodt’s book “Redeeming Vision: A Christian Guide to Looking at and Learning from Art.”