On this week's  Redefining Family, Jonathan opens the episode with an update on his life, talking about finding a surrogate and unexpected twists and turns along the way.

Jonathan then brings on his amazing guest, Rev. Naomi Washington-Leapheart.  Naomi's list of accolades and accomplishments is long and ever so impressive.  However what's more impressive are Naomi's powerful messages , the way she came into her work and the beautiful life she lives today.

We also discuss what it was like for Naomi to not just come out to her family, but to the public as well.  It was not easy, however Naomi has faced any hardship she has faced with love, wisdom and acceptance.

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About Rev. Naomi Washington-Leapheart

Naomi Washington-Leapheart, a daughter of Detroit, is an adjunct faculty member in the Theology and Religious Studies department at Villanova University.

Most recently, Naomi was the Faith Outreach Director at the National LGBTQ Task Force. Prior to working at the Task Force, she was the suburban community organizer for POWER, a multi-faith, multi-racial network of congregations in Metro Philadelphia. She also served as Co-Pastor and Minister of Music at the Wisdom’s Table at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ. She is affiliated with the Fellowship of Affirming Ministries and the United Church of Christ, and earned the Master of Divinity degree from Lancaster Theological Seminary in 2016.

Naomi’s work is included in the volume,”From Generation to Generation: A Commemorative Collection of African American Millennial Sermons from the Festival of Preachers 2010-2015, a rare and unique compilation of what the nation’s most promising young African-American ministers are thinking and proclaiming about the Christian faith (Chalice Press, 2015).

Naomi shares her life with her wife, Kentina, a chaplain and religious educator. Together, they are raising a curious, energetic, future Oscar-winning 5th grader, Sophia.