Mike Roth, Theologian & Pastor
Mike co-founded Pearl Church in 2001. He’s passionate about exploring the good—for today’s context and culture—in scripture, the gospel, and Christian life. Some of Mike’s values are storytelling, curiosity, and non-violent/non-dominion theology. He believes that these values contribute to an engaging community that thoughtfully nurtures our wholeness as human beings.
Mike and his partner, Jen, were both born in beloved Portland. They married in 1997 and have three teenage children. Mike holds a Bachelors in Biblical Studies, a Master of Divinity, a Doctor of Ministry focusing on the rhetorical function of biblical genres, and a Ph.D. specializing in the meaning-making of biblical literary figures. He enjoys collegial dialogue and ongoing learning through membership in the Society of Biblical Literature and Academy of Homiletics, and as an independent scholar in the American Academy of Religion. Supplemental resources to Mike’s work at Pearl include hosting a website and podcast, which contribute to a generative movement that’s intent on articulating truly good Christianity.
Pronouns: he, him, his.
Ben Conachan, Pastor
Ben is one of the many transplants to Portland from California, and hopes you won't hold that against him. After studying philosophy and serving as Pastor of Spiritual Formation at First Baptist Church, San Luis Obispo for 13 years, Ben moved to the Northwest and completed his M.Div at Portland Seminary. His passion is to journey alongside people and help them discover their unique, creative partnership with God for good in the world. A special passion is helping LGBT people of faith navigate the integration of faith and sexuality/gender identity.
Ben is the co-author of Good Dirt, a devotional series introducing families to the Christian calendar; he and his husband, Gary, have the best dog in the world, whose name, Arete, means virtue.
Pronouns: he, him, his