The Intergenerate leadership team
Holly Catterton Allen
Founding Member/Previous Chair of InterGenerate Team
Dr. Holly Catterton Allen retired in 2022 from Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, where she taught undergraduate courses such as Family Ministry and Nurturing Spiritual Development in Children. Dr. Allen’s recent books include Intergenerational Christian Formation: Bringing the Whole Church Together in Ministry, Community, and Worship, (InterVarsity Academic, 2023) and Forming Resilient Children: The Role of Spiritual Formation for Healthy Development (InterVarsity Academic, 2021).
Gabby Brandner
Team Member, InterGenerate
Gabby Brandner serves as the Children’s Minister at Central Church of Christ in Amarillo, Texas. She graduated from Lipscomb University in May of 2024, where she majored in Children’s Ministry. She is passionate about the role of children in the faith community and children’s spirituality. Her current research includes the intersection of children’s spirituality and trauma, the implications of children being made in the image of God, and adapting spiritual disciplines for children.
Betsy Dishman
Team Member, InterGenerate
Betsy Dishman has enjoyed serving as GenOn Ministries Training Director since 2016. Her work has included writing and leading workshops for GenOn, InterGenerate, and various ecumenical organizations. Betsy has served on staff at local churches for over 30 years leading music ministry and children, youth, and family ministries.
Christina Embree
Team Member, InterGenerate
Rev. Dr. Christina Embree is the founder of ReFocus Ministry, a nonprofit committed to connecting generations in meaningful relationships for lifelong discipleship. She holds a master’s in Children, Youth, and Family Ministry and a doctorate in spiritual formation focused on intergenerational ministry. She currently ministers with Open Door Church in Lexington, Kentucky.
Larry Green
Team Member, InterGenerate
Dr. Larry L. Green, pastor, motivational speaker, and holistic development advocate, originally from Jamaica, brings a rich and diverse ministry background from his work in the Bahamas. He currently serves as Associate Pastor at Restoration Praise Center in Bowie, MD, USA. Together with his wife, Schkara, and their four children, Dr. Green is committed to empowering individuals and families to grow spiritually, emotionally, and relationally. A graduate of Andrews University Theological Seminary, where he earned a Doctor of Ministry (DMin) with a focus on intergenerational church, Dr. Green is passionate about nurturing holistic faith formation. He excels at fostering meaningful connections across generations, promoting a balanced approach to personal growth, community engagement, and spiritual leadership.
Valerie Grissom
Chair, InterGenerate Team
Valerie M. Grissom, MDiv, DWS, is certified for ordination as Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Northwest Coast Presbytery (PC-USA), near Seattle, Washington. She serves as Chair of the InterGenerate Team. She recently edited the book All Ages Becoming: Intergenerational Practice in the Formation of God's People. As a worship leader and pastor for over 20 years, Valerie is passionate about worship renewal in the Church. Valerie's research, writing, speaking, coaching, and mentoring focus is on intergenerational and intercultural worship.
Wilson McCoy
Secretary, InterGenerate Team
Dr. Wilson McCoy (MDiv, DMin) serves as the Teaching Minister at the College Hills Church in Lebanon, TN. He is an adjunct professor and a generational church consultant. He enjoys writing, cooking, listen to Wilco, and escaping to the beach. You can learn more about his work at drwilsonmccoy.com.
Dawn Rundman
Treasurer, InterGenerate Team
Dr. Dawn Rundman is Director of Congregational Development and Marketing at Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Wielding a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology, a fondness for innovative faith practices, love of wordsmithing, and several years as a summer camp counselor, Dawn believes intergenerational church communities can be hubs for healthy human development. Dawn is the InterGenerate Treasurer.
Breen Marie Sipes
Team Member, InterGenerate
Pastor Breen Marie Sipes is an ELCA Lutheran pastor, a full-time parent, and an all-time advocate for intergenerational ministry. She is the board president and a facilitator for Music that Makes Community, where she practices brave shared leadership in building community through singing together. She is also a team member for the Intergen Collective, an international leadership group for intergenerational ministry.
Amy Yu
Vice Chair, InterGenerate
Rev. Dr. Amy Yu, a Toronto-based pastor with over 30 years in ministry, understands the challenges of generational divides within churches. Her doctoral research focused on intergenerational ministry’s impact on faith formation. As Vice Chair of InterGenerate, she champions unified, cross-generational faith communities.