Our Team

Brandon serves as the Matthew 5:9 Program Director. He views the pursuit of unity as an integral part of his life. For years, he has spoken to diverse groups around the country on various topics, which are often inherently divisive, seeking to bring clarity, compassion, and peace to these conversations. Ultimately, Brandon has sought to engage cultural questions and concerns within the context of Christian hope.

Brandon served as co-chapter director for the Wayne State Ratio Christi chapter. He served on the Stephen Ministry leadership team at Kensington Community Church and occasionally serves alongside Inner City Detroit Cru and Serve the City-Detroit.
Brandon graduated from Michigan State University with a major in Journalism and a minor in Sociology. He completed a Master’s in Christian Apologetics from Biola University and a Master’s of Divinity in Interdisciplinary Studies through Moody Theological Seminary.

Brandon enjoys playing various sports, reading, and writing, but mostly spending time with his three sons, daughter, and his wonderful wife.

Tom is the Pastoral Senior Advisor of the One America Movement and Matthew 5:9 Fellowship. He is a Teaching Pastor in the Presbyterian Church in America and previously served as the Associate Pastor at Grace Community Church in Charlottesville, VA. There he led the church’s efforts in adult discipleship and community engagement.

God fixes broken things, so Tom is passionate about the work of reconciliation. That healing starts with building relationships across divides. But, when he’s not pursuing such lofty goals, he likes watching superhero movies, training martial arts, and hanging out with his dog.

Tom holds a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Virginia, an M.Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary – Washington, D.C., and is currently pursuing a Th.M. in Historical and Theological Studies at Westminster Theological Seminary.

April serves as the Senior Content Manager for Matthew 5:9 Fellowship and One America Movement. She is a lifelong learner and an avid observer of people. A proud living kidney donor and a passionate fan of God and her family, she loves the power of a well-written word.

April loves to hear the story behind the story. If you have the time, she has the questions because she sincerely believes your life has a purpose. She is a peacemaker at heart, and that mindset is what drew her to the One America Movement, where she is excited to be working with an amazing Matthew 5:9 staff who are like-minded and see hope in purposeful work.

April and her family live on a farm in northeast Mississippi near Tupelo.

April holds a B.A. in Business Administration from Faulkner University and a Master’s in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix.

Dean Kuest

This is not a typical bio I would use to introduce myself to strangers, but ministry is often where we present our best on the “front stage” and hide the dirt “backstage.” Like social media, it is easy to produce the stuff that makes us look great, but I long for relationships that are real…so here is my “honest” bio.

I am a husband of 33 years to my beautiful wife, Leslie. I am a pastor and a PK who raised five PKs (all boys). I am now Pops to five grandchildren (four girls in there – finally). I have a great relationship with my parents and my boys. I’m so proud of each of them.

I am an example of failure—I have put my work above my wife for many years. I have never had an affair, but the church has been my mistress at times. Leslie has been gracious, and we have worked through those wounds and scars. We are an example of perseverance, and I am so grateful for the love we nurture.

I was blessed to be rooted in one church in the Phoenix area for 25 years. I was blessed to be uprooted and lead a church plant in the Seattle area for eight years. I have climbed the ladder of leadership in an exceptionally large church. And I have been humbled by a complete loss of confidence at the end of my time in Seattle.  

I sought help and learned several things about myself.

1. I tried to do everything myself and had poor stress management.

2. I have ADD and need strategies and medication to deal with it.

3. I had a hormone imbalance that contributed to my anxiety.

Thirteen years later, I continue to learn about those strategies and how to tap into the support I need.

I was one of the original nine pastors who met together in 2018 to dream the dream that has become the Matthew 5:9 Fellowship. I am passionate about the Gospel, the love and grace of Jesus, and I long to be a peacemaker in a polarized world. I have learned to be honest about what God has gifted me to do and where my abilities fall short.

I like to build and create. I don’t like to maintain. I have always had great people skills, but I am a poor administrator and event organizer. I lead with grace because I know I have needed it throughout my life and ministry. I am not always good at giving myself grace because I have a VERY LOUD inner critic who is very opinionated and always self-effacing. I am a gifted coach and mentor and connect well with younger generations of pastors.

I would love to come alongside you as a coach. As a reminder, the first session is free, and the Matthew 5:9 Fellowship will pay for two more.

Shoot me an email if that is something you would like to explore.

Gina Watkins