The Team
Board Members
Christian Omar Medina (President CEO)
Christian Omar Medina has been an ordained minister since 1997. He has been the president of various ministerial groups and has planted eight churches, as well as trained ministers to take over those churches. He also has over 15 years of experience working in the social service and non-profit sector. Omar is a Certified Chaplain with Corporate Chaplains of America, Certified Mental Health Coach, Youth Coach, and also completed the John Maxwell Leadership Certification Program and is a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member. He has traveled throughout the country conducting seminars on various themes such as leadership development, anti-bias education, teamwork building, conflict resolution and planting and growing healthy churches, and has trained hundreds of leaders for various responsibilities throughout the ministry.
In 2019 he was consecrated as the first Latino Interdenominational Community Bishop in Ohio. In 2020 he founded Community of Faith Collaborative, which serves as a liaison organization between the Latino faith-based community and local, state and federal government, non-profit sector and community at large. He was the recipient of the Kaleidoscope 40 under 40 award and has received numerous recognitions for his advocacy work in the areas of education, health disparities, immigration reform, criminal justice reform, civil rights and voter education/engagement.
Nestor Ramos
Nestor Ramos is a former business owner with experience in the area of accounting. He is a Pastor of Iglesia Casa de Dios Puerta del Cielo GN 28:17 in Cleveland, Ohio. He has over a decade of experience in the ministry and has mentored other leaders in the ministerial space. Nestor is currently completing his Associate of Arts in Ministerial Leadership at ELAI University and his Bachelor of Theological Studies at AG Theological Institute.
Maribel Jimenez-Martoral
Maribel Jimenez-Martoral (MaraJi Marto) Is a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Counselor at Rising Well Services in Cleveland, Ohio. Her professional career has been marked by a strong commitment to integrated behavioral health, an area of long-standing interest in which she is currently pursuing doctoral-level studies.
A resident of Cleveland since 1998, she has worked across a wide range of roles in both the public and private sectors, developing a broad, service-oriented, and collaborative professional perspective. She recently earned a Mental Health Coach diploma from Light University and is an active member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
MaraJi Marto embraces a whole-person approach, recognizing the interconnected nature of physical, emotional, and mental health. She believes that, in light of today’s complex social challenges, there is a shared responsibility to act with intentionality, mindfulness, and ethical focus to help build stronger, healthier communities. Her passion for service, mindful leadership, and commitment to holistic well-being motivate her desire to contribute meaningfully at the board and governance level.
Servando f valdovinos
Servando F Valdovinos currently serves as the Pastor of Iglesia Cristiana Unida in Fremont Ohio and presides as the Senior Pastor of Iglesia Cristiana in Delta.
Servando is an accomplished author of various theological books such as: Israel and the End of the Days, Teologia Biblica: Seres Celestiales, Apologetica Apostolica: La evidencia histórica de Cristo and many more.
A graduate of Trinity College of the Bible, Servando continues his studies & is currently pursuing his Masters in Theology at Ashland Theological Seminary.
He is a licensed practical nurse under the Ohio Board of Nursing, providing care to many patients in the Northwest Ohio area and is an active member of the National Hispanic Pastors Alliance in Washington D.C.
Dana Acy
Dana Acy is a bondsman and reentry advocate dedicated to advancing fairness, accountability, and second chances within the justice system. Through her work in bail services, she supports individuals and families navigating complex legal challenges, helping them secure release while emphasizing responsibility and informed decision-making.
In addition to her work as a bondsman, Dana is a passionate reentry advocate focused on supporting individuals returning to their communities after incarceration. She works to reduce barriers to successful reentry by promoting access to resources, stability, and opportunities that foster long-term success and community safety.
Dana also serves as President of the Connecting and Belonging Commission in Brooklyn, Ohio, where she provides leadership on initiatives that promote inclusion, civic engagement, and a strong sense of belonging for residents. Across all of her roles, Dana Acy is committed to building stronger communities through compassion, advocacy, and practical action.
matthew bevere
Matt Bevere, D.Min., is an Adjunct Professor of Practical Theology at Ashland Theological Seminary, where he teaches courses in leadership and ministry. Alongside his academic work, Dr. Bevere serves as an independent contractor, focusing his advocacy on critical issues such as immigration, poverty, and global health. He is also currently engaged as a ministry consultant for the National Association of Evangelicals in the Great Lakes Region.
Dr. Bevere brings a wealth of experience from his tenure as a United Methodist pastor and as a retired administrator from Ashland Theological Seminary. His career also includes service as a hospital chaplain. Throughout his professional journey, Dr. Bevere has maintained a strong commitment to church and community relations in the Cleveland area. In addition, his expertise extends to workforce development initiatives, spanning roles in both for-profit and non-profit organizations.
Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Dr. Bevere now resides in Canton, Ohio. He and his wife, Cindy, are the proud parents of four children and have five grandchildren.
stacy cozart martin
Managing Member and Partner at Martin Jolic and Associates, LLC
Stacy Cozart Martin has focused her extensive legal career on business and family-based immigration. For almost two decades, she has processed family based petitions based on marriage, familial relationship and VAWA. She is also familiar with the intricacies of benefits for derivative family members, and ready to litigate issues that may arise with the Child Status Protection Act, and the Child Citizenship Act of 2001.
Ms. Cozart Martin's skills have been recognized locally and nationally. She was named the Best Lawyers® 2020 Immigration Law "Lawyer of the Year" in Cleveland.
DISCLAIMER
Community of Faith Collaborative is a non-partisan, interdenominational, non-profit organization. Although respected, the political affiliations, theological points of views, personal opinions and viewpoints of board members and advisory council members do not necessarily represent our organization.