Carla Christopher (she/her/hers) is a poet-activist, cultural competency trainer, and ordained redevelopment/congregational vitality pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) – one of the first out LGBTQ Black women ordained in her denomination. Carla was the 4th Poet Laureate of York, PA and has toured the globe as a performer, multiply published and award-winning author, public speaker, and workshop facilitator / trainer. She specializes in areas of creative writing and storytelling, community-based advocacy and activism, survivor empowerment, trauma-informed care and mindfulness, diversity, and cultural competency.

Carla currently serves as Assistant to the Bishop in Charge of Justice Ministries, Lower Susquehanna Synod (south central PA region) and as a renewal pastor. She also writes regularly for Disrupt Worship, ELCA World Hunger, Sparkhouse, Faith@Home, Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries and others.

When not preaching and teaching, Carla co-facilitates a peer-support group for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, moonlights with the poetry-funk fusion band, Groove Ink, and shamelessly spoils her dogs, rabbit, and beloved goldfish.