Our Story
Established in 2023, Bakos Project was born out of a deep desire to see young Christian LGBTQ and intersex leaders thrive in their faith and spiritual gifts. The name “Bakos,” honors the contribution of the Ethiopian eunuch to the global Church. While the Church has expended significant energy on theological debates concerning sexual and gender minorities, much less attention has been given to the tremendous contributions that LGBTQ and intersex Christians make to the Church and society.
We believe sexual and gender minorities are called by God to build-up the Body of Christ and advance the common good. We mentor LGBTQ and intersex Christians in their 20s and 30s who demonstrate a commitment to Christ and exhibit leadership qualities. We also preserve the history of Christian sexual and gender minorities through the Bakos Historical Archive.
Bakos Project is a creedally orthodox and fully-affirming organization. The program is ecumenical and caters to LGBTQ and intersex Christians who come from evangelical, evangelical-adjacent, Catholic and other more traditional backrounds.
Are you an LGBTQ or intersex Christian? Become a Bakos Fellow!
We want to walk alongside LGBTQ and intersex Christians who love Jesus and want to use their gifts to serve God, whether in ministry or in the public/community sphere. You have so much to offer! We see you and affirm God’s calling on your life. Our goal is to support you through mentorship and community to be and do all God has for you. Apply to join one of our intimate annual cohorts of Bakos Fellows.
Our Vision
To increase the number of Christian sexual and gender minorities who use their God-given gifts for building-up the Body of Christ and advancing the common good.
Meet Our Mentors
Karen Keen is co-founder and Executive Coordinator of Bakos Project. As a biblical scholar and spiritual care provider, she has spent much of her career working in higher education with young adults, as well as with pastors and ministry leaders. She loves helping people connect with God and use their gifts to make a difference. Karen holds a MS in education (counseling) from Western Seminary, a MA in exegetical theology from Western Seminary, and a ThM in biblical studies from Duke Divinity School. She is also a spiritual director trained by the Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ), a congregation of Catholic sisters in the Ignatian tradition.
Ewduar “Ed” Parra has been a mentor with Bakos Project since its launch in 2023. He has more than two decades of ministry experience, including church planting, prison ministry, and Christian education. Ed grew up on a coffee farm in Columbia and brings an international perspective to Bakos Project. He and his husband Ben are actively involved in their Madison, Wisconsin church, including a Spanish Bible study.
Sally Gary is the founder and Executive Director of CenterPeace, a nonprofit that has been building Christian spiritual community for LGBTQ people since 2006. She is also co-founder of Bakos Project, which operates under the auspices of CenterPeace. Gifted in pastoral care, Sally has years of experience working with young adults, including as a former professor at Abilene Christian University in the Communication Department. Sally holds a MA in Communication from her alma mater ACU, as well as Doctor of Jurisprudence from Texas Tech University School of Law.
Ben Kerns has been a mentor with Bakos Project since its launch in 2023. He has several years of ministry experience. After Bible college, he worked in church planting, youth ministry, and discipleship programs. He has also taught intercultural studies. He lives with his husband Ed in Madison, Wisconsin, where they are active in their church.