MEET REV. DR. MIKA EDMONDSON

Biblical Scholar. Servant of God’s People. Compassionate Pursuer of Justice.

Rev. Dr. Edmondson serves as the Pastor of Koinonia, a gospel-centered, cross-cultural church launched in 2020 with a heart to reflect the beauty and diversity of God’s kingdom. His ministry is shaped by a deep commitment to the authority of Scripture, the unity of the church, and the call to pursue justice with compassion and consistency.

A respected biblical scholar, Rev. Dr. Edmondson earned his Ph.D. in systematic theology from Calvin Theological Seminary, where he became the first African American to do so. His dissertation, Unearned Suffering is Redemptive, explores the theology of redemptive suffering in the life and thought of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He also holds a Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt Divinity School and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics from Hampton University.

Before returning to Nashville, Rev. Dr. Edmondson was the founding pastor of New City Fellowship, a congregation in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He has also taught as an Adjunct Professor and continues to write and speak widely on theology, justice, and discipleship.

He is joined in ministry by his wife, Dr. Christina Edmondson, a gifted public scholar and leader. Together with their two daughters and Mika’s mother, the Edmondson family is deeply rooted in the life and mission of Koinonia.

In his own words:

“We are gospel-centered first and are deliberately pursuing cross-cultural accessibility because of our gospel-centeredness and commitment. We seek to be accessible to God’s diverse people in our worship, our walk together, and our witness for the sake of the gospel… This new work will be multi-culturally accessible toward the end of enabling and expecting ALL the people whom our God would call to FULLY participate in our communion in the worship of God and mutual edification.”

If you would like to connect with Rev. Dr. Edmondson for pastoral care, prayer, or conversation, please email info@koinonianashville.com. Be sure to note if your message is confidential. Office hours are Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9am to 2pm.

DR. CHRISTINA EDMONDSON | COFOUNDER AND ELDER OF LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND STRATEGY

Dr. Christina Edmondson is an NAACP Image Award-nominated author, co-host of the award-winning Truth’s Table podcast, sought-after emotional health and faith speaker, and organizational consultant.

Known for humor, wisdom, and empathy in communication, however, it is often Dr. Edmondson’s strategic work behind the scenes that has earned her the reputation of an emotionally intelligent truth teller and change-maker within higher education, corporate, faith-based, and entertainment spaces.

MEET LEAH TOUSSAINT

Executive Director of Ministries
Wise Leader. Compassionate Facilitator. Faithful Servant.

Leah Toussaint serves as Executive Director of Ministries at Koinonia, where she leads with discernment, grace, and deep spiritual conviction. Overseeing church operations and the finance committee, Leah is known for her emotional intelligence, organizational strength, and unwavering commitment to the flourishing of God’s people.

A daughter of missionaries, Leah grew up immersed in a life of faith, global service, and gospel-centered discipleship. That early formation instilled in her a lifelong love for the Church and a passion to see it thrive in both spiritual depth and operational health.

Leah holds a Master’s degree in Public Health and brings a strong background in nonprofit management, with professional experience in public health advocacy, social services, corporate training, and ministry program development. Her academic foundation in biology, sociology, and public health is woven seamlessly into her ministry leadership—anchored in Scripture, justice, and care for the whole person.

At the core of Leah’s life and leadership is a deep love for the worship of God. For Leah, worship is not just an activity—it’s a posture of the heart. She approaches all of her ministry responsibilities with reverence and praise, desiring that every task, whether seen or unseen, would be done as unto the Lord. This posture shapes everything from her administrative oversight to her prayerful mentorship of others.

Throughout her life, Leah has served the church in a wide variety of roles, including:

• Missions, Outreach, and Community Engagement

• Youth and Young Adult Ministry

• Women’s Ministry Leadership

• Biblical Teaching and Discipleship

• Choir Director and Praise Team Leadership

• Intercession and Prayer Ministry

Whether she’s facilitating meetings, developing ministry strategies, or praying with a member of the congregation, Leah serves with humility and joy—firmly rooted in the belief that all ministry flows from worship and obedience to God.

She regularly prays the words of Psalm 90:16–17:

“May Your work be shown to Your servants, and Your splendor to their children. May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish for us the work of our hands—yes, establish the work of our hands!”

Leah’s meeting hours are Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 2pm. To connect with her, ask questions, or schedule a meeting, please email ltoussaint@koinonianashville.com.

CODY BALFOUR | DIRECTOR OF FAMILY LIFE

Cody is a native of Tulsa and a descendant of great grandparents who were directly impacted by the infamous Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, in Greenwood. At 15 years old, after spending years with his father incarcerated since his infancy, Jesus graciously saved Cody as he was walking home from a party. That changed his life forever. Cody earned a Bachelors in Pastoral Ministry and Theological Studies from Welch College. He is directly connected with the impact of mass incarceration on women and people of color in the United States. His true passion is teaching God’s word and listening to the vulnerable in our society. He believes that justice is the core element of our salvation, seeing that God seeks to make the world right and begins with those made in His image (Romans 3:21-26). Cody’s mission as Director of Family Life is to show how Jesus redefines family (Matt 12:46-50).

Cody’s office hours are Tuesday-Friday from 10 am to 6 pm. Reach out with any questions or meeting inquiries at cbalfour@koinonianashville.com.

BRIAN SEAY | WORSHIP DIRECTOR

Brian is proudly from Birmingham, AL, a city rich in history and where his family marched in the Civil Rights Movement. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Business and an MFA in Recording Arts & Technologies. Today, he has the privilege of being a Professor at Belmont University, and leads the Gospel & R&B Ensemble, Voxology. His passion for working with people is evident through years of leading vocal groups at various universities and churches.

“I love the ability of the power of music to connect communities and glorify the name of Jesus. I eagerly look forward to witnessing how God will work through our worship community in the Bordeaux area, not only to bring glory to His name but also to empower His people.”

With questions regarding Sunday worship or music ministries, contact Brian at bseay@koinonianashville.com.

KIM LANNEAR | PATHWAY COORDINATOR

Kimberly Lannear is a communicator and connector with a degree in Communication from Boston University and over 15 years of experience across tech sales, marketing, and nonprofit leadership. With a heart for justice, the arts, and spiritual formation, she brings both professional excellence and deep compassion to every role she serves in. Kimberly believes in creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and empowered to grow. As she serves as the Pathway Coordinator, she hopes to help cultivate a culture of God’s grace, love, healing, and purpose—where members, visitors, and the local community can deepen their spiritual walk. With questions regarding Connect Group Ministries or Membership, contact Kim at klannear@koinonianashville.com