OUR ACTS XXIX FAMILY

We are missionaries of hope called by God to renew and transform the Church.

  • Fr. John Riccardo

    Missionary | Executive Director

    Fr. John was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit in 1996. In 2019, after 23 years in parish ministry, he founded Acts XXIX to proclaim the gospel in an attractive and compelling way and to equip clergy and lay leaders for the age in which God has chosen us to live. Fr. John is a graduate of the University of Michigan, the Gregorian University, and the Pope John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family.

  • Mary Guilfoyle

    Missionary | Rescue Project Lead

    Mary is a wife, mother, and grandmother. She’s been a missionary with ACTS XXIX since its founding in 2019. Mary has served in parish ministry most of her adult life, and was most recently a parish Director of Evangelization and Discipleship. While at the parish, Mary equipped over 100 parishes across the country in prayerfully discerning how to best care for those in the pews and reach the fallen away and the lost. Mary is the co-host of the You Were Born For This Podcast with Fr. John Riccardo, is the lead for The Rescue Project, and serves on the leadership team equipping bishops, pastors and their leaders for mission. She is passionate about speaking to the importance of healing in order to be ever more fruitful on mission. She’s a graduate of Washburn University.

  • Albert Faraj

    Missionary | Chief Mobilization Officer

    A husband, father, and grandfather, Albert has been active in parish life throughout his entire adult life. He brings over 30 years of experience in leadership in both entrepreneurial and corporate settings. His expertise includes developing leadership teams, vision and strategy, and operationalizing transformation. His work has spanned multiple continents. He is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University and the University of Michigan.

  • Rick Popp

    Missionary | Leadership Teams Lead

    A husband and father, Rick is a recognized authority in leadership with over 30 years experience as a consultant and HR executive. As an active part of the leadership team, he equips bishops, pastors, leaders, and their teams for Mission. Rick is a graduate of Northern Michigan University.

  • Emilie Stevenson

    Missionary | All Things Creative

  • Joe Csicsila

    Missionary | Lorraine Cross Media

  • Julie Kavulich

    Missionary | Authentic Hospitality & Beauty

  • Kelly King

    Missionary | Accounting & Office Management

  • Laura Knaus

    Missionary | Missions Coordinator

  • Leslie Kemp

    Missionary | Donor Support

  • Jonathan Hill

    Missionary | Executive Admin

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ACTS XXIX benefits from the leadership and counsel of its Board of Directors, which is composed of thought-leaders in faith, business, and media representing diverse industries across the country.

Most Reverend Edward J. Weisenburger

Archbishop, Detroit, Michigan

Most Reverend Samuel J. Aquila

Archbishop, Denver, Colorado

Michael Bishop

Former SVP, First Tennessee Capital Markets Group

Lisa Brenninkmeyer

Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Walking With Purpose

Richard Genthe

Retired Owner, Genthe Chevrolet

Sharon Hyland Sisbarro

United States Marine Corps Officer

Harry Kemp

Chief Administrative Officer, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary, Lear Corporation

Kathleen McCann

Executive Partner, Nonantum Capital Partners

Michael Perkins

President, St. Kevin Foundation

Michael Ritchie

Executive Vice President, Head of National and Specialty Businesses, Comerica Bank

EMERITUS MEMBERS

Most Reverend Allen H. Vigneron

Most Reverend Michael Byrnes

Al Kresta †

Pat Lencioni

EPISCOPAL ADVISORY COUNCIL

The Episcopal Advisory Council prayerfully supports the mission of ACTS XXIX and its members help inform our decision-making.

Most Reverend Allen H. Vigneron

Archbishop Emeritus, Detroit, Michigan, Chair

Most Reverend Samuel J. Aquila

Archbishop, Denver, Colorado

Most Reverend Paul S. Coakley

Archbishop, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Most Reverend Bernard A. Hebda

Archbishop, St. Paul-Minneapolis, Minnesota

Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann

Archbishop Emeritus, Kansas City, Kansas

Most Reverend Alexander K. Sample

Archbishop, Portland, Oregon

Most Reverend Earl K. Fernandes

Bishop, Columbus, Ohio

Most Reverend Daniel E. Flores

Bishop, Brownsville, Texas

Most Reverend James R. Golka

Bishop, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Most Reverend Robert D. Gruss

Bishop, Saginaw, Michigan

Most Reverend Daniel H. Mueggenborg

Bishop, Reno, Nevada

Most Reverend Daniel E. Thomas

Bishop, Toledo, Ohio

OUR HEROES

Our Lady

“The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.”

- LUKE 1:49

St. Paul

“…the gospel is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.”

- ROMANS 1:16

St. Joan of Arc

“I am not afraid. God is with me. I was born for this.”