The History of the Christian Transhumanist Association

Origins (2013-2014)

The Christian Transhumanist Association originated in a small community of people on blogs and online discussion groups in the early parts of 2013.

On June 6th, 2013, Micah Redding posted a signup form for those interested in forming a Christian Transhumanist Association.

On July 7th, 2013, Micah Redding published a Call for Interest in a Christian Transhumanist Association, and Giulio Prisco publicized it farther. That call led 24 additional people to sign a statement of interest. Those initial names include:

Micah Redding, Lincoln Cannon, James M Ledford, Jason Xu, Jordan Rastrick, Giulio Prisco, Ilia Stambler, Therese Price, Siddartha S Verma, David Hamilton, Thomas Nowell, Micko Hjort, Joe Nickence, Hanno van Tonder, Dorothy Deasy, Snooz, Richard Lyne, Vicky Beeching, John Jastrow, Dan Hegelund, Ryan Hogan, Pace Ellsworth, Andrés Gómez Emilsson, James Michael Moffett, Peter Tovarich

This culminated with the launch of a Christian Transhumanist Association discussion group on November 1, 2013.

Over the next several months, we discussed purpose, direction, and plans, through both email and video chats, as new people joined in. On March 29, 2014, Christopher Benek joined the discussion.

On April 3, 2014, the group decided to form an organizational task force, and on April 11, 2014, we held a video hangout for those wishing to do the initial legwork to get the group going. Those attending were Micah Redding, Christopher Benek, and Dorothy Deasy.

The group determined that they should file for legal recognition, and we began working on that process. The association was formally recognized by the state of Tennessee on May 15, 2014, with Micah Redding as Executive Director, and board member positions as required by the state: Christopher Benek (chair), Dorothy Deasy (secretary), and Emily Redding (treasurer).

Membership Launch, 501c3, and Board Reorganization (2014-2017)

That was just state recognition, however, and so the long process of acquiring 501c3 status began.

On July 30, 2014, the first bylaws were adopted. What followed was further paperwork and preparation.

In January 2015, the application for 501c3 status was officially filed with the IRS.

In February 2015, a month-long membership campaign began. By the end of the month, approximately 14 people had signed up and contributed to the campaign, becoming founding members of the association. Those names include: David Winyard, Jack Zaleski, Josiah Redding, Dan Hegelund, Mark Waser, John Michael Maier, Jonathan Burchel, James Ledford, Lincoln Cannon, Carl Youngblood, R Michael Perry, Jonathan Gunnell .

In March 2015, we held elections for our first Membership Advisory Council, selected by the voting members. Our first membership council consisted of: James Ledford, Lincoln Cannon, Jonathan Gunnell, Dan Hegelund, Ryan Hogan.

On October 6, 2015, the CTA announced its first major donation, with a $1200 gift to the Embrace Infant Warmer project, signifying our commitment to the combination of technology, compassion, and respect for human life.

Also announced was the first CTA Logo, selected by the membership campaign donors.

In December 2015, we received official recognition from the IRS as a 501c3.

Over the next few months, in conjunction with pastors, academics, laypeople, and the Board and the Membership Advisory Council, we composed the Christian Transhumanist Affirmation, which was circulated for public signing on March 30, 2016.

In 2016, a new Membership Advisory Council was elected, consisting of Lincoln Cannon, Amy Henry Gaskin, Jonathan Gunnell, Ryan Hogan, Neal Locke. There was much discussion about how to continue the evolution of the CTA.

On July 18, 2016, the Board and the Membership Advisory Council were merged, creating an operating board consisting of: Christopher Benek, Dorothy Deasy, Emily Redding, Lincoln Cannon, Amy Henry Gaskin, Jonathan Gunnell, Ryan Hogan, Neal Locke.

In early 2017, Christopher Benek and Dorothy Deasy announced they would step down, to let others serve, and to focus on other activities that could be of help.

Current Management Structure (2017-2022)

This led to the first full board election in March 2017, with 8 seats to be filled. The winners of that election: Lincoln Cannon, Emily Hogan Redding, Amy Gaskin, Jonathan Gunnell, Robert Walden Kurtz, James Ledford, Neal Locke, Gabriel Redding.

James Ledford later resigned, and Timothy Langer was appointed to fill the vacancy.

In July 2017, Humanity+ affiliated with the Christian Transhumanist Association.

In March 2018, three board seats were up for re-election, and those elected were Jonathan Gunnell, Mark Russell, and Mike Morrell. In April, Agbolade Omowole, Jenne Erigero Alderks, and Heather Goodman were appointed to one-year officer positions.

On August 25th, 2018, the first ever Christian Transhumanist Conference was held at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN, with keynote speaker Aubrey de Grey.

In March 2019, three board seats were up for re-election, and those elected were Neal Locke, Lincoln Cannon, and Blaire Ostler .

On October 19th, 2019, the second Christian Transhumanist Conference was held at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN, with keynote speakers Science Mike and Liz Parrish.

In March 2020, three board seats were up for re-election, and those elected were

Omar Reyes,
Lorenzo Barberis Canonico (COO),
and Micah Redding (CEO).
.

In March 2021, four board seats were up for election, and those elected were

Martha Bucaram,
Jonathan Gunnell,
Elias Kruger,
Mark Russell
.

In March 2022, three board seats were up for election, and those elected were

Lincoln Cannon,
MacKenzie Fisher,
Caleb Strom
.

Initial Interest Group (2013)

On June 6th, 2013, Micah Redding posted a signup form for those interested in forming a Christian Transhumanist Association.

On July 7th, 2013, Micah Redding published a Call for Interest in a Christian Transhumanist Association, and Giulio Prisco publicized it farther. That call led 24 additional people to sign a statement of interest. Those initial names include:

Micah Redding, Lincoln Cannon, James M Ledford, Jason Xu, Jordan Rastrick, Giulio Prisco, Ilia Stambler, Therese Price, Siddartha S Verma, David Hamilton, Thomas Nowell, Micko Hjort, Joe Nickence, Hanno van Tonder, Dorothy Deasy, Snooz, Richard Lyne, Vicky Beeching, John Jastrow, Dan Hegelund, Ryan Hogan, Pace Ellsworth, Andrés Gómez Emilsson, James Michael Moffett, Peter Tovarich

This culminated with the launch of a Christian Transhumanist Association discussion group on November 1, 2013.

Founding Members (2015)

In February 2015, a month-long membership campaign began. By the end of the month, approximately 14 people had signed up and contributed to the campaign, becoming founding members of the association. Those names include:

Micah Redding
Christopher Benek
David Winyard
Jack Zaleski
Josiah Redding
Dan Hegelund
Mark Waser
John Michael Maier
Jonathan Burchel
James McLean Ledford
Lincoln Cannon
Carl Youngblood
R Michael Perry
Jonathan Gunnell

Board Members & Officers (2014-today)

Micah Redding     (2014- )     (Board 2014-2022, Executive Director 2014-2022, Chair 2017-2022)
Christopher Benek     (2014-2017)     (Board 2014-2017, Chair 2014-2017)
Dorothy Deasy     (2014-2017)     (Board 2014-2017, Secretary 2014-2017)
Emily Redding     (2014- )     (Board 2014-2020, Treasurer 2014-2022)
Lincoln Cannon     (2015- )     (Membership Council 2015-2017, Board 2016-2022)
Jonathan Gunnell     (2015- )     (Membership Council 2015-2017, Board 2016-2022, VP 2022-)
Dan Hegelund     (2015-2016)     (Membership Council 2015-2016)
Ryan Hogan     (2015-2017)     (Membership Council 2015-2017, Board 2016-2017)
James McLean Ledford     (2015-2017)     (Membership Council 2015-2016, Board 2017-2017)
Neal Locke     (2016-2022)     (Membership Council 2016-2017, Board 2017-2022, VP -2018)
Amy Henry Gaskin     (2016-2018)     (Membership Council 2016-2017, Board 2017-2018)
Robert Walden Kurtz     (2017-2020)     (Board 2017-2020)
Gabriel Redding     (2017-2019)     (Board 2017-2019)
Timothy Langer     (2017-2018)     (Board 2017-2018)
Mike Morrell     (2018-2021)     (Board 2018-2021)
Mark Russell     (2018- )     (Board 2018-2022)
Jenne Erigero Alderks     (2018-2019)     (Secretary 2018-2019)
Heather Goodman     (2018-2019)     (Officer 2018-2019)
Agbolade Omowole     (2018-2019)     (VP 2018-2019)
Blaire Ostler     (2019-2021)     (Board 2019-2021)
Brian Sigmon     (2019-2020)     (Secretary 2019-2020)
Omar Reyes     (2020- )     (Board 2020-)
Lorenzo Barberis Canonico     (2020- )     (Board 2020-, Secretary 2020-)
Martha Bucaram     (2021- )     (Board 2021-)
Elias Kruger     (2021- )     (Board 2021-)
MacKenzie Fisher     (2022- )     (Board 2022-)
Caleb Strom     (2022- )     (Board 2022-)

See who the Board are today.

First Donation, Logo, and Christian Transhumanist Affirmation (2015-2016)

On October 6, 2015, the CTA announced its first major donation, with a $1200 gift to the Embrace Infant Warmer project, signifying our commitment to the combination of technology, compassion, and respect for human life.

Also announced was the first CTA Logo, selected by the membership campaign donors.

Over the next few months, in conjunction with pastors, academics, laypeople, and the Board and the Membership Advisory Council, we composed the Christian Transhumanist Affirmation, which was circulated for public signing on March 30, 2016.

In July 2017, Humanity+ affiliated with the Christian Transhumanist Association.

Conferences (2018-2019)

On August 25th, 2018, the first ever Christian Transhumanist Conference was held at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN, with keynote speaker Aubrey de Grey.

On October 19th, 2019, the second Christian Transhumanist Conference was held at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN, with keynote speakers Science Mike and Liz Parrish.