Breakout sessions : "Q&A on Hell and Other Related Topics" | "Q&A: Any Subject"

Randy Alcorn is an author and the founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM), a nonprofit ministry dedicated to teaching principles of God’s Word and assisting the church in ministering to the unreached, unfed, unborn, uneducated, unreconciled, and unsupported people around the world. His ministry focus is communicating the strategic importance of using our earthly time, money, possessions and opportunities to invest in need-meeting ministries that count for eternity. He accomplishes this by analyzing, teaching, and applying the biblical truth.

Breakout sessions : "Sharing the Gospel 101" | "Walking by the Spirt"

Zane Black is passionate about the new life and purpose that he has found with Jesus, and sharing it with teenagers across the nation. It wasn’t until after high school that Zane discovered following Jesus is the greatest adventure in life. With a surfer-cool style, attitude and a heart that is on fire for Jesus; Zane has a unique way of relating to teens about the struggles they’re going through and shows them the freedom they can have in Christ.

Breakout Session: "Q & A: Spoken Word & Evangelism"

Dynamic, soulful, experimental, and clever, all focused on the heart of a person. With an uncompromising message intertwined with hot rhythms and beats, Los Angeles based, Propaganda, lyrically puts together potent relevant music and poetry that reaches across the spectrum of youth and pop culture. Bringing with him years of classroom teaching and community service experience, he is eloquently bold in the message of each song and never shies away from a strong poetic element in his music. His Subject matter ranges from staying accountable God as well as standing up boldly for one's faith both in word and in one's life. Not to mention aggressive battle rap and political awareness.

Breakout sessions : "Pray 21" | "Student leadership 101"

Tim is the President and CEO of Endeavor (christianendecavor.com). He has been training young people to do ministry for over 20 years and continues to volunteer as a youth mentor at the church where he serves as lead pastor. He is the founder of the Pray with Youth™ campaign, and author of the Complete 21™ discipleship series, designed to help young people discover, develop, and deploy a God-sized mission for their life.

John Branyan is a comedian who specializes in clean material. He is an improv player with Think Tank, has participated in Jay Leno’s National Comedy Competition, and has toured the country with other big names in comedy. He has written for the American Comedy Network is a co-writer and performer in the successful theatrical presentation, Crazy Love, which toured for three years. Crazy Love, Banyan plays a patient seeing his therapist making comical observations about relationships.

Breakout sessions : "Recruiting, Training, & Motivating Leaders" | "Connecting with Students: Real Relationships in a World of Isolation"

President of The Source for Youth Ministry, Jonathon is the author of numerous books including Ministry By Teenagers, Connect: Real Relationships in a World of Isolation, and the award winning book Do They Run When They See You Coming?

Breakout sessions : "Raising Student Leaders for Generational Impact" | "Grow Down": Helping Students Plant Their Roots More Deeply in Jesus"

Ken has served as a ministry catalyst to emerging generations for 20+ years with churches and ministry organizations (e.g. YFC, InterVarsity, etc.) throughout the United States and Canada. Ken also serves as a strategic missional partner with Youth For Christ in Northern Ireland. As a professor of youth ministry at Crown College (St. Bonifacius, MN), his passion is to see students equip successive generations to deepen their response to Jesus. 

Breakout Session: "No Time Left to Shout": Living in Light of Jesus' Imminent Return

Jon Glock currently holds the position of Vice President for Student Development at Emmaus Bible College. He maintains a dynamic itinerant preaching ministry as he frequents camps and conferences across North America. Jon has served at Emmaus since 1994 both as the Director of Admissions and as adjunct faculty.

Breakout Session: "Sex, Life & the Glory of God"| "Fight Like a Man!": How to Battle Sexual Temptaion

Ben is a native of Southern Ontario, Canada and was involved in a number of ministries in his home church. Ben received his B.S. in Biblical Studies from Emmaus Bible College and continued his graduate work at Dallas Theological Seminary, earning his M.A. in Biblical Counseling. Ben worked in the Dallas area for a number of years in private practice and at the nationally known Minirth Clinic specializing in adolescent rehab and conflict resolution.

Breakout Sessions: "God's Design for Healthy Relationships" (girls only)

Alice Harmon is the Teen Program Coordinator for FOCUS Ministries, an organization that offers education and training for individuals, churches, and organizations who want to help bring hope and healing to the victims of domestic abuse. A personal survivor of domestic abuse, she has not only received extensive training on the cycle and types of abuse and the impacts it has on those involved, she has experienced the effects firsthand. Driven by her past experience, Alice is committed to helping young people avoid violent and abusive situations by educating them about establishing healthy relationships.

Breakout Session: "Developing Creativity in Ministry"

Dean Houdeshell is one of Iowa's premier balloon artist/entertainers. He has been twisting balloons and entertaining for the past 10 years. After completing a Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) course in teaching children effectively several years ago and feeling lead by the Spirit, he began working and leading in kids ministry. Today, he has a passion for using his talents and abilities to develop fun, interactive and dynamic ways to present Bible stories and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Breakout Sessions: Just for Girls: Besties, Bullies and Betrayal | For Adult Leaders: 10 Things Your Volunteers Want You to Know.

A former youth pastor, Kara now works as the Director of Children and Families for the Northwest Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church. She lives in St. Paul with her husband and two kids.

Breakout Session: What to do with Jesus' Questions

Jason Ostrander is the newly appointed leader for Simply Youth Ministry at Group Publishing in Loveland, Colorado where he lives with his wife Calu and two boys, Liam and Jams.  For the last five years Jason has been the National Youth Director for the Christian and Missionary Alliance as well the director for Envision Culture.  Jason is well-traveled speaker and filmmaker, and has recently authored a new book 99 Questions Jesus Asked.

Breakout Session: “Souled Out” – Using Drama to Shout the Gospel: Developing an Evangelistic Drama Ministry with Students

Raised in Alaska Dawn has a great passion in expressing her love for God through visual examples. She has been involved in dance/drama ministry for years. As the leader of the teen ministry Souled Out at Grace Church she works closely with teens at getting the message of the Lord out with music. Helping others use their talents and abilities body and soul for God. Souled Out presents the gospel to local high schools, churches, parks and missions trips as well as helping other groups begin similar ministries.

Breakout Sessions: "Developing a Leadership Team" | "Strategic Youth Ministry: Every Event & Program has a Purpose" | "Shout Where Students Are: Keys to Starting Public High School Ministry"

Jonathan is a 35 year Christ-follower who is saved by grace (believe us he needs it daily).  Through his weaknesses the Holy Spirit has helped him personally disciple a lot of students over the years and is passionately committed to the Great Commission.  Any students that are serving Jesus full time as a result of his influence give proof to the power of the Holy Spirit.  His lovely wife, Kim, endures his attempts at humor and his three children have no choice to love him because they were born into the family.

Breakout Sessions: "Mission Trips from Start to Finish" | "Games, Games & More Games"

Josh Colyer began working at Grace Church in August 2001 as the Junior High Youth Pastor. In his time here, he has served as Youth Pastor, Junior High Youth Pastor, and is currently the Junior High and Children’s Pastor. Josh was married to Jenise on June 8, 2002 and they have three children and one on the way:  Caleb, Kietlyn, and Landon.

Breakout Session: "5 Simple Technology Tools: Ideas to Help You Expand Your Ministry"

Jake is the assistant pastor at Grace Fellowship and leads their worship teams and Gospel Communities. He also assists with various ministry and leadership needs.  Jake graduated from Moody Bible Institute and has lead worship for many different ministries, served in college ministry, and small group ministries. He is passionate about empowering people to use thier gifts for the glory of God and advancement of the good new of Christ. Jake married his high school sweetheart, Sarah, on August 2, 2008 and they welcomed their first child into the world in October of 2012.

Pastor Phil has been associated with Grace Church since 1984. In the early days, he served as co-pastor along with Pastor David Nelms. In 1989, he was commissioned and sent to Peru S.A. as a church planting missionary evangelist. The 13 years in Peru left an indelible imprint on him to remain committed to co-laboring with God in making true disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.