Bringing the Word
The Gathering featured some of today’s most inspiring
Christian teachers and offer training opportunities for ministers
and spouses, with the goal of more effectively fulfilling
the
Great Commission.
Paul Baloche
Paul Baloche has written some of this generations most compelling worship songs, songs that have become the soundtrack for believers all over the world in times of worship both corporate and private. His approach to his calling is simple, yet profound: "The best worship songs come as a byproduct of worship." Paul Baloche is a worshipper. And its that heart for God that fuels his creativity as a songwriter and worship leader.
"Every few years, I get to record our journey of faith in song. These song ideas were primarily birthed in our church while experiencing life together as a family of believers. These are the most recent worship prayers that we have been praying and singing when we gather as a community." - Glorious Album
Watch Paul's Testimony and view worship training videos here.
Mark Batterson
Mark Batterson is the lead pastor of Washington, DC’s National Community Church, widely recognized as one of America’s most innovative churches. NCC meets in movie theaters at metro stops throughout the city, as well as in a church-owned coffee house near Union Station. More than seventy percent of NCC’ers are single twentysomethings who live or work on Capitol Hill. Mark is a widely read blogger and the best-selling author of In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, Wild Goose Chase, and Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity. He lives on Capitol Hill with his wife, Lora, and their three children.
Michael Smalley
Michael Smalley’s passion is in teaching couples the principles of loving well and loving for a lifetime through his signature straightforward, no-nonsense advice. Michael’s message inspires, motivates and challenges people to thrive in their most important relationships.
Earning a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Wheaton College in Chicago, he has authored several best-selling relationship advice books including Communicating with Your Teen, The Men’s Relational Toolbox, the DNA of Relationships, More than a Match, and Don’t Date Naked. In 2005, Michael and his wife Amy launched the Marriage Restoration Intensive program, working hand-in-hand with couples to teach them valuable skills to maintain their marriages. He currently serves as the co-founder of the Smalley Center.
Michael has enjoyed 15 years of marriage to only Amy and makes his home near Houston, Texas. They have three children, Cole, Reagan, and David.
Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil
Dr. Salter McNeil is a dynamic preacher, evangelist and thought-leader with over 20 years of experience in the field of racial and ethnic reconciliation. She is the president and founder of Salter McNeil & Associates. Through her speaking, teaching and writing, she boldly declares a vision that unites, transforms and brings healing to people from every tribe and every nation. Together with her husband, Dr. J. Derek McNeil and their two children, she stands at the forefront of an international movement to advance the Kingdom of God.
She has earned a Masters of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary, a Doctorate of Ministry from Palmer Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Humane Letters from North Park University, where she currently serves as a Scholar in Residence. She is the author of the new book, A Credible Witness: Reflections on Power, Evangelism and Race.
Dr. Wayne Schmidt
Dr. Schmidt accepted the invitation to become Vice President for Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University in fall 2009. He served on the Kentwood Community Church pastoral staff for 30 years, during which Kentwood developed into one of the flagship churches in the denomination, while becoming increasingly multi-ethnic and planting 10 churches.
He has addressed churches and conferences around the globe and is the author of several books, including Accountability: Becoming People of Integrity, Leading When God is Moving, Soul Management, Lead On, and Power Plays.
Rev. Keith Loy
Keith Loy grew up in a pastor’s family and started working in ministry in 1983. He planted Celebrate in Sioux Falls, SD in 1999 which has grown to over 3700 in attendance. Keith endeavors to share his gifts of leadership development and his ideas on creativity and excellence in the weekend services. He has discovered the importance of nurturing talents, being relevant and intentional.
Keith has a Master of Divinity from Briercrest Biblical Seminary in Canada and is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Leadership. He credits his wonderful wife, Kay and two beautiful daughters, Jordan and Jaidyn, as a foundational part of what God has been doing at Celebrate Community Church, where he is senior pastor.
Branden & Jenn Petersen
Wesleyan Worship Leaders
Branden and Jenn lead the Arts and Worship ministry at Collin Creek Community Church in Plano, TX. They are passionate worshippers, musicians and songwriters who long to see God glorified, lives transformed and the world changed! They have been guest worship leaders for various retreats, churches, and conferences across the country. Many of their original songs are also being sung in churches around the world. As an accomplished music producer and recording engineer, Branden has produced albums for various artists.
Together they run the non-profit worship ministry Infusion Ministries, through which they take their creativity and passion for worship worldwide. Most recently, Infusion is partnering with World Hope International to launch the Reach 4 Life program in Mozambique, Africa. For more information about their music, go to jennpetersen.com and infusionministries.com.
Branden & Jenn's favorite ministry lies under their own roof with their children, Aidan and Emma.
Jeff Allen
Comedian
Jeff Allen combines clean, hilarious humor with inspiration like no other comedian working today. He performs on television and radio, in comedy clubs, in large churches, and as a keynote speaker for corporations. Jeff is a former atheist from Chicago’s South Side. He was a victim of alcohol and drug abuse, living a depressing life and struggling to get by from day to day. After years of rage, sadness and pain, Jeff and his wife Tami decided to call it quits. With divorce papers signed, they were 10 minutes from the courthouse when they decided to try again. Jeff turned to Alcoholics Anonymous, and through generous help from a total stranger, found comfort in God. Jeff says, “The single greatest gift I get from my relationship with Jesus is peace. For the first time in my life, I am at peace in my own skin. From that peace, I am able to do what I love to do—make people laugh. I’ve been a comic for 20+ years, and right now I’m having the time of my life.”
Featured Seminars:
Gordon MacDonald
The Resilient Pastor:
Strategies for Persevering and Finishing Well
Gordon MacDonald is an author, speaker, and teacher. He was a pastor for more than forty years and has written more than a dozen books such as, A Resilient Life, Ordering Your Private World, Secrets of a Generous Life, The Life God Blesses, Renewing Your Spiritual Passion, When Men Think Private Thoughts and Mid-Course Correction.
MacDonald also serves as Editor-at-Large with Leadership Journal, a publication of Christianity Today. He speaks frequently at conferences for the Willow Creek Association both here in the US and in other parts of the world. Privately, he engages with company leaders as an executive coach.
Dr. Gary McIntosh
Strategic Planning: Taking Your Church To the Next Level and Managing Conflict in the Local Church
As a professor of pastoral ministry, Dr. McIntosh is keenly interested in assisting the pastor to refine his skills. He is a church growth expert who has examined the issue from a variety of perspectives, and edits the Church Growth Network newsletter and the Journal of the American Society for Church Growth. He has published over 100 articles and reviews in Christian magazines and theological journals. He is the author of 13 books including One Size Doesn't Fit All; One Church, Four Generations; Staff Your Church for Growth; and Biblical Church Growth.