Chad has a decade’s experience working with young people in para-church, church and social work settings. He graduated from Olivet Nazarene University with honors with a Bachelor’s Degree in Youth Ministry and a Minor in Christian Education. He has spent the last year and a half as the director of Christian education at Rockford United Methodist Church in Rockford, MI. Chad lives in Rockford with his beautiful wife Laura and their darling children Gavin, Micah and Sadie. When Chad is not busy enjoying has family and serving Rockford UMC he passionately works on his “pet project” The Shema Initiative (Deut. 6) which seeks to open dialogue between youth and children’s workers focusing on the process of engaging parents in the faith formation of their children. Chad has also worked with curriculum development for the company Sparkhouse and has written articles for the Immerse Journal (not yet published).

CONTACT INFO:

Chad Inman

Email: cinman (at) rockfordumc (dot) org

Website: http://shemaintiative.blogspot.com

Phone: (616) 402-5562

Twitter: @chadilacdude

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/chadilacdudesville

SPEAKING MINISTRY FOCUS:

• Spiritual Formation
• Youth Ministry
• Wesleyan
• Youth Culture
• Spiritual Direction
• Discipleship
• Middle School
• High School
• Young Adult
• Adolescence
• Youth Leader Training
• Ministry Growth
• Discernment

SPEAKING MINISTRY VENUE:

• Retreats
• Workshops
• Multi-Day Trainings
• Immersion Experiences
• Conferences
• Keynotes
• Other

TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

Traveling from Rockford, Michigan

My fee is $100 for local (Greater Grand Rapids) one-time speaking engagements. Multiple local speaking engagements are $100 per engagement. I charge $200/day for out of down speaking engagements plus travel expenses (whether it be mileage or airfare). Those out of town engagements that require that I arrive a day early or stay an extra day have a fee of $100 for those non-speaking days away from my home.

LANGUAGE: English

Bishop Wilke and his wife Julia are the developers and authors of the Disciple Bible Study program with over 3 million participants throughout the world. Disciple is now moving into an online format for youth. Bishop Wilke teaches and preaches on the nature of the Bible and how Bible study is key to the mission of personal and world transformation. Bishop Wilke is the Bishop in Residence at Southwestern College.

CONTACT INFO:

Bishop Wilke

Email : BeADisciple (at) sckans (dot) edu

Phone: 620-229-6246

To learn more about Youth Disciple Online go to www.BeADisciple.com/youthdiscipleonline

SPEAKING MINISTRY FOCUS:

• Bible
• Church
• Discipleship
• Evangelism
• Methodism
• Prayer
• Spiritual Formation
• Theology
• Wesleyan
• Youth Leader Training

SPEAKING MINISTRY VENUES:

• Conferences
• Keynotes
• Multi-Day Training
• Workshops
• Worship

BIO:

Sarah Arthur is a fun-loving speaker and the author of numerous books on the role of stories and imagination in spiritual formation. Her award-winning youth books include “Walking with Frodo: A Devotional Journey through The Lord of the Rings”; “Walking with Bilbo: A Devotional Adventure through The Hobbit”; “Dating Mr. Darcy: The Smart Girl’s Guide to Sensible Romance”; and “Walking through the Wardrobe: A Devotional Quest into The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.” A former full-time youth director at Petoskey United Methodist Church in Michigan (seven years), she is a 2009 graduate of Duke Divinity School, where she wrote her thesis on youth confirmation and served as an artist-in-residence at the Duke Youth Academy for Christian Formation. Her husband Tom is the pastor of Sycamore Creek United Methodist Church in Lansing, Michigan, where Sarah is a youth ministry volunteer.

Sarah is a regular speaker and workshop leader for United Methodist and Presbyterian youth events around the country, with particular emphases on confirmation, the sacraments, the Bible as story, fantasy and faith, girls and dating, and tough questions (e.g., theodicy). She is also a sought-after trainer for youth workers, thanks to her book “The God-Hungry Imagination: The Art of Storytelling for Postmodern Youth Ministry” (Upper Room Books). She has led workshops at the National Youth Workers Convention and served as a theologian-in-residence leading extended seminars at the Princeton Youth Ministry Forums.

In addition to speaking, Sarah has been writing youth and young adult curriculum for the United Methodist Publishing House since 1999, including the older youth component for the new CREDO confirmation resources. She is a regular contributor for DEVO’ZINE, has written numerous articles for the youth ministry journal IMMERSE, and recently contributed a chapter on youth confirmation for the book “Generation Rising: A Future With Hope for the United Methodist Church” (Abingdon).

When she isn’t writing or speaking, Sarah can be found chasing her toddler son, Micah, around the house, saying “You shall not pass!”

CONTACT INFO:

Sarah Arthur

Email: sarah (at) saraharthur (dot) com

Website: http://saraharthur.com

Phone: (517) 889 – 5540

SPEAKING MINISTRY FOCUS:

• Spiritual Formation
• Youth Ministry
• Bible
• Theology
• Prayer
• Worship
• Discipleship
• Sex / Dating / Intimacy
• Relationships
• Middle School
• High School
• Young Adult
• Church
• Youth Leader Training
• Writing
• Spirituality in Arts
• Vocation
• Discernment

SPEAKING MINISTRY VENUE:

• Retreats
• Workshops
• Multi-Day Trainings
• Conferences
• Keynotes

FEE LEVEL:

• 301-600
• 1000+

TRAVEL EXPENSES AND REQUIREMENTS:

Travels from Lansing, Michigan

Airfare, baggage fees, mileage, accommodations, and meals are to be covered by the host group. I’m willing to stay in people’s homes, as long as I have a private room and the home is pet and dander-free (I am VERY allergic to cats and dogs). I do not stay with single males (!).

I generally do not fly away from home for less than a $1000 honorarium. I am more flexible for local events (within 1-2 hours of Lansing, Michigan). But please contact me: we can always negotiate based on your budget and other issues.

A/V equipment, including projection capabilities, must be provided by the host group. Any expenses for handouts or other materials are to be covered by the host group (I don’t require much more than basic office or school supplies, so no worries!) .

LANGUAGE: English

BIO:

INTERESTING TO MOST: I believe in developing disciples through faith formation that allows young people to ask hard questions while caring adults travel with them on the journey. I also believe in Leadership Development. Big church or small church- young people are the same and deserve the chance to develop relationships with other youth and adults outside the four walls of their local church. He lives in Little Rock, Arkansas with his wife, Karen and son, Quin. Jay enjoys travel and live theatre.

INTERESTING TO SOME: Jay has served at several United Methodist Churches in Arkansas and now Pulaski Heights UMC in Little Rock. He worked for the New England Conference of the UMC, The Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew UMC in New York City and the Division on Ministries with Young People at the General Board of Discipleship in Nashville. While living in Arkansas, Jay has served on the Arkansas Conference Council on Youth Ministry (1987-1994, 1999-2002, 2007-current). He was also the Director of Youth 2007-The National United Methodist Youth Event in Greensboro, North Carolina and taught at Perkins School of Youth Ministry in Dallas.

INTERESTING TO FEW: Yesterday, I woke up and as I looked out the window I saw the garbage truck go by- then I realized I forgot to put the garbage out. Later, I noticed all of the cracks in the sidewalk. Wow…cracks. Who knew…

CONTACT INFO:

Jay Clark

Email: jclark (at) phumc (dot) com

Phone: (501) 944-8400

SPEAKING MINISTRY FOCUS:

• Spiritual Formation
• Youth Ministry
• Methodism
• Prayer
• Worship
• Spiritual Direction
• Discipleship
• Relationships
• Middle School
• High School
• Youth Leader Training

SPEAKING MINISTRY VENUE:

• Retreats
• Workshops
• Multi-Day Trainings
• Immersion Experiences
• Conferences
• Keynotes

FEE LEVEL:

• $301-600

TRAVEL EXPENSES AND REQUIREMENTS:

Traveling from Little Rock, Arkansas

Travel, lodging, and expenses. Projector and sound should be provided if at all possible.

LANGUAGE: English

BIO:

Jacob is a Young and Exciting speaker with a Fresh voice and perspective on the Gospel. With International speaking experience Jacob’s passion for young people and for the Gospel is evident to all who hear. That passion comes out through speaking in a way that is captivating and inspiring. Jacob strives to present the Gospel in a way that is real and pertinent to the way we live out the lives we are blessed with.

Jacob Currently serves as Director of Children Youth and College Ministries at Preston Hollow United Methodist Church in Dallas Texas. International speaking experience includes Frontier Lodge Christian Youth Camp in Quebec Canada and the Methodist Church in Veliky Novgorod in Russia.

Jacob was raised by a single mother and began attending church regularly when going though confirmation in 8th grade at First United Methodist Church Mansfield. Jacob took a strong leadership role in the large group even as a high school student. Jacob Graduated from McMurry University in Abilene TX in 2009 with a Bachelors degree in Business with a minor in religion and was recognized as the “Outstanding Graduate of 2009.” Upon graduation he got married to Kim and moved to the DFW area and began serving at Preston Hollow United Methodist Church.

CONTACT INFO:

Jacob Fields

Email: jacobw (dot) fields (at) gmail (dot) com

Website: http://jacobwfields.blogspot.com

Phone: (817) 343 – 3287

Facebook: http://facebook.com/fields.jacob

SPEAKING MINISTRY FOCUS:

• Spiritual Formation
• Bible
• Methodism
• Wesleyan
• Theology
• Prayer
• Worship
• Youth Culture
• Spiritual Direction
• Discipleship
• Relationships
• Middle School
• High School
• Young Adult
• Adolescence
• Missions
• Global Village
• Church
• Youth Leader Training
• Writing
• Evangelism
• Encouragement
• Ministry Growth
• Discernment

SPEAKING MINISTRY VENUE:

• Retreats
• Workshops
• Multi-Day Trainings
• Immersion Experiences
• Conferences
• Keynotes
• Other

FEE LEVEL:

• 101-300 (single workshops/day retreats)
• 301-600 (multi-day workshops/retreat)
• 601-1000 (keynotes/conferences)
• 1000+

TRAVEL EXPENSES & REQUIREMENTS:

Traveling from Dallas / Fort Worth, Texas

All Travel Expenses paid (including meals), prefer to fly United using my own Mileage Plus number. For trips within Driving Distance gov. mileage rate would apply for reimbursement.

When Speaking Internationally to different native tounges Translator Must Be provided

Prefer to book 90 days in advance but is not absolutely required.

* The option to bring my wife expenses paid helps a lot in consideration of the speaking opportunity

LANGUAGES:

• English
• Spanish*
• French*
• Russian*
• Other*

*Not fluent in language, but has first hand immersion in and comfortable working under bi-lingual circumstances.

Video:

BIO:

As a young, passionate, follower of Christ, I enjoy living in ministry for the God of the broken, redeemed, and restored. I love to share the message of the Gospel that has captured my heart and changed my life through the art of Spoken Word. Spoken Word is a form of poetry intentionally written to be performed or “spoken”. Through this, I engage anyone who is willing to listen with Christ’s message.

I am currently serving in full-time occupational ministry with middle school through young adult ministry for the West Ohio Conference of The UMC (technically my job title is Program/Resource Assistant for Discipleship Resources… but that doesn’t typically help others figure out what I do). I took this position straight out of undergraduate studies at Ohio Northern University. I completed a degree in Organizational Communication, minored in Religion and dabbled in Entrepreneurship during my time at ONU. Many of my Organizational Communication studies involved church structure, change theory, and multi-site ministry development. Before that I was heavily involved in a large, multi-site, local UM church, experiencing that community from the perspective of weekly operations. Going back a little further, I began my journey in Chrisitan leadership at the age of 12 when I served as, what I now recognize to be, the youth pastor. Just before I began that journey I felt my call to ministry. I didn’t quite understand enough to articulate a “call” but my life reflected what I felt in my heart was what God wanted me to do from that moment on.

I now understand my call to be and live out my call by helping other young people understand their call. When I discuss someone’s purpose and identity in Christ with them as a mentor and friend I know I’m in my ministry sweet spot. I’ve experienced the joy of this as a workshop leader, poet, speaker, mentor and personal coach. I could be engaging a community of thousands or having coffee with one.

CONTACT INFO:

Tiffanie Shanks

Email: tiffanie (dot) shanks (at) gmail (dot) com

Website: http://liveinministry.com

Phone: (661) 964-7516

Twitter: @TAShanks

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bytiffanieshanks

SPEAKING MINISTRY FOCUS:

• Spiritual Formation
• Youth Ministry
• Bible
• Prayer
• Worship
• Technology
• Youth Culture
• Discipleship
• Relationships
• Middle School
• High School
• Young Adult
• Adolescence
• Church
• Youth Leader Training
• Writing
• Spirituality in Arts
• Encouragement
• Vocation
• Discernment

SPEAKING MINISTRY VENUE:

• Retreats
• Workshops
• Multi-Day Trainings
• Immersion Experiences
• Conferences
• Keynotes

FEE LEVEL:

• 301-600
• 601-1000
• 1000+

TRAVEL EXPENSES & REQUIREMENTS:

Traveling from: Columbus, Ohio

All expenses for travel, lodging, and meals must be covered.
Option to use a microphone amplification system must be available under most circumstances.

LANGUAGE:

English

BIO:

Georgia Harrison has been working with youth for over 20 years. She has a BS in Math from Mississippi College and an MS in Math from Clemson University and worked in the software development field for 20 years. She has a Masters of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology and has been Commissioned as a Deacon in the United Methodist Church. She is currently the youth minister at Holy Covenant UMC in Carrollton, TX. Georgia has worked in churches of varying sizes from 20 youth to 400 youth! She has directed conference camp, and is certified

in Youth Ministry in the UMC. She loves working with youth at the conference and jurisdictional level as the adult coordinator of the North Texas Conference Youth Council. Her favorite part of youth ministry is getting youth involved in mission and toward this goal she helped found C2K, an urban youth ministry service opportunity in west Dallas. She also believes that it is critical for the church to educate youth ministers to prevent burnout and encourage long-term ministry.

CONTACT INFO:

Georgia Harrison

Email: georgia (at) mcyouth (dot) org

Phone: (214) 641-2174

Twitter: @UthGalGeorgia

Facebook: http://facebook.com/youthgalgeorgia

SPEAKING MINISTRY FOCUS:

• Youth Ministry
• Bible
• Methodism
• Wesleyan
• Theology
• Technology
• Discipleship
• Middle School
• High School
• Missions
• Youth Leader Training
• Evangelism

SPEAKING MINISTRY VENUE:

• Retreats
• Workshops
• Multi-Day Trainings
• Conferences
• Keynotes

FEE LEVEL:

• Free
• Free Local
• $0-100
• $101-300

TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

Traveling from Dallas, Texas

Meals, Hotel and Airfare Required

No travel restrictions

LANGUAGES:

English

BIO:

Erin is a lifelong United Methodist who has served in youth ministry in UMC and Presbyterian (PCUSA) churches for 15+ years. Balancing a life in ministry with marriage and three children, she is trained to present Real World Parent seminars and is also passionate about youth worker self care and training. She is also available to speak on student leadership and teaching Bible study to youth. United Methodist youth know, carry and read their Bibles – let’s make this true. References available.

CONTACT INFO:

Erin Sloan Jackson

Email: erin (at) ywmovement (dot) org

Website: http://umyouthworker.com

Phone: (817) 371-1127

Twitter: @ErinJackso

Facebook: http://facebook.com/erin.jackson

SPEAKING MINISTRY FOCUS:

• Youth Ministry
• Bible
• Methodism
• Wesleyan
• Discipleship
• Relationships
• Middle School
• High School
• Youth Leader Training
• Encouragement
• Ministry Growth
• Vocation
• Discernment

SPEAKING MINISTRY VENUE:

• Retreats
• Workshops
• Multi-Day Trainings
• Conferences

FEE LEVEL:

• Free Local **
• Free **
• 301-600
• 601-1000

TRAVEL EXPENSES REQUIREMENTS:

Travel hotel and airfare must be covered, two meals a day. Will need a projector and a sound system.

Real World Parent seminars require the purchase of workbooks ($10 each) for each participant.

Some travel destination restrictions. Contact to inquire further.

LANGUAGE:

English

CONTACT INFO:

Email: yplane (at) me (dot) com

Twitter: @yplane

Facebook: http://facebook.com/yplane

Phone: (256) 458-0196

Lane Gilbert

BIO:

I am a UMC Youth Pastor in Fort Payne, Alabama. I didn’t grow up in church so I often refer to my faith story as “the long way around”.  I have a passion toconnect kids with Christ and equip youth leaders to do the same.  I specialize in speaking about discipleship in a Wesleyan context, Discovery Weekends, D-Nows, Confirmation retreats and Purity events.  I also have ready made weekends where YOU don’t have to anything but hang out with students.

Send me an email or message on Facebook or Twitter and I can send you samples.

SPEAKING MINISTRY FOCUS:

• Spiritual Formation
• Youth Ministry
• Bible
• Methodism
• Wesleyan
• Theology
• Prayer
• Worship
• Youth Culture
• Spiritual Direction
• Discipleship
• Sex / Dating / Intimacy
• Relationships
• Middle School
• High School
• Young Adult
• Youth Leader Training
• Evangelism
• Ministry Growth
• Vocation
• Discernment

SPEAKING MINISTRY VENUES:

• Retreats
• Workshops
• Multi-Day Trainings
• Immersion Experiences
• Conferences

FEE LEVEL: FREE

TRAVEL EXPENSES AND REQUIREMENTS:

Just help with cost of travel and I’m yours. If it is an overnight, lodging can be at church or memeber house.

Traveling from Northeast Alabama

LANGUAGE: English

Growing up in El Paso, Texas, Andy Stoker learned to appreciate people from a variety of backgrounds, cultures and passions. With his grandparents living just two blocks away and a supportive blended family, he felt the love of God through lots of humor, love, humor, differences, humor, grace and humor. As a lifelong United Methodist, Andy found himself called more deeply to ministry with people. He heard God calling him to be a phenomenal weatherman, but that required higher math . . . Then, he heard God calling him to stand-up comedy, but that required a lot of years of Ramen noodles . . . Then, he heard God calling him to share the love of Christ to people who were weathering storms and needed a reminder that God loved them even when the laughing stops.As Andy was discerning his call to ministry at Texas Tech University, he met a young woman who was in nursing school and working at a church as a youth and university intern. Her name was Megan Callahan; her knowledge of people and faith quickly impressed him. Megan and Andy became partners in ministry and soon found themselves considering partnership for life. After having earned bachelor’s degrees, on January 10, 1998, Andy and Megan were married. Megan began work at Children’s Medical Center and Andy started seminary at Perkins School of Theology. Before completing seminary in 2001, Andy served a two point charge in Henderson, Texas, and Greenland Hills United Methodist Church.In 2002, Andy was commissioned an elder in the North Texas Conference and appointed to First United Methodist Church of Denton. He served as associate pastor with youth, university students and young adults. He was ordained elder in Wichita Falls, Texas, in 2005. As he continued his work at FUMC-Denton, he found himself in a variety of other ministry areas in the church including adult education and mission ministries. While at FUMC-Denton, he completed a Doctor of Philosophy in Family Studies from Texas Woman’s University. His dissertation research focused on adolescent identity formation in “tweens” and “emerging adults.” More importantly, FUMC-Denton saw Megan and Andy grow their family with two boys: Alex, now seven, and Wesley, now two.In 2008, Stoker received an appointment to the North Texas Conference as Associate Director of Connectional Ministries for Children, Youth, Family and Camping. From the Conference position in 2010, Andy Stoker received a Lilly Foundation Fellowship to serve First United Methodist Church of Dallas. In this position, Stoker is learning large church systems and leadership competencies for a large church pastorate.
CONTACT INFO:

Email: andy (at ) andystoker (dot ) com

Website: http://andystoker.com

Phone: (940) 597-7754

Twitter: @revdrandystoker

Facebook: http://facebook.com/rev.andy.stoker.phd

Address: Associate Minister, FUMC-Dallas Lilly Resident, 1928 Ross Ave., Dallas, Texas 75201

SPEAKING MINISTRY FOCUS:

• Youth Ministry
• Comedy
• Methodism
• Wesleyan
• Theology
• Youth Culture
• Discipleship
• Sex / Dating / Intimacy
• Relationships
• Young Adult
• Adolescence
• Research
• Global Village
• Church
• Youth Leader Training
• Encouragement
• Ministry Growth
• Vocation

SPEAKING MINISTRY VENUES:

• Retreats
• Workshops
• Multi-Day Trainings
• Immersion Experiences
• Conferences
• Keynotes

FEE LEVEL:

• $601-1000
• $1000+

TRAVEL EXPENSES AND REQUIREMENTS:

Travels from Dallas, Texas

Dr. Stoker prefers to be as GREEN as possible. He is available to Skype in. Otherwise travel, housing and vegetarian meals shall be included.

LANGUAGES:

• English
• Spanish