Our team of seminar presenters offer many years of youth ministry, counseling and parenting experience – and they are all excellent communicators!
Jim Burns
Jim Burns is the president of HomeWord. He speaks to thousands of people around the world each year. He has close to 2 million resources in print in 20 languages. He primarily writes and speaks on the values of HomeWord, which are: Strong Marriages, Confident Parents, Empowered Kids, and Healthy Leaders. Some of his most popular books include: Confident Parenting, The Purity Code, Creating an Intimate Marriage, Closer, and Doing Life With Your Adult Children. Jim and his wife, Cathy, live in Southern California and have three grown daughters, Christy, Rebecca, and Heidi; two sons-in-law, Steve and Matt; and two grandchildren, James and Charlotte.
Joel Lusz
Joel has ministered for the last 25 years with both Young Life and the local church. Currently he is the Youth Pastor at Suntree United Methodist Church in Melbourne, Florida. He has authored or co–authored numerous books including Just Shoot Me and Youth Ministry Lemonade–Turning Sour Experiences Into Leadership Success. Joel is the founder and president of “GoYouthMinistry,” a ministry based website that provides churches and student ministries with resources, ideas, and encouragement. Joel and his wife, Angie, live in Melbourne with their two daughters, Koral and Willow.
Kelly Fellows
Kelly heads-up a national network of leaders who work with children, tweens, teens and young adults. He has over 20 years of experience pastoring multi-generations. He is a husband and father. The Fellows family is committed to leading a generation to discover and become exactly who God has created, called and commissioned them to be. Kelly Fellows [National Minister] Foursquare NextGen Ministries – International Church of the Foursquare Gospel NextGen Pastor – New Hope Christian Fellowship (Simi Valley, CA).
Megan Hutchinson
Megan is a follower of Jesus, a wife, proud mom, youth minister of 20+ years, national speaker and author who is energetic and passionate (some use the word crazy) about being real in a broken world. Their home church is The Following, where they are earnestly learning what it means to be apprentices of the Master. Megan is all about going to the deep end of the pool. So, if you’re willing, jump!
Wayne Rice
Wayne is the founder and director of Understanding Your Teenager seminars. He began working with teenagers in 1963 and has authored numerous books for youth workers, parents, and teens including Junior High Ministry, Cleared for Takeoff, Enjoy Your Middle Schooler and Read This Book or You’re Grounded. He is also the co founder of Youth Specialties and a pretty good banjo player. He and his wife Marci live in Lakeside, California and have three grown children.