Shasta is a graduate of Grace College & Theological Seminary with a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Indiana Wesleyan University. Her passion for counseling began at an early age, driven by a deep calling to help the broken find healing. Ordained in The Wesleyan Church in 2013, she has been actively serving since her teenage years, with a heart for both the church and those working in ministry. Shasta has extensive experience in various settings, including churches, residential care, and community environments, and has received training in several therapeutic approaches, including Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy. She and her husband have served as youth pastors for over 20 years and have a 4-year-old daughter. In addition to her counseling work, she provides premarital, marriage, and crisis counseling, sings on the worship team, and leads Bible studies. Shasta is passionate about teaching, speaking at camps and conferences, and enjoys spending time with family, friends, and meeting new people. She loves Jesus, muscle cars, music, coffee, lip gloss, and shoes.

Jhinika Louve received her B.A in Christian Ministries, M.A in Spiritual Care, and Master of Social Work Degree from Indiana Wesleyan University. Her interests and training are in religious and spiritual issues, trauma, attachment issues, anxiety, and depression. Jhinika uses a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy lens but adapts based on the clients needs. She has experience working with adolescents that are facing mental health and/or behavioral issues, individuals across the age span, and families. Her passion is not to just help people but help others help themselves and to gain confidence in their voice and capability in doing hard things. Jhinika was born in Haiti but grew up in North Carolina most of her life. In her spare time Jhinika enjoys going on prayer retreats, reading, watching K-dramas or Turkish dramas, and spending time with friends and family. 

Krystal Talley is a devoted follower of Jesus and a loving mom, dedicated to serving the Lord for many years. Her heart’s desire is to see people set free and fully embrace the calling God has placed on their lives. With a special gift for helping others recognize their God-given potential, Krystal has faithfully served in prayer and outreach ministries for over 15 years, completing prayer assignments throughout the Carolinas and wherever the Holy Spirit leads her. Some of her most meaningful prayer missions have taken place right in her home as a foster parent. Recently, Krystal has been serving as an Elder at One Church in High Point, NC, continuing her mission to uplift and empower others in their walk with God.

Dr. Ed Love serves as the Executive Director of Church Multiplication and Discipleship, mobilizing healthy, multiplying churches and ministries that reach the lost, least, and leaders of all generations, communities, and cultures with the hope of Jesus Christ. Previously, Love has led a student ministry, planted two multiplying churches, daughtered and coached multiple church plants, developed a church planting network, and has served for six years as the Director of Church Multiplication of The Wesleyan Church. Love is passionate about seeing lost people found, disciples making disciples, and churches multiplying churches until every man, woman, and child has a relationship with Christ and the church. He also loves raising up emerging leaders and serves as an adjunct professor of church planting and multiplication for Wesley Seminary.

Love received his M.DIV. from Asbury Theological Seminary and obtained his D.MIN. from George Fox Evangelical Seminary, with an emphasis in semiotics and emerging leadership. Love is the author of Revive, Pioneers, Fear Not, Reclaiming Hope, Turn, and many other church multiplication resources.

He and his wife, Emily, celebrate 20 years of marriage. They reside in Gaston, IN with their three spunky kids, Jennah, Josiah, and Micah. Love enjoys any activity in God’s great outdoors and engaging in evangelism with guys on the local basketball courts.

Andrea is a pastor, professor and preacher. She is the Dean of Spiritual Formation and Campus Pastor at Indiana Wesleyan University. She loves to preach and teach Scripture and is passionate about raising up the next generation of leaders for spiritual awakening. She lives in Marion with her husband, Jeremy, and four kids. 

Jordan Davis brings 20 years of passion and experience in kids ministry to the table. Known as a dedicated networker and coach, he also embraces his love for BBQ, earning him the nickname “@smoking pastor.” Jordan has been married to his wife Kati for 18 years, and together they are raising three boys: Jayce (17), Kaden (14), and Josiah (8). They are the heart behind “The Smoking Pastor Project,” a nonprofit that serves their community by bringing free food to those in need. Jordan serves at Church at the Crossing and plays a pivotal role at KidzMatter, where he is the Dean of KidMin Academy. His mission is to equip and inspire others in ministry while crafting meaningful connections and spreading joy, one bite at a time.

Angie is the Kids Director at Grace Fellowship in Pickerington, Ohio.

She has worked in Kids Ministries, in a variety of roles, for over 20 years.

Angie has also written curriculum and a preteen discipleship series.

She loves helping kids fall in love with Jesus, partnering with parents as they raise Christ followers, celebrating life change with volunteers, and equipping church leaders as they follow Gods calling!

Jesse Pratt shares an awesome life with Aimee, his wife of 28 years. They live just south of Columbus, Ohio near their adult daughter Caitlynn, son Coleton and daughter-in-law Grace.  Jesse is a pastor, church planter, speaker, consultant and entrepreneur. He has been involved in church multiplication for over 20 years. He enjoys consulting with churches and leaders on strategies for healthy church multiplication and disciple-making.  Jesse is passionate about his walk with Jesus and loves serving the Wesleyan Church as the Director of Church Multiplication.

For over 25 years, Chris has been in the trenches of student ministry, leading healthy teams of staff and volunteers. From starting a ministry with a single student to a growing ministry to over 200, he has helped young people discover and live out their life as followers of Jesus. A guiding statement in his ministry is, “The students we work with may be young, but the Holy Spirit within them is not!” Throughout his journey, Chris has developed a passion for building thriving teams— composed of both students and adults—who are passionate about serving in their calling and using their gifts. In addition to leading staff, Chris has served as a campus pastor and held various other roles within the church. As a Certified Christian Leadership Coach (CCLC), Chris founded Pathway Coaching to help leaders in both the marketplace and non-profits. His focus is on empowering leaders in their journey of character development, guiding them toward a more confident, competent, and content life. Chris is passionate about creating a space for leaders to process their challenges, gain self-awareness, and develop a clear plan to move forward on the path God has for them.

Todd Sloan has been in ministry for a decade, serving in church planting, kids ministry, and youth ministry, and is now lead pastor at Fellowship Community Church in Spring Hill. He leads as the Director of the Wesleyan Thrive Financial Initiative but has benefitted from the Initiative both as a participant and district coordinator. With firsthand experience of how timely support can be crucial for thriving in ministry, Todd views this initiative as a vital way to help churches flourish by supporting pastors, especially in their financial challenges, which often bring significant hardship. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Christian Ministries from Indiana Wesleyan University and a Master of Divinity from Wesley Seminary.

Jim “Umfundisi” Lo has a distinguished career in ministry and education. He served as a preventive medicine instructor in the U.S. Army, where he received the Distinguished Preventive Medicine Student Award. Over the years, he has held roles as a youth pastor, lead pastor, and missionary to Southern Africa and Cambodia for 14 years. Jim also served as assistant district superintendent for the Indiana North District for 10 years, and currently works as the prayer coordinator and “Circuit Rider” for the Crossroads District. At Indiana Wesleyan University, he was a professor, dean of chapel, Campus Intercessor, and division chair for 28 years, where students voted him professor of the year five times. He was awarded the IWU Alumnus World Changer Award, inducted into IWU’s Athletic Hall of Fame, and received the IWU Presidential Leaders Award. Now, he serves as the General Director of World Missions for the Churches of God-Holiness. Jim has been married to his wife, Roxene, for 50 years.

Justin is an author, speaker, and pastor who dedicated his life to helping people experience life change through the power of authenticity. He is co-founder of RefineUs Ministries, sharing his personal story with honesty and transparency, inspiring others to find the courage to do the same.

Justin is the co-author of the bestselling book, Beyond Ordinary: When a Good Marriage Just Isn’t Good Enough, which he wrote alongside his wife, Trisha. He is the author Being Real > Than Being Perfect: How Transparency Leads to Transformation, which was a USA Today best-seller in 2023

He is a sought-after speaker for numerous conferences, churches, and leadership events, inspiring audiences with a message of hope and transformation through the grace of Jesus.

Justin loves to spend time with his family. Justin and Trish have been married for 28 years, have five kids and live in Indianapolis, IN

Doug Routledge, along with his wife Dawn, founded Crossroads Farm (CRF) in 1999, which has become the heart of his ministry and passion. As a lifetime youth worker, Doug has spoken across the country at colleges, churches, festivals, and conferences, known for his unique and fresh perspectives on familiar stories. He is a published illustrator and the author of the award-winning children’s book Waking the World and the ARMS Training Servant Leadership Series. His greatest joy is equipping youth workers to minister to rural teenagers. CRF is a cooperative rural youth ministry that transcends denominational lines to engage, equip, and impact rural students and volunteers with the Gospel. The ministry offers social, educational, spiritual, and relational opportunities for students in surrounding counties through discipleship, weekly programs, and outreach events. Doug’s deep love for kids and God’s Word is evident in everything he does. For more information about Crossroads Farm, visit www.crossroadsfarm.org.

Juan Mario Rangel is known for his integrity, hard work, and authenticity. A Marion High School graduate, he served in the U.S. Navy before earning a B.A. in Business Management and an M.A. in Organizational Leadership from Indiana Wesleyan University. With over 17 years at Indiana Wesleyan, he has held various roles, discovering his passion for mentoring and empowering others. He has served as Director of Campus Police & Emergency Management, TRIO Advisor, and is now the Executive Director for the Intercultural & Global Office. Mario has been actively involved in numerous committees, including leading the Emergency Preparedness Team and the Campus Equity Response Team. A devoted family man, he enjoys fishing, hunting, gardening, and bike rides with his wife, children, and granddaughters. His life motto is, “It’s not about doing the extraordinary, but about doing the ordinary things extra.”

Dave Rahn (PhD, Purdue University) began working with Youth for Christ in 1972 before joining Huntington University faculty in 1985, where he taught for 30+ years. He has published more than 100 articles, essays and books and collaborates widely to unleash adolescent influence, convinced that “once-aimless teens can turn the tide of culture when they’re captivated by Christ.” His most recent co-authored book will be published by D6/Randall House in early 2025. Retiring from Youth For Christ USA in 2020, Dave is currently an elder at his local church, board chair for Vibrant Faith, Senior Researcher for the Arbor Research Group and Senior Advisor to the TENx10 Collaboration (tenx10.org). He and Susie married in 1976, live in Middlebury, Indiana and enjoy their five grandchildren.

In 1995, Troy “PE” Evans, has been married to Dawn for 28 years. He started his professional career as an IT Engineer working for GM, Red Cross & The Bing Group. He later launched an Tech company in the metro Detroit area. After moving to Grand Rapids to plant his second church he started a marketing company, providing services for church’s, international recording artists among other organizations. In the past 27 years, Troy has planted and served as pastor of 4 urban churches. He has been featured on 700 CLub, TEDx, Focus On the Family, Failure Lab, NPR & Exponential. Troy is the Co- Owner of Hustle Pray Eat and serves as the Urban Church Planting Catalyst for the United States for the Wesleyan Church. He went on to establish a urban church planting network in the UK. Troy currently serves as Founder & President of Nitrogen Urban Network where they are committed to equipping pastors, leaders & churches to do the work of urban ministry. 

Daniel and Stephanie Freemyer have been in ministry together for 22 years, impacting children’s and youth programs in North Carolina, Indiana, and California. Now based in Marion, Indiana, they continue to shape these ministries while raising their two teenage sons. Daniel, holding a PhD in First Testament Literature, works as a Bible Coach, assisting pastors with sermon preparation. Stephanie serves as the Children’s Director at College Wesleyan Church and is the founder of WonderSpace, a ministry dedicated to the well-being of children and families through intentional play.

Courtney moved to Eastern Europe 3 years ago after completing her Masters at Asbury Theological Seminary and is currently the Eastern Europe Mission Director. She is passionate about reaching the unreached, enabling people to grow holistically, and encouraging them to live faithfully. Beyond those things, you can often find Courtney looking for the next great adventure, baking delicious baked goods, or sipping a strong cup of coffee with friends.

Rev. Zach Coffin has been pastoring since age 19 and preaching since age 16. Formerly the Director of Next Generation Ministries for The Wesleyan Church World Headquarters, Zach is known for teaching individuals and churches to embrace a Holy Spirit-led life through his passionate preaching, thought-provoking teachings, and presence-driven coaching. A trusted consultant and coach, Zach regularly finds himself on the frontlines of cultural conversations around gender, sexuality, and generative AI. He runs a consultancy providing fractional leadership/coaching to executive teams, business owners and pastors. He teaches teams how to think and use GenAI, serves as the Director of Partnership for Kingswood Learn, and Director of The Higher Ed Marketer. Zach holds bachelor’s degrees in Christian Ministry and Christian Education from Indiana Wesleyan University and a master’s in Pastoral Theology from Kingswood University. In 2022, he received the “Distinguished Alumni Award” from Indiana Wesleyan University. Zach and his wife, Becca, have been married for 17 years and have two daughters. They spend their summers traveling the country speaking at camps and churches. Connect with Zach at zachcoffin.com or on social media @zcoffin.

Kerri-Ann Hayes has been a children’s and family ministry leader in Central Florida since 2000 and now serves as a lead consultant with Ministry Architects. She has a Disney family heritage, a hospitality management background, and a love for the local church that all shifted nicely into the world of family ministry. She has led children’s ministry in both single and multi-site churches while also serving in youth ministry. During her years of serving families, Kerri-Ann developed a passion for those struggling to find their place in the church due to the special needs or disabilities of their children. She loves supporting and equipping churches to be accessible to families with special needs or traumatic backgrounds and is the author of The Accessible Church. Kerri-Ann and her husband, Tom, live in Clermont, Florida, where they raised their three children.

Santes Beatty has over 25 years of ministry and leadership experience, particularly in Next Gen spaces. He joined the Wesleyan Church in 2010 and served as a High School Pastor at Kentwood Community Church in Michigan. Before this, he spent 12 years as a Children, Youth, and Young Adult Pastor in North Carolina. Santes is passionate about revival through prayer and fasting, starting within families and spreading globally. He holds a Master’s in Ministry Leadership from Huntington University and is ordained in both the Wesleyan and Baptist traditions. Currently, he serves as the Student Pastor of ONE Church in High Point, NC, and also holds national roles with Mosaix Global Network and Second Chair Solutions. Previously, he was the Lead Pastor of Mosaic Midtown in Detroit and the Director of Multiethnic Ministries for The Wesleyan Church. Santes lives in Greensboro, NC, with his wife Nicole, their five children, a granddaughter, and their Golden Retriever, Cami.

Vanessa graduated from John Wesley University with a BA in Psychology and Christian Ministries and then went on to receive her master’s degree from Liberty University in Professional Counseling. She has been in private practice since 2016. Vanessa is an ordained pastor and has been a ministry for thirty years. Vanessa is married to the love of her life Robert and has five children, four extras as she calls them and one granddaughter. Vanessa York is a true coffee addict! In fact, if she is not counseling adolescents or ministry workers in her private practice you will probably find her at the local Starbucks. Vanessa’s passion is pouring into people for healing, growth, and finding ones’ true calling. She also has a passion for helping hurting people and changing the stigma of mental health in society and especially in faith-based communities through counseling, preaching, and trainings.

Annette fell in love with children’s ministry in the 1980s and has never looked back. After graduating from Bible college in 1991 with a certification in children’s ministry, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Texas A&M University, and a Master’s from SMU. Over the years, she has consistently served in various roles in the church from volunteer to director of children’s ministry. Annette has been a member of the Ministry Architects team since January of 2012, and co-authored Sustainable Children’s Ministry with Mark DeVries in January of 2018. She loves to share the joy of children’s ministry with others through workshops, trainings, and national conferences. She lives in McKinney, TX with her husband Kevin, and their two children, and enjoys traveling, cooking, and writing.

Brent is husband to Rev. Natasha Dongell with three amazing daughters(Roya, Alea, & Olivia) and has served in different ministry leadership roles over 22 years across three countries (US, Canada, New Zealand) and four states (South Carolina, Michigan, Indiana, & California). Before stepping into serving God and the Wesleyan church by teaching students as a NextGen professor for the last 11+ years, Brent previously served as a youth pastor, young adults pastor, assistant pastor, campus pastor, and Global partners short-term missionary and has spoken at a variety of summer camps over the years and breakout speaker for the occasional conference. Brent has published two books The Hard Twenty Somethings(2013) and Faith Risks(2023) and recently finished his doctorate through Columbia International University’s Intercultural degree program with his dissertation titled “Clarifying Growth to Spiritual Maturity From the Viewpoint of American Christian Gen Z Emerging Adults in Upstate South Carolina”

Pastor Carmelle serves as the Youth and Assistant Pastor at Newborn Wesleyan in Newark, NJ, where she oversees all church departments and ministers to the youth. She is the first woman and the youngest person to hold these positions at her church. Additionally, she serves as the district youth pastor for the northeast district within the Wesleyan Church, supporting youth and young adult ministries across the tristate, Boston, and Upstate New York. Pastor Carmelle also leads workshops, coordinates events like biblical conferences and revivals, and preaches to diverse congregations. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Divinity to further enrich her ministry. A proud Haitian-American, she is fluent in English and Creole and also works in case management to support immigrant and refugee families. Outside of ministry, she enjoys reading, exploring the arts, spending time with her parents, and experimenting with new recipes.

Rev. Michaela Wickham is deeply passionate about Jesus and the abundant life available through walking with Him and engaging in His Kingdom. Raised in the church, she committed to Jesus at 14, inspired by John 10:10 to help others experience the fullness of life He offers. After pursuing a college softball career at Southern Wesleyan University, Michaela stepped into roles in Residence Life and local church ministry as a campus-site coordinator and worship leader. She currently resides in Central, South Carolina, where she serves as Coordinator of Worship Arts & Spiritual Formation at Southern Wesleyan University. Michaela also speaks globally through Forge Ministries, inspiring others in their faith. With a heart for ministry leaders, she is dedicated to asking challenging questions and guiding others in practical steps to deepen their relationship with God.

Torrey currently serves as the University Pastor at Oklahoma Wesleyan University. Prior to moving to Bartlesville, OK in 2020, she served on staff at Cypress Church in Columbus, OH as the Groups Pastor. She’s a 2017 graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University. Her passion in this life is helping young adults find and follow Jesus.

Dr. Josh Lavender is from Indianapolis, where he lives with his wife Megan and serves as the Worship Pastor of Indiana Wesleyan University. Josh received his doctorate from The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies and uses his education and experience to invest in training worship leaders.

D.J. began following Jesus at 18 after reluctantly attending a Christian conference that changed his life. Before his conversion, he pursued money, even through unethical means. Now, D.J. enjoys spending time with his wife Sarah, reading with his daughter Jubilee, wrestling with his son Benaiah, and keeping his youngest son Abel safe. He serves as an Assistant Professor of Practical Theology at Indiana Wesleyan University, where he is passionate about God’s ministry of reconciliation. D.J. holds a Doctor of Ministry in Church Leadership and Community Witness from Candler School of Theology. His diverse pastoral experience includes work in children’s ministry, student ministry, refugee ministry, prison ministry, and special needs ministry. With a deep love for the Global Church, D.J. has traveled extensively and leads cross-cultural classes, offering students study abroad opportunities. In addition to his academic and ministry roles, he is a sought-after speaker and enjoys DJing in his spare time.

Joshua Sims is currently the Director of Student Ministries at Sent Church in Plano, TX. He has served in various ministry roles since 2008, particularly in worship, youth, and young adult ministry. Though he is motivated by cultivating unity and spreading the gospel, his greatest joy in life is simply being a husband to his wife Stefanie, and father to his 6 beloved children. 

Rev. Katie Lance has 15 years of experience in church planting and multiplication. Katie planted Thrive Church and is currently serving as the Director of Discipleship for The Wesleyan Church. She is passionate about coaching, equipping, and mobilizing leaders to multiply disciple-making movements. She is also the author of the forthcoming book Live And Lead Anointed. Katie resides in Michigan with her husband Randy and their teen boys, Simon and Levi.

“Michael Jordan is professor of theology at Houghton University.  He is the author of Healing Worship in an Age of Anxiety and is passionate about the intersection of Christian spirituality and mental health.  He is married to Jill and they have five great kids!”