Ed Young is a pastor, author and conference speaker noted for his creative communication style. He has a passion for making the complex simple, as he speaks truth to people in ways they can understand and apply to their everyday lives. With a passion to equip and train leaders in the church, Ed began C3 Global, CreativePastors.com and the Creative Church Conferences (C3) in order to provide resources to thousands of pastors and leaders around the world. Ed has also had the opportunity to publish several books on the topics of leadership, Christian living, marriage and parenting. Ed’s latest book, The Fear Virus, was released in June 2020. He and his wife, Lisa, have four grown children and four grandchildren.

Pastor Mac and Julie Richard founded Lake Hills Church in 1997, with the aspiration to redefine church for the city of Austin and beyond. Mac and Julie believe deeply in the unique power that the local church has to change lives and unite people. They are committed to living out and sharing the vision of LHC: to grow the community of Christ one life at a time. Serving as LHC’s Lead Pastor, Mac is a passionate communicator, creative thinker, and highly practical teacher. Recognizing the opportunity that the church has to develop Christ-centered leaders in the home, community, and marketplace, Mac founded SPUR Leadership in 2009. Mac and Julie have been married for over twenty-six years and have two children, Emily and Joseph.

Dharius Daniels is a cultural architect and trendsetter for his generation. He is the founder and Lead Pastor of Change Church. Change Church is a vibrant ministry that impacts people of all ages, socioeconomic classes, and ethnic backgrounds. Pastor Dharius has developed a Breathtaking Ministry concept that describes the standard of excellence: a standard that is apparent in his commitment not only to ministry but also to education. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi, a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey, and a Doctorate of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. He has a versatile gift and speaks frequently in seminaries and churches across the country. He is married to Shameka Daniels and they are the proud parents of two sons Dharius Seth and Gabriel Micah Daniels.

Pastor David Hughes is the Lead Pastor of Church by the Glades, a multicultural fellowship with multiple campuses in South Florida. He has been part of a church resurrection, seeing a declining congregation of less than 500 soar to over 9000 in average worship attendance. Creativity, cutting-edge worship, and a passion for helping people far from God connect with Christ are key components in the mixology of this innovative church. A graduate of Baylor University and Southwestern Theological Seminary, Pastor David is a homegrown South Florida product, sensitive to the diversity and unique opportunities of the area. He is honored to love and lead CBG alongside his wife Lisa since 1998. They have three children: Charlie, Victoria and Zane.

Bil Cornelius is the founder and lead pastor of Church Unlimited, formally Bay Area Fellowship, in Corpus Christi, Texas. With a relentless focus on seeing lives changed, a heart for planting churches, and a successful television ministry, Church Unlimited has grown to over 8,000 weekly members, making it one of Outreach Magazine‘s Top 100 fastest-growing churches in America. As a result of their balanced ministry, Church Unlimited received the prestigious Church Health Award from Pastor Rick Warren and Purpose Driven Ministries. With their latest campus launch in San Antonio, Church Unlimited is focusing every effort on taking their ministry worldwide. Bil lives in Texas with his wife, Jessica, and their three children.

In early 2000, Brad and Stephanie White moved to Tampa to start a church, simply put, “For people who don’t do church.” Since their humble inception in an apartment complex, The Gathering Church has grown to see thousands of people come and experience authentic life change through the simple yet powerful message of Jesus. Brad’s life passion is to clearly and creatively communicate God’s Word with a variety of cultures and life stages. Every week, Pastor Brad helps the lost and broken find restoration through Jesus Christ. Brad & Stephanie live in Tampa with their 3 children: Landon, Caroline & Catherine.

Dr. Ben Young is a writer and pastor at Second Baptist Church, a diverse, multi-ethnic church with over 20,000 people attending weekly services online and on six campuses throughout the city of Houston. The author of several books, including Room for Doubt, Devotions for Dating Couples and Why Mike’s Not a Christian, Dr. Young is also an adjunct professor at Houston Theological Seminary where he teaches homiletics, apologetics and practical theology. He was educated at Baylor University, Southwestern Theological Seminary and Bethel Theological Seminary in San Diego. Having hosted a nationally syndicated radio talk show for years and serving as chaplain for the Houston Astros, Dr. Young also enjoys surfing and practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Pastors Galen and Kay Woodward moved to Albuquerque in 1981 to become Youth Pastors at what was then First Family Church. After 12 years of leading in that capacity, they were named the new Lead Pastors, bringing with them a fresh vision that would serve not only the Church, but the surrounding communities and the world for the next 28 years. After more than four decades in ministry, Pastors Galen and Kay transitioned their role as Lead Pastors, of what is now Citizen Church, to their oldest son Dustin and his wife, Mandy. Pastor Galen has now taken on the new role as a Pastoral Oversight of the church.

Dr. John Cross recently transitioned from serving as president of C3 Global to follow God’s call to become the senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Sarasota. He previously served as senior pastor of South Biscayne Church for over 27 years. During that time, the church experienced tremendous growth and saw thousands of lives changed for the glory of God. In 2017, the church merged with Fellowship Church. In addition to preaching at churches and conferences in the United States, he has also traveled globally to speak in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Ukraine, Turkey, Kenya, Ecuador, Romania, Haiti, Norway, Costa Rica, and India. John holds degrees from Mercer University (Bachelor of Arts) and Southwestern Seminary (Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry). John is married to Dawn, and they have five children: Courtney, Brooke, Hope, Blake, and Kirk. They enjoy serving the Lord together as a family.

Pastors Daren & Laura Carstens became senior pastors of New Testament Fellowship in 2000. The mission was to imitate the church of the New Testament. In 2009 the church name was changed to Enjoy Church to express the church’s heartbeat, encapsulated in the scripture in John 10:10 – “I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance to the full, till it overflows.” With a passion for life and a desire to help people reach their full potential, Daren mixes humor, encouragement, and a practical life-changing message of hope.

Pastor Tim Chambers is responsible for casting the vision that motivates Fresh Start Church. With a staff and volunteer base of over 400 individuals, Tim guides the organization into a Christ focused future. Tim believes in consistently pushing the envelope, raising the bar, and reaching the one. With almost three decades of ministry experience, his perspective and understanding of church growth and trends is unprecedented. Using this wisdom, he coaches other pastors in both our community and abroad. Pastor Tim was raised just outside of Detroit, Michigan and married his wife, Donna, in 1983. He graduated from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO with a B.S. in Youth Ministry and a minor in Church Studies.

Dr. Chris Stephens is the Senior Pastor at Faith Promise Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. He holds a Doctor of Ministry degree in Evangelistic Church Growth from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and has a fervent dedication to reaching the lost. Dr. Stephens has a genuine passion to encourage, inspire and equip others to discover and use their God-given gifts, finding and fulfilling their life purpose in the process. He is the author of two books: The Climb of Your Life-Reaching the Peak of Your Potential and The Plan of Your Life-Managing What Matters Most. He and his wife Michele have three grown children.

Eric & Kelly Dykstra are Senior Pastors of Free Grace United, and they preach at their Elk River and Online locations. They have been married more than 20 years and have three awesome kiddos and one amazing daughter-in-law. They are passionate about seeing broken people far from God come to know the amazing grace of Jesus. God has gifted them both with dynamic preaching and leadership styles, empowering them to share the truth of Christ with a wide demographic of people.