Winter 2009 Speakers

January 9-11 Middle School
David Smith

David is a 12 year veteran in Youth Ministry who regularly speaks at camps, retreats, and events. David now works for    THE SOURCE FOR YOUTH MINISTRY   speaking and training, as well as writing developing resource and ideas. David id funny and he speaks in a language that kids understand. But more than that, David is genuine. Kids appreciate his authenticity and are impacted by his relevant message. David now trains youth workers across the U.S. through several of our training workshops.

http://www.thesource4ym.com/speakers/david.asp

January 16-18 Jr /Sr High Weekend
Jeff Klein

Jeff Klein has spent the last 16 years in ministry encouraging people to walk more deeply with Jesus. After graduating from Wheaton College in 1982 and Western Theological Seminary in 1986, Jeff was ordained in the Reformed Church in America. Jeff served as a youth pastor, camp chaplain, minister of education, and most recently, as a bible teacher and student life director at a Christian High School, where the students dubbed him "the Rev". He recently served as a teaching pastor at Faith Church in South Holland, IL. Currently, he leads a church plant in Wheaton, IL called Jericho Road Church (http://www.jerichoroadchurch.org). Jeff speaks to people across North America...retreats, conventions, serve projects, and worship services.

He is the author of "Turning Point" and "On the Road to Connecting", two Youth Ministry Training Seminars and regularly consults with youth groups to help them minister effectively. Jeff’s own book, Q: Big Questions is the result of being challenged with students big questions about life and the world that we live in and how it all fits with this Jesus thing. In addition to his passion for speaking and teaching about Jesus, Jeff is passionate about sports of all kinds, fantasy football, reading, and last (but certainly not least!), his family.

January 23-25 Senior High 1
Robert Smith

Robert Smith is a Teen Culture Specialist from Lawton,
Ok who surrendered to ministry at age fourteen. Before entering fulltime youth ministry, He was a basketball coach, Bible teacher and chapel coordinator at a private Christian school, while simultaneously serving as Youth Pastor at a new church start. He went on to serve at Ryan,  Ok and Madill, Ok before forming Upside Down Ministries in Feb 05 with his wife Mary. His ministry seeks to train and equip workers and parents in strategies for relating to and mentoring youth.

After working with teenagers for the past 7 years, Robert now spends his time traveling and speaking to teens and parents about youth culture. He and his wife are also actively involved in hosting and leading a youth and college bible study at their house. He has worked with several popular national Christian music artist in effort to provide positive entertainment for youth.

He believes that this generation will impact the entire world like no other generation before them. Robert feels his calling is to use pop culture to get teens attention then point them to God in terms they can understand.

http://www.ud4christ.com/aboutus.htm

January 30 - Feb 1 Elementary
Keith Coast

Keith Coast travels nationally and internationally spreading the Gospel message in a unique and creative way that makes it easy to remember! Whether he is making a balloon or getting inside of one, your group is sure to be amazed! Keith believes that Christians should have more fun than anyone else because of the joy we have in Christ. By combining the art of illusion, escapes, ballooning and comedy along with the Gospel, Keith creates an experience you won't forget!

http://www.keithcoast.com/

February 6-8 Middle School 2 

http://jonathanherron.typepad.com/jonathan_herron_dot_com/2006/07/why_bring_jonat.html

February 13-15 Senior High 2
Greg Speck

Greg Speck is a Youth Specialist with Royal Servants International, a missions organization for teenagers. He is an exceptional communicator who speaks at national conferences, camps, churches, retreats and spiritual emphasis weeks across the world. He has a deep understanding of the problems facing today’s teen and easily identifies with youth, capturing their imaginations and hearts, while helping them understand God’s Word.

http://www.gregspeck.com/

February 20-22 Middle School 3
Jonathan McKee

Jonathan McKee, president of The Source for Youth Ministry, is the author of numerous youth ministry books including Do They Run When They See You Coming? and Getting Students to Show Up. He speaks and trains at camps, conferences, and events across the U.S., and provides free resources for youth workers around the world on his website, TheSource4YM.com

http://www.thesource4ym.com/speakers/jonathan.asp

Feb 27- Mar 1 Senior High 3
Jeff Schwarzentraub

Jeff Schwarzentraub is the founder and President of One Heartbeat Ministries.  Jeff began his ministry as a youth pastor and a teaching pastor and now continues his ministry as an evangelist by proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ at youth and college groups, men’s ministries, churches, businesses, camps, retreats and other venues throughout the world. 

Jeff’s greatest passion in life is to introduce people to an authentic, life changing relationship with God through the person of Jesus Christ.  Those who hear Jeff speak are moved by his unique ability to connect with his audience and are inspired by his passion, faith, energy, and commitment.