2013 Seminars
John Abrahamse & Paul Hansen
Title: Disciplemaking Movements!
Description: We will examine how Jesus balanced growing individual disciple makers, and built movements of disciple making Christians.
Bio: Paul Hansen serves as the Executive Pastor of Grace Community Church. Their South African Field Staff John Abrahamse has been developing model disciple making movements across the Continent in dozens of African Nations.
Terry Amann
Title: Faith and Politics: Christian Entanglement, or Christian Involvement?
Description: We will examine if Christians should be involved in politics in light of 2 Timothy 2:4. As we unpack that text we will see how Christians can be involved while avoiding the entanglements. Thus we will look at some of the Judeo-Christian roots of our nation; we will examine several other biblical texts on government; we will examine our role of influence as Christians, and for Christianity in the process; and finally, we will explore ways for you to get involved.
Bio: Terry Amann, Des Moines. Married to Susan 33 years on Dec. 27. with three daughters: Samanthya, Sarah, and Rachel. Has pastored 17 years, and politically active 30 years, including presidential politics in Iowa.
Judy Anderson & Dawn Harris
Title: A woman of light in a dark world
Description: A quality woman doesn't just happen. Being an attractive Godly woman is not so much a look as it is character and attitude. The wise woman builds her foundation on the Lord. Come learn what you can do to avoid some pitfalls and cultivate qualities in your life that will benefit you in singleness or marriage.
Bio: Mike and Judy became involved with GCC in the mid-70's. Married almost 34 years, they have 5 grown children and 6 grandchildren. Judy supervises home school families and disciples young college women.
Bio: Dawn is an Iowa farm girl married to Gary for 24 years. They have 4 children - 2 adults and 2 in high school. Loves international ministry, youth group and is currently working.
Bill Barnd
Title: Healing from a Father Wound
Description: The investment (or lack) of a father's love has a big impact in a child's life, even into adulthood. In this seminar we will seek God's direction, understanding, encouragement and healing.
Bio: Bill Barnd is a pastor at Evergreen Church (Minnesota)
Brad Barrett
Title: Restoring Manliness in an Unmanly World.
Description: How can we be godly men in a broken world? Why is there so much confusion about what a man really is and should be? Why are there so many natural, spiritual, and social hindrances to be a man, and more specifically, a godly man? And what is the solution to finding godly manliness? Let’s learn together from Christ, the Restorer of all things broken.
Bio: Brad is a pastor in Ames along with five other really good men who fortunately keep him in line.
Brad Barrett
Title: Work and Worship, Part 2: The Glory of Work
Description: Is work a dirty, four-letter word, and a necessary evil? As we are gripped with God’s view of work, a whole new world opens to us. Instead of hating Mondays, and complaining about our lousy pay, and wondering what is the point of our work - we can discover great joy and purpose to our work. Work matters to God, and it matters for the health of our souls and the sake of our world.
Bio: Brad is a pastor in Ames along with five other really good men who fortunately keep him in line.
Chris Biang
Title: Gods Plan for Your Life
Description: This seminar will explain how to determine God’s Will in light of your specific gifts, commitment, personality, passion, desire and faith. Knowing yourself, your strengths your weaknesses can help you serve well and with confidence.
Bio: Chris Biang, Pastor, serving Purdue Students in West Lafayette, Indiana, for 3 years.
Tom Biang
Title: Undistracted Devotion to the Lord
Description: Wondering what God’s plan is for your singleness? Want to get married some day? So do I! Come listen to a single pastor’s perspective on 1 Corinthians 7:32-38 and what in the world the Apostle Paul was talking about. We will discuss how to learn undistracted devotion to the Lord as we wait, and what God desires for each of us whether we marry sooner or later… or not at all. (Singles only)
Bio: Pastor in West Lafayette, IN., Tom Biang has been serving college students since 2001 and was ordained in March. He has been intimately acquainted with singleness for 29 years.
Tom Biang
Lunch Session: Dells Leadership Training Informational Meeting
Description: Are you wanting to spend your summer pursuing God and growing as a disciple of Christ? Come hear how you could join with other college aged brothers and sisters from the Great Commission Plains for a summer program of outreach, growth, and fun in the Wisconsin Dells.
Tim Borseth
Title: Speech that destroys vs Speech that Builds
Description: Whoever said that "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me" was either lying through their teeth or were delusional. A brief perusal of video-graphed suicide notes on Youtube clearly demonstrate how destructive and lethal our words are. The book of Proverbs contains precious gems on how to pattern your speech such that it builds up and wins lives rather than destroys them.
Bio: A happily married man with 6 kids, Tim co-pastors LifeHouse Church in Decorah IA. He served as a campus minister at ISU for 20 years. Currently owns The Game Exchange that serves as a tool to influence teens and 20 somethings, with the gospel. I have strong convictions on this area of sex and the power of the tongue.
Tim Borseth and Luke Hibbing
Title: Sex by Design vs Sex by Default
Description: The stark reality is that believers are far more convinced of the world's idea and plan for sex than Gods. This has resulted in a boatload of personal pain, dysfunctionalism in the church, and a suppression of the gospel. This message puts an end to playing second fiddle to the world and highlights the beauty of sex as God has designed it and revealed it in the book of Proverbs.
Bio: A happily married man with 6 kids, Tim co-pastors LifeHouse Church in Decorah IA. He served as a campus minister at ISU for 20 years. Currently owns The Game Exchange that serves as a tool to influence teens and 20 somethings, with the gospel. I have strong convictions on this area of sex and the power of the tongue.
Bio: Luke Hibbing, son of Bob and Patty Hibbing, is single, a virgin, and has been refined by God. Luke is passionate on how to remain pure in a sex-crazed society. He lives in Decorah, works for a local manufacturer, and is an active part of LifeHouse.
Dan Bovenmyer
Title: Anger, Shame, Fear, and the Cross of Christ
Description: Why do we get in disputes and fights? Why do we withdraw in guilt and shame? Why do we suffer from panic attacks and worry? If your life story is full of stories of these things, come meet with me at the cross of Christ.
Bio: Dan Bovenmyer is husband to wife, Wendy; father of one boy and three girls; pastor at Grace Community Church in downtown Iowa City, and rebel saved by grace.
Dan Bovenmyer
Title: Sex - our idolatry, our shame, and God’s Plan
Description: We all know we are part of a sex obsessed culture. We are also living our own story that usually consists of sin, shame, and sometimes even abuse and victimization. Why did God create sex? Come find truth and mercy from God’s Word. (for both men and women)
Bio: Dan Bovenmyer is husband to wife, Wendy; father of one boy and three girls; pastor at Grace Community Church in downtown Iowa City, and rebel saved by grace.
Rob Busse
Title: God’s Plan, Your Oikos
Description: The early church grew fast because people took the Good News to everyone in their sphere of influence. The plan to reach the world is the same today and God wants to use you. He has sovereignly placed you in your school, in your neighborhood, in your family, and at your place of employment at this point in time because he wants to reach your “oikos.” Come hear practical ideas and best practices for reaching those around you.
Bio: Rob Busse became a pastor at Evergreen in 2013. He is passionate about outreach and personal evangelism. Rob and his wife, Michelle, have 5 young children: Caleb, Carmine, Cole, Carly, and Chloe.
Ray Damaso
Title: Video Ministry Roundtable
Description: Developments in digital video technology and the Internet offer churches opportunities to expand and enhance their ministry. This seminar will assemble a panel of ministry leaders who specialize in video production for their churches. They will share best
practices from their own experiences, as well as discuss how to start and sustain a video
ministry that serves the church, provides a creative outlet for those with talents in video
production, and ultimately glorifies God.
Bio: Ray is a bi-vocational pastor at New Life Community Church (Cedar Rapids, IA), leads
the video ministry, works full time as an engineering manager, and is the owner of
raydamonster Productions.
Shari Damaso and Debbie Howington and Toni Schaefer
Title: Overcoming Insecurities
Description: Ever since Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, women have struggled with insecurity. It manifests in our lives as anger, pride, jealousy, gossip, defensiveness, and more. It hurts our relationships with God and other people. In this seminar, we will learn to recognize our insecurities, embrace the security we have in Christ, and explore a life-changing perspective on relationships. (for women only)
Bios: Toni and Shari build up women at New Life Community Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, while Debbie is helping women grow at Regeneration Church across town.
Fred Douglas
Title: Running to Win
Description: A common saying today by many is that they are “crazy busy”! Crazy busy with work, classes, events, and recreation. Their life is full but unfulfilled? They are activity driven rather than purpose-driven. This seminar will share how to “make the most of your time” so that whether you are in the workplace, full-time ministry, or student you will know how to “run to win” in your spiritual journey.
Bio: Fred Douglas is a bi-vocational pastor at GC3 in West Lafayette, IN. He works for Purdue as the Facility Manager of a 746 bed freshmen residence hall and has taught personal management principles to hundreds of folks world-wide.
Rob Gerber
Title: Relationship Soup: Cooking up the Perfect Relationship
Description: God put in us a desire for intimate relationships. We all long to find that perfect guy or gal, get married and live happily ever after. God knows we want that and He knows how we can get it. This seminar will look at: 1)The God given differences between men and women, 2)The key ingredients to a great relationship; and 3)The practical dos and don'ts of building a relationship with the opposite sex.
Bio: Rob and Sue fell in love in Madison as part of a church plant. They've been married 25 years and live in to Eau Claire with their three kids.
Andy Gray and Terrance Rollerson
Title: Breaking Down the Barriers
Description: Jesus prayed that all of his followers would be one (John 17), yet the church in America today is still largely segregated by ethnicity. Even though Ephesians 2:14 tells us that Jesus broke down dividing walls of hostility, tensions remain and unity is elusive. Join us as we explore some dynamics of why this is and how you can break through ethnic barriers and be a light for Christ in our increasingly multi-ethnic world.
Bio: Andy and Terrance pastor at multi-ethnic churches in the Twin Cities and have formed a Kingdom partnership that transcends ethnic barriers. You’ll benefit from hearing both perspectives in this seminar.
Gary Harris
Title: Faith Walking in Uncertain Economic Times
Description: What have we learned these past five years since the great financial collapse of 2008? The so-called experts and mass media say we are better off now and are on the road to recovery. We will explore why this is an illusion and how every believer should act and prepare for the coming economic "debtonation" sure to alter the financial landscape. Without becoming a doomsdayer or prepper.
Bio: Gary is a bi-vocational Pastor at Stonebrook Church in Ames, Iowa. He and his wife Dawn have been married for 24 years and have four children serving with them in Ames.
Matt Heerema
Title: Work and Worship, Part 1: How the Gospel affects our Work
Description: Most of us have a hard time understanding how Sunday morning worship connects to our daily work. Is there value for God's kingdom in my work, in school, the marketplace, or home - beyond the souls I can evangelize or the money I can earn to donate to church and missions? We must realize our daily “mundane" and "secular" tasks can glorify God, will count for something eternal, and expand His kingdom in real ways.
Bio: Matt Heerema is a pastor at Stonebrook Church in Ames. He and his wife Nancy have three daughters. Matt also owns and directs a web design agency. Connect with him at http://about.me/mattheerema.
Matt Heerema
Title: Worshipping Together: Why Christians Sing, Read, Pray, Give, and Preach
Description: Have you ever wondered why we do the things we do in our worship services? God designed our worship gatherings to help us grow in our walk with Him. What does the Bible tell us about what we should be doing? Join us as we discuss some things Stonebrook has been learning in this area over the last several years.
Bio: Matt Heerema is a pastor at Stonebrook Church in Ames. He and his wife Nancy have three daughters. Matt also owns and directs a web design agency. Connect with him at http://about.me/mattheerema.
Joy Hill
Title: Being God’s Woman
Description: What is God’s plan for you as a woman? Single, or married? In a world that seems genuinely confused about what it means to be a woman, what does God have to say about how we should carry ourselves as His daughters? It is probably different from what we are subjected to through media. But can it still be winsome, fresh, and genuine? I think so, and believe God has a higher standard for us.
Bio: Joy Hill, daughter of the King and some pretty cool parents. Married to the impeccable Cody. Mother to Keeper, with ‘one on the way’. Sister, Aunt, Friend, pretty dang blessed.
Bob Hibbing
Title: How to Make Consistent Spiritual Progress
Description: In this seminar, we explore four key factors to consistent spiritual progress in a believer’s life. How do you keep from falling into “dry times?” How do you get past, “one step forward and two steps backward?” How do you gain victory over unprofitable attitudes and habits? There will be a presentation, and time for questions. Come ready for hope!
Bio: Bob Hibbing is a pastor of a recent church plant (Lifehouse) in Decorah, Iowa. He and his wife, Patty, have five grown children. Over the last four decades, the seminar he will share has been stabilizing to his faith and walk in all areas of his life.
Dustin Hinton
Title: Christians and Social Media: What do I do with this Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.?
Description: As of May 2013, 72% of adults in the US use social media. Something that is so prevalent in our daily lives requires us to consider it from a biblical perspective. During this time, we will talk about the pitfalls for Christians on social media, discuss some of the most prevalent ways that people are hurting because of their experience with it, and encourage us to use this tremendous tool for pursuing the Great Commission.
Bio: Dustin Hinton is a pastor at Regeneration Church in Cedar Rapids, IA. He and his wife, Nikki, have been married for seven years and have four children.
Kennan Ingalsbe
Title: I.D.E.W. Relationships: How they are affected by financial decisions
Description: If you ask anyone what the number one cause of divorce in America is, they are likely to say “Money”! It is undeniable that your financial decisions will dramatically affect your relationships. Whether you are currently Independent, Dating, Engaged, or Wedded, this session will take a look at how adjusting your attitudes and actions to reflect the Lord’s teaching about money can make a positive difference in your relationships.
Bio: Kennan is a Pastor with Vintage Faith Church in Manhattan Kansas. He and Nada his wife of 35 years love working together in relationship ministry.
Nada Ingalsbe
Title: Embracing and enjoying your role as an excellent wife.
Description: “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.” Genesis 2:18 God is the One who thought up the idea of a wife. This session will help you look to Him to define your role so you can embrace His heart. Learn ways to enjoy your role by being your husband’s biggest fan and what it means to be a truly “Excellent Wife”.
Bio: Nada Ingalsbe is a pastor’s wife at Vintage Faith Church in Manhattan, KS. She loves working and supporting her husband, Kennan, in marriage and family ministry.
Ken Johnson
Title: Introverts in the Church
Description: The extroverted bias in the church, characteristics of introverts, how introverts can be wounded and how they can find healing, the spiritual characteristics of introverts, the gifts introverts can offer the church community, the relational challenges introverts face, the introvert's leadership style, how introverts can thrive in ministry, and introverted evangelism.
Bio: Ken and his wife, Diane, have been involved since 1976 in Great Commission churches in Iowa, Colorado and Minnesota. A pastor at Evergreen Church (Bloomington) since 1991.
Paul Johnson
Title: Let's do great things for God
Description: We all want to do great things for God, to spread our wings and soar for him! But how do we get off the ground? We don't have charisma, we don't have flashy talents, we don't have influence but what we do have is desire. Let me give you five steps for liftoff to reach great heights in the service of our King!
Bio: Paul Johnson is a husband, father of two and pastor in Ames Iowa working with students at Iowa State. I get loud about the gospel, making disciples and leadership development.
Kurt Jurgensmeier
Title: What Happened When I Got Saved? A Study of Romans 6-7.
Description: What did Paul mean when he said we are dead to sin? What is the flesh? If I am indwelled with the Holy Spirit why do I still sin? What does it mean to be born again and that we are a new creation? How did Paul view his own struggle with sin? These are vital questions and thankfully Paul answered them in this valuable portion of Scripture.
Bio: Kurt has been a Pastor with the Great Commission Churches for 19 years. He has been married to his wife Brenda for 24 years and has 5 children and one grandchild.
Kurt Jurgensmeier
Title: What Happened to Me When I Got Saved Part 2 Study of Romans 8.
Description: Romans 6-7 tells us what happened "inside" of us when the Spirit came into our life. Romans 8 tells us of the great love of God that we now enjoy. Join us for a reminder of the importance of being convinced of God's love and several aspects of it.
Bio: Kurt has been a Pastor with the Great Commission Churches for 19 years. He has been married to his wife Brenda for 24 years and has 5 children and one grandchild.
Dean Klapatch
Title: Replacing Styrofoam Jesus
Description: What is effective in reaching people with the truth in today's culture? Evangelicals have emphasized the ministry of bringing the truth to new places (light in the darkness). In our modern progressive culture, it seems that some of the old methods don't work as well as they used to. A discussion about the balance between truth and good works (deeds) in what speaks to people today.
Bio: Dean has been married to Robin for 20 years and has four children. He enjoys evangelism, camping, and building and flying remote control airplanes.
Dean Klapatch
Title: Truth on Trial: "You can't take the Bible literally"
Description: What do you say to people who tell you the Bible cannot be trusted, it is an old book that was translated over and over again? What do you say when someone says the scripture was translated hundreds of years after Christ and the story is now distorted? - Come learn the truth about some of these questions and how to respond to the six most common objections about the Bible.
Bio: Dean has been married to Robin for 20 years and has four children. He enjoys evangelism, camping, and building and flying remote control airplanes.
Brent Knox
Title: Reading the Old Testament for All Its Worth
Description: Reading the OT can be hard, confusing and boring. This seminar will give you a framework to understand the OT and answer wonderful questions like, "Why does God seem different in the OT? Why is there so much blood, war and violence? And how do I know which OT verses apply to me and which do not?"
Bio: Originally from Ames, Iowa, Brent now pastors at Evergreen Church, a multi-site church in the Twin Cities. He co-leads a regional ministry of GCC and serves on the GCC board.
Mary Knox and Neva Whitney
Title: Our Secrets to having a Passionate Heart and Life through the Years!
Description: We will each share the three things that we pay most attention to in our walk with God. What has kept us faithful and on fire for 40 plus years. Neva and Mary promise that this seminar will be honest, real. You will laugh and you might cry. (women only)
Bio: Mary Knox, an ordinary woman-wife-mom, following and serving an extraordinary God, who has proved that faithfulness is His very character.
Bio: Neva Whitney has attempted to follow her Savior since she accepted Christ in college. Married 40 years. Raised a bunch of children. Enjoys being a wife, mom, grandma, pastor’s wife and friend.
Ben Lennander
Title: Isn't the Bible Just Another Book?
Description: In today's culture the authority and reliability of the scriptures is under constant attack. As Christians we must be able to defend and clearly communicate the evidence as to why this book is not just another book but the very word of God. In this seminar we will examine a base of evidence and the implications for our lives if indeed this book is not just another book.
Bio: Ben has been pastoring for 11 years and is passionate about helping people and college students be confident, unashamed, and trust the word of God
Dave Lennander
Title: Working in Leadership Teams
Description: The Scriptures emphasize a principle of leadership teams to lead God’s people - sometimes referred to as “plurality”. This seminar is not just for pastors. Any one leading or wanting to lead in various contexts (such as small groups or ministry teams) will benefit. In this seminar, you will learn the benefits, the difficulties, the attitudes and the character required to multiply leadership in a team setting.
Bio: Dave Lennander has been a pastor of Cedarcreek Community Church in Eau Claire, Wisconsin for 30 years. He has worked as a lone pastor in two situations for 8 years and in plurality for 22 years. He has been influential in 7 pastors being raised up and currently laboring in the gospel.
Sandy Lennander
Title: Top Ten Things I learned Living in Berlin, Germany
Description: Do you ever wonder what it is like living in another country? How are we the same and different from the people that we are serving? What are some of the things that God teaches through everyday missionary experiences? Where ever we are, God can use us for His good.
Bio: Sandy has been married to her husband Dave for 37 years and has been with him at Cedarcreek in Eau Claire, WI. For 3 years, they went to Berlin, Germany to help Rock Berlin get to the point of appointing elders and passing on leadership.
Brian Massman
Title: Christ & Your Career
Description: We live in challenging times, both economically and spiritually. In light of this, Christians must not only be hard workers, but wise in how they choose a career, prepare for, and perform at work. We will discuss how to biblically prepare ourselves for effectiveness in the workplace.
Bio: Brian serves at Tri-State Community Church in Dubuque, IA as a Pastor and works with the youth and college aged. He is bi-vocational.
Charlie Meyer
Title: Living in a Biblical Universe - Why Young Earth Creationism Matters to Our Faith
Description: The universe described in the Bible is very different from what our culture believes. Interpreting Genesis plainly is unpopular and can even bring ridicule - even from other believers. How should we respond to this? Should the Biblical Account be harmonized with modern day science? Does it really make any difference? This seminar will help you understand why the foundation that God laid "In the Beginning" is so essential for our faith today.
Bio: Charlie met the Lord in Ames where he earned a BS in Electrical Engineering. He married Rox and moved to Minneapolis where he worked for Honeywell for 10 years. He became a pastor in 1996.
Charlie Meyer
Title: Living in a Biblical Universe - Scientific Support for a Young Universe
Description: You have probably never heard it, but there is a wealth of scientific evidence supporting a Biblical age for the universe. The theory of evolution was born in a time of relative ignorance and founded without evidence. The more we discover the more support there is for the truth that God spoke the universe into existence not that long ago.
Bio: Charlie met the Lord in Ames where he earned a BS in Electrical Engineering. He married Rox and moved to Minneapolis where he worked for Honeywell for 10 years. He became a pastor in 1996.
Shaly Moyal
Title: 25 Dresses....a life in bridesmaid’s dresses
Description: How we respond to life’s transitions reveals a lot about who we are and how we build relationships. We will discuss how to build relationships that last as we navigate through change and walking through the transitions of graduation, roommates, marriage, birth, jobs, death, etc with our friends and sisters. Also some great tips on how to get the most from your old bridesmaid’s dresses… for women only
Bio: Shaly has served at Walnut Creek Church, Des Moines for eight years as full time staff working with the college and young adults. She serves the church as a deacon and church administrator to coordinate between locations, events and conferences. Shaly has been in 25 weddings and looks forward to many more as she builds relationships with women for the advancement of the Gospel for the rest of her life.
Mike Olmstead
Title: Be Wary Whom you Marry.
Description: Marry well or it may be hell. Be careful not to be cast under some spell. By beauty alone many good men have fell. Squishing and squeezing and filling the eye are all fine and wonderfully good, but more should be there to fill the blissfully wed pie. Godly character increasing in size and support for your walk-- those things will win you the prize...
Bio: Mike and Janice have 9 kids and have been married for 27 years. Mike reaped rewards from Janice's pre-marriage choices, but she paid a high price for his...
Chad Oltman
Title: Jesus teaches everyone humility… Looking at Paul’s lesson.
Description: How do you know if you’re looking at life through a distorted lens? Before Paul encounters Jesus on the road to Damascus he looked at life through a very specific lens. In Acts 9 Paul is made blind and then receives new sight by looking through the lens of Christ that allows him to see a different reality. In this seminar we’ll examine Paul’s humility lesson and possibly be humbled ourselves.
Bio: Chad Oltman has been a part of two church plants- The Rock and The Urban Refuge. In 2008 Chad was ordained as a Pastor at The Urban Refuge in Minneapolis.
Gary Osborn
Title: Trials and Suffering
Description: Why does God allow difficulties and suffering in our lives? Does God not care, is He unable to do anything, OR is there something that we are overlooking?
Bio: Gary Osborn is a pastor in Omaha, NE and father of seven kids, grandfather of two, and husband to a beautiful, faithful wife.
Guang Song
Title: Let us come to Jesus
Description: The world is under the shadow of death. But God, being rich in mercy, graciously gave us a way, the only way, in which we can find life. So in every day, we need to cling to Jesus. Whoever or whatever we leave Jesus to cling to, we cling to death. In this seminar, I will present our utter dependence on Jesus every day and how our ministry to others is essentially to bring them to Jesus.
Bio: Guang Song is a pastor of Stonebrook Church at Ames Iowa. He and his wife have four sons. He is from China and first heard the Gospel when going school at Texas A&M and became a Christian in 1997.
Peter Steele
Title: Depression: Practical steps from God's Word on how to navigate Deep Waters
Description: If we’re honest, each of us has traveled some deep waters in life, which can leave some painful wounds. How do we deal with those struggles? Our society’s solutions have failed miserably! The number of people diagnosed with depression increases by approximately 20% every year! If you or someone you know struggles with depression, join us as we explore solid Biblical answers.
Bio: Six-years-ago Peter helped plant Harvest Church in Warren, MN. Pastor and servant of Christ’s Church. He and his wife Tracy have 5 wonderful children: Seraiah, Bella, Curry, Sami and Jax.
Tracy Steele
Title: A Wise Woman Builds
Description: Proverbs 14:1 says, “The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish tears hers down.” Let’s look at several ways the foolish woman can tear her house down and not even realize it. Then let’s take a look at several ways the wise woman builds her house and all the blessings that come with her hard work!
Bio: Tracy Steele lives in Warren, Mn with her husband Peter, who’s a pastor at Harvest Church. Tracy home schools their five children and spends her free time serving at Harvest.
Pat Schultz
Title: How to Develop and Maintain a Biblical Worldview
Description: What is a worldview? How do I develop a biblical worldview? How have I been impacted by other worldviews (whether I realize it or not)? Why does thinking about this matter? How you think, the choices you make, and how you live all come out of your worldview! Sure our culture has gotten away from a Biblical worldview, but this seminar will focus on YOU & YOUR worldview!
Bio: Patrick Schultz is married to Andrea and has 5 incredible kids. As he started following Christ in college, he wandered into Cottonwood where he now serves as a pastor.
Mike Whitney
Title: Wild Card
Description: God has been teaching me some great lessons in leadership. I would love to help other believer’s in their learning curve, with lessons from a new pastor’s perspective. I will be addressing the character qualities that I believe get God’s attention, matters of the heart and practical applications for your life. Or I will just rant on a bunch of different stuff, we’ll see, it will be exciting for me too.
Bio: Mike & Annie married for 5 years with two spirited, chubby boys. Mike has served in Nebraska for 10 years and became ‘Pastorized’ last April at Candlewood Church. Recently moved with a team to Lincoln to help a church replant. Focused on campus at UNO and UNL.
Rick Whitney
Title: What we held to - Every Day
Description: From the time our 1st son was born, until our last daughter left for college - 28 years went by. And our primary job was to raise and train these 7 disciples who lived with us. Now, looking back, I would like to share the four things I paid most attention to, as a dad. And I will also pass on the three things that marked Neva’s unique influence on our gang.
Bio: Rick and Neva raised two sons and five daughters. They are now adults and serving God in churches scattered across several states. Rick and Neva live in Kansas.
Rory Whitney
Title: Where Have All The Gentlemen Gone?
Description: Manners, appearance, attire and speech, etc. etc. Is any of this important in a man's life? Does God want me to invest any time of my life to the outer man? In a world that is consumed with vanity and appearance, how is a 21st century Christian man supposed to bring balance into this subject. Men, God has created us to be different, let us explore it together and discover God's plan for our manhood. (men only)
Bio: Rory, married for 36 years. 7 children, 10 grandchildren. 17 years ago Rory joined Gary Osborn and moved to Omaha to start Candlewood. God is gracious in answering our prayers.
Jim Wiebelhaus
Title: Reaching the World from Your Kitchen Table
Description: 800,000 International Students and scholars, half from the least-evangelized countries of the world, are studying at our universities. Forty million first-generation immigrants live in our cities. Most are very eager to have you as a friend! Will you be their friend?
Bio: Jim has followed Jesus for 30 years. With my wife, Diane, and six children, we have enjoyed the privilege of bringing the gospel to college campuses and Asia over the last 24 years.
Jim Wiebelhaus
Title: Survivor-You against Temptation
Description: Temptations are all around you, 24/7 it seems. The trinity of evil; your fleshly desires, the pop-culture, and Satan have allied themselves to seduce you to give in to sin. But God has given us the spiritual weapons to do battle and be a survivor!
Bio: Jim has followed Jesus for 30 years. With my wife, Diane, and six children, we have enjoyed the privilege of bringing the gospel to college campuses and Asia over the last 24 years.
Dan Wolf
Title: An Assault on the Religion of Human Pride: The Sermon on the Mount
Description: God has a message for each of us. He sent the prophets to teach us His will but some things He chose to say in person. What is it that God waited so long to reveal to us? What was so important that it was the first recorded sermon given by God incarnate? Christ was born to die but what was at the heart of His teaching while on His journey to the cross?
Bio: Pastor at Foundation Bible Church in Janesville Wisconsin. Varied interests include Packer and Badger football. Yumi is my best friend and wife and we have four wonderful children.
Women’s Panel - Main Session Speakers’ Wives
Title: The Women behind the Men
Description: "Walk with wise women and you'll become wise," says Proverbs. These faith -weathered, wise wives of the main session speakers are rallying together, to share what they have gleaned from seeking and following the Lord in their everyday lives and ministries this year.
Sue Gerber, Kathryn Whitney, Roxanne Meyer, Amanda Brown, Meg Rude, Annette Barrett, and Mary Knox invite you to join them. (for women only)