Leadership Investment Intensives, Inc.

At the core, I’m simply a student who believes that reality is a friend (and denial is an enemy) of intimacy with God. I’m committed to offering words that speak to your head and heart simultaneously so that they can cooperate, instead of compete. Sometimes we feel God’s presence. Sometimes we don’t. And that’s okay because Jesus’ existence isn’t “on hold” awaiting a confirmation from our senses. Neither is His love. That’s what I long for: for us to live true as the overflow of living loved.

PASSIONS:
Spiritual Pain, Strong Souls, Sustainable Devotion

BARNA

Joe leads the content, engagement, and marketing teams at Barna Group, a research and resource company that exists to equip Christian leaders with faith and culture insights that help them understand the times and know what to do. Before coming to Barna in 2019, Joe served as a full time pastor in churches in Phoenix, Arizona and Omaha, Nebraska. Joe currently lives in Kansas City, Missouri with his wife and 4 teenage daughters.

Passions:
Spiritual Formation, Cultural Leadership, Church Leadership

Center for Christianity & Public Life

Before launching the Center for Christianity and Public Life in October 22, I served as an advisor to Christian leaders and organizations on political and cultural issues. I served in The White House during President Obama's first term. My second book, The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life, will be released in January 2024. I am married to my high school sweetheart, Melissa, and we have two beautiful daughters, Saoirse (4) and Ilaria (2).

PASSIONS:
Faith and Public Life, Spiritual Formation, Politics

NSPIRU

Sheri has led large and small teams for the last 26 years, collaborating on diverse projects, events and capitol improvements. She first discovered her knack for creating and repurposing space when she was a teenager. In 2014, Sheri founded Link2Lift and merged her passion for environments and building community. She has experience working with creative people and loves to envision new ways of impacting culture. In 2023 she combined creative forces with her husband of 32 years and is co-founder and CEO of NSPIRU. She has a heart for emerging leaders and takes every opportunity to motivate the next generation. She has two adult children and two grandchildren. She loves family, dancing, the ocean and good food!

PASSIONS:
Marriage, Discipleship, Marketplace

NSPIRU

Sergio retired from a 31-year career at Nike in 2022. As a Senior Design Director and Innovator and has designed and created footwear and his experience spans from brand-defining innovation to entry-level products. In his various roles he has led diverse creative teams to imagine concepts and build products for athletes. In 2023 he co-founded NSPIRU (a creative consulting firm) serving as Chief Creative Director with a focus on product design and innovation. As co-founder who values collaboration, innovation and design he provides insight and direction for NSPIRU clients. Sergio and his wife, Sheri, have a passion for the next generation, traveling, speaking and ‘mentoring’ young creative leaders to be faithful to Jesus.

PASSIONS:
Generosity & Marriage, AI & the Creative Process

The Well Summit

Jenn Jett Barrett is a dreamer, a freedom fighter and a roof ripper. She loves spending her life restoring God’s original intent for men and women to co-labor together for the Kingdom. She does this through The Well Summit which exists to create experiences & curriculum. Their sold out flagship experience is Camp Well which serves those who sit in the tension of feeling too much and not enough by helping them unpack what is holding them back from living in union with Jesus, living in unity with one another and living unleashed to bring the Kingdom near. She lives an incredibly abundant life in Northwest Arkansas married to her best friend. Her journey has been a story she never would have chosen, but one she would never trade.

PASSIONS:
Spiritual Inventory, Grief, Rest

Provers 31 Ministries

Joel serves as the Director of Theology and Research for Proverbs 31 Ministries and Lysa TerKeurst, and is a part of the preaching team at Transformation Church with Pastor Derwin Gray. Joel earned a PhD in Theology under Drs. Patrick Schreiner (NT) and Michael Heiser (OT) with an emphasis on Paul's household language in Ephesians as it relates to the Old Testament. He loves studying and teaching the brilliant truths found in Scripture and unpacking how they relate to our everyday lives.

Passions:
Theology, Preaching & Teaching, and Cultural Engagement

Compassion International

I’m a “Gilmore Girl” who grew up in Connecticut, but now, I reside just outside of Miami, Florida. I’m apart of the digital partnerships team at Compassion International and have a deep passion for creating and stewarding authentic relationships. When asked what my favorite part of my role is, I say it’s simply connecting others with the heart of Christ and His kingdom work. Outside of Compassion, I enjoy serving on my church’s worship team, taking art classes, and spending nights in with my husband.

Passions:
Discipleship, Authentic Community, Service & Outreach

Generis

Jim Sheppard is CEO & Principal of Generis, a consulting firm passionate about helping churches inspire and cultivate generosity through giving development, coaching, and strategy. Jim understands the financial challenges that churches face today and has devoted the last 30+ years of his life to coaching pastors on navigating the resource limitations that restrict their ministry potential.

PASSIONS:
Generosity, Discipleship, Succession

Author & Speaker

Susannah Baker is a writer, Bible study teacher, and founder of Restore retreats for women. Susannah has written three Bible studies, a prayer guide, and last year released her first book, Restore: Remembering Life’s Hurts with the God Who Rebuilds. She has been married to her husband, Jason, for twenty-one years, and they live in Houston, Texas where they raise their four beautiful daughters. For more information about Susannah and the resources she provides, you can find her on her website.

PASSIONS:
Soul Care, Family Discipleship, Opportunities for Repair

AVAIL

Chris Whitford believes that Jesus is beautiful, and His beauty is especially apparent to those who are brokenhearted. When she couldn’t find a safe space in NYC for women and men to process their unexpected pregnancies, she and six friends decided to create it. In 1996, she co-founded Avail, which exists to walk alongside women and men all over the country who are facing the complexity of an unexpected pregnancy so they don’t have to do so alone.

PASSIONS:
Flourishing in Suffering, Lifelong Learning, Theology Matters

Passages Israel

Rachael Powell currently serving as the Chief Communications Officer for Passages Israel. Her educational journey took her to Israel for the first time in 2013, where she had the privilege of studying and immersing herself in the rich biblical history of the region. Through her role at Passages, she aims to foster a deep understanding of the region's historical and spiritual significance, and create lasting connections between students and the diverse communities in Israel.

Passions:
Israel, Biblical History, Roots of Faith

Compassion International

With a focus on experiential and content marketing, he uses data and storytelling to connect athletes, influencers, agents, and brands with their desired audience. Jay Mike currently works with Compassion International in Digital Influencer Partnerships. He has led consulting projects for companies such as adidas (Marketing Activation), Nike (Field Sports Division), MLB Network and ESPN (On-air content strategies), Bally Sports FL(Miami Heat), Sporting KC (Partnership Activation), MiLB (Marketing and Promotions), and Franklin Sports (Product Marketing).

Messenger International

I love disassembling the boxes that fragment and frustrate our lives—a process I call integrative faith. I've authored a few books, including 'Words with God: Trading Boring, Empty Prayer for Real Connection.' For a day job, I serve as the COO of Messenger International, a discipleship organization that provides translated discipleship resources to millions of people in virtually every country. I live in Tennessee with my wife, Juli, and our four kids.

PASSIONS:
Prayer, Narrative Discipleship, Family & Marriage

Association of Related Churches (ARC)

Josh is a ministry leader, communicator, and creative who has helped train over 650 pastors to start new churches through his role at the Association of Related Churches. He is also a contributor to many online ministry publications, including Relevant Magazine.

Passions:
Church Planting, Owning Your Story, Pastoring

Luis Palau Association

For over 20 years, I have been in full-time evangelism. I am committed to reaching and raising up the next generation for Jesus Christ! Based in the New England region, I am married to Sumer and have 2 step-kids, Chandler and Emma.

Passions:
Gospel movement strategy, Social Entrepreneurship, Ministry Start Ups