President, Interim Pastor Ministries, The Villages, FL 

Tom is a nationally-recognized leader in the field of Intentional Interim Ministry. He has served 11 years as the president of Interim Pastor Ministries (IPM), founded in 1990 by six EFCA district superintendents to serve and strengthen churches between pastors. Tom has helped over 600 churches receive an IPM Intentional Interim Pastor, successfully navigate their pastoral transitions and call their next pastor. In 2020, Tom released his first book, Soaring Between Pastors: Eight Actions to Thrive During Pastoral Transition. 

Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention Executive Director, Atlantic Beach, FL 

Jeff Dalrymple is an organizational leader who has dedicated his life to serving Christ and His Church. Jeff has been working to support Christian ministries with abuse prevention and child protection through ECAP since 2019. Jeff is an elder at Sunrise Community Church (EFCA) in Atlantic Beach, Florida, and serves on the boards of a number of Christian ministries, including The Disciple Making Parent, The Northeast Florida Christian Chamber and Anchored Hope. Jeff is a native of southern California and worked for 10 years at Southern Seminary. He has degrees in organizational management and international relations. He and his wife Kristil have four kids and reside in Jacksonville, Florida. 

ReachGlobal Division Leader for Latin America and Caribbean, Minneapolis, MN 

In 1993, Omar and Rebecca joined ReachGlobal as full-time missionaries serving in the Latin America and Caribbean Division. As a family, they served one year in Mexico City and 10 years in Venezuela. Omar’s primary ministry focuses are leadership development, organizational leadership, theological education and church multiplication.  As the division leader, he oversees the LAC Divisional Leadership Team where he facilitates the advancement of future ministry by developing strategic plans for the division, networking with national leaders and seeking new ministry opportunities in areas where ReachGlobal is not yet engaged. 

Author, National Speaker and Disability Advocate, Johnston Free Church, Johnston, IA 

Jolene Philo grew up in a caregiving family and raised a son with medical special needs. As a teacher, she created an inclusive classroom for children with disabilities for 25 years. She has written several books for the special needs and disability community, including Does My Child Have PTSD? and Sharing Love Abundantly with Special Needs Families: The 5 Love Languages® for Parents Raising Children with Disabilities. She hosts an award-winning blog, DifferentDream.com, for parents caring for children with disabilities and special needs. 

Executive Director, Theology and Credentialing, EFCA National Office, Minneapolis, MN 

Greg serves as executive director of theology and credentialing for the EFCA at the national office in Minneapolis, MN. In this role, Greg provides oversight and input to the Board of Ministerial Standing, serves as chair of the Spiritual Heritage Committee, Theological-Missiological Advisory Council and plans the Theology Conference. Additionally, he helps pastors, leaders and churches think through issues biblically, theologically and pastorally. Greg is married to Karen, and father to three adult children, all married. He is also a grandpa to five. Greg likes to run, bike, hike and camp. 

Director of Trauma Care, EFCA ReachGlobal Crisis Response, Minneapolis, MN 

Katrina (Kat) has been full-time with EFCA ReachGlobal Crisis Response since 2013 and has served as the director of trauma care since 2020.  She served as site leader following “Superstorm Sandy” in New York, Hurricane Harvey in Texas, Hurricanes Laura and Delta in Louisiana and Hurricane Ian in Florida. In this role, Kat leads teams of volunteers and directs trauma care efforts as homes and lives are rebuilt in an area of devastation. She has also lead teams in the Middle East serving Syrian refugees, doing trauma care in Nepal after the massive earthquake in 2015 and, most recently, by providing support to the missionary and refugee communities impacted by the war in Ukraine. Kat’s passion lies in meeting the emotional and spiritual needs of individuals and equipping others to engage in conversations that promote healing in the aftermath of crisis.

Executive Director, Theology and Credentialing, EFCA National Office, Minneapolis, MN 

Greg serves as executive director of theology and credentialing for the EFCA at the national office in Minneapolis, MN. In this role, Greg provides oversight and input to the Board of Ministerial Standing, serves as chair of the Spiritual Heritage Committee, Theological-Missiological Advisory Council and plans the Theology Conference. Additionally, he helps pastors, leaders and churches think through issues biblically, theologically and pastorally. Greg is married to Karen, and father to three adult children, all married. He is also a grandpa to five. Greg likes to run, bike, hike and camp.

Great Lakes District Superintendent, Osceola, IN 

Rick Thompson has served as the Great Lakes District superintendent since 2004. Before that, he invested seven years in Texas as an EFCA superintendent, five years with ReachGlobal in Moscow, Russia, with his family of five and 13 years as the senior pastor of Hope Evangelical Free Church in Dubuque, IA.  He is the author of five books, including Wild Goose Honks and E:3 Effective, Empowering Elders available from Next Step Resources.  

Director, Immigrant Hope, Minneapolis, MN 

Ben Johnson is the director of Immigrant Hope, and works to train, support and coach staff at church-based immigration legal aid programs across the U.S. Ben is also an immigration legal counselor at the Immigrant Hope office in Bloomington, MN. Before that, he was part of the team that founded Immigrant Hope in Brooklyn, New York, providing family-based immigration legal services in the Bay Ridge neighborhood of Brooklyn from 2011 to 2013. Ben also serves on the All People Team for the Evangelical Free Church of America, identifying people groups that have been under-resourced or excluded from EFCA churches and ministries, then allocates resources, shares best practices and advocates for structural changes to correct the under-representation. He lives in Crystal, MN with his wife, Sarah, and three sons.

Director of Spiritual Formation and Family Ministry, Hershey Free Church, Hershey, PA 

Deb has a passion for spiritual formation and a deep desire to see women prepared to use their gifts for the advancement of the Kingdom of God. She earned a Master of Arts degree in Ministry Leadership from Lancaster Bible College, where she taught for 12 years in the Church and Ministry Leadership department, overseeing the Women in Ministry Leadership Program and creating the Children and Family Ministry and Spiritual Formation and Discipleship programs. Deb is part of the leadership team working to create the Prepared program and also serves as one of the instructors.

Director, Apex Missions, Minneapolis, MN 

David has served in in local church student ministry within the EFCA for 20 years and now serves as the lead director for Apex, the EFCA’s next-generation mobilization pipeline. When not traveling with Apex, you can find David and his wife Shawna exploring the U.S. with their RV in pursuit of the next grand adventure. David and Shawna live in Pennsylvania with their two sons, Tyler and Will.  

Founder & President, SOULeader Resources, Foothill Ranch, CA 

Dr. Michael G. Bischof is founder and president of SOULeader Resources, an interdenominational ministry founded in 2000. After experiencing the pain of ministry and ending up in eight months of clinical depression, Michael sensed a call to come alongside Christian leaders to bring encouragement and resources that would help them finish well. Michael uses his experience both nationally and internationally through coaching, consulting, training and writing in many types of organizations such as churches, non-profits, denominations, seminaries, mission agencies and businesses. He has spent over 30 years pastoring and leading in multiple churches and para-church organizations, and serves as an adjunct professor at several seminaries. 

Director of Care, ReachNetwork, Minneapolis, MN 

Aaron and Becky Morrow serve as the care directors for ReachNetwork. Aaron focuses on creating systems for planters so they can start healthy, gospel-centered churches throughout the nation, and Becky focuses on church planting wives. Aaron and Becky planted River City Church in Dubuque, Iowa in 2016, where they are raising their three teenage daughters: Leah, Maggie and Gracie. 

Great Lakes District Hispanic Ministries Director, Aurora, IL 

Ricardo Palmerin is a pastor, Great Lakes District Hispanic ministries director and the Hispanic ministry coordinator for the EFCA’s All People Initiative.

Executive Vice President of International Ministries, EFCA, Minneapolis, MN 

Brian and his wife Cathi have served in ReachGlobal since 2007. They lived in Latin America for 10 years as Brian led the work of ReachGlobal in that region, moving back to the states in 2017. In early 2019, Brian became the executive vice president of international ministries, serving the EFCA president as the leader of all ReachGlobal ministries. Brian and Cathi have four grown children and two grandchildren.

EFCA ReachGlobal Director of Home Assignment (Retired), Minneapolis, MN

John and Judy both learned about growing in a relationship with Jesus through a campus ministry. Now, more than 50 years later, John continues to learn about resting in Jesus, drawing near to the Father, and becoming the man God created him to be. John and Judy have been married 47 years. The Westrums lived in Europe with EFCA ReachGlobal for 17 years, leading and serving 11 different teams in seven countries. The last two years, serving as director of home assignment, John has been coaching ReachGlobal staff on renewing spiritually, retooling and reconnecting with churches. Renewal orientation is one area that John and Judy train ReachGlobal staff. They look forward to sharing principles and resources for planning and taking a time of deep rest. 

Director of Church Health, EFCA West 

Bob Osborne has been a church leader and elder for over 30 years. He served 38 years with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, retiring as a commander in the Homeland Security Division. He has served since 2013 as director of church health for EFCA West, strengthening churches by equipping and coaching church leaders and helping them navigate the (sometimes rough) waters of church leadership. 

Founder, Next Wave Community, Denver, CO 

Steve Pike serves as the catalyst for the Next Wave Virtual Community, an online community of church leaders committed to being with Jesus on His Mission in the challenging 21st century context. He is also the president and founder of Urban Islands Project, serves as an executive coach with Church Multiplication Partners and is part of the coaching/consulting team at The Anser Group. Prior to taking on his current responsibilities, Steve was the founding director of the Church Multiplication Network (CMN), serving church multipliers to effectively equip, strategically fund and innovatively network new faith communities in America. Steve is the author of Next Wave: Discovering the 21st Century Church and Total Fitness For Your Church, and he co-authored Leading Church Multiplication with Tom Nebel. Steve’s passion for church multiplication began in 1989 when he and his wife, Cherri, pioneered a new church that became the catalyst of a church planting movement in the state of Utah that continues to this day. The Pikes make their home in Denver, Colorado. They are blessed to be the parents of Lindsy and Jeremy and the grandparents of Myles, Koen, Wesley and James.  

Dean and Professor of New Testament Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, IL 

Prior to joining the faculty at Trinity, Dr. Pao taught at Harvard University as a Teaching Fellow in the area of Greco-Roman World and Early Christianity. He has also served as a visiting professor at several institutions in Hong Kong, China, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. Dr. Pao is also involved in a number of Bible translation projects, and he is currently serving as the New Testament editor of the Tien Dao Bible Commentary series and consulting editor of the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary series. 

Executive Director, Theology and Credentialing, EFCA National Office, Minneapolis, MN 

Greg serves as executive director of theology and credentialing for the EFCA at the national office in Minneapolis, MN. In this role, Greg provides oversight and input to the Board of Ministerial Standing, serves as chair of the Spiritual Heritage Committee, Theological-Missiological Advisory Council and plans the Theology Conference. Additionally, he helps pastors, leaders and churches think through issues biblically, theologically and pastorally. Greg is married to Karen, and father to three adult children, all married. He is also a grandpa to five. Greg likes to run, bike, hike and camp. 

Executive Director, Made to Flourish, Kansas City, MO 

Matt Rusten serves as the executive director for Made to Flourish. Matt received his Master of Divinity degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and has served in churches in North Dakota, the Chicago area, Kansas City and most recently as pastor of spiritual formation at Blackhawk Church in Madison, Wisconsin. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry in Faith, Work, Economics and Vocation at Fuller Theological Seminary. Matt and his wife, Margi, along with their daughter, Olivia, and son, Owen, live in Kansas. 

Director of Strategic Ministry, EFCA West, San Clemente, CA 

Katie serves as the director of strategic ministry for EFCA West. Prior to that she served with ReachGlobal in Europe for 10 years, primarily helping leaders reach their cities through strategic outreach and church planting. She has also served on the local church level, at the EFCA national office and on multiple church planting teams.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist 

Roxanne is a licensed marriage and family therapist in private practice located in San Diego, California. Her focus is trauma, anxiety and depression. She has been a guest lecturer at Bethel Seminary, San Diego and Pacific Theological Seminary and assists with trainings for therapists learning Internal Family Systems (IFS), an evidenced-based model of psychotherapy. She is married to Mark Strauss, professor of New Testament at Bethel Seminary, and they have three young adult children, a daughter-in-law and a soon-to-be son-in-law.

ReachNetwork Church Development Director 

Glen Stevens has served with ReachNetwork since 2022 as the director of the Church Development System where he assists EFCA district leaders in their ministry to established churches. He served as the senior pastor of an EFCA church plant in Minnesota for 13 years and served as senior pastor in an established church in North Dakota for 10 more. In addition to his role with ReachNetwork, Glen founded a coaching company serving business leaders and is engaged in innovative approaches to church planting to reach the disinterested and skeptical. He and his wife Jill live in Fargo, North Dakota and have four adult children.

ReachGlobal Europe Division Leader

Todd Hiltibran has served as the International Leader for ReachGlobal Europe Division since 2015. Todd and his family have lived in Europe for over 25 years, including nine years in Poland as a church planter. He enjoys conversations about strategy, culture and how our Father is shaping our hearts. Todd and his wife, Kristi, currently live in Budapest, Hungary where Kristi serves as the director of the International Christian School of Budapest.

Speaker and Bible Professor

Dr. Christopher Yuan is a highly sought-after expert whose book, Holy Sexuality and the Gospel, was named 2020 book of the year for social issues by Outreach Magazine. Dr. Yuan casts a compelling vision of not identifying with our sexuality, but embracing Christ and living out Holy Sexuality, which shatters the secular paradigms of gay and straight.

Dr. Yuan graduated from Moody Bible Institute in 2005 and received a master’s degree in biblical exegesis in 2007 and a doctorate of ministry in 2014. He taught the Bible at Moody Bible Institute for 12 years and his speaking ministry on faith and sexuality has reached five continents.

Christopher has also produced The Holy Sexuality Project video series for parents and their teens. It is a first-of-its-kind resource to help parents and grandparents to empower their teens to understand, embrace, and celebrate biblical sexuality.

Vice President, FCMM, Minneapolis, MN 

Before his 12 years with FCMM, Jerry served as a solo pastor, assistant pastor, hospital manager, administrative pastor and executive pastor. He cares deeply about integrity and stewardship in finances, along with pastoral care and teaching. 

Vice President, FCMM, Minneapolis, MN 

Before his 12 years with FCMM, Jerry served as a solo pastor, assistant pastor, hospital manager, administrative pastor and executive pastor. He cares deeply about integrity and stewardship in finances, along with pastoral care and teaching. 

Vice President, FCMM, Minneapolis, MN 

Before his 12 years with FCMM, Jerry served as a solo pastor, assistant pastor, hospital manager, administrative pastor and executive pastor. He cares deeply about integrity and stewardship in finances, along with pastoral care and teaching. 

Vice President, FCMM, Minneapolis, MN 

Before his 12 years with FCMM, Jerry served as a solo pastor, assistant pastor, hospital manager, administrative pastor and executive pastor. He cares deeply about integrity and stewardship in finances, along with pastoral care and teaching. 

President, FCMM, Minneapolis, MN 

Following 32 years as a church planter and senior pastor, Ric became President of FCMM in 2017. During his pastoral years, he served for 22 years on the FCMM Board of Trustees. A focus of his recent years has been financial health for pastors.

President, FCMM, Minneapolis, MN 

Following 32 years as a church planter and senior pastor, Ric became President of FCMM in 2017. During his pastoral years, he served for 22 years on the FCMM Board of Trustees. A focus of his recent years has been financial health for pastors.

Manager of Advisory Services, FCMM, Minneapolis, MN 

Jeff is credentialed as an Accredited Investment Fiduciary and has served as a wealth management consultant with special attention to investment advising. For eight years, Jeff provided limited consultation to FCMM Retirement Plan members while advising other employers as well. In 2016, he joined FCMM full-time and exclusively advises FCMM participants at no charge. 

Manager of Advisory Services, FCMM, Minneapolis, MN 

Jeff is credentialed as an Accredited Investment Fiduciary and has served as a wealth management consultant with special attention to investment advising. For eight years, Jeff provided limited consultation to FCMM Retirement Plan members while advising other employers as well. In 2016, he joined FCMM full-time and exclusively advises FCMM participants at no charge.