David “Duffy” Robbins is Professor of Christian Ministries at Grove City College. Duffy is a respected youth ministry veteran with over forty years of experience in the field. He speaks around the world to teenagers and people who care about teenagers. Duffy also serves as a Teaching Pastor at Faithbridge Church, Spring, Texas, and a faculty member in the Doctor of Ministry program at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary where he co-leads the doctoral cohorts for Ministry to Emerging Generations. His warm conversational style, coupled with a quick sense of humor and a unique ability to make Scripture come alive, have also made him a popular speaker for Congregations, Parenting Seminars, College chapels, Mens’ Retreats, as well as numerous Family Camps and Conferences. He’s the author of numerous books including Ministry of Nurture, This Way to Youth Ministry: An Introduction to the Adventure, Speaking to Teenagers (co-authored with Doug Fields), Youth Ministry Nuts and Bolts, Enjoy the Silence (co-authored with the lovely Maggie Robbins) and his latest book, Building a Youth Ministry That Builds Disciples. Duffy lives in Cranberry Township, PA with his wife and best friend, Maggie. They have two grown daughters, Erin and Katie.
Dr. Walt Mueller is the founder and President of The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding, a ministry that endeavors to increase the ability of home and church to nurture children and teens into a lifetime of biblically-faithful, whole-life Christian discipleship. A 45-year youth ministry veteran and youth culture watcher, Walt is the author of ten books on youth culture, and a long-time trainer of parents, youth workers, and students. He hosts the 1-minute daily CPYU radio show/podcast Youth Culture Today, and the long-form Youth Culture Matters podcast. Walt is a faculty member in the Doctor of Ministry program at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary where he co-leads the doctoral cohorts for Ministry to Emerging Generations. Walt is married to Lisa, and they have four adult children and seven grandchildren. Walt’s passion is to deeply understand today’s youth culture in order to equip those who raise and lead children and teens to effectively cross-cultures with the Good News of the Gospel.
Crystal Kirgiss earned her PhD at Purdue University where she taught Literature and Writing for 13 years. She’s a veteran side-hustle youthworker with experience in direct ministry, training, and resourcing. For 15 years, she was part of the Youth Specialities core training team. She’s written for many youth study Bibles, ministry journals, blogs, and other outlets. Her most recent book In Search of Adolescence: A New Look at an Old Idea helped set the record straight about the true history of adolescence in families, communities, churches, and academies. She’s the Director of Discipleship Content and Partnerships for Young Life. In whatever spare moments she has, she devours the writings of dead British authors and tries to set the record straight on C. S. Lewis misquotes and the proper ordering of the Narnian books.
Luke Bobo co-owns Pursuing the Greater Good, a consulting firm through which he teaches, speaks, and writes. Previously, Luke worked as the Director of Bioethics at Kansas City University (Kansas City, MO), Chief Program Officer for Arrabon; and he held several key positions at Made to Flourish. Luke worked for fifteen years in the marketplace as an engineer before pursuing an MDiv and PhD and eventually serving as the executive director of the Francis Schaeffer Institute at Covenant Seminary. Luke has served as an associate professor of Christian ministry studies at Lindenwood University and wrote a curriculum for a workplace ministry. Luke is a former visiting instructor of contemporary culture at Covenant Seminary. He is also the author of Living Salty and Light Filled Lives in the Workplace and A Layperson’s Guide to Biblical Interpretation: A Means to Know the Personal God. He co-authored Discipleship with Monday in Mind: How Churches Across the Country Are Helping Their People Connect Faith and Work, and Stories, Statistics, Solutions: Toward Understanding and Including People with Disabilities in Faith Communities. He speaks on faith and work, Sabbath rest and play, cultural hermeneutics, biblical justice, ethics, bioethics, apologetics, contextualization, and film and theology.
He is married to Dr. Rita S. Holmes-Bobo; and they have two adult children, Briana and Caleb (Sabrina).
Dr. Calvin L. Troup is Geneva College’s twentieth president since its founding in 1848. He took office in 2016.
Before coming to Geneva, Dr. Troup directed a nationally ranked Rhetoric Ph.D. program in Duquesne University’s Department of Communication & Rhetorical Studies. He also served as a Geneva College board member during that time. He also has served on the faculties of Indiana University-Bloomington and the Pennsylvania State University-University Park. Dr. Troup graduated from Geneva College in 1983 and earned the M.A. (1991) and Ph.D. (1994) in Speech Communication from Penn State.
Dr. Troup’s scholarly work focuses on the rhetoric and philosophy of St. Augustine and the rhetoric of technology. His books include Temporality, Eternity, and Wisdom: The Rhetoric of Augustine’s Confessions (Univ. of South Carolina Press, 1999) and Augustine for the Philosophers: The Rhetor of Hippo, the Confessions (Baylor University Press, 2014) in addition to several book chapters and scholarly articles. He edited the Journal of Communication and Religion and Explorations in Media Ecology and is a past President of the Religious Communication Association. Dr. Troup also serves as an adjunct faculty member at the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh. Recently published through the Geneva College Center for Faith & Life, Dr. Troup is the author of A Framework for Biblical Integration and Learning.
Prior to his career in higher education, Dr. Troup worked in Washington, DC as a trend analyst and in leadership and board development for a major national non-profit organization. He also served as a press aide in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Dr. Troup and his wife, Amy L. (Spear) Troup ‘83, have four married daughters and several grandchildren.
Doug Franklin is the founder of LeaderTreks, an innovative discipleship and leadership development organization focusing on students and youth workers. He and his wife, Angie, live in Wayne, Illinois. Doug is a graduate of Wheaton College. His passion is using experiential learning to help students and adults grow as leaders. Doug is the author of three books; Student Leaders Start Here, The Disconnect, and Moving On.
Tom joined the The Village Chapel staff in November of 2018 and serves as the Associate Pastor of Congregational Care. He holds a Masters of Marriage and Family Counseling from Trevecca Nazarene University. His primary responsibilities are leading the Congregational Care Team, overseeing Care & Equip classes and connecting TVCers to counseling and support resources in Nashville. Tom’s leadership, organizational skills, genuine care for souls and sense of humor are an essential part The Village Chapel church and staff. Tom serves on the Congregational Care Team, Worship Team and leads a weekly men’s Bible study, along with seasonal GriefShare classes.
Dr Dave Coryell (DC), and his wife, Jen, live in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, USA. They have four children: Katelyn (married to Nate), Kendra, Ben (married to Ally), Zach, and one grandchild that will arrive by the time we gather.
DC serves as Global Director (C.E.O.) for Christian Endeavor. He began serving with CE in the USA in 2007 following fifteen years as a pastor of youth and leadership development. He was elected as Global Director in December 2016. DC also serves as an adjunct professor at Lancaster Bible College in the Youth and Young Adult Ministry major. He has authored numerous ministry resources and two books including Less Like Hippos…More Like Honeybees.
DC loves coaching soccer (footbal), movies, reading to learn, strategy games and challenging people to put Christ at the center of their lives.
He is trusting God to see Christian Endeavor spread to all 50 US states and at least 100 countries before the Lord takes him home. The C.E. network currently includes groups from 58 countries.
Val is a native of Cleveland, OH and is passionate about seeing the next generation come to know and love Jesus. She has served in student ministry through the local church for over 15 years, and has counted it a true privilege to serve students, walk with families, and lead a team in that context. She holds a BA in Bible and Student Ministry from Moody Bible Institute, and received an MA in Organizational Leadership from Regent University in 2017.
In 2020 Val transitioned to a parachurch organization where she trained and coached youth workers–both vocational and volunteer–in building disciple-making student ministries patterned after the ministry of Jesus. This role allowed her the privilege to hear the hearts and concerns of youth workers all over the US and all over the world. While her work in the local church was deep, her work coaching leaders was wide–giving her insight and passion for this project.
When not in the office, Val can be found biking, running, hiking, and talking late into the evening with friends on her front porch. Always in search of fun with a touch of chaos, she also loves turning the first floor of her house into a ball pit for her 5 nephews.
Monica Kim, MAR, MEd, PhD, is a licensed psychologist and Christian counselor with over twenty years of experience. She is also currently an adjunct faculty member at Lehigh University and facilitates a biblical counseling consultation group for the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF). She is married to Danny Kwon, a longtime youth pastor and they have three children and live outside Philadelphia. Together with her husband, they are co-authors of their most recent book Teenagers and Mental Health: A Handbook for Parents, Pastors, and Youth Leaders.
Danny Kwon, MDiv, ThM, PhD, is the Senior Director of Youth Ministry Content and Cross Cultural Initiatives for Rooted Ministry. Before Rooted, he served as the Youth and Family Pastor at Yuong Sang Church for 29 years. He has authored 4 books and is an adjunct professor at Eastern University. He is married to Monica Kim, a licensed psychologist and Christian counselor, have three children, and live outside Philadelphia. Together with his wife, they are co-authors of their most recent book, Teenagers and Mental Health: A Handbook for Parents, Pastors, and Youth Leaders.
Rich grew up in a small town in central New York, which featured one stop light and two gas stations. Born into a godly ministry family and consistently seeing and hearing the gospel, Rich gave his life over to Jesus as a young age. He avidly follows baseball, is a history nerd, and doesn’t know a day without coffee. His lifelong desire is to live out Colossians 1:28-29.
During college, he met the young lady of his dreams! Rich says, “Jesus and Janet were the two best decisions I’ve ever made!” They have been married since 1985. Rich and Janet have three adult children (two married), and five grandchildren. His two sons are ordained pastors in ministry, and his daughter owns her own salon. Most important, they all love Jesus!
While in college, God called him to student ministries and Rich has been working with students ever since, even now volunteering in his church’s high school ministry. With over 20 years as a student pastor in the local church and over 20 years in teaching student ministry in the university, he loves students and student ministry leaders. In 2019 God called him to begin his own ministry, NextGenMatters, where he seeks to “relationally equip today’s leaders for tomorrow’s generation.” While his primary ministry is now ministering to adults, it all centers back to seeing teenagers be fully mature lifelong disciples of Jesus.
Dr. David M. Correa Lopez serves as the Senior Pastor of “Jesus” Presbyterian Church in Progreso, Yucatán, México and as the Director of the Next Institute Mexico a training program for youth ministry, and as professor of Old Testament and Practical Theology at “San Pablo” Theological Seminary in, Mérida, Yucatán, México. He holds a Bachelor in Theology from “San Pablo” Theological Seminary, a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies, an M.Div. Equivalency and a Doctor of Ministry from Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida. He has been involved in youth ministry for over 30 years. David lives in Progreso, Yucatán and is married to Grace and has three sons: David, Abner and Joel.
Ben Swarr is the Director for Fellowship of Christian
Athletes (FCA) in South-Central Pennsylvania, leading a team of 15 staff in 10 counties. FCA is an international, parachurch ministry that launched in 1954 with a mission “To lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship
with Jesus Christ and His church.”
Personally, Ben grew up in eastern Lancaster
County, PA, and was a three-sport athlete for Garden Spot High School. He went on to study Christian Ministry with a Youth Ministry concentration at Messiah
College, where he was a member of the wrestling team and won a 2016 NCAA DIII National Title at 174 lbs.
Ben loves helping coaches and athletes realize that
they will not be fulfilled by an identity constructed by their sport, but only
by the identity they can receive in Christ. Ben, his wife, Lydia, and their
son, Jack, reside in Ephrata, PA.
Dr. John Perritt (MDiv RTS ’09 & DMin SBTS ’16) served in youth ministry at Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church for over 12 years. Prior to that, he served in youth ministry at First Presbyterian Church in Hattiesburg, MS. He is the host of RYM’s The Local Youth Worker podcast and editor of the growing library of “Track” series booklets for students. He has also published Social Media Pressure: Finding Peace Alongside Jesus (2023), Your Days Are Numbered (2016), What Would Judas Do? (2017), Time Out! The Gift or god of Youth Sports (2018), Bible 101: Living, Loving & Learning God’s Word (2018), Insecure: Fighting Our Lesser Fears with a Greater One (2019), and Mark: How Jesus Changes Everything (2019). He and his wife, Ashleigh, have five children and live in Ridgeland, MS.
Ray is the founder and Executive Director of The Philadelphia Project. He currently serves as Senior Pastor of a church partner, Roxborough Church. He and his wife and four children reside in the Roxborough neighborhood of Philadelphia, seeking to live and serve in the same community. Pastor Ray is happy to continue an extension of youth ministry by speaking at chapels, retreats, and ministry training conferences helping students engage with the Gospel and equipping leaders to engage with students.
Jason is the Teaching Pastor at Westwood Baptist Church in Roxboro, NC and also serves as Assistant Professor of Christian Ministry & Associate Director of Ed.D Studies at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC.
Jason and his wife Erin live in Roxboro, NC, and have
three children. Jason served as a student Pastor for over 20 years, 18 of those at Westwood before moving into his current position in 2024. A graduate of North Greenville University (B.A.), Liberty University (M.A.), and Southeastern
Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.), Jason earned his Doctorate of Education from Southeastern in 2021 with a focus in student ministry and discipleship. He
is also a regular contributor at Youth Pastor Theologian and Rooted. Jason is passionate about leading students to know and supremely treasure Jesus, as well as encouraging student ministry leaders to take seriously the sacred calling of shepherding students and families toward spiritual maturity.
Jake is an Assistant Pastor at Springton Lake Presbyterian Church in Newtown Square, PA.
Jake is a graduate of Westminster Theological Seminary (MDiv, 2021)
and is ordained in the PCA. He lives in Newtown Square, PA with his
wife Ciara and their two kids, with twins on the way. Outside of ministry, Jake enjoys reading, hiking, and playing guitar.
Kerry graduated from Gordon College in 2012 with a degree in Christian Ministry with a Concentration in Youth Ministry. She is passionate about students of all ages knowing the relentless love of the Savior. She lives in Haverhill, MA with her husband Joel and two young daughters, Cora and Maya. Kerry is a CPYU Research Fellow and serves as Director of Youth Education, Youth Ministry and Local Outreach at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Topsfield, MA.
Katie began serving in youth ministry at Highview EPC in the spring of 2016 where she seeks to see children and students completely transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ. She is also passionate about helping parents see their role as the primary discipler of their children and helping them feel equipped to face the joys and challenges of raising teenagers. She is married to her husband Cody, and they have one daughter (Sierra). In her free time, Katie enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching Food Network, playing board games, or checking out local craft breweries.
Brett came to faith in Christ as an eighteen year-old, due in large part to the influence of a local youth pastor. It was that youth pastor’s impact on his life that God eventually used to convince him of a call to ministry. He graduated from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan with a degree in Biology, and then enrolled at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida. Upon receiving a Masters of Divinity degree from RTS, Brett was called by Providence Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Pittsburgh to be their Associate Pastor and Director of Youth and Family Ministries. After eight years, he began teaching bible and science full-time at Robinson Township Christian School, where he also served as Chaplain, Athletic Director, and basketball coach. The last two years there Brett took on the added role of Headmaster. After serving seven years at RTCS, Brett was installed as the Associate Pastor for Youth and Families at Harvest Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Medina, Ohio where he continues to serve. Brett has also published two young adult novels entitled Half-Tail Rising (2019) and A Half-Tail Uprising (2020). Brett is married to his best friend Holly, and has four amazing kids and two pretty great sons-in-law!
Tim has been married to his bride Ariane for almost 15 years. They have 3 children, Adelyn (12), Tobin (10), Livie (2). His desire is to see students be equipped to navigate the world they live in with a biblical worldview. Tim believes the Bible provides all we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3), and in light of that reality, he loves seeing students increase in biblical literacy and continue to develop a gospel lens with which to filter the cultural narratives our world throws at them.
Josiah holds degrees from Moody Bible Institute and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is married to his wife Grace and has 3 children (Liliana, Jedidiah, and Selah). Amidst wacky games and smelly teenagers, his favorite part of his job is teaching God’s Word to hungry students. Josiah also enjoys being outside, playing disc golf, watching The Office, and spending time with family.
Mike received his Bachelor’s degree in Theology and Philosophy from Malone University and his Masters of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary. Mike and his wife, Autumn, are the proud parents of their sons, Eli, James, and John Mark, and they love spending time with family and friends. Mike loves to (slowly) read good books, have deep conversations, and unnecessarily drop C.S. Lewis quotes into every day conversations. Finally, you can often find Mike celebrating or despairing over his beloved Cleveland Sports teams.