Dr. Chris Walker (MDiv WTS ’08 and DMin WTS ’19) is Senior Pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Chris taught middle and high school students and served as Athletic Director for five years at Veritas Academy in Leola, PA. He served as Youth Pastor at Westminster from 2013-2020, and has served as Senior Pastor since 2020. Chris lives with his wife, Kate, and five children in Leola, PA. Chris was our evening preacher at NYMS two years ago, and is back by popular demand.
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.
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.
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.
Ashley Belknap is the Executive Director of Engaging Disability With The Gospel, a ministry that coaches churches to disciple and enfold kids, teens, and adults impacted by disability. Originally from Greenville, South Carolina, she obtained her undergraduate degrees in Christian Education and Business Administration from Erskine College and her Master’s in Theological Studies from Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi. While in Jackson, she met and married her husband, John, and has made Mississippi home since. Ashley and John have three young boys, all of whom have unique needs. Her love for ministry, the local church, and families impacted by disability all coalesced in her position with Engaging Disability. She loves coaching pastors, church staff, and volunteers to disciple and enfold kids, teens, and adults who are impacted by disability. Her approach to disability ministry is an extension of discipleship across every ministry area of the church, rather than a separate set of disability-related programs, making small steps forward possible for every church regardless of size. Ashley has created and published many adapted discipleship resources that can be found in the Engaging Disability’s store, Simply the Gospel.
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.
Michael is the Director of Training with RYM where he leads efforts to equip, connect, and encourage youth ministry leaders. Before joining RYM full time he was a Youth Pastor in churches in South Carolina, Missouri, and Virginia. Michael attended Covenant Theological Seminary and is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in America. He and his wife Kirby have three children and live in Charlottesville, VA.
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. 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.
Ellen Dykas is the Director of Equipping for Ministry to Women for Harvest USA. She joined Harvest USA in 2007 as our first full-time women’s ministry staff. She’s authored several Harvest USA mini-books, a women’s curriculum, a devotional, and, most recently, Jesus and Your Unwanted Journey: Wives Finding Comfort After Sexual Betrayal. Ellen focuses on producing new content and developing training for churches. She’s excited to build on her 17 years here through teaching, writing, and training. Ellen received her MA from Covenant Theological Seminary and a graduate certificate in biblical counseling from Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation (CCEF)
Joan McConnell is Harvest USA’s Director of Parents and Family Ministry, providing fellowship, advice, and biblical encouragement for those impacted by their family members’ sexual struggles. After teaching for 29 years in Christian high schools and Bible colleges, Joan has been part of her church’s staff since 2007. She has been a ministry mentor for churches, served as a speaker for seminars, retreats, and workshops, and has facilitated a Harvest USA parents’ support group since 2013. Joan holds an MA in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Liberty Theological Seminary.
Greg arrived at Inspiration Point Christian Camp and Retreat Center in 1990, serving as the director until 2015, and has since transitioned into the role of president. His primary responsibilities lie in the areas of strategic planning, organizational culture, and resource development.
A graduate of Concordia College in Moorhead, MN (B.A. German Education and Business Administration), Greg speaks around the country at churches, camps, and conferences on the topics of leadership and ministry to children, youth, and families. He has served on the board of directors for The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding and has also served as Board Chair for Christian Camp and Conference Association.
Mike is the Founder/Director of Youth Pastor Theologian. He served as a Youth Pastor for 18 years and has two teenagers at home. He is an ordained pastor and earned his Doctor of Ministry degree in “Ministry to Emerging Generations” from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Mike is the author of Discover: Questioning Your Way to Faith , Lead Them to Jesus: A Handbook for Youth Workers , A Biblical Theology of Youth Ministry: Teenagers in the Life of the Church , and was a contributor to Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry: A Practical Guide.
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.
Jason and his wife Erin live in Roxboro, NC, and have three children. Jason has served in student ministry for 20 years, and as Pastor of Students and Discipleship at Westwood Baptist Church since 2006. 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 a CPYU research fellow and is a regular contributor at Youth Pastor Theologian and Youth Ministry Roundtable. Jason is passionate about leading students to know and supremely treasure Jesus, and about encouraging student ministry leaders to take seriously the sacred calling of shepherding students and families toward spiritual maturity.
Micah is the Executive Director and founder of Refuge Youth Network, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in Altoona, PA. He has 15 years of full-time experience working with teenagers, 14 of which have been dedicated to serving Blair County through Refuge Youth Network. Micah loves to laugh and enjoy life. He finds joy in simple pleasures like food, playing games, and staying active. Most importantly, he treasures spending quality time with his wife, Bethany, and their dog, Tank. Additionally, Micah serves as an instructor at Gorilla House Gym in Altoona.
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.
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.
Speaker lineup to be announced soon!