Special Guests & Speakers
JJ Alderman grew up in Togo, Africa, from kindergarten through college as a missionary kid. He later returned with his wife, Melissa, serving 13 years in the voodoo capital of the world with a vision for gospel saturation and church planting through leadership development. Today, JJ serves the Coalition of the Willing, a global and national coalition of church-planting ministries, as well as ACHIEVE Alliance, a collective impact effort uniting kingdom investors toward a church in every village everywhere. JJ and Melissa now reside in Raleigh, North Carolina, with their three daughters.
Mark Batterson serves as the Lead Visionary of National Community Church (NCC) in Washington, DC, and of the Dream Collective. NCC owns and operates Ebenezers Coffeehouse, the Miracle Theatre, the DC Dream Center, the Capital Turnaround, and Culture House. Mark holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Regent University and is the New York Times best-selling author of 26 books. His newest works include Gradually Then Suddenly, A Million Little Miracles, and The Best Worst Day Ever, a children’s book co-written with his daughter, Summer. Mark and his wife, Lora, have three adult children and reside in Washington, DC.
Bessie Barker is an Australian best-selling author, international speaker, and ordained chaplain. She serves on staff at Dallas Theological Seminary while completing a dual master’s in biblical and theological studies and counseling. Her early career as an Australian entrepreneur and speaker included serving as brand ambassador for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, ambassador and speaker for Australia Day, touring Middle East warzones as emcee for the Australian and U.S. militaries, and sharing the stage with Presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton. After global success, a seven-year spiritual journey through thirty-three countries led Bessie, her husband, and their newborn to a renewed, wholehearted faith in Christ.
Naeem Fazal is the founding and lead pastor of Mosaic Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Born in Kuwait to a Pakistani Muslim family, he came to the United States shortly after the Gulf War and experienced a supernatural encounter with Jesus that changed the course of his life. He was ordained at Seacoast Church in Charleston, South Carolina. Naeem is the author of Ex-Muslim and his latest book, Tomorrow Needs You. He and his wife, Ashley, have two college-age children.
Jarrell Flowers is a dynamic hip-hop and spoken word artist rooted in San Antonio’s creative culture. His passion for hip-hop began early, leading to global performances and the release of multiple musical projects, including four EPs and a full-length album. In 2018, Jarrell and his wife, Jeneil, founded The RISE Movement, a nonprofit equipping creatives to transform communities through art and the gospel. RISE has since grown into a nationwide network of artist-led communities, fostering creativity for the glory of God and the good of cities. Jarrell lives in San Antonio with Jeneil and their three daughters.
Mart Green is the Ministry Investment Officer for Hobby Lobby and the founder of Mardel Christian and Education Supply stores. His retail career began with his parents, founders of Hobby Lobby, which has grown to more than 1,000 stores in 48 states. Mart is the Board Chair of Come and See, working to expand The Chosen into the world’s largest 600 languages, and also serves on the Board of Come Near. He and his wife, Diana, are leading champions of illumiNations, an alliance committed to eradicating Bible poverty by 2033. In 2024, Mart and David Bowden co-authored Learning to Be Loved. Mart and Diana live in Oklahoma and have four children and thirteen grandchildren.
David Leonard is a songwriter, worship leader, producer, artist, husband, and father. After honing his craft with Jackson Waters and touring with NEEDTOBREATHE, he became one-half of the GRAMMY–nominated duo All Sons & Daughters. A GMA Dove Award–winning producer and co-founder of The Creak Music, David has crafted beloved songs including “Great Are You Lord,” “Christ Be All Around,” and “All the Poor and Powerless.” His solo projects The Wait and Silence the Noise reflect his personal journey with God. His worship anthems “Good Lord” and “Every Hour” continue his passion for creating spaces where people encounter God anew.
Stephen McWhirter is a Dove Award–winning and GRAMMY–nominated worship artist, songwriter, speaker, and author whose life and music testify to the redemptive power of Jesus. Once a drug addict who hated Jesus and Christians, he encountered Christ in a way that radically restored his heart and life. His breakout anthem “Come Jesus Come” has become a global prayer of revival, earning GRAMMY nominations alongside CeCe Winans and the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Stephen now travels worldwide sharing his story and leading many to Jesus. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with his wife, Tara, and their three sons, and is signed with Capital Christian Music Group and Zondervan Books.
Ed Stetzer, Ph.D., is the Dean and Professor of Leadership and Christian Ministry at the Talbot School of Theology at Biola University. He also serves as Distinguished Visiting Scholar at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University. Ed has planted, revitalized, and pastored churches; trained pastors and church planters on six continents; earned two master’s degrees and two doctorates; and written hundreds of articles and a dozen books. He is the Regional Director for Lausanne North America and the Editor-in-Chief of Outreach Magazine, and regularly writes for outlets such as USA Today and CNN. His national radio show, Ed Stetzer Live, airs on Moody Radio. Ed serves Mariners Church as Scholar in Residence & Teaching Pastor.
Stephan-N Tchividjian, often known as “Stitch,” was raised with a global perspective shaped by time living in Europe and the Middle East and a heritage marked by faith and resilience. As the eldest grandchild of Reverend Billy Graham, his life and leadership have been deeply influenced by a Christian worldview. Today, Stephan serves as a founder and CEO of the National Christian Foundation of South Florida, encouraging generous giving to meet local, national, and global needs, while also leading The Caleb Group, a boutique consulting firm serving nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Stephan and his wife, Lisa, have been married for 38 years and live in South Florida with their family.
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JJ Alderman grew up in Togo, Africa, from kindergarten through college as a missionary kid. He later returned with his wife, Melissa, serving 13 years in the voodoo capital of the world with a vision for gospel saturation and church planting through leadership development. Today, JJ serves the Coalition of the Willing, a global and national coalition of church-planting ministries, as well as ACHIEVE Alliance, a collective impact effort uniting kingdom investors toward a church in every village everywhere. JJ and Melissa now reside in Raleigh, North Carolina, with their three daughters.
Mark Batterson serves as the Lead Visionary of National Community Church (NCC) in Washington, DC, and of the Dream Collective. NCC owns and operates Ebenezers Coffeehouse, the Miracle Theatre, the DC Dream Center, the Capital Turnaround, and Culture House. Mark holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Regent University and is the New York Times best-selling author of 26 books. His newest works include Gradually Then Suddenly, A Million Little Miracles, and The Best Worst Day Ever, a children’s book co-written with his daughter, Summer. Mark and his wife, Lora, have three adult children and reside in Washington, DC.
Bessie Barker is an Australian best-selling author, international speaker, and ordained chaplain. She serves on staff at Dallas Theological Seminary while completing a dual master’s in biblical and theological studies and counseling. Her early career as an Australian entrepreneur and speaker included serving as brand ambassador for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, ambassador and speaker for Australia Day, touring Middle East warzones as emcee for the Australian and U.S. militaries, and sharing the stage with Presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton. After global success, a seven-year spiritual journey through thirty-three countries led Bessie, her husband, and their newborn to a renewed, wholehearted faith in Christ.
Naeem Fazal is the founding and lead pastor of Mosaic Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Born in Kuwait to a Pakistani Muslim family, he came to the United States shortly after the Gulf War and experienced a supernatural encounter with Jesus that changed the course of his life. He was ordained at Seacoast Church in Charleston, South Carolina. Naeem is the author of Ex-Muslim and his latest book, Tomorrow Needs You. He and his wife, Ashley, have two college-age children.
Jarrell Flowers is a dynamic hip-hop and spoken word artist rooted in San Antonio’s creative culture. His passion for hip-hop began early, leading to global performances and the release of multiple musical projects, including four EPs and a full-length album. In 2018, Jarrell and his wife, Jeneil, founded The RISE Movement, a nonprofit equipping creatives to transform communities through art and the gospel. RISE has since grown into a nationwide network of artist-led communities, fostering creativity for the glory of God and the good of cities. Jarrell lives in San Antonio with Jeneil and their three daughters.
Mart Green is the Ministry Investment Officer for Hobby Lobby and the founder of Mardel Christian and Education Supply stores. His retail career began with his parents, founders of Hobby Lobby, which has grown to more than 1,000 stores in 48 states. Mart is the Board Chair of Come and See, working to expand The Chosen into the world’s largest 600 languages, and also serves on the Board of Come Near. He and his wife, Diana, are leading champions of illumiNations, an alliance committed to eradicating Bible poverty by 2033. In 2024, Mart and David Bowden co-authored Learning to Be Loved. Mart and Diana live in Oklahoma and have four children and thirteen grandchildren.
David Leonard is a songwriter, worship leader, producer, artist, husband, and father. After honing his craft with Jackson Waters and touring with NEEDTOBREATHE, he became one-half of the GRAMMY–nominated duo All Sons & Daughters. A GMA Dove Award–winning producer and co-founder of The Creak Music, David has crafted beloved songs including “Great Are You Lord,” “Christ Be All Around,” and “All the Poor and Powerless.” His solo projects The Wait and Silence the Noise reflect his personal journey with God. His worship anthems “Good Lord” and “Every Hour” continue his passion for creating spaces where people encounter God anew.
Stephen McWhirter is a Dove Award–winning and GRAMMY–nominated worship artist, songwriter, speaker, and author whose life and music testify to the redemptive power of Jesus. Once a drug addict who hated Jesus and Christians, he encountered Christ in a way that radically restored his heart and life. His breakout anthem “Come Jesus Come” has become a global prayer of revival, earning GRAMMY nominations alongside CeCe Winans and the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Stephen now travels worldwide sharing his story and leading many to Jesus. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with his wife, Tara, and their three sons, and is signed with Capital Christian Music Group and Zondervan Books.
Ed Stetzer, Ph.D., is the Dean and Professor of Leadership and Christian Ministry at the Talbot School of Theology at Biola University. He also serves as Distinguished Visiting Scholar at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University. Ed has planted, revitalized, and pastored churches; trained pastors and church planters on six continents; earned two master’s degrees and two doctorates; and written hundreds of articles and a dozen books. He is the Regional Director for Lausanne North America and the Editor-in-Chief of Outreach Magazine, and regularly writes for outlets such as USA Today and CNN. His national radio show, Ed Stetzer Live, airs on Moody Radio. Ed serves Mariners Church as Scholar in Residence & Teaching Pastor.
Stephan-N Tchividjian, often known as “Stitch,” was raised with a global perspective shaped by time living in Europe and the Middle East and a heritage marked by faith and resilience. As the eldest grandchild of Reverend Billy Graham, his life and leadership have been deeply influenced by a Christian worldview. Today, Stephan serves as a founder and CEO of the National Christian Foundation of South Florida, encouraging generous giving to meet local, national, and global needs, while also leading The Caleb Group, a boutique consulting firm serving nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Stephan and his wife, Lisa, have been married for 38 years and live in South Florida with their family.