Keynotes
-
Donald Miller
@donmillerisDonald Miller grew up in Houston, Texas, in the shadow of the Astrodome, next to a cow pasture. When he was a kid, his single mother took him to a Southern Baptist church because she couldn’t afford reform school, which is probably why he writes about religious themes. He left Houston at 21 in a Volkswagen van, and later wrote a book about his trip called Through Painted Deserts. In his travels, he ran out of money in Portland, Oregon where he audited classes at Reed College, then selected as the most godless campus in the country. He wrote a book about that experience called Blue Like Jazz that eventually became a New York Times Bestseller and is now being made into a movie. Don then followed up with the best-selling Searching for God Knows What. After thirty-years of no interaction with his father, Don found his biological dad and wrote about it in a book called To Own a Dragon, which is being re-released in Spring 2010 under the title Father Fiction. About that time, he started The Mentoring Project, an organization that seeks to respond to the American crisis of fatherlessness by inspiring and equipping faith communities to mentor fatherless boys. Don’s work with The Mentoring Project led the Obama administration to invite him onto the President’s task force on fatherlessness and mentoring. Last year, along with the Ride:Well Team, Don rode his bicycle across America in an effort to raise money to drill wells in Sub-Saharan Africa. This experience, along with the writing of the screenplay for Blue Like Jazz, provided material for his newest book, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years (also a New York Times Bestseller) for which Don spent the fall of 2009 promoting on a 65 city national bus tour. He is a frequent speaker at National Conferences and Universities across the country. He has appeared at such diverse events as Women of Faith Conference and The Democratic National Convention. He lives in Portland, Oregon with his dog Lucy.
-
Dan Merchant
@LordSaveUsDan was the kid who once showed up to summer camp with typed scripts for talent night and cast his cabin mates in the comedy sketches. Not much has changed since 1976, Dan has been writing, producing, directing and talking people into his ideas ever since. Dan makes his debut as a feature documentary director with Lord, Save Us From Your Followers – the product of an amazing three-year journey behind the front lines of America’s so-called Culture Wars. The film saw a limited theatrical release Summer 2009. Also, Lord, Save Us From Your Followers was awarded the Judges’ Award and the People’s Award for Best Spiritual Documentary of 2008 by Beliefnet.com. More information can be found at www.lordsaveusthemovie.com.
-
Todd Wagner
@wordsfromwagsTodd is the Pastor of Watermark Community Church in Dallas, Texas, one of the most innovative and exciting new churches in America. He and his wife, Alex, are busy investing in their six kids, so though he is a much sought after speaker/teacher at conferences and camps around the country, he currently says no much more than yes. He is a coach much more than a conference speaker, and purposes to be a better Dad and a faithful husband at home more than a hero on the road. He is a graduate of both the University of Missouri and Dallas Theological Seminary. Todd has extensive experience in both church and para-church ministry, having served on both Young Life and K-Life staff as well as 10 years at Kanakuk where he last served as Asst. Director at K-2. After leaving Kanakuk in 1990, Todd has been leading in the local church.
The Echo Church Panel
The Echo Church Panel is in informal conversation about media, technology, creativity, and innovation in the Church featuring:
-
Terry Storch
@terrystorchTerry Storch leads the development team that built YouVersion and several other web applications for pastors and churches. Terry also oversees Church Online, a web ministry of LifeChurch.tv that reaches over 60,000 people from over 140 countries each week. Prior to joining the LifeChurch.tv team in 2007, he served as a pastor at Fellowship Church in Grapevine, TX.
-
Kem Meyer
@kemmeyerKem Meyer is a recovering corporate spin doctor and outspoken advocate for applying simple insights to the not-so-simple art of communication. She speaks, writes and leads teams to deliver a clutter free and unified experience across departments and campuses. Her book, Less Clutter. Less Noise. helps churches, businesses and not-for-profits find ways to get the word out and, simply, do better.
-
Carlos Whittaker
@loswhitCarlos Whittaker is an artist, pastor, thinker, experience architect, and Web 2.0 junkie.
Carlos was at Sandals Church in Riverside California where he served for 10 years as the Pastor of Worship and Creative Arts. In August of 2007 Carlos and his family made the move from Southern California to Atlanta, GA. Carlos became the Director of Service Programming at Buckhead Church which is one of the three North Point Community Church campuses. He oversees all the Sunday adult experience and design. He directly oversees all areas Hosting, Production, Creative, Video, Music, and Programming at Buckhead Church. He also sits on the creative sermon planning team for Andy Stanley.
The Echo Church Panel will be moderated by Scott McClellan of COLLIDE Magazine.
Breakouts
-
Carlos Whittaker
@loswhitCarlos Whittaker is an artist, pastor, thinker, experience architect, and Web 2.0 junkie.
Carlos was at Sandals Church in Riverside California where he served for 10 years as the Pastor of Worship and Creative Arts. In August of 2007 Carlos and his family made the move from Southern California to Atlanta, GA. Carlos became the Director of Service Programming at Buckhead Church which is one of the three North Point Community Church campuses. He oversees all the Sunday adult experience and design. He directly oversees all areas Hosting, Production, Creative, Video, Music, and Programming at Buckhead Church. He also sits on the creative sermon planning team for Andy Stanley. -
Barton Damer
@bartondamerBarton is a Creative Director for RT Creative Group (Igniter, COLLIDE, WHM, and Echo Conference). Barton’s work received the 2009 Digital Artist Award and has been featured in magazines such as Computer Arts and Advanced Photoshop. He is an instructor for Maxon Cinema 4d as well as several other tutorial sites. Check out his blog at www.alreadybeenchewed.net.
-
Terry Storch
@terrystorchTerry Storch leads the development team that built YouVersion and several other web applications for pastors and churches. Terry also oversees Church Online, a web ministry of LifeChurch.tv that reaches over 60,000 people from over 140 countries each week. Prior to joining the LifeChurch.tv team in 2007, he served as a pastor at Fellowship Church in Grapevine, TX.
-
Tony Steward
@tonystewardTony Steward is passionate about missional strategies in digital environments that have impact all over the world. As the Online Community Pastor at LifeChurch.tv he helps leverage social media to connect people to church online experiences, community and opportunities for spiritual growth. -
Kem Meyer
@kemmeyerKem Meyer is a recovering corporate spin doctor and outspoken advocate for applying simple insights to the not-so-simple art of communication. She speaks, writes and leads teams to deliver a clutter free and unified experience across departments and campuses. Her book, Less Clutter. Less Noise. helps churches, businesses and not-for-profits find ways to get the word out and, simply, do better.
-
Rob Thomas
@robwthomasAs president of RT Creative Group, Rob Thomas works with Igniter Media, Worship House Media, Echo Conference and Collide Magazine to create and distribute media that challenges and encourages people to live authentic lives, grounded in Truth. Occasionally, Rob performs as Johnny of JohnnyandChachi.com with the hopes of imparting wisdom through song, humor, and dance. Rob and his wife Haley live in Allen, TX with their three children. For more information, visit IgniterMedia.com.
-
Trent Armstrong
@Trent_ArmstrongTrent Armstrong has been using After Effects professionally for over 12 years. He is a motion graphics designer for Igniter Media in Dallas, TX and the founder of the Dallas After Effects User Group. Also, fluent in Final Cut Pro, Trent has been a leader with the Dallas Final Cut Pro User Group for over 5 years. Trent's After Effects tutorials and tips can be found on CreativeCow.net as well as his own tutorial site: AETutorials.net.
-
Brad Abare
@bradabareBrad Abare consults with organizations who are in the midst of major transition. He is the director of communications for Foursquare, founder of Church Marketing Sucks, and serves on the board for the Center for Church Communication. -
Camron Ware
@camron_wareCamron Ware is the founder of Visual Worshiper, a design consulting company that guides and mentors churches through the journey of what visual worship means in the Church today, and how and why to use technology in worship to tell visual stories. Environmental Projection is a foundational and innovative tool of Visual Worshiper, and churches and events throughout the country are implementing this powerful and cost-effective technology. Camron is also a freelance lighting designer and VJ, with a heart and passion for visual worship leading; using technology and environments to create authentic, engaging, transformational experiences during worship.
-
Stephen Proctor
@worshipVJStephen proctor is a "VJ", or visual jockey. He's the co-founder of Grateful Inconvenience, Inc., a creative design & production company based in Nashville that focuses on live environmental design, film production & visual media. He's spends most of the time on the road VJ-ing for various artists, as well as instigating conversations with creatives by asking the question "why". His passion is for "visual worship"...to explore new ways to visually echo our response to the glorious revelations of God. And he loves to help others find their way on this journey, as well. "My hopes are to facilitate and train the local Body in effectively and clearly projecting the message of Christ and modeling authentic worship through the relevant and dynamic technology that we have at our fingertips today." Stephen shares his experiences as well as tips & tricks from the road on his blog worshipVJ.com.
-
Gary Molander
@garymoGary Molander thinks that bios (like this one) are funny, because everyone knows that the person wrote the bio about himself, but in the third person. That being said, Gary is a husband, father of three daughters, and co-owner of Floodgate Productions and Sermolicious. He is a contributing columnist for Collide Magazine, and blogs regularly at www.garymo.com.
-
Matt Knisely
@mattkniselyMatt Knisely is a multi Emmy® award-winning photojournalist and storyteller focusing on social-awareness campaigns with non-profits around the globe. He serves as the director of communications and innovation at Lawton First in Oklahoma where he develops creative solutions for communications, media, and the Web. Matt is also a co-founder of Good World Creative, a creative collaborative focused on meaningful graphical and motion picture storytelling to help non-profits tell their story. In two words he is a, cultural architect. Prior to joining Lawton First, he served as director of photojournalism for FOX Minneapolis and made it one of the best stations in the country for television photography and visual communication. His work has been featured on the BBC, NBC, ABC, and FOX News Channel and he has received the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award in electronic journalism. Follow @MattKnisely on Twitter and follow Matt's blog: mattknisely.com
-
Nathan Davis
@mediapeopleNathan Davis serves not only as a Pastor, but is the Director of Communications at Destiny Christian Center in Oklahoma, where he oversees communications, media, and the Web. He is also the owner of Destiny Media, a for-profit creative design and web company. If he's not busy enough, he is a co-founder of Good World Creative, a creative collaborative focused on meaningful graphical and motion picture storytelling to help non-profits tell their story. Bottom line, he's a creative story teller who specializes in design, particularly info visualization, web, and motion graphics. Follow Nathan on Twitter and on his blog, Shaped by Stories
-
David Womack
@wordonwomackDavid Womack is a Creative Director for RT Creative Group (Igniter, COLLIDE, WorshipHouse, and Echo). David is passionate about reaching the lost through creative video. Prior to joining the RT team, David served as an Art Director and Post Production Manager at Fellowship Church in Grapevine, Texas.
-
Blaine Hogan
@blainehoganBlaine Hogan worked as a professional actor for nearly 12 years before he took a sabbatical that led him to Mars Hill Graduate School in Seattle, WA. While in Seattle he received a Masters in Christian Studies focusing on the intersection of art and faith. He currently works for Willow Creek Community Church as an Experience Engineer creating contexts and spaces for people to experience God using video, multimedia, movement, and performance art. He writes about ideas, hope, and the creative process on his blog: www.blainehogan.com.
-
Dawn Nicole Baldwin
@dawnnicoleDawn Nicole Baldwin is founder and lead strategist of AspireOne, a strategic branding firm with a passion for helping churches reach people more effectively. She’s been invited to speak at conferences nationwide and has guest lectured on marketing strategy at the Graduate School of Business at the University of Chicago. She is considered one of the leading experts on branding and marketing for ministries and has consulted with some of the country’s most innovative and influential churches such as Granger, Seacoast and Willow Creek. A former staff member of Big Idea Productions [creators of VeggieTales] and Willow Creek, Dawn Nicole frequently contributes to today’s leading-edge thinking of leveraging marketing best practices for nonprofits but is best known as a change agent who is intent on stretching imaginations, connecting people and making a difference. To learn more about her, click here. Follow Dawn on Twitter here.
-
Michael Buckingham
@holycowcreativeMichael is the Founder & Creative Director of Holy Cow Creative with the goal of once again making the church the most creative place on the planet. He is also the Creative Director for the Center for Church Communication and Church Marketing Sucks. You can also find him on his own blog Jesus Hates Papyrus as he continues to help the church not be so...churchy. Follow Michael on twitter: @holycowcreative
-
Chance Mason
@chancemasonRecognized nationally as an entrepreneur in new media, Chance has a vision for the use of digital media and social communities as part of modern faith-based outreach, communication and service initiatives. He has been featured in various media vehicles including CBS's The Early Show and Christianity Today Magazine. Through digital media strategies, Chance teaches ministry leaders including pastors, worship leaders, media directors, and communications teams how to be more effective in growing and leading their ministries. His concept of the “new media ecosystem” combines social media, online rich media, name acquisition, audience segmentation and targeted messaging. When combined, these components create an intentional communication strategy for ministries to exceed their growth expectations.
Since 2001, Chance has directed the strategic launch and delivery of two of the largest faith-based online broadcast properties, Streaming Faith (www.streamingfaith.com) and 316 Networks (www.316networks.com). As company president, Chance has revolutionized the relationship between faith-based organizations and the way we use the Internet. With a dynamic spirit powered by faith and purpose, accompanied with a relentless hunger for mastering cutting-edge technology, he maintains his pioneer status in the industry. Combined Streaming Faith and 316 Networks serve over 800 ministry clients which currently include Saddleback Church, North Point Community Church, 268 Generation, Fellowship Church, Joel Osteen/Lakewood Church, Bishop Eddie Long/New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Dave Ramsey, Ken Blanchard, Zig Ziglar and many more. While engaging with these prominent leaders, Chance continues to visioneer services that equip churches and ministries of any size. Chance is responsible for driving all aspects of both companies’ operations including sales, marketing, growth, business development and client services.
Chance earned a bachelor’s degree in management of information systems from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Chance is married to his wife of 8 years, Karol Mason, and together they are the proud parents of Chance Malachi and Sophia Storm. -
Scott McClellan
@scottmcclellanScott McClellan is the Editor of COLLIDE Magazine, which means that he spends most of his time reading, writing, and clicking. He blogs regularly about media, technology, and the Church on the COLLIDE blog, and he contributes not-so-regularly to AdoptiveDads.org (link). Scott lives in the Dallas area with his wife and daughter. Oh, and he's the Director of Echo.