Jim Beckman serves as the executive director for ImpactCenter, a support ministry for Catholic youth ministers. A graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville, Jim has been a host for Franciscan’s Summer Youth Conferences for many years and has built thriving youth ministry programs in several parishes. He is also the author of In the Zone, a Catholic teen prayer book; The ROC, LifeTeen’s confirmation series; and most recently, a new prayer book for teens and young adults called Real Prayer. Jim and his wife, Meg, live in Colorado with their five children.

Bob Rice desires to share the love of God using every talent he has been blessed with.  He is an Associate Professor of Catechetics at Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, and he ministers to over ten thousand people each year through hosting conferences, giving talks, teaching workshops, leading worship, and performing original music.  Bob’s creative use of humor, personal stories, and extensive knowledge of the Faith have made him an internationally sought after speaker for people of all ages.  He lives in Steubenville with his wife Jennifer and six kids.  The children of the world sing songs about him and woodland creatures eat from his hand.  Yes, he’s that good.  You can find out more about him at bob-rice.com.

Jackie Francois is a Spirit and Song artist from Orange County, California, where she does ministry as a full-time worship leader, singer-songwriter, and speaker. You can find her on www.SpiritandSong.com as a Webcast host for "The Commons."

Deacon Ralph Poyo

Deacon Ralph has been in Ministry for over twenty years and over a year ago he founded a new ministry based out of Ohio, New Evangelization Ministries. This ministry is available to Pastors and Church Staffs to equip them with training, resources, and strategies for evangelization that could be easily adapted to the charism of their parish. Deacon Ralph is extremely passionate about helping people experience the person of Christ in every day life. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Susan and they have five daughters. Deacon Ralph’s enjoys spending time with the all his girls in various outdoor activities, like hiking, soccer, and tennis.

To learn more about the work that Ralph does with the New Evangelization Ministries, visit:

www.newevangelizationministries.org

Caroline Gambale Dirkes

Caroline Gambale Dirkes is the Director of Evangelization at St. Joseph’s Church in Hillsborough, New Jersey, and the Life Teen contact for New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania. She has been working with youth and evangelization for 15 years. A graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville with degrees in theology and psychology, she has spoken at numerous rallies, retreats, national conferences, and schools. Caroline and her husband Dan founded 2Tim4 Ministries with the goal of reaching thousands for Christ.  Caroline has a passion for letting teens know that God loves them right where they’re at and has fun doing it.

Father Dave Pivonka, TOR

Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, is well known to youth conference attendees from San Diego to Nova Scotia. He spends much of his time helping others come to know God’s love for them through his dynamic preaching, writings, CDs, and other spiritual outreaches. Father Dave has two recently published books, Spiritual Freedom: God’s Life Changing Gift and Hiking the Camino: 500 Miles With Jesus. A graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville, Father Dave has held several ministry positions at Franciscan. He currently serves as the director of post-novitiate formation for the Franciscan province in Washington, D.C. Father Dave wants you to know he is praying for you and hopes you will be “God’s witness to the end of the earth.”