Speakers

Bobby & Jackie Angel

Over the past 20 years, Jackie served in many different ministry capacities including youth, young adult, marriage, pro-life, and music ministries. Back in 2006, She teamed up with Oregon Catholic Press with whom she released two original music albums. Check out iTunes or SpiritandSong.com to get Jackie’s albums “Your Kingdom is Glorious” and “Divine Comedy.” Bobby began with firefighting followed by a brief time in seminary as he discerned the Lord’s calling in my life. Bobby has been involved in youth ministry in some way over the last twenty years, ever since he first encountered Christ as a teen. Throughout his journey, Bobby has worn many hats, including nearly ten years in the classroom where he taught theology and philosophy while also serving as a high school minister. He is blessed now to be an author, speaker, and personal mentor, with specialized training from the CatholicPsych Institute. Since getting married and welcoming five adorable kids into the world, their ministry has evolved to include homeschooling their kids, which has been a wonderful blend of faith, fun, flexibility, and chaos; and getting to travel the world, proclaiming the Good News of the abundant life offered by Christ!  www.JackieandBobby.com

Jim Beckman

Jim has been involved with diocesan and parish ministry, evangelization and leadership development for more than 30 years. A graduate from Franciscan University of Steubenville in 1987, he has served in various roles of leadership for national, regional and local ministry ever since. Jim Beckman is currently the Executive Director of Evangelization and Catechesis for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. Jim has built solid and thriving ministry programs in numerous parishes and Dioceses over the years. He also serves as the Executive Director of ImpactCenter, a non-profit dedicated to leadership development in the Catholic Church, and as an adjunct professor for the Augustine Institute in Denver, CO. Jim also is an Ambassador for Franciscan University of Steubenville. Jim and his wife, Meg, live in Oklahoma City, OK, with their five children: Aaron, Claire, Daniel, Jonathan and Brian.

Tony Brandt

Tony is the co-founder and President of Casting Nets Ministries. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Theology, Philosophy and Youth Ministry at Benedictine College in Atchison, KS. Tony is a veteran of youth and young adult ministry including have taught theology for fifteen years at Bishop Carroll and Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High Schools. He is a frequent presenter at parish missions, retreats, and Diocesan conferences throughout the United States. He is the co-author of "Casting Nets: Grow Your Faith by Sharing Your Faith" published by Our Sunday Visitor. Tony and his wife Kelly, have seven beautiful children and live in Wichita, KS.

Chris Padgett

Chris Padgett is a speaker, musician, and author who has traveled the country for more than a decade. Using music and message, Padgett communicates Christ's love and forgiveness to youth and adults alike. A founding member of Scarecrow and Tinmen, Chris Padgett wrote, recorded, and toured with this popular Christian band for seven years. He also has nine solo albums to his credit. In 2005, his song “Wonder” won the Unity Award for Rock Song of the Year. The music video of “I’m in Love” from his 2007 album Impact premiered with outsidedabox.com. Chris is a convert to the Catholic faith, entering the Church at Easter in 1999. He earned his M.A. in theology from Franciscan University in 2006, and he is working toward his doctorate in sacred theology from the International Marian Research Institute. Chris has been married to his high school sweetheart for over 20 years and has nine children. He has also appeared on television and radio and has been a regular speaker and entertainer at Steubenville youth conferences.

Sarah & Andy Swafford

Dr. Andrew and Sarah Swafford found Jesus Christ in a powerful way in college and have devoted their lives to sharing the joy of his truth ever since. They speak frequently across the country (and in Europe, Australia, and the Philippines) on dating, marriage, the moral and spiritual life, St. John Paul II, and Sacred Scripture. Together, they are the authors of Gift and Grit: How Heroic Virtue Can Change Your Life and Relationships and cohosts of Ascension’s What We Believe: The Beauty of the Catholic Faith, filmed in Rome. Sarah is the author of Emotional Virtue: A Guide to Drama-free Relationships and cohost of EWTN’s At the Heart of Relationships. She is also a contributor to Ascension’s Chosen. Andrew is Professor of Theology at Benedictine College; among his publications are What We Believe: The Beauty of the Catholic Faith and A Catholic Guide to the Old Testament. He is also general editor and contributor to Ascension’s Great Adventure Catholic Bible and host of Ascension’s Bible studies on Romans and Hebrews. Andrew and Sarah live in Atchison, KS with their six children: Thomas, Fulton, Cate, Kolbe, John Paul, and Avila.

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Chris Stewart

Chris Stewart is the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Casting Nets Ministries. He has been a youth minister, a junior high and high school religion teacher, and a college theology professor. Chris earned a master's degree in theological studies from Ave Maria University in Florida and is a frequent presenter at parish missions, retreats, and Diocesan conferences throughout the United State. He is the author of "Casting Nets: Grow Your Faith by Sharing Your Faith" and "Casting Nets with the Saints: Learn from the Best How to Share the Faith" published by Our Sunday Visitor. Chris and his wife Maria, have seven beautiful children and live in Wichita, KS.