Featured Guests

Tracy Dunham

Tracy is the Assistant Pastor at Freedom in Christ Church in Kitchener where she leads the worship and creative arts ministries. She spent seven years on staff at Mill Woods Assembly in Edmonton in the young adult ministry known as The Project. Tracy has been involved in worship ministry for over ten years and has a passion to bring Christ to her community through authentic worship and genuine relationship. Tracy and her husband Rob are on this life journey with their three beautiful kids, Ruthie, Shay and Malachi.

Ryan and Devon Marshall

Ryan and Devon Marshall have been married for five years and have two beautiful girls. They have been actively involved in children's ministry together since they were 15 years old. Devon is a Children's pastor at the Park Church (currently on maternity leave) while Ryan is a teacher at Strathcona Christian Academy Elementary School. Together their goal is to see kids passionately in love with Jesus and to be overflowing with the Holy Spirit.

Heather Stringer

Heather is an individual who is passionate about the social and emotional well-being of children! She has worked with at-risk women and children, taught Child Development and the basics of Art and Play Therapy while working with young survivors of the 2004 Tsunami in Sri Lanka, led preschool programs, day camps and group work and currently coordinates the Resiliency Program for Family and Community Services in Strathcona County. Heather has a BA in Applied Child Studies along with a Children's Mental Health Certificate.

David Sawler

David Sawler is the husband of Shirley, and father of three children, Matthew, Jordan, and Amanda. David is the team leader of a church planting ministry based out of Glace Bay, Nova Scotia. Hundreds of youth and young adults from all over Canada have been taking part in this ministry. Previously the Sawlers spent eleven years as youth and young adult pastors in Nova Scotia and Ontario. David also runs a ministry called Goodbye Generation which exists to re-engage youth and young adults who have left the church and/or their faith behind.

Steven James

Steven James is one of America's most innovative storytellers. Best known for his hilarious and heartwarming stories and mas-terful use of audience involvement, listeners around the world have been inspired by his poignant and powerful performances. Sharing his unique blend of comedy, drama, and inspirational storytelling, Steven James is in constant demand as a family entertainer, keynote speaker, and inspirational seminar leader.

Linda Roussel

Linda Roussel is the founder and director of Kids On Track, an organization with a seventeen year track record of outstanding ministry to urban kids in Edmonton. She was a community health nurse for over 25 years and has a one year specialization in multicultural health services. Linda has extensive experience in connecting with parents of at-risk children and a passion for helping children and youth become all they can be. Linda partners with Kristy Chaisson who is the Program Coordinator of Kids on Track.

Kristy Chaisson

Kristy has an education background in psy-chology and sociology, and has worked in the past with at-risk youth, under aged prostitutes and drug addicts in Edmonton. She volunteered with Kids On Track for over 14 years before coming on board with them full time. She is also a Character Connex presenter who has a vision to see kids make positive life choices and be empowered to change their world. Kristy partners with Linda Roussel, founder of Kids On Track.

Graham Greenwood

Graham currently serves as the Children's Pastor at Mill Woods Assembly in Edmonton where they place a strong emphasis on programs for children and youth. They are actively seeking to minister to distinctive generations while maintaining an intergenerational church. Over his tenure at the church he has overseen substantial facility renovations and program redevelopments. He previously served as the Children's Ministries Director for the AB & NWT District of the PAOC. Graham is married to Charlene and has three children.

Connie Jakab

Connie Jakab served as a children's pastor for 7 years in Vancouver, BC and as the Children's Ministry Director for the BC/Yukon District of the PAOC. She has been teaching hip hop dance for 12 years and has a passion to see hip hop used for God's glory and as a way to relate to children and youth of today.



Donna Boone

Donna and her husband Laurie have been working with children for over 25 years. As an evangelist, teacher and author, Donna shares as a leader in workshops. Donna along with her team bring an exciting, high energy, on-the-edge-of-your-seat style of performance. It features life size, glow-in-the dark puppets, ventriloquism, clowning, dance and magic that appeals to all ages.

Coreen Frey

Coreen Frey is the Children's Pastor at Spruce Grove Alliance Church. She has pastored for the last 30 years striving to raise up a Godly generation of children through community and cross-cultural ministry. Her leadership in Seeds International over the past 7 years has seen thousands of children discipled with the gospel. Her heart for children is evident in her years of dedicated volunteering and her pursuit for God in the study of His Word.

Julie Palley

Julie Palley is involved in raising up kids who passionately pursue God. She has been involved in children's ministry for 15 years through leading after-school clubs, missions events, camps and church ministry. Julie is highly creative and has an ‘outside the box' approach to children's ministry. You can catch a glimpse of this creativity at Upswing as she is the decorating coordinator for the Conference.

Mark Colwell

For the past 3 years Mark has served as the Youth Ministries Director in Western Ontario. Previously he was in full-time youth ministry for 14 years in three churches. He is married to his gorgeous wife Jennifer and they have four great kids. Mark is passionate about leaders, students and Moose Tracks ice cream with the above mentioned family members.