KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Gordon MacDonald, Editor-at-large with Leadership Journal; Chairman of the Board for World Relief Corporation

Author, speaker, teacher and pastor for over 40 years.

A Resilient Life

Gordon MacDonald will be speaking on “resilience”—that quality of life that enables a person to manage the challenges and adversities of life, emerge the stronger person, and become a vital inspiration to others.  The promise?  The second half of life should be the most satisfying, the time of one’s most significant life-achievements, the the era when we have the very best to give on to others

GORDON MACDONALD is an author, speaker, and teacher.  He has served as Senior Pastor for over forty years in Massachusetts, New York City, Southern Illinois and Kansas. When he stepped down after more than twenty years, the Grace Chapel congregation honored him with the title, Pastor Emeritus.  Other pastorates were in New York City, Southern Illinois and Kansas.  For three years MacDonald was president of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.

MacDonald has written more than a dozen books and co-authored others with his wife, Gail.  Perhaps his best known book has been Ordering Your Private World which won the Gold Medallion  and the Platinum Awards from the Evangelical Christian Publishing Association.  There are almost a million and a half copies of this book in print, and it has been translated into a dozen or more languages.   Among his other books are Secrets of a Generous Life (Published by Tyndale, Fall 2002), The Life God Blesses, Renewing Your Spiritual Passion, When Men Think Private Thoughts and Mid-Course Correction (a book on “deep life-change).  A revision of Ordering Your Private World  was released in January ’03.  He writes regularly for each addition of Leadership Journal and also writes a column (“Out of my Files”) which appears on the LeadershipJournal.net website.  A new book, The Resilient Life, which will serve as background for his time with us has just been released..

MacDonald serves as an Editor-at-Large with Leadership Journal, a publication of Christianity Today, Inc.  He is Chairman of the Board of World Relief Corporation, an NAE-associated relief and development organization committed to the alleviation of suffering and poverty in the areas of HIV/Aids, micro-enterprise development, refugee resettlement and disaster assistance. He also served as president of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. He also speaks frequently at conferences for the Willow Creek Association both here in the US and in other parts of the world.   MacDonald regularly teaches at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in New England.    He is presently the preaching pastor at the First Baptist Church in Concord, NH.

As a speaker, Gordon MacDonald is called upon to address leadership in both the church and business worlds. He has spoken for such organizations as the American Standard Company, ServiceMaster, and forums of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO), the Billy Graham School of Evangelism and Christian Financial Professional Network.

His academic background includes a preparatory school graduation from the Stony Brook School, a B.A. from the University of Colorado (’62), and a M. Div from Denver Seminary (’66).  Barrington College (later merged with Gordon College) awarded MacDonald an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree in 1979.

The MacDonalds live in Canterbury, N.H., where they have maintained a quiet home in the woods for more than twenty years called Peace Ledge.  Their greatest enjoyment is in their two married children and five grandchildren.  Beyond that the MacDonalds are hikers, bikers, skiers, and voracious readers. 

GENERAL SESSION SPEAKERS

Ron Blue, President: Christian Financial Professional Network

Leveraging Financial Professionals to Maximize Charitable Giving Dollars

Ron will be speaking on how to encourage and develop a strong Christ-centered network of financial professionals in your community. You will learn how financial professional advisors can follow biblical stewardship principles in their personal lives and then how they can show their clients how to follow the same principles in their giving to help fulfill the Great Commission.

RON BLUE: Following his graduation from Indiana University with a Masters of Business Administration degree, Ron joined the management group of Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. and worked with the firm in New York City, Dallas, and San Francisco.

In 1970, Ron founded an Indianapolis-based CPA firm that has grown to be one of the 50 largest CPA firms in the United States.  Leaving the CPA firm in 1977, Ron became Administrative Vice President of Leadership Dynamics International.   While with Leadership Dynamics, he was involved in developing and teaching biblically-based leadership and management seminars in the United States and Africa. 

Convinced that Christians would better handle their personal finances if they were counseled objectively with the highest technical expertise and from a biblical perspective, he founded a financial planning firm in 1979.  That firm grew to manage $5 billion in assets for its more than 5,000 clients nationwide with a staff of over 200 people in 14 regional offices.

Ron retired from the financial planning firm in 2003 in order to lead an international effort to equip and motivate Christian financial professionals to serve the body of Christ by implementing Biblical wisdom in their lives and practices. This has resulted in financial freedom and increased giving by thousands of dollars by thousands of Christians around the world.

Ron is the author of thirteen books on personal finance from a biblical perspective, including the best-seller, Master Your Money, first published in 1986 and now in its thirtieth printing, Wealth To Last, co-authored with Larry Burkett, and his most recent book, Splitting Heirs.  He is featured in the popular, six-part Master Your Money video series, produced by Walk Thru the Bible Ministries and used in over 5,500 churches across the country.

Ron has appeared on numerous radio and television programs, including Focus on the Family, Family News in Focus, The 700 Club, Prime Time America, and Moody Radio Open Line.  He is a regular contributor to several national Christian magazines.

Ron currently serves on the Board of Directors of Campus Crusade for Christ, Crown Financial Ministries, The National Christian Foundation, and Thomas Nelson, Inc., a New York Stock Exchange listed company.  He also serves on the Board of Trustees of The Maclellan Foundation and The Sandra and William B. Johnson Foundation, Inc.  He formerly served on the Board of Directors of Family Research Council, Promise Keepers, Insight for Living, The Medical Institute, and Walk Thru the Bible Ministries.

In 2002, Ron received the HONORS AWARD from the Georgia Chapter of the Financial Planning Association (FPA).  In 2003, he received the honored designation of DISTINGUISHED ENTREPRENEUR from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business, his alma mater.

Ron and Judy live in Atlanta.  They have five children and six grandchildren.

Ken Boa, President: Reflection Ministries

Spiritual Disciplines for Foundation Leaders

Ken will look at the two disciplines of abstinence (solitude and silence) and the three disciplines of engagement (study, meditation, and prayer). A number of suggestions will be offered for practicing these five strategic disciplines.

KENNETH BOA :is engaged in a ministry of relational evangelism and discipleship. This includes teaching, writing, and speaking.  He holds a B.S. from Case Institute of Technology, a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary, a Ph.D. from New York University, and a D.Phil. from the University of Oxford in England.

Dr. Boa is the President of Reflections Ministries, an organization that seeks to encourage, teach, and equip people to know Christ, follow Him, become progressively conformed to His image, and reproduce His life in others.  He is also President of Trinity House Publishers, a publishing company that is dedicated to the creation of tools that will help people manifest eternal values in a temporal arena by drawing them to intimacy with God and a better understanding of the culture in which they live.

Recent publications by Dr. Boa include 20 Compelling Evidences that God Exists, Conformed to His Image, Faith Has its Reasons, Face to Face, An Unchanging Faith in a Changing World, Pursuing Wisdom; The Art of Living Well, Wisdom at Work, Living what You Believe, and A Simple Book of Prayers.  He is a contributing editor to The Open Bible, the Promise Keepers Men’s Study Bible, The Leadership Bible, and the consulting editor of the Zondervan NASB Study Bible.

Ken Boa also writes a free monthly teaching letter called Reflections.  If you would like to be on the mailing list, visit www.reflectionsministries.org or call 800-DRAW NEAR (800-372-9632).

Rob Parker, V.P. of Advancement: Crown Financial Ministries

Building a Bridge to People of Wealth and Influence

Rob will show working with persons of wealth and influence can be intimidating and confusing.  Often times we have more questions than answers.  How do I identify major donor prospects?  I don't have money myself, so once I know who they are, how do I meet them? If I do get to meet them, what could I possibly say that would interest them?  And why would they want to support what I am doing when there are so many other needs?   This morning we will explore ways to overcome the natural barriers that exist between you and the people that God will use to bless the work He has called you to. 

ROB PARKER has served as the Vice President of Advancement for Crown Financial Ministries since 2003.  In that role Rob oversees external relations of the ministry including resource development, ministry marketing, communications and public relations.  Under the leadership of the Board of Directors and with the assistance of the executive team, Rob’s staff helps generate millions of dollars in annual support for Crown’s programs through major gifts, special events, direct response, foundation support and other development strategies.  Rob is a valuable member of the executive leadership team and advises the team on issues related to brand development. 

Prior to joining Crown, Rob served as a leader in the non-profit sector, both as a career professional and as a consultant, teacher, and executive coach.  Rob founded the The IMPACT Group in 1993 while also serving in a variety of positions in the Boys & Girls Club movement.  

As Senior Vice President for Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Rob served as the Chief Development Officer for the Boys and Girls Club movement, raising millions of dollars annually and providing strategic direction and leadership for private sector fundraising at local clubs with combined budgets of $1.2 billion.  During his tenure at B&GCA, Rob helped increase private-sector fundraising in all areas including individuals, foundations and corporations.  In conjunction with other key leadership, Parker helped form partnerships with corporations, foundations and government officials resulting in over $400 million in technology resources for children.

Prior to joining Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Rob served as President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of King County in Seattle, WA., the Bellevue Boys & Girls Clubs, Bellevue, WA, as well as leading clubs in Oceanside, CA, Yucca Valley, CA and Fort Worth, TX.    Specializing in “turn-around” situations, Rob took on some significant challenges including dramatic debt elimination, difficult mergers, major board development and high-impact fundraising.

Parker is an accomplished speaker and trainer who presents in a variety of settings in the US and internationally.  Rob and his wife have two grown children, Andrea & AJ, and one grandson.  Rob resides in Atlanta with his wife Stephanie. 

Patrick Johnson, V.P. Churches and Professional Advisors: Generous Giving

New Vision for a New Generation

Patrick Johnson is a Generous Giving vice president, managing its many interactions with church leaders and professional advisors.

Previously he was vice president of institutional sales at BancorpSouth Investment Services, in Tupelo, Mississippi, where his team managed over $400 million in fixed-income portfolios and fixed-rate investments for institutional investors. He currently serves as president of the Institute for Christian Worldview Research, a social investment screening company whose clients include various faith-based institutions. Johnson previously was a principal in Executive Financial Planning, a financial planning and investment management firm voted one of the top 40 fastest growing private companies in Mississippi. He and his wife, Jennifer, reside in Atlanta, Ga., with their four children.

BREAKOUT  SESSION  I

Breakout A: Church Foundations: The Benefits, Managing and Promoting

Bob Dawkins: President

Bellevue Baptist Foundation: Tennessee

This session is designed to discuss the benefits of having a Church Foundation. This includes benefits to both the Church, the Donor and opportunities for expanded giving. We will also discuss managing a Foundation and ways to promote a Foundation.

ROBERT “BOB” DAWKINS has served as the President of the Bellevue Baptist Church Foundation in Cordova, TN for five years. Prior to establishing the foundation Bob worked for twenty-three years in a National Bank Trust Department as Manager prior to retiring. He is experienced with Trust and Estate matters, securities transactions and other matters relating to public Foundations.

Breakout B: Donor Contact Management

Virgil Dugan: President

Tijeras Foundation: New Mexico

Virgil will present Developing Opportunities, Operations, & Relationships System (DOORS) is a web-based, contact relationship management software program.  The program is designed to allow the user to accurately and simply maintain vital contact information through a tool that will track fundraising opportunities, maintain multiple lists of important groups, assist with basic marketing tasks, and help the user to build critical relationships by keeping on top of relevant data all at an affordable cost.

VIRGIL L. DUGAN is the President of the Tijeras Foundation. This Foundation’s purpose is to “enhance, elevate, and encourage biblically based, Christian ministries in New Mexico and around the world”.  Prior to the Tijeras Foundation, Virgil spent 34 years with Sandia National Laboratories where, as Chief of Staff, he managed research and development programs and oversaw corporate management responsibilities. Virgil and his wife Sandy are members of Forest Meadow Baptist Church and are residents in the mountains East of Albuquerque, NM.  In addition to foundation and church related ministries, Virgil is a consultant in financial asset management, has served as a trustee of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, has participated on numerous organizational boards, and enjoys outdoor activities with his wife and three grandchildren. 

Mr. Dugan holds a PhD degree in electrical engineering and mathematics and has extensive post-graduate education in business administration and management from a number of different universities.  He has provided consulting support to Christian organizations in the areas of financial management, fund raising, investment management, and technology applications.  One of the primary approaches to providing value to Christian organizations is through the hosting of “round-tables” to enable the development of more cooperative ministries within a defined region or area.

Breakout C: Estate Planning and Complex Gifting for the Growing Foundation

Greg Sperry: Chairman of Advisory Board

National Christian Foundation: Georgia

Christian foundations tend to grow in direct proportion to their efforts in encouraging gifts by those 'to whom much is given'.  This session will focus on practical and effective means to 'encourage' such gifts from all that a donor has to give, not just their cash.  We will examine current thinking on planning such gifts through the estate as well as income tax reduction opportunities.  The effect of 2005 legislation will be addressed, as well."

GREG SPERRY entered the practice of law after attending Wheaton College (Illinois) and Vanderbilt University School of Law. After five years of practice, he began serving with MAP International (Brunswick, Georgia) to provide gift and estate planning information for individuals (and their advisors) desiring to maximize their planning for gifts during life and death. In 1991, Mr. Sperry spearheaded the effort to form an independent, Christian community foundation, providing services that enabled individuals to give more to the Church and its ministries. In October, 1996, Mr. Sperry formed a law firm (now called Taylor, Odachowski, Sperry & Crossland, LLC) where Mr. Sperry concentrated his practice entirely on gift and estate planning services.

Mr. Sperry began serving the National Christian Foundation (NCF) and its affiliated local Christian Foundations in the late 1990's and has now joined NCF as Executive Vice President of Gift Planning Services and Associate General Counsel.

In addition to offering gift planning information to donors and their advisors, for over twenty years Mr. Sperry has written numerous articles and has been a frequent presenter at seminars and charitable gift planning forums, focusing upon the tax, legal and stewardship aspects of gift planning. Given the sophistication of his planning service and the ever-changing tax rules and regulations, Mr. Sperry is involved annually in The Heckerling Institute of Estate Planning in Miami, as well as other conferences on planned giving and charitable giving techniques for his continuing education of current trends, analysis and techniques. Acting in conjunction with NCF and the Christian Legal Society, Mr. Sperry is directing the formation and operation of the “Institute for Christian Gift Planning Counsel” and the “Christian Trust and Estate Counsel Section” of the Christian Legal Society.

Mr. Sperry lives on St. Simons Island, Georgia, with his wife, Barbara, where he serves as a Ruling Elder at the Golden Isles Presbyterian Church, PCA. They have three adult children, Susan, Steven, and Daniel.

BREAKOUT  SESSION  II

Breakout D: Developing Life-long Donors for Church and Ministry Foundations

Tim Smith: Major Ministry Services

Berkey Brendel Sheline: Kansas

Tim will  describe how to keep the balance between ministry and marketing in order to sustain long term relationships with major donors

TIMOTHY SMITH has over 30 years of experience in Ministry Administration, Ministry Management and Ministry Fund Development.  Having served as a Development Officer in Non-Profit Ministries and Executive Pastor for two mega churches provides a wide range of expertise and resource in ministry leadership and management.

 Timothy has served a variety of roles in executive ministry leadership for mega size ministries.

 Timothy directs Major Donor Ministry Services for Berkey Brendel Sheline

 In this role, Timothy assists clients with implementation of comprehensive strategies to identify and develop major donors. 

 He assists ministries with Major Capital Campaigns. 

 He assists ministries in developing a comprehensive development system, including organizational infrastructure and integration of how all the pieces in a fundraising plan fit together.

 He assists ministries with organizational development and management. 

 Timothy has recently authored a book on the art of personal relationship with major donors; Donors Are People Too.

Breakout E: Mastering the Basics for Growing Foundations

Stephan Tchividjian:  President

Christian Community Foundation: So Florida

Stephan Tchividjian will explore the essential elements that must exist in any growing foundation (private and public). A practical discussion on mission, vision, board development, ministry relationships, and long-term effectiveness will serve as the basis for this workshop.

STEPHAN TCHIVIDJIAN, sometimes known as “Stitch”, was born in the hills of North Carolina, deep within the Blue Ridge Mountains.  However, he would not settle there.  His childhood provided him a wonderful opportunity to live all over the world, including Europe and the Middle East.

Stephan is married to his beautiful bride, Lisa, whom he met while serving as the youth minister of a local South Florida church.  The rest is history, as they say.   Lisa and Stephan, together have four wonderful children ages 17 to 7.  They reside in South Florida where Lisa keeps busy as a homemaker and assistant to Stephan.    Stephan graduated Florida Atlantic University with a degree in Business Finance.  He has always found it important to balance both ministry and business, finding the challenge and opportunity refreshing.  Stephan’s varied experiences in the business, church and philanthropic communities have uniquely equipped him for the roles he currently holds

Stephan currently serves as the President of the newly formed Christian Community Foundation of South Florida. The Foundation was formed as a platform to encourage and facilitate generous giving among the South Florida Christian community, impacting local, national and international needs. In addition, Stephan currently manages his own small boutique firm, The Caleb Group, specializing in assisting select non-profits with comprehensive project management through the idea to the implementation phases.  Previously to beginning The Caleb Group, Stephan’s recent experiences have provided opportunities to serve as the Senior Program Director of the Festus and Helen Stacy Foundation (a large Christian private family foundation) and the Missions and Married Couples Pastor of Calvary Chapel of Ft. Lauderdale.  (Stephan continues to serve as a part-time Associate Pastor at Calvary Chapel).

Stephan’s love for God, people, the outdoors (especially Florida) and life can often be observed through his energy and enthusiasm towards whatever he sets his mind too.  As a devoted husband and father of four, a good sense of humor, hard work ethic and an appreciation for God and the purpose of life, Stephan’s enthusiasm can be contagious.                                                 

Breakout F: International Giving for all Foundations

Dwight Gibson: Senior Vice President

Geneva Global: Pennsylvania

DWIGHT GIBSON, Senior Vice President of Geneva Global, spent 10 years prior to joining Geneva Global as a leader in World Evangelical Alliance, where he was North American Director from 1995 through 2002.  Gibson is also Chairman of the Board of ChinaSource based in California and serves on the Board of Simpson Park Camp in Michigan.  He earned a master’s degree at Wheaton College Graduate School in 1983. In 1996, Christianity Today magazine chose Gibson as one of 50 outstanding leaders younger than 40 who would shape the future of Evangelicalism.

BREAKOUT  SESSION  III

Breakout G: Generational Stewardship – Continuing the Legacy

Jeff Johns:

The Johns Family Foundation: New Mexico

JEFF JOHNS, Director of Affiliates at The National Christian Foundation (NCF), uses his consulting background and entrepreneurial experiences to help establish and grow Christian Community Foundations in cities all across the country. Jeff is privileged to witness God moving in the hearts of people who decide to give more of their abilities and wealth to help others than they ever thought possible.  The rapid growth of this new Christian Community Foundation concept both excites and encourages Johns.

Jeff Johns joined NCF in June, 2003.  At that time the Foundation had 8 local affiliates.  At the end of 2004 God’s hand and the hard work of the staff at NCF allowed that number to grow to 19. Prior to NCF, Jeff worked as a management and strategy consultant to Fortune 500 companies with Marakon Associates and Mitchell Madison Group.  While living in New York City, Toronto, and San Francisco, Johns served on teams who determined where best to find future profits at Bank of America and Bank of Montreal.  Jeff has also held a variety of roles in the retail automobile business from used car sales to senior management.

Jeff Johns serves on the boards of the Tijeras Foundation and several local Christian foundations. He is a member of Buckhead church and is active in a community group of 5 other young couples.  Jeff also leads the Gathering’s Young Givers group.  This role enables him to pursue a passion of helping wealthy families train and pass down the art of giving to their children.

Jeff was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico and received his Bachelor of Arts from Duke University and his Masters in Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin. Jeff is an instrument rated pilot, a collegiate silver medalist skydiver, and a self-trained chef.  He and his wife, Jacqlyn, are newlyweds. 

His hobbies and interests include flying, sports, movies, the outdoors, reading, cooking, adventure travel, and spending time with his friends and his amazing wife.

Breakout H: Creating Credible Relationships with Christian Financial Professionals

Tony Stinson: V.P Advancement

Christian Financial Professionals Network: Georgia

Christian foundations realize the importance of networking with Christian financial professionals in their community. Yet Christian foundations face challenges in creating credible relationships with Christian financial professionals in their communities. Learn how to identify competent and capable Christian financial professionals in your community who will partner with you for Kingdom purposes.

TONY STINSON serves as Chief Operating Officer of Christian Financial Professionals Network.

Following a thirteen-year career as a member of the senior management team of a major restaurant corporation, Tony surrendered to the gospel ministry.

Tony served as Senior Associate Pastor of First Baptist Church West Palm Beach, Florida. During his tenure there, he also planted and pastored a new church in the area.

After nine years in South Florida, Tony moved to Atlanta to become Executive Vice President of Global Focus, a ministry dedicated to helping churches get more personally and strategically involved in global evangelization. He has helped many churches significantly increase their missions involvement.

In 1999, Tony responded to a request by Henry Blackaby, the bestselling author of Experiencing God, to help start Henry Blackaby Ministries in Atlanta, Georgia. Tony worked closely with Henry on his publishing efforts, his radio ministry, Experience God Today, and the day-to-day operations of the ministry.

Since 2003, Tony has been the Executive Director of Christian Financial Professionals Network in Atlanta, Georgia. CFPN’s mission is to equip and motivate Christian financial professionals to serve the body of Christ by implementing Biblical wisdom in their lives and practices.

Tony is a graduate of Birmingham-Southern College in Birmingham, Alabama. He has done graduate work at the University of Alabama, Luther Rice Seminary, and Dallas Theological Seminary.

Tony is very active in his church, Wildwood Baptist Church, in Kennesaw, Georgia. He has also served as Interim Pastor in several churches in the Atlanta area.

Tony resides with his wife of 26 years, Denise, in Kennesaw, Georgia. They have three daughters: Laura, 22, Bonnie, 14, and Mary Beth, 12.

Breakout E: Communicating More Effectively with Technology

Jim Gilliland: Vice president

The Moriah Group: Tennessee

JIM GILLILAND is Vice President of The Moriah Group. Jim’s career spans more than 25 years of extensive management and professional experience in marketing including advertising, corporate communications, media relations, employee relations, event management, crisis communication and issues management.  He has worked with diverse businesses including non-profit, retail, healthcare, government, tourism and publishing. 

Prior to moving to Chattanooga he was in Nashville where he worked for 20 years.  While there he worked for two different marketing communication firms and LifeWay Christian Resources as director of marketing in the Retail Division which comprised 75 Christian bookstores at that time.

Jim became the Director of Marketing for See Rock City, Inc. in Chattanooga in 1999. In 2002, he established his own marketing communications practice.

Soon after Jim joined The Moriah Group (www.moriahgroup.com) a marketing communications firm. as vice president. At The Moriah Group, Jim not only serves the needs of the firms roster of client, he also manages the firm’s client services and business development functions.

He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville where he earned his degree in Journalism with a minor in Marketing.

Jim, his wife Karen and son Beau live in Chattanooga, TN. Karen teaches at the Chattanooga Christian School where his son Beau also attends.

WORSHIP  LEADER

Tim Kaufman, Tim Kaufman Ministries

Leading in Worship and Praise

Tim will be the worship leader for our conference. Tim brings a spiritual depth and musical talent that brings a transformational impact on all who hear him sing. Yet Tim is more than a singer.

To learn more of Tim’s ministry go to

www.timkaufmanministries.org

TIM KAUFMAN: From performing the National Anthem for the NBA’s Orlando Magic to singing across America and around the world, Tim Kaufman is a professional who is committed to excellence.  But Tim is more than a singer...

A graduate of Cedarville University, Tim served as the director of music with Evangelist Jack Wyrtzen, taught Bible and music for a Christian high school and was an associate pastor at Riverdale Baptist Church of Largo, Maryland.  He has also been a frequent guest on Dr. Charles Stanley’s In Touch television program, Adrian Rogers’ Love Worth Finding television program, and has supplied special music for the NFL’s Washington Redskins.

Since 1982 Tim has traveled in a full-time concert and seminar ministry.  His presentations are a unique blend of message and song, which challenge his listeners to believe God’s mighty power in their own lives.

Tim and his wife Alicia, along with their five children, reside near Orlando, Florida.