The Gathering \ Speakers

Chad Eastham
By age 15, Chad Eastham had stolen, fought with police, used every street drug he could get his hands on, and ended up in a long-term drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. But that’s only half the story. Christ has turned Chad’s life totally around, enabling him to use his colorful past to help thousands of young people tackle tough issues. A key speaker for the Revolve Tour, a just for girls faith-based conference; Chad’s candid and dynamic speaking style captures the attention and hearts of countless young girls, educating them on what really goes on inside guys’ minds.

In The Truth about Guys: One Guy Reveals What Every Girl Should Know, Chad writes with the same candid and honest approach he uses for his live tour, offering a helpful and entertaining guide for tween to teen girls that explores relationship issues and insight into what guys are really all about. Parents and teens will appreciate Chad’s unique way of addressing sensitive issues with a Christian perspective. “Eventually young adults are going to make their own decisions.  My hope and prayer is that they will make good ones.  Not because they are suppose to, but because they can.”

www.chadeastham.com


Ron McGhee















Sue Wolfe Devol
A native Southern Californian, born in Los Angeles and raised in Ventura. Pastor Sue Wolfe Devol graduated from the University of California at Berkeley, and earned a Master of Divinity degree from Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa.

Sue has served in many different parish contexts – urban, suburban and rural. She interned at Gracious Savior in Detroit. She was interim Pastor at St. John, Los Banos, Calif.; Pastor at St. Peter, Santa Ana; and Angelica, Los Angeles. As a younger person she worked for Bible camps in SoCal and Santa Cruz. As a 16-year-old, Sue participated in the Amigos de las Americas medical aid program in Central America. As a college student she taught English in Taiwan with other Lutheran students. Her variety of ministry experiences, sense of adventure and humorous outlook on life makes her a vibrant, entertaining and passionate speaker. 

Sue is married to Steven Devol, an editor on the national and foreign news desks of the Los Angeles Times. They have one son, Pierce, who attends St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. Currently Sue is Pastor at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in North Hollywood.

John "Nellie" Nelson
At a quiet little college in Tacoma, Washington an amazing story of commitment, sacrifice and service has been captured in a documentary that explores the true meaning of community and acceptance.

It is the story of John "Nellie" Nelson and the young football team he serves. Nellie cannot feed himself, dress himself or go to the bathroom without help yet he is dramatically changing the lives of hundreds of young men and women every year. Nellie has had arthrogryposis since birth. That means all of his joints from his neck down are locked and he has no control over any of his limbs. Nevertheless he is an assistant football coach at one of the most succesful Division 3 football programs in the country.

In spite of his disability, Nellie has chosen to make a difference in the world. He is living a life of purpose, and inspires all whom he encounters. He has chosen to love, serve, and care for the young men on the PLU football team. They learn from Nellie how to overcome obstacles, how to give 100%, how to be selfless, how to overcome pain and sadness, and so much more. A dramatic story of true sacrificial love.

http://www.penumbrafilms.com/nellie/


Leslie Hunter
Leslie Hunter is a youth director and assisting minister at Holy Family Lutheran Church in Chicago. He is also the chaplain of Holy Family Lutheran School and runs a boys' club (Boys in the Hood) in Cabrini Green on Chicago's Near North Side.

Leslie was born and raised in Chicago and graduated from Concordia University in River Forest, Ill., with a degree in psychology. He travels around the country and speaks at various church, convention and community functions.

His tools of ministry are sermons, raps, short stories and poetry. Leslie lives in Westchester, Ill, with his wife, Elizabeth, and son, Evan.