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DR. ISSAM SMEIR is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who specializes in trauma treatment for refugees, victims of torture, and severely abused and neglected children. He holds a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College and a Doctoral Degree in Counseling and Clinical Supervision from Northern Illinois University, and has done post doctorate training in trauma and refugee issues at Harvard University. He has worked for World Relief since 2001, serving refugees and other immigrants from dozens of countries of origin. Prior to joining World Relief, Issam worked with several missions and relief organizations. Originally from the country of Jordan, Issam now lives in Suburban Chicago with his wife and four sons.
Read MoreJOHN SMED is the founding director of Prayer Current, an organization that helps leaders make multiplying disciples through prayer and evangelism. Since 2000 John and his team have developed prayer training materials and conferences for church planters, pastors, and network teams in North America, Cuba, India, China, and Russia. His book 7 Days of Prayer with Jesus has been translated into ten languages. His conviction for prayer was born out of thirty years of experience in church planting and urban mission.John and his wife Caron have 5 children, 11 grandchildren, and live in Lake Country, British Columbia, Canada.
Read MoreCATHERINE PARKS is the author of several books, including two middle grade biography collections, Strong and Empowered. She also serves as an acquisitions editor for Moody Publishers. Catherine and her husband, Erik, live outside of Nashville, TN, with their children, Sophie and Micah. In her free time, she loves hiking, playing volleyball, and serving on her church's worship team.
Read MorePastor Richard E. Todd and his wife Claudia live in Southern California where he is Senior Pastor of Community Grace Brethren Church in Whittier and has served that church family since 1987. They have three grown sons and are grandparents. Richard has developed a sermon title database plus written other materials for nurturing the spiritual growth of children, youth, and adults.
Read MoreANDREW SCOTT is the President and CEO of OM USA, part of a global mission movement working in 118 nations. He grew up in Northern Ireland where he married his childhood sweetheart and now lives with his family in Tyrone, GA. A former butcher, turned pastor he has travelled to over eighty countries. He plays soccer, shows dogs and loves to scuba dive.
Read MoreANN BENTLEY is a graduate of Baylor University. She has experience in banking, retail, and education, and currently devotes much of her time to homeschooling her two youngest sons. She also loves mentoring young women and leading a small group through Bible Study Fellowship (BSF). Her passions and hobbies include spending time in the Bible, piano, reading, gardening, and knitting. She and her husband, Chuck, have been married since 1978 and have four sons and four grandchildren.
Read MoreSTEPHEN KELLOUGH BA, Miami University, Oxford, OH; ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary; DMin, Covenant Theological Seminary, is an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church USA. He served for fifteen years in parish ministry before being called as Chaplain of Wheaton College in 1989. He retired from this position after serving for twenty-five years. Steve and his wife, Linda, have one son, Jeffrey (wife-Sheralynn), and twin grandchildren, Luke and Brielynn.
Read MoreDAVID B. FINKBEINER is Professor of Theology at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL, where he has taught since 1998. He served as Chair of the Theology Department for several years and he ministers in Chicago-area churches through preaching, teaching, and serving as an elder. David earned his Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife, Kathy, have three daughters, Katie, Emily, and Rebecca.
Read MoreMAINA MWAURA is a freelance writer and journalist who has interviewed over 500 influential leaders, including two US Presidents, three Vice-Presidents, and a variety of others. He has learned what it takes to not only lead well, but to mentor well. Maina and his family attend High Point Church in the Kennesaw, Georgia area.
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