Meet Our Speakers

Elizabeth Barnett

Elizabeth Barnett serves as the Church Relations Director for SOAR Special Needs. She is passionate about encouraging ministry leaders to make the Gospel accessible to all people. SOAR has assisted over 400 churches throughout the United States and more than eleven countries in starting or strengthening their disability ministry. Elizabeth also enjoys trying out new coffee shops and traveling.

Matt Barnett

Matt Barnett currently serves as the Special Needs Director at New Vision Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Prior to this position, Matt worked in Rutherford County, TN Schools as the Senior Occupational Therapist. Matt and his wife Sheila are the parents of two adult sons, Caleb and Joshua. Matt is also a former Army Officer and combat veteran, with over 13 years of military service.

Steve Biondo

Steve Biondo currently serves as president of the Tim Tebow Foundation, now in its eleventh year of service to vulnerable children and families all over the world. Formerly a senior-level executive at Family Christian Resource Centers, Biondo entered the senior role at the foundation in April 2018 to oversee day-to-day operations and lead the team on mission to bring Faith, Hope and Love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need. Since being founded in 2010 by professional athlete and sports analyst, Tim Tebow, TTF has established a reputation as an advocate for the most vulnerable through four main areas of ministry, including Anti-Human Trafficking, Orphan Care + Prevention, Special Needs, and Children with Profound Medical Needs. Biondo’s personal and professional experience prior to taking the helm, by God’s grace has equipped him to not only influence these areas of ministry from a place of wisdom, but also to have a command over the stewardship of personnel and financial resources to most effectively impact these areas.

Shannon Blosser

Rev. Shannon Blosser is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and serves as the pastor of Pea Ridge United Methodist Church in Huntington, W.Va. He has pastored churches in West Virginia and Kentucky and worked as a journalist before entering the ministry. Shannon is the father of an autistic individual, and advocates in the church for a deeper awareness of the needs that families with autistic individuals face.

Catherine Boyle

Catherine currently serves as Mental Health Ministry Director for Key Ministry. Previously, Catherine served in ministry leadership with two different nonprofits and in many roles at her church. In a former career, Catherine served as an executive at a large U.S. bank, but retired to stay home with her now adult children and begin ministry pursuits. Catherine has been impacted by mental health issues her entire life, including her own struggles with anorexia, bulimia, anxiety and depression. Catherine has been interviewed for her ministry work on radio, television and in online magazines. Catherine has a BBA in Accounting and an MBA, and is happily married to her husband Barney.

Kimberly Britt

Kimberly Britt, LPC, works as the Executive Director of My Quiet Cave. She holds a BA in Video & TV Production from Emerson College and an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Colorado Christian University. Kimberly was born in south Mississippi and now lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband and three young daughters. She likes to describe herself as an impulsive adventure seeker, TMI storyteller, amateur cake decorator, and recovering perfectionist.

Sarah Broady

Sarah Broady lives in southern Indiana with her husband Kyle and three teenage boys, Ben, Sam and Josh. Their son Sam was diagnosed with autism at age 2, and their lives have been spent navigating special needs in therapy, school, church, the community, with extended family, and at home. Sarah began her blog Hope in Autism as a way to chronicle her journey as a special needs parent, but soon realized the blog was a means to encourage others and find others to journey alongside. Sarah is also the producer and host of A Special Hope podcast, available on all platforms.

Michael Crawford

Michael Crawford serves as the Pastor and Director of the Special Needs Ministry at Grace Church in Eden Prairie, MN. Michael is the sibling of a woman living with a disability. After the unexpected death of his parents, Michael and his wife became the caretakers of his sister. Michael now has a passion for sharing his experience to help prepare families for the transition to caregiving.

Tiffany Crow

Tiffany Crow (MA, BCBA, LBA) is a Behavior Analyst providing behavioral training and consultations to school districts, religious organizations and nonprofits. Tiffany is also the clinical supervisor of an ABA clinic, providing behavior strategies to staff and families via telehealth services. Tiffany served as the Special Needs Coordinator at Brazos Pointe Fellowship in Lake Jackson, Texas for 6 years. In addition to her passion for sharing behavioral strategies for inclusion, Tiffany enjoys country music from the 1990’s and being outdoors with her family.

Tony D’Orazio

Tony has a background in child care and case management, working with behaviorally-challenged adolescents in a group home environment. Tony started the first exercise program for the group home residents, and founded Jacob's Ladder Special Needs Fitness in 2010 with his two sons. Tony’s son Jacob, a young man with Down syndrome, is a certified group fitness trainer for individuals with special needs. Like Jacob, Tony is a certified personal trainer for individuals with special needs, has completed the autism fitness course, and is the author of the recently published book "Down Right Joy."

Ryan Faulk

Ryan Faulk works for Joni and Friends, equipping churches in Southern California to evangelize and disciple people with disabilities. He is passionate about church planting, and seeing churches reflect the heart of Christ for all people. He and his wife are expecting their first child in August, 2022.

Joe & Cindi Ferrini

Joe & Cindi Ferrini have been speaking nationally for over 30 years on marriage, family, discipleship and leadership, often speaking specifically to married couples caring for an individual with special needs. The Ferrinis have written numerous books, blogs, articles, and have been interviewed by Focus on the Family, FamilyLife, and many other venues. Joe & Cindi can be heard in the Cleveland, OH area on the Moody radio station with the "My Marriage Matters" spot and "Pause for Prayer" ministry.

Amanda Fessehazion

Amanda Fessehazion coordinates the Bridge Builders ministry at Vineyard Columbus where she oversees the disability ministry at all five campuses. She has a background in social work and as an intervention specialist. Serving in disability ministry is Amanda’s dream job! Married to David and the mom of Emaline and Eden, when she’s not ministering or serving her family, Amanda can be found walking in the woods, cooking in the kitchen or planning her next travel adventure.

Natalie Flickner

Natalie Flickner is a missionary with World Evangelism for Christ (WEC) serving as part of WEC’s Crisis Care Training International (CCTI) as Disability Coordinator and Trainer since 2013. She wrote the CCTI curriculum “Restoring Hope to Children with Disabilities,” which is used by CCTI worldwide among caregivers for children with disabilities. Natalie graduated with a BA in both Intercultural Studies and Bible from Columbia International University and earned an MA in Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Formation from Columbia Biblical Seminary. She often uses her personal experience of living with mild cerebral palsy in both her writing and speaking engagements.

Brandon Gaskin

Brandon Gaskin is Deaf. Brandon is the founder and executive director of Deaf Millennial Project, an organization inspiring generations of Deaf believers to radically follow, apply, and practice the life of Christ. Deaf Millennial Project develops digital biblical content, events, and resources in American Sign Language that expose the message of the Gospel to Deaf people and impact the local church. You can often find Brandon exploring new coffee shops or walking his dog at the park.

Beth Golik

Beth is the Operations Director for Key Ministry where she hosts a monthly Disability Ministry Video Roundtable and a virtual Idea Share attended by ministry leaders from around the country. Beth also serves as the special needs ministry director at Bay Presbyterian Church in suburban Cleveland. She has a passion for connecting people to resources through networking and relationship building and is thrilled to be hosting IFL2022 at her home church.

Peter Gordon

Peter is an ordained, commissioned pastor in the Christian Reformed Church, and is the pastor and director of Jabez Ministries, a campus ministry with a specific focus on students with disabilities. Since 2012, Peter has worked as a campus pastor via Jabez Ministries at Grand Rapids Community College. Jabez Ministries encourages Christians with disabilities to give their gifts to the body of Christ as ministers and leaders in the church. Peter and his wife Alberta live in Grand Rapids, MI and attend LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church.

Steve Grcevich

Dr. Stephen Grcevich (MD, Northeast Ohio Medical University) is a child and adolescent psychiatrist who serves as President and Founder of Key Ministry. Dr. Grcevich is the primary spokesperson and vision caster for Key, leads efforts to build collaborations with pastors, leaders, and other ministry organizations within and serves as Program Chair for IFL2022. Key Ministry’s national disability ministry conference. His first book, Mental Health and the Church was published in 2018 by Zondervan. In addition to his work on behalf of Key Ministry, Dr. Grcevich is an experienced clinician, researcher, and medical school professor with over 35 presentations at major medical conferences, a past recipient of the Exemplary Psychiatrist Award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and a participant in the 2019 White House Summit on Mental Health.

Lamar Hardwick

Lamar Hardwick (DMin, Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary), also known as "the Autism Pastor," is the lead pastor at Tri-Cities Church in East Point, Georgia. He is the author of Epic Church, I Am Strong: The Life and Journey of an Autistic Pastor, and Disability and The Church: A Vision for Diversity and Inclusion. In 2014, after years of silently struggling with social anxiety and sensory processing disorder and a host of other significant issues, Hardwick was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of thirty-six. He lives in Newnan, Georgia, with his wife, Isabella, and their three children.

Clarence Haynes

Clarence Haynes is Special Needs Ministry and Champions Club Director at Faith Church, a multi-site church in metro New York City and Connecticut. With his wife, Clarence founded The Bible Study Club, an weekly online Bible study on YouTube. Clarence, his wife Diana and children Terrence and Kayla live in a small New England town, where Clarence can be found rooting for the NY Giants and Nebraska Cornhusker football teams, as well as writing, putting his spin on recipes in the kitchen or playing music at his keyboard.

Stephanie Hubach

Stephanie O. Hubach is a Research Fellow in Disability Ministries, in affiliation with Covenant Theological Seminary. From 2007-2016 she served as the Founding Director of Mission to North America’s Special Needs Ministries (Presbyterian Church in America). Steph is the author of "Parenting & Disabilities: Abiding in God’s Presence" (P&R Publishing, 2021), "Same Lake, Different Boat: Coming Alongside People Touched by Disability" (P&R Publishing, 2006, Revised & Expanded Edition 2020), and "All Things Possible: Calling Your Church Leadership to Disability Ministry" (Joni and Friends, 2007). She has been published in ByFaith magazine, Focus on the Family magazine, Breakpoint online magazine and produced a Christian Education DVD series based on Same Lake, Different Boat. Steph and her husband have two deeply loved sons, the younger of whom has Down syndrome. You can contact Steph at www.stephaniehubach.com.

Doc Hunsley

Stephen “Doc” Hunsley, M.D. is the Executive Director and founder of SOAR Special Needs in Lenexa, Kansas. SOAR (Special Opportunities, Abilities, and Relationships) serves over 1000 individuals with disabilities through regular respite events and Special Needs Day Camps.  Doc is currently assisting over 400 churches locally, nationally, and globally in starting a Disability Ministry. Doc also organizes the Wonderfully Made Conference held annually every October in Kansas City. Doc is a retired pediatrician, while his wife, Kay continues practicing pediatrics. They are proud parents to three beautiful children: Luke, Mark, and Sarah. The Hunsley’s middle child, Mark, is presently running the halls of heaven. During Mark’s five-year earthly stay, he gave his family the opportunity to learn from and love a child with autism. You can follow SOAR on Facebook or Connect with Doc on Twitter: @DocHunsley  SOARSpecialNeeds.org.

Lisa Jamieson

Lisa Jamieson is a popular blogger and author whose books include Finding Glory in the Thorns. She is co-founder of Walk Right In Ministries, an interdenominational non-profit organization building faith and community with special needs families. She also serves as a caregiver consultant and pastoral counsellor with a passion to help caregivers and their families foster thriving relationships. Lisa and her husband, Larry, live in Minnesota with the youngest of their three grown daughters, Carly, who has Angelman Syndrome.

Craig Johnson

Craig is a pastor, author, and advocate currently serving as an Associate Pastor at Lakewood Church with Joel Osteen and the founder of Champions Foundation and Champions Club; developmental centers for individuals with special needs with almost 100 centers across the world. Craig is the co-author of “Champions Curriculum”, a full scope Christian curriculum for special needs as well as other curriculum and resources. He is the author of the books “Lead Vertically” – “Inspire People to Volunteer and Build Great Teams That Last” and “Champion” – “How one boy’s journey through autism is changing the world”. Craig & his wife Samantha co-wrote the children’s book “You Are Extraordinary”, the first inclusive children’s book published by Tommy Nelson. Craig travels and speaks across the world advocating for the destinies of the forgotten and disenfranchised. Craig and his wife of over 30 years, Samantha, have three children: Cory, Courtney, and Connor.

David Jones

David is a board member and trainer at Benevolence United.  He loves God and has a passion for inclusion and serving his community. David has worked as a Firefighter and EMT for over 15 years. David has achieved a Business Degree from NOVA and BA in Fire Science from Columbia Southern University. David is also a certified Therapeutic Options Trainer. David has worked inside of churches as a youth leader for over 5 years and children’s ministry leader for over 10 years. David has personal experience with the hard work and great rewards of being a part of a family with special needs.

Samantha Jones

Samantha Jones believes that every person is made in the image of God, valuable, and needed. Passionate about connecting others into relationship with Christ and discipleship, she is the founder and CEO of Benevolence United. Samantha is also a proud parent of children with special needs, and has worked in ministry for over 2 decades.

Lisa Mattheiss

Lisa Mattheiss has served for over 25 years as a ministry leader, advisor, and tireless advocate. Lisa believes that the most profound way to bless families affected by disability is to build support into the fabric of the communities where families live. Parent of an adult daughter with spina bifida, Lisa is the Founder/Executive Director of LifeLine, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit parachurch organization in Chattanooga, TN that provides support, education, and resources to families and churches impacted by disability. She has also been instrumental in the launch, development, and growth of multiple church special needs ministries, training and equipping churches to increase access and inclusion for individuals with disabilities and their families in congregational worship, educational programming, and fellowship activities. In addition to LifeLine, Lisa currently serves on staff at Christ First Church, Lafayette, GA, as Special-Needs Ministry Coordinator, integrating ministry to and by those with disabilities throughout all existing and new programs of the church.

Katie Matthews

Katie is a mom of two, the director of a special needs ministry called Bethany Blessing, and The Banquet Network’s Executive Director. Katie is passionate about bringing the gospel to families with special needs, and seeks to train other church members on how to minister to families.

Allie McCarty

Allie serves as The Banquet Network's Communications and Operations Manager. Prior to joining The Banquet Network, Allie worked as a Skill Building Specialist with adults who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, and has also served at Arrowhead Bible Camp for individuals with disabilities in Brackney, PA. Allie loves pursuing God's beloved children and equipping the local church to welcome individuals and families affected by disability into the full life of the church.

Mark McClure

Mark McClure is a special needs parent and a special needs teacher. Understanding the struggles that special needs parents face, Mark helps parents develop and deploy a calm, peaceful spirit, as a way to spiritually thrive. Mark is the author of Calm Spirit Meditation: A Guide For Christians As We Pray.

Julie, Tom & Amy Meekins

Tom and Julie Meekins have been married for almost 43 years and are the parents of four adult children, the youngest of whom was diagnosed with CHARGE Syndrome. They are the directors of Champions4Parents.com, a ministry dedicated to bringing hope, encouragement, and empowerment to all parents, especially those raising a child who has challenges. In addition to supporting parents, Tom and Julie coach and train church staff and volunteers to effectively serve families affected by disability.

 Amy Meekins is an author, speaker, YouTuber, and the inspiration behind Champions4Parents.com. Born with CHARGE Syndrome, no one knew how Amy would develop and what she would be able to achieve. Her prognosis was “blind, deaf, mentally challenged, probably will not be able to walk, talk or eat by mouth.” Far exceeding this initial prognosis, Amy is grateful to God for all that He has allowed her to accomplish. Amy is the author of the devotional book Heart Recharge.

Myra Monroe Carr

Myra Monroe Carr is a licensed pastor with the United Methodist Church, most recently serving two appointments in Florida between 2016 and 2021. Currently, Myra shares the good news via her social media ministry Anchored to Christ, and her Christian television station, WGCT in Tampa, Florida. Myra served seven years as leader of her church's disability ministry, three years on the United Methodist National Task Force for Disability Ministry, and will obtain her MAT from Fuller Theological seminary in 2022. Myra writes frequently about faith and disability from her experience with her 18 year old daughter, who has Down syndrome and autism.

Jason Morrison

Jason is the Director of Marketing for Ability Ministry. He recently helped found an inclusive fitness facility called Rise Fitness in Louisville, KY. He is a certified weightlifting and powerlifting coach, an Autism Fitness Certified Pro, as well as an SE Adaptive Special Needs Trainer. Jason also serves as a deacon at Southeast Christian Church, where he teaches teen disability classes.

Brad Mowry

Brad Mowry is the Capernaum Coordinator for Young Life’s Eastern Division, partnering with and equipping Young Life staff to launch ministries that include kids with disabilities, as well as refining existing ministries. Brad and his wife, Melissa, live in Frederick, MD and have 7 children. Two of their boys are adopted from Ethiopia and their oldest child, Hannah, has cerebral palsy.

Sandra Peoples

Sandra Peoples (M Div) is a special-needs mom and sibling. She and her family live outside of Houston, TX where she serves her church as the Inclusion Coordinator for Special Needs Families. She is also the Special Needs Ministry Consultant for the Southern Baptist of Texas Convention. She’s the author of Unexpected Blessings: The Joys and Possibilities of Life in a Special-Needs Family and cohost of the podcast, Self Care and Soul Care for the Caregiver. You can connect with her at sandrapeoples.com.

Jolene Philo

Jolene Philo is the parent and daughter of loved ones with special needs and disabilities. She is a former educator who created inclusive classrooms for all learners for 25 years. Jolene is the author of several books about caregiving, special needs parenting, and childhood PTSD, including Sharing Love Abundantly with Special Needs Families: The 5 Love Languages® for Parents Raising Children with Disabilities, which she co-authored with Dr. Gary Chapman. Her award winning blog, www.DifferentDream.com, provides encouragement and resources for caregiving families. Jolene and her husband live in central Iowa.

Rachel Ritter

Rachel Ritter is the Children's and Special Needs Pastor at Genesis Church in Tallahassee, FL. Using her degree in Elementary Education and Exceptional Student Education, she believes in empowering and equipping churches to serve both children and adults with special needs. Rachel is the Vice-President of the non-profit Shine Tallahassee, Inc. which provides programs and resources for the adult special needs community.

Jess Ronne

Jess Ronne is an author, speaker, podcast host, documentary producer,and caregiver advocate.  She is founder and executive director of The Lucas Project—a non-profit dedicated to providing recognition and respite for special needs families. She and her husband Ryan live in Michigan with their 8 children, including their son Lucas who has profound special needs. Her story of beauty from ashes has been shared on The Today Show, Daily Mail and Huffington Post and is detailed in her memoir Sunlight Burning at Midnight.  To follow the ongoing saga she can be found at www.jessplusthemess.com or purchase her latest book, Blended with Grit and Grace.

Ron Sandison

Ron Sandison works full time in the medical field, and is a professor of theology at Destiny School of Ministry. He is an advisory board member of the Art of Autism and the Els Center of Excellence. Sandison has a Master of Divinity from Oral Roberts University and is the author of A Parent’s Guide to Autism: Practical Advice, Biblical Wisdom published by Charisma House and Views from the Spectrum. He has memorized over 15,000 Scriptures, including 22 complete books of the New Testament. Sandison speaks at over 70 events a year, including 20 plus education conferences. Ron and his wife, Kristen, reside in Rochester Hills, MI, with daughter, Makayla.

Barbara Stanley

Growing up with a brother who has autism, Barb understands what life as part of a family affected by disability feels like. She is an advocate who wants to see disability ministry become an expected part of every church. In 2014, Barb founded 139 Kids Special Needs Ministry at her church and in 2020, she founded Wonderful Works Ministry, an online resource platform that helps equip churches to serve families affected by disability.

Kim Thorpe

Kim is serves as Rising Above Ministries' director of operations. She oversees the day-to-day operations of the ministry, as well as working in the areas of fundraising and events. Kim is married to Jimmy and together they have two children, Ruthie and Joah. Kim has always had a heart for the disability community and has been working as our director of operations since February of 2018. She also coordinates the special-needs ministry at The River Community Church in Cookeville, TN. She loves coffee, camping, and true-crime podcasts.

Brie Turns

Dr. Brie Turns is a Licensed Marriage and Families Therapist and an Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist, and also the department head of Behavioral Sciences at Arizona Christian University. For over ten years, Dr. Turns has specialized in the treatment needs of families raising a child with a disability. Dr. Turns has spoken at national, international, and state conferences on families.

Victoria White

As director of the Church Services team, Victoria White shares best practices for creating congregations of belonging. Her desire to see people of all abilities active in the life of the church fuels her work with congregations, ministries, and organizations. Victoria has over 20 years of experiences in ministry and educational settings, including a season of life marked by chronic illness. Victoria spent more than a decade of mentorship under former Director of Church Services, the late Barbara J. Newman.

Ryan Wolfe

Ryan Wolfe, President of Ability Ministry, has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the emerging field of disability ministry. For 15 years, Ryan served as the full-time Disability Ministry Pastor at First Christian Church in Canton, OH. Ryan also spent time as a Church Consultant for Key Ministry, and has been a  regular contributing author for Joni & Friends and Irresistible Church. He is a co-author of the 2018 Joni & Friends Helping with Life Transitions book and author of the 2018 book “My Friends, My Teachers” Life-Changing Encounters with Disability.