Brooke Hempell is Barna Group’s Senior Vice President of Research and manages the firm’s research studies. From semi-annual polls that track the pulse of Americans’ beliefs and practices, to custom studies for para-church ministries, denomination, businesses, and non-profit organizations. Through this work Barna helps leaders gain insights into faith groups and the general population’s perspectives on faith and cultural issues. Prior to joining Barna, Brooke led market research engagements for clients in the pharmaceutical, financial services, and retail industries for more than 15 years. She earned her B.S. in Business and Marketing from Cornell University. Brooke is active in church planting and racial reconciliation ministries and lives in Atlanta, GA.
Matt Manzari has lived a full life in 27 short years. He experienced a professional athletic career, married the love of his life, two near death accidents, and recently entered into fatherhood. Through it all, he has seen how to move through challenges of every kind. Matt shares a message of hope and perseverance to change the way we look at challenge.
John Avant grew up in the mountains of North Carolina and become a follower of Jesus at the age of 16. He earned his undergraduate degree from Baylor University and his M Div and PhD at Southwestern Seminary where he learned about spiritual awakening and revival. John has a deep love and compassion for people and believes that the only hope for our nation is to experience a mighty movement of God. John has pastored churches throughout the south and has served as Vice President of Evangelism and Spiritual Awakening at the North American Mission Board. He is an author and speaker and currently serves as President of Life Action Ministries. John enjoys hiking the mountains with his wife Donna, scuba diving, and playing golf. He and Donna have three adult children and four grandchildren.
Emily Sherwood, Bethel’s Alumni Director, recognizes alumni award recipients Randy Lehman, Jorge and Caron Marquez, and Michaela Murray.
For over 25 years, Dan Grider has been working with church multiplication across the United States. In 1990 he planted a vibrant church in southern California. The church grew to over 1500 in attendance and launched nine church plants and campuses. He went on to serve at Beach Church in Myrtle Beach, creating a reproducing discipleship-making environment then Dan relocated to Knoxville, TN, where he launched the Ignite Church Network for church multiplication. Through a mentoring and discipleship-making model, he has created a strong and vibrant network of churches that reproduce leaders who are leading transformational communities.
Dan enjoys golfing, snowboarding, mountain biking, back packing, and surfing. He is married to Debra and they have two adult children.
Laura Bulgrien is a sojourner at heart. She desires to live in a way that simply rests in the grip of God’s grace.
Laura grew up in Michigan, attended Bethel College and lived in Hawaii and Colorado before recently returning to Indiana. She currently serves as the Director of The Experience a young adult discipleship and equipping program through Forge. As a Forge speaker, she travels both nationally and internationally to call people to know Jesus Christ and His gospel. Laura’s greatest passion is seeking to discover and unveil the Kingdom of God at work in the here and now. She challenges others to step into the reality of God’s Kingdom here on earth as it is in Heaven.
Since 2005, Jesse Eubanks has worked to build relationships with homeless guests and residents in Louisville in order to bring the presence of Christ and the power of the gospel into difficult circumstances. He serves as the Director of Love Thy Neighborhood, an urban missions agency for young adults impacting homelessness, the adult entertainment industry, crisis pregnancy, orphan care, health care, and much more. Love Thy Neighborhood equips and mobilizes the next generation of Christian leaders to work with the poor, the suffering, and the marginalized in their city. Jesse is married to Lindsay, and they have two children.
Izzy Alvarez was born and raised in New York City. He joined the staff of Fellowship Missionary Church, in Fort Wayne, in 2005 as a custodian where he served faithfully for years before obeying a call from the Lord to become a Pastor. In 2013, Izzy joined Fellowship’s youth ministries team leading the high school youth for five years. Most recently God called Izzy to step into a Director of Discipling role where he helps individuals and communities grow and live into their respective spiritual callings. Izzy has a passion for hip-hop, jazz, books, and helping people become the best versions of themselves. He and his wife Samantha have three beautiful daughters.
Global Engagement Program Assistants, Collin Sroka and Jocelynn Moss, and the Director of Global and Community Engagement Tyler Grant, along with current student Taylor Nelson, and graduate Gui Teixeira share about task force opportunities and experiences.
