We are excited to announce Thrive 2009’s keynote speakers:
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Franklin Graham
President, Billy Graham Evangelical Association.
Franklin conducts evangelistic festivals around the world for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA). Since his first evangelistic event in 1989, he has preached to more than four million people worldwide, in locations as exotic as Peru, Australia, and central Kansas.
Each year, Franklin’s festivals lead thousands of men and women of all age to new life through Jesus Christ. While he often speaks to massive crowds, Franklin has also committed to speaking in smaller settings, establishing a new standard for evangelical outreach. Grateful for his ministry opportunities, Franklin says that “telling someone else the Good News of Christ is one of the greatest privileges I know.”
The BGEA appointed Franklin Graham CEO in 2000 and president of the organization in 2001. Franklin also serves as president and CEO of Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief organization that annually gives over $300 million in aid to more than 100 countries worldwide.
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Francis Chan
Teaching Pastor, Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley.
Francis has served at Cornerstone for the past 14 years, and spends much of his time speaking to high school and college students. His commitment and passion are to teach directly from the words of scripture and to see the next generation of American Christians display a much deeper love for Jesus.
Francis just released his first book, “Crazy Love,” in which he challenges believers to break free from the spiritual status quo and pursue a passionate love relationship with God. In Francis’ eyes, falling in love with God is the perfect antidote to religious complacency.
In addition to his inspirational preaching and writing, Francis has founded Eternity Bible College and serves on the boards of the Children’s Hunger Fund and World Impact.
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Nick Vujicic
Founder, Life Without Limbs
Born without arms or legs, Nick Vujicic has used his powerful testimony to share the Gospel message with millions of people across the globe. Through Nick's blossoming ministry, Life Without Limbs, a significant portion of those millions have come to know Christ for the first time.
God has anointed Nick with remarkable gifts, and given him the strength to surmount what others might call impossible. Only 25 years old, Nick says, “I've been extremely humbled by the continuous opportunities that the Lord has given me to share my testimony along with the hope that I have in Jesus with people in so many nations and situations. My greatest joy in this life is to introduce Jesus to those I meet and tell them of His great desire to get to know them personally by allowing Him to become their Lord and Savior.”
Nick’s message that God has a meaningful purpose for all our lives strikes a powerful chord with his audiences. Nick truly exemplifies the power of faith in overcoming life’s obstacles.
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Rev. Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil
President and Founder, Salter McNeil & Associates
Brenda is a powerful visionary in the field of racial and ethnic reconciliation. For over 20 years, she has traveled the globe igniting a passion for racial healing at colleges, conferences and churches.
In 1995, in response to her growing passion for authentic racial healing, she founded Overflow Ministries, Inc., a non-profit, faith-based organization devoted to the ministry of racial and ethnic reconciliation. Brenda continued this work by founding Salter McNeil & Associates, LLC, which empowers workplace leaders to transform their institutional environments into communities of racial healing and justice. She is also the coauthor of the book, The Heart of Racial Justice: How Soul Change Leads to Social Change (InterVarsity Press, 2005).
Through her speaking, teaching, and writing, Brenda boldly declares a vision that unites, transforms and brings healing to people from every tribe and every nation. Together with her husband, Dr. J. Derek McNeil and their two children, Brenda stands at the forefront of an international movement to advance God's kingdom through the ministry of racial and ethnic reconciliation.
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Ray Johnston
Senior Pastor, Bayside Church in Granite Bay, CA.
Ray, a 20-year veteran of both youth and adult ministry, is the founding pastor of Bayside Church, in Roseville/Granite Bay, CA, which has grown to over 10,000 in just a thirteen-year period. A veteran pastor and visionary leader, Ray believes that the church is called to outreach, spiritual growth, and equipping our leaders.
In addition to his tireless efforts at Bayside, Ray serves as president of Developing Effective Leaders and has authored four books, all of which contain his trademark wit and dynamic style. Ray also speaks frequently at conferences, leadership training events, family camps and national youth events.
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Sherwood Carthen
Senior Pastor, Bayside of South Sacramento.
Sherwood is the pastor of Bayside of South Sacramento, a cross-cultural, cross-class ministry that strives to meet the spiritual needs of believers by providing a place for growth, challenge, and fellowship.
A stalwart leader in the Sacramento community, Sherwood founded the Our Family Community Foundation, which specializes in wellness, wholeness, and faith. He is active nationally in causes such as substance abuse prevention and tobacco education, and serves as Chairperson of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Worship Celebration Committee for the Sacramento Community. He also serves as chaplain for the NBA’s Sacramento Kings.
Sherwood and his wife Charlene, a gifted evangelist herself, have ministered together all across the United States and the Bahamas. In the spirit of Christian community, he invites and encourages other churches of all denominations to share with his church family.
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