Keynote Speaker, Panel Member & Breakout Session Leader

Doug Franklin serves youth workers through a ministry called LeaderTreks (Chicago, IL). Doug loves youth ministry and the people who serve in it. He works with an incredible team creating tools and resources enabling youth workers to develop students into leaders. Doug wants to influence youth workers to challenge students and prepare them for leadership in the kingdom of God.

"I would love to see youth ministry move towards preparing students to lead the church by allowing them to be the church now. Youth ministry is not the ministry of the church to students. Youth ministry needs to be the ministry of students to their world."

– Doug Franklin

Keynote Speaker, Panel Member & Breakout Session Leader

Originally from the great state of Oklahoma, Gary Almon carries out the responsibilities of the student and family ministries at Sojourn Community Church (Louisville, KY). He also teaches youth ministry and leadership development at Boyce College and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Lousiville, KY). Gary brings to the Reformation Conference over 25 years of youth ministry experience.

"I believe the church’s responsibility through the student ministry is to come alongside and help strengthen the families within our church and connect with families outside of the church. Most people come to know Christ during the teen years which makes student ministry a prime ministry for evangelism. I love to help train and equip others in an effort to minister and reach students. I really believe there are only two things to do: Make disciples as Matthew 28:19-20 states and to train the saints for the work of ministry as instructed in Ephesians 4."

– Gary Almon

Panel Member & Breakout Session Leader

Joe Ball currently serves as the youth strategist for the Kentucky Baptist Convention (offices in Louisville, KY). Before joining the KBC staff, Joe served as the Youth and Education minister at Edgewood Baptist Church (Hopkinsville, KY). Find out more about Joe and his ministry by visiting his blog at www.despisingnone.com.

"It’s my job to support, challenge, and encourage youth ministers across the commonwealth of Kentucky to reach this generation with the Gospel."

– Joe Ball

Breakout Session Leader

Steven Bell has been the full-time Minister to Students of Hindman Student Ministries at the First Baptist Church of Hindman, Kentucky since the Summer of 2003. He received a Bachelor of Science in Youth Ministry from Boyce College (Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) in Louisville, Kentucky and completed a Master’s Degree in Theological Studies from Liberty Theological Seminary. Steven and his wife, Ashlee, have a two year old daughter named Elizabeth and are anticipating the arrival of their first baby boy in June 2011.

Breakout Session Leader

Chris Bumbalough is Youth Pastor at Allen Baptist Church in Prestonsburg, KY. He has a BA and MA from Liberty University, and is working on his PhD at Temple Baptist Seminary. He has a heart for students and training adults who are in the trenches reaching students. He is happily married to his wife Sandra and Has two beautiful children Isai and Aylen.

Breakout Session Leader

Jeremy Tackett has served in youth ministry for the last nine years in both professional and volunteer roles. An integral part of his passion for ministry is the recruitment and equipping of volunteer leaders, and developing the “life group” model in ministries with which he is involved. Jeremy currently serves as the Director of Family Ministries at First Presbyterian Church in Pikeville, KY, where he lives with his wife, Kara, and their two wonderful dogs, Lilly and Zoe.

Breakout Session Leader

David Franklin is no stranger to ministry. In fact, he grew up the son of missionaries. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministry from Moody Bible Institute (Chicago, IL). David currently serves as the Student Minister at Davidson Baptist Church (Hazard, KY). He is engaged to be married.

Breakout Session Leader

Born March 10, 1961 in Middlesboro, KY. Born again October 26, 1976 at Binghamtown Baptist Church, also in Middlesboro. Lives in Prestonsburg, KY with wife of 26 years Kimberly and 15-year-old son Jordan. Currently serves as Ministry Assistant, Worship, Choir and Youth Leader at Fitzpatrick Baptist Church, Baptist Campus Minister for the Kentucky Baptist Convention at Big Sandy Community and Technical College and is employed by the Floyd County Schools to teach Career Exploration at Adams Middle School, all in Prestonsburg. Norm has been involved with solo, choir and group music ministries, as well as youth programs, for nearly 30 years, is a lifelong Bible learner, member of Psalm 33:3 Praise Band, spent 24 years in the broadcasting profession, winning several awards and is currently enrolled at the University of the Cumberlands to work toward a Masters Teaching degree.

Breakout Session Leader

Chris is the Associate Pastor of Youth and Children at the First Baptist Church of Prestonsburg, KY. A native of Ashland, KY, he is a graduate of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and has spent time serving overseas with Campus Crusade for Christ. Chris is married to his wonderful wife Laura and they are the very thankful parents of their daughter Addison.