Children & Youth Ministry Conference 2025

Stephen is a dad, husband, writer, and foodie. He has served in churches since 1998 and as a lead consultant with Ministry Architects since 2009. Stephen is a graduate of Samford University and McAfee School of Theology. His books include Hollow Faith: How Andy Griffith, Facebook, and the American Dream Neutered the Gospel, ExtraOrdinary Time: 365 Ordinary Moments with an Anything But Ordinary God; and Organic Student Ministry. Stephen deeply loves working with students and equipping youth ministers, helping both answer the questions: Who am I, and why am I here?

Diane Maloney (she/her) serves Falls Church Presbyterian Church as Director of Spiritual Growth and Community Engagement. Her ministry focuses on spiritual growth for children, youth, adults, and families as well as the digital footprint and engagement with the larger community. Diane holds a degree from Memphis Theological Seminary. She loves helping all people (especially children and teenagers) know they are loved more deeply than they could ever understand by God. When she’s not thinking, speaking, or talking about children and youth ministry, she’s probably playing a sport, watching the tv show, Survivor, or relaxing with her wife, Paige, their cat PAL, short for President Abraham Lincoln, and their puppy, Kettle Corn.

Kat Bair is a consultant, project manager, and coach for Ministry Incubators, a consulting firm focused on helping launch innovation-oriented ministries and non-profits. Before that she spent nearly ten years leading youth ministries in large churches, primarily in Texas. She is passionate about creating resources that encourage and inspire ministry leaders and has contributed to writing projects through the Center for Youth Ministry Training, Ministry Incubators, Ministry Architects, Women in Youth Ministry, and more. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and almost 2 year old twins.

Kris has over 35+ years of experience in youth ministry. Her ministry experience includes serving as the Youth Minister at Collierville UMC in Tennessee. Kris has experience serving in youth ministry at the local, conference, jurisdictional and national level of the United Methodist Church. Kris served as the Director for Young People in Mission for 13 years and served on the ministry team with Breakthru for 26 years. Kris and her husband Bob are originally from Pennsylvania but following three cross country moves they have lived in Collierville, TN for 30 years. Kris and her husband are the parents to three adult children and their spouses and also have three young grandsons. Kris enjoys, reading, traveling, the beach, and time with her family and friends.

Hank has over 30 years of experience in youth ministry. He is the Director of Youth Ministry at First United Methodist in Franklin, Tennessee. Hank has experience serving in youth ministry at the local, conference, jurisdictional, and national levels of the United Methodist Church.

Kris is an adolescent and family counselor at Brentwood Counseling. Previously, Kris served for 12 years as the youth director at Calvary UMC in Nashville, Tennessee.