Father Michael Schmitz, director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Duluth and chaplain for the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, inspires and educates through his priesthood and preaching. He also works with Ascension Presents’ online platform to share the Gospel. Ordained in 2003 at St. Paul Seminary, he has preached across the country about the love of God and the call of Jesus Christ for saints to be raised up in the Church. Father Mike’s hope is that these saints will redeem the entire world for Christ.

Ike Ndolo was born in Missouri, after his parents moved to the United States from Nigeria. Inside Ike’s home rang hymns from his mother and songs of struggle and freedom from Bob Marley and everything in between. In 2009 Ike released his first record, “We are the Beggars” produced by songwriter and producer Robbie Seay. “We are the Beggars” climbed to number 4 on the Christian iTunes charts. Now Ike is back with his second studio album “Rivers” recorded in Nashville and produced by Paul Mabury. Ike’s sophomore record is a grittier collection of soulful music, which showcases Ike’s growth as a songwriter as well as his unique voice and delivery. Ike shares songs of sin, doubt, hope, and redemption.

Katie Prejean McGrady is an international speaker and the author of Room 24: Adventures of a New Evangelist and Follow: Your Lifelong Adventure With Jesus. She has been traveling across the country since 2007, engaging audiences of all ages and sizes with theological truths and a unique blend of humor. Katie has appeared on EWTN, Catholic TV, Radio Maria, Sirius XM’s Catholic Channel, writes for Ave Maria Press, LifeTeen, and EpicPew, and has spoken in parishes and dioceses from L.A. to New York. She has a bachelor’s degree in theology from the University of Dallas and lives with her family in Louisiana.

At a Steubenville conference in 2008, DJ Bernal realized his need for an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. DJ has the great privilege to minister to both middle school and high school students, as well as to young adults and adult groups. This ministry has focused on a relationship with Christ and others (Rom. 8:38-39). Standing upon the charge of the Apostle Paul to Timothy (2 Tim. 4:5), DJ has committed himself to “endure every hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill the duties of the ministry” that Jesus has given him. ​

Leah Darrow is an international Catholic speaker who inspires others to embrace Christ’s mercy, reclaim beauty, and become who God made them to be. She was on the reality TV show America’s Next Top Model and later worked as a professional model before experiencing a conversion back to her Catholic faith. Leah is author of the book The Other Side of Beauty and podcast host of Do Something Beautiful, where she shares inspirational stories about people who are truly doing something beautiful to make our world better. She is a mama to four wild saints-in-training and wife to a pretty cool dude named Ricky.

Paul George has been married to his wife, Gretchen, for 20 years. They have five children: Marie, Jacob, Sarah, Clare and Addie. It’s his role as a husband and father that Paul cherishes the most. Paul currently works as a sought-after speaker, consultant, and life coach (paulgeorge.la). He is the author of Rethink Happiness: Dare to Embrace God and Experience True Joy. Paul also host a weekly national radio show and podcast, The Paul George Show. He has a master’s degree in theology from the University of Dallas. Paul resides in Lafayette, Louisiana.

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