Keynote Speakers

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED

Author and Professional Speaker, Grant Skeldon

The Passion Generation

SESSION AND BOOK DESCRIPTION

DETAILS ABOUT THE PASSION GENERATION

ENOUGH STATISTICS. WE NEED SOLUTIONS.

Millennials have disrupted almost every major industry. Whether you’re a parent trying to raise them, a pastor trying to reach them, or an employer trying to retain them, they’re disruptive. As the largest living generation, millennials are one of the most studied but misunderstood groups of our day. And the chasm between the generations is only getting wider.

The Passion Generation looks beyond the research to reveal the root issue: it’s not a millennial problem, it’s a discipleship problem. Our culture is feeling the result of a mentor-less, fatherless generation. But how do you disciple young people when you struggle to connect with them?

With wit, compassion, and stories drawn from years of working to bridge generational divides, Skeldon offers methods that will help you understand not just what millennials are doing but why they’re doing it and how we all can move toward healthy community.

This book is your guide to understanding the millennials in your life who are seemingly reckless but far from hopeless, for the future of the church that depends on them.

SPEAKER BIO

In response to young people being labeled noncommittal, lazy, entitled, slacktivists, Grant Skeldon started Initiative Network when he was 23 with the goal to develop young leaders into Christ-loving, city-changing, church-investing, disciple-making local missionaries. Initiative has united and accelerated some of the most diverse and dynamic next gen leaders from across the country. In 2020 Grant got married and moved to Nashville to become the Next Gen Director for Q.

He has written for The Wall Street Journal, Relevant, and The Gospel Coalition. His book on millennials, The Passion Generation has helped thousands of pastors and parents who are trying to reach, raise, and retain the next generation. Grant serves on the board of Catalyst, as well as an associate for Leadership Network and Exponential.

challenge accepted

Dr. Rhoda Wolle, Educational Psychologist, Wisconsin Lutheran College

My mission in life is to help others find and accomplish theirs!

SESSION DESCRIPTION

Moving from Surviving to Thriving: Recalculating Happiness

Jesus came that we may have life and have it to the full! (John 10:10)

Psychology seeks to understand the components of happiness and wellness. Dr. Wolle's presentation will meet at the intersection of Scripture and the latest research regarding what people can do to move from simply surviving to truly thriving. Some of the components that make a significant impact are  gratitude, contentment, discovering and utilizing strengths and skills to impact others, and guilt-free rest. Participants will leave the presentation with an action plan they can implement in their personal and professional life.

SPEAKER BIO

Dr. Rhoda Wolle is the Dean of Student Success and Faculty Development and an Associate Professor of Education at Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee. She teaches Educational Psychology in both the Undergraduate and Graduate program. She received her BS in Secondary Education from Martin Luther College, New Ulm, MN. She was awarded an MA in Education with special emphasis on Students at Risk from Marian University, Fond du Lac, WI. She earned her PhD in Educational Psychology from Capella University in Minneapolis, MN. Rhoda has taught workshops on four continents and has spoken to thousands of educators, parents, and teens on the topics of student success and the science of thriving. She is the cohost of the weekly podcast 5toThrive, and has authored multiple books. She is a member of St. Marcus in Milwaukee, WI. In her spare time she enjoys traveling, music, reading, sports, golf, sailing, and animals.

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED

Quick to Listen

Authored by Pastor Sam Degner, Pastor Christopher Doerr, Pastor Nicolas Schmoller, Pastor Luke Thompson, with forward from Mark Paustian

SESSION and book DESCRIPTION

Throughout their faith journeys, every Christian encounters lifestyles and outlooks that test and even defy their trust in Jesus Christ. Your instincts may tell you to refute these opposing viewpoints with clever arguments and witty retorts. Unfortunately, these responses can push others away. Worse, they may not clearly reflect the loving attitude of Christ.

Quick to Listen will help you lend a caring ear to those who hold these beliefs. This eye-opening tool helps you build relationships with evolutionists, atheists, Bible skeptics, and friends and members of the LGBTQ community based on genuine Christian compassion. Whether they continue to attend church or give no time to Christ, Quick to Listen equips you to acknowledge and understand their experiences and perspectives.

Christian insights follow the accounts of these challenging experiences and perspectives and point you straight to the Bible to affirm and clarify your faith. The scripture shared in Quick to Listen will then fill you up with the love, empathy, and understanding you need to reach out with the Word and share "the reason for the hope you have . . . with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15).

Authors, Quick to Listen

SPEAKER BIO

Pastor Nicolas Schmoller

BIO

I was privileged to write the section on friends and members of the LGBTQ community. Through my conversations and reading, I was able to understand some general perceptions about the Christian community and areas where I can empathize and pray for those in the LGBTQ community.

I have been a pastor in the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod for 11 years, the last three of which I have spent as a professor of Greek and Theology at Martin Luther College, our WELS college of ministry. Prior to that, I had the privilege of being part of planting a new mission church in Lafayette, IN. It was there in Lafayette, that I was able to make connections and conduct interviews that were integral for writing my section of the book through the local LGBTQ Pride chapter.
I enjoy reading, soccer, spending time with my wife and three young children, and teaching the next generation of pastors, teachers, and staff ministers at Martin Luther College.

SPEAKER BIO

Pastor Mark Paustian

BIO

Mark is a 1988 graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary who began his ministry as a church planter, then pastor, of New Life Lutheran Church in Rockford, IL. He is married to Constance (Kroll). Mark and Connie have two daughters, Abby and Hannah, as well as two new sons-in-law. He has served at Martin Luther College since 2001, teaching in the areas of biblical Hebrew, communication, homiletics, and apologetics. He has authored two books that address skeptical challenges, Prepared to Answer and MORE Prepared to Answer. He also authored the preface of Quick to Listen. Mark he holds a Ph.D. in Communication from Regent University.

SPEAKER BIO

Pastor Luke Thompson

Luke George Thompson (M.A. Philosophy, Marquette; M.Div WLS) has taught courses in philosophy and Christian apologetics at Bethany Lutheran College and Wisconsin Lutheran College and has been involved in apologetics on university campuses for nearly two decades. He is now a pastor at St. Paul in Ottawa, Ontario (Canada), and Illuminé Campus Ministry, which serves the University of Ottawa and Carleton University, and he lectures internationally on culture, philosophy, and the historicity of Christianity. He has recently accepted a call to serve as a professor of history, theology, and philosophy at Martin Luther College.

Pastor Luke Thompson’s latest book, Your Life Has Meaning: Discovering Your Role in An Epic Story

SPEAKER BIO

Pastor Sam Degner

A 2005 graduate from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Sam was assigned to Bethel Lutheran Church of Menasha, Wisconsin, where he served for twelve years. In 2017 he was called to Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, where he teaches evangelism and New Testament courses. He lives in Mequon, Wisconsin with his wife and three children.

For his portion of Quick to Listen on evolution, he worked with his brother, Ethan Degner, who earned his PhD in biology from Cornell University and now teaches biology at Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee. Ethan will join the panel for this session, providing the perspective of someone well versed in both science and Scripture.