Meet Our Keynote Speakers
Dr. Christina Embree
Why Intergenerational?
And Why Now?
In this keynote, Dr. Christina Embree explores why intergenerational ministry is not only relevant but essential in today’s Church. Drawing from her doctoral research on age segregation and spiritual formation, she unpacks the barriers that divide and the bridges that unite generations in faith. You’ll walk away with fresh vision and practical steps for building meaningful, lasting connections across all ages.
Christina Embree is the founder and director of ReFocus Ministry. She holds a doctorate in spiritual formation with a focus on age segregation and intergenerational ministry and a masters in ministry focused on Children, Youth, and Family Ministry. In addition to coaching churches of multiple denominations and traditions all around the globe, she is widely recognized as a speaker and author in the areas of generational discipleship, intergenerational ministry, and family ministry. Christina also serves as the Minister of Generational Discipleship for the Great Lakes Conference of the Brethren in Christ and as NextGen pastor at Open Door Church in Lexington, Kentucky.
Dr. Valerie Grissom
The Intergenerational Mindset
It's easy to have all ages together in the same room! It's a whole different thing when a faith community takes on an intergenerational mindset dedicated to all ages participating and engaging in transformational discipleship, following in the way of Jesus. When we, as the people of God, take on an intergenerational mindset, we set up a framework and practice for lifelong faith for all generations together.
Dr. Valerie M. Grissom, MDiv, DWS, is a minister, worship leader, researcher, writer, and scholar from the Pacific Northwest, near Seattle, Washington. She serves as Chair of the InterGenerate Team and is Project Director for the new IYS Story Project (https://www.intergenerateconference.com/iys-project). Valerie is the editor of All Ages Becoming: Intergenerational Practice in the Formation of God’s People, serves on the Advisory Board for Imagining Worship with Kids (https://imaginingworshipwithkids.com/), and also curates resources for Lament with Children and Youth in Worship and Daily Life (see more at valeriemgrissom.com).
Lindsey Goetz
Together from the Start: Intergenerational Kids' Ministry from the Ground Up
How does a commitment to intergenerationality shape ministry with children? What values, training, and opportunities are available to churches that choose this route? Lindsey offers her own story of building an children's ministry that emphasizes the importance of connecting generations in faith-forming relationships.
Lindsey is the Resource Director at the Center for Faith and Children at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School where she co-hosts the podcast “The Child in Our Midst,” which explores the unique perspective of children in their faith journeys. She also serves as the Pastor for Children’s Formation at All Saints Anglican Church, a Multi-ethnic church plant in Naperville, IL. She is the author of The Gospel Story Hymnal and has written children’s ministry curriculum, family discipleship resources, and various print and blog articles. Lindsey enjoys writing, roller skating, going to concerts, and convincing her kids to take nature hikes with her.
Dr. Johannah Myers
Messy Church
“Church, but not as you know it”. At Messy Church, all ages meet together to learn about Christ through games, crafts and activities, music, and storytelling from the Bible. A foundational ingredient of Messy Church is to gather around a table for a snack or meal and build relationships with each other, God, and the world.
Johannah Myers, D.Min, is the Executive Director for Messy Church USA. She also serves as the Director of Discipleship for Aldersgate UMC in Greenville, SC, where she’s led a local Messy Church since 2013. Inspired by her church’s experience with Messy Church, her Doctor of Ministry project thesis focused on intergenerational faith formation at Messy Church and in small groups. Johannah earned a BA in Psychology from Furman, a M.Div from Duke University, and a D.Min from Wesley Theological Seminary. In her spare time, Johannah is either hanging out with her dog, Winnie, watching a Duke game, or planning her next trip (sometimes doing all that at once.)
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Sarah Flannery
Sarah Flannery is a professor of Marriage and Family Therapy at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and doctoral candidate in Marriage and Family Therapy at Eastern University in Philadelphia, PA. She served in family ministry in the United Methodist Church in Kentucky for twelve years, where she developed resources and ministry environments for every kind of family. She is the author of two books, Six Secrets of Preteen Ministry and The Children and Family Ministry Handbook. She lives in Kentucky with her husband, sons, a very needy goldendoodle, and the two naughtiest cats of all time. She loves talking about inclusive ministry, spiritual rites of passage, faith formation, or attachment styles to anyone who will listen.
In both parenting and family ministry, there is no way to prevent difficult conversations with kids. In fact, it is through these uncomfortable, uncertain conversations that important faith formation happens! This session will provide best practices for engaging the younger generation in difficult conversations about politics, family conflict, race, sex, and other topics that are challenging for adults to face. Speaking from the multiple vantage points of parent, researcher, and family ministry professional, Sarah will share practical and biblical approaches to the difficult conversations that form the basis of relational discipleship.
Tanya Yuen
Rev. Tanya Yuen serves in denominational leadership with Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec, supporting churches in the spiritual formation of children and families. With over 30 years of ministry experience, including 16 years as a pastor in downtown Toronto, Canada, she brings a deep passion for intergenerational discipleship and practical ministry leadership. Tanya holds degrees from Tyndale University and Seminary and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Practical Theology. She also mentors emerging leaders globally through the Baptist World Alliance Horizons Children’s Ministry Course.
Many churches long for intergenerational connection but struggle to move beyond surface-level interactions. This session explores practical tools and spiritual practices to help your community break the silence, spark meaningful dialogue, and listen deeply across age lines. Let’s move beyond “how are you?” and into holy listening that forms faith across generations.
Aike Kennett-Brown
Aike Kennett-Brown leads the BRF ministries Messy Church Team which supports the Messy Church network both nationally and internationally. This includes writing, reflecting, speaking, developing resources and projects, so that the work of Messy Church can continue to transform lives.
Her Messy Church journey started in 2010 and she is currently involved in a Messy Church Goes Wild! that meets monthly in the outside space of an all-through Church of England school in Greenwich, London.
Messy Church is a way of being church that is Christ-centered, for all ages, based on creativity, hospitality and celebration. Find out how Messy Church brings generations together and hear about the UK’s new Messy Momentum project, that is trying out new ways to engage young people as they grow through Messy Church.
Rich Griffith
Dr. Rich Griffith is Associate Professor of Youth Ministry and Ministry Leadership at Toccoa Falls College in Northeast, Georgia. He has two master’s degrees (MA Th., and Organizational Leadership) and a Doctorate in “Youth, Family and Culture” from Fuller Theological Seminary. He is an Author, Speaker, Coach, Pastor and has been featured on numerous radio broadcasts and podcasts. He serves on the Board of the Association of Youth Ministry Educators and ReFocus Ministries. His latest work is entitled, “Voices: Helping Our Children and Youth Listen to Wise Counsel” (2023), “Discipleship Is Leadership” (2024) and “Reimagining Church As Family” (2025). His most recent academic article, “Family Ministry Definitions Impact How We Practice Intergenerational Ministry: The Need of Youth Ministry” (2025) for the Intergenerate Conference. He is also studying trauma, adolescents and spiritual formation practices. He is dad of three adopted sons.
Whether the term is systemic abandonment or systemic isolation, our teenagers are suffering in a culture where they are under-resourced in mental health services, social capital, adult nurturing relationships, life-impacting decisions and so much more. It is no wonder that adolescence as a developmental time period has been extended from ages 11 – 29. Traditionally, even family ministry has been defined as “ages & stage” and geared toward nuclear family structures, and yet culture has dramatically changed from this post-World War II construct. While family sizes have decreased, so to have family support systems. This is forcing churches to reconsider how they define “family ministry” theologically and how to truly engage intergenerationally in a way that incorporates a variety of family structures as well as all ages in order to truly be intergenerational. Further, there is a necessity of every church to consider how to engage this “Church As Family” approach while becoming more trauma informed. This seminar will help explore this multi-faceted journey to where we need to go in the future in order to truly reflect a robust intergenerational ministry.
Melissa J. MacDonald
Melissa J. MacDonald is a dynamic ministry leader with over 20 years of global experience. She’s a sought-after speaker, coach, and author passionate about equipping leaders and growing kids’ faith. Melissa has worked with organizations like the C&MA and the Global Children’s Forum. She and her husband, Luis, are foster and adoptive parents in Iowa, where they enjoy kayaking, golfing, and really good food.
Discover the beauty and power of generational unity in outreach. We’ll explore what it looks like when different generations come together with a shared purpose—to bring hope and light to their neighborhoods. Hear practical insights and stories that celebrate connection, collaboration, and community transformation.
Jessica Fleck
Jessica is committed to the all generations as well as the marginalized. After receiving a Doctor of Ministry degree from Asbury Seminary and writing on teams for children’s ministry, she is now pursuing a second doctorate from Fuller Seminary to study the spirituality of young girls. She deeply cares about connecting the generations and, as a single herself, believes incorporating singles in their many forms is imperative for healthy churches.
Why is it important to include singles in intergenerational ministry and how to do it. We will look at unmarried individuals and their importance in scripture, in our society, and in the church. The session will end with ideas to engage and incorporate singles into fresh ministry with various generations.
Arlene Pellicane
Arlene Pellicane is a speaker, host of the Happy Home podcast, and author of several books including Parents Rising, Making Marriage Easier and Screen Kids. Arlene has been featured on the Today Show, Fox & Friends, the Wall Street Journal, FamilyLife Today and Focus on the Family and is the spokesperson for National Marriage Week. Arlene and her husband James have three children and live in San Diego.
Using too much technology is a temptation for toddlers, grandparents, and everyone in between. It’s not just a problem for teenagers. How can our common struggle with screens actually bring us together as generations? Arlene Pellicane shares why tech is so sticky in the first place and what we can do about it.
Jake Thurston
Rev. Dr. Jake Thurston is the lead pastor and church planter of Resilient Church, a growing ministry that serves a large number of students and young adults in the college town of Vermillion, South Dakota. He is the author of the book “You Need Friends, and is an adjunct professor of Bible, Theology, and Ministry at Indiana Wesleyan University, Wesley Seminary, and the University of South Dakota. Jake is married to his wife, Kasey, and has two daughters and one son.
We are in the midst of a loneliness epidemic, and young adults are being affected the most. Join Dr. Jake Thurston as he discusses the cultural drivers of our loneliness epidemic, the surprising science of human connection, and how to help young people experience true connection through the practice of spiritual friendship.
Tammy Preston
Tammy Preston was the founding pastor of an Intergenerational faith community in Australia for 18 years and a founding member of Intergenerate Australia/New Zealand. Tammy is a trained teacher, has a degree in theology, is currently doing her Ph.D. in Intergenerational ministry at Cardiff University in Wales. She has written two books and contributed to 3 other books in the area of Intergenerational ministry. Tammy speaks and teaches regularly throughout Australia, NZ, USA, Lebanon, UK, Asia and Cambodia. Seeing the “family of God” be empowered to grow and walk the lifelong journey of faith together is something she is passionate about.
We all want to feel like we BELONG no matter what age we are. The question is when do we feel like we most BELONG? A recent study with over 100 people of all ages shows that no matter the age, there are key environments and elements which help make all the difference for those of us who are passionate about seeing people of all ages connect closer to God and to each other.
Katharine Rose
Katharine Rose is a writer, speaker and podcast host. She is the founder of Eternal Echoes, a ministry dedicated to passing on faith, wisdom and life lessons from seasoned saints. An advocate for intergenerational discipleship and mentoring, she is passionate about giving a voice to those who have gone before us and encouraging the rising generation to learn from their wisdom and life experience.
The older generation has a vital role to play in shaping the faith of future generations. In this session, we’ll explore the Biblical mandate to pass on the faith, the power of storytelling to connect generations, and the legacy of faith elders are uniquely equipped to leave.
Harrison Litzell
Rev. Harrison Litzell is the Program Coordinator for the Baugh Center for Baptist Leadership at Mercer University. He has over 10 years of working in children’s ministry in a variety of churches. In his current role, he supports lay leaders in churches and researches inclusion of children and neurodivergent and disabled worshipers in faith communities.
Harrison Litzell will lead a discussion on how we can think beyond including children and families in our worship practices, and begin to collaborate with them by focusing on accessibility, participation, and representation. We will also share some specific tools geared towards making worship a place that is supportive of neurodivergent worshipers.
Betsy Dishman
Betsy Dishman currently serves as a consultant for intergenerational ministry with GenOn Ministries. When she’s not writing or leading online and in-person sessions for GenOn, you’ll find her offering workshops at conferences like InterGenerate or writing articles and resources to encourage intergenerational ministry development. Helping churches evaluate where they are with intergenerational ministry and guiding them to develop their own pathways to realize their specific vision and goals is her passion. Her favorite quote to explain her work is: “It’s a process, not a program!”
What is LIFT (Living in Faith Together)? It’s GenOn Ministries’ resource that brings generations together around tables to eat, study, play, and pray. Designed as an avenue for intergenerational faith formation, LIFT is compatible with Sunday School, evening or midweek gatherings, seasonal or summer potlucks, and even as worship! Recommended for church leaders seeking practical ways to shape and develop intentional intergenerational community.
Steph Peterson
Steph Peterson (Pastor of Children’s Discipleship for the Brethren in Christ U.S. Great Lakes Conference) is a Jesus-following, dinosaur-loving, mac and cheese-eating mom, wife, artist and children’s minister who lives and works in Wilmore, Kentucky. She currently creates children and toddler formation curricula while also working with parents and kiddos through Asbury Seminary’s Student Life and Formation Dept, The Brethren in Christ G.L.C. and beyond!
This session will address how toddler spiritual formation is often overlooked in church settings and how to make those spaces spiritually rich for even our littlest worshippers. This workshop is perfect for parents/caregivers and ministers seeking to connect toddlers and preschoolers to the larger church community.