Rodney Cox

Rodney Cox is president and founder of Ministry Insights International, a ministry whose mission is to transform relationships globally. This mission is driven by his love for pastors, church staff, couples, and families. His heart's desire is to unify the Body of Christ by helping people throughout the world understand and lead from their strengths. The Leading From Your Strength message has impacted more than 250,000 individuals and hundreds of teams both nationally and internationally as part of the growing Leading From Your Strength movement. Rodney is a compelling speaker who challenges his audiences to build relationships based on their God-given strengths. He brings a profound understanding to how differences can complete and unite relationships, rather than divide them. Rodney and his wife Beth were married in 1984 and live in Scottsdale, Arizona, with their two daughters. Speaking Topics Different by Design Consulting Topics Leading From Your Strengths

Dr. John Trent

Dr. Trent is founding president of StrongFamilies.com, a ministry committed to strengthening marriage and family relationships worldwide. Dr. Trent is a bestselling author and popular speaker with over 25 years experience serving and strengthening families. John and his wife Cindy live in Phoenix, AZ, have been married since 1979 and have two daughters. John has spoken to over 100,000 people in over 65 major cities in the past five years alone, as well as 750,000 men at Promise Keepers conferences. He has authored and co-authored more than a dozen award winning and best-selling books – including The Blessing, The Language of Love, Heart Shift, and Breaking the Cycle of Divorce. His most recent books include The 2 Degree Difference, Superhero Swamp, (a children’s book), and Skinny Rabbits. Speaking Topics The Blessing - The Need to Belong Different by Design EXTREME(ly Great) MARRIAGES EXTREME(ly Great) PARENTING The 2 Degree Difference Consulting Topics Building a Faith@Home Ministry Team Developing an Integrated Faith @Home Strategy Launching a StrongFamilies® Faith@Home Center Building Strong Workplace Teams Leading from your Strengths LifeMapping®

Cindy Trent

Cindy Trent tops our speaker’s list for women’s groups and retreats! She’s been married to John for almost 30 years, and worked alongside him in ministry during all those years. Cindy has spoken at women’s retreats, mother-daughter events, and many other parenting and marriage events. Cindy Trent has her Masters Degree in Education from Texas Woman’s University, and her B.S. in Home Economics at University of Arizona. She has endorsements in Reading, Early Childhood Education and ESL (English as a Second Language). Cindy has written two books, one for wife’s, and one for children (How to Be Your Husband's Best Friend, with Kay Bolin, and The Treasure Tree, co-authored with John Trent and Gary and Norma Smalley). She has taught bible studies, raised two wonderful daughters and is a wonderful wife to John!

Kurt Bruner

Kurt Bruner is a graduate of Talbot Seminary who spends most of his time as Pastor of Spiritual Formation at Lake Pointe Church in Rockwall, Texas. He and Olivia host the HomePointe ministry helping create a culture of intentional families. Kurt also serves as Executive Director for the StrongFamilies® Innovation Alliance, a network of leading churches driving new strategies for impacting the home. The best-selling author of more than a dozen books, Kurt spent twenty years with Focus on the Family where he was Vice President over films, books, magazines, radio drama, broadcasting, internet and other media groups. He also co-founded the Heritage Builders Association - a ministry that motivates and equips parents to pass a strong spiritual legacy to the next generation. Speaking Topics Growing Faith@Home - Becoming intentional about your child’s faith The Minivan Years - Celebrating the Hectic Joys of Parenthood Raising Kids in a Virtual World - Navigating gaming, texting and electronic media Finding God in the Land of Narnia- Baptizing your child’s spiritual imagination Consulting Topics Building a Faith@Home Ministry Team Developing an Integrated Faith@Home Strategy Launching a StrongFamilies® Faith@Home Center

Olivia Bruner

Olivia Bruner is a former school teacher who now speaks to moms about the hectic joys of parenthood. She is the author of several books including The Minivan Years and Playstation Nation. A frequent guest on national radio programs including Focus on the Family and Family Life Today, Olivia serves on the faculty of The Center for StrongFamilies ®. The Bruners are parents of three boys and a girl ages seven to eighteen. Speaking Topics Growing Faith@Home - Becoming intentional about your child’s faith How to Mess-up Your Child's Life - Proven Strategies, Practical Tips The Minivan Years - Celebrating the Hectic Joys of Parenthood Raising Kids in a Virtual World - Navigating gaming, texting and electronic media

Ryan Rush

Ryan Rush is the Senior Pastor at Bannockburn Baptist Church in Austin, Texas. He has been speaking and writing on effective home life for over two decades, and has shared the practical truths of God's Word with thousands of families across the United States. Ryan served as the Family Pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia, before moving to Austin. He has hosted radio and television programs on the subject of family life, and is the author of Home on Time: Life Management by the Book - a look at Psalm 90 that is helping lead families away from the chaos caused by living within the framework of a disorganized life. Since his arrival at Bannockburn in 2004, Ryan has led the implementation of a comprehensive, cross-generational effort to connect church and home life. The “Faith Breakthroughs” process that serves as the centerpiece of this strategy has become a launching point for other churches with the same family-centered goals. Ryan and his wife, Lana, have three daughters. Speaking Topics The Power of No – Balancing the challenges of family life Making a Good Home Great! – Marriage secrets to make it last Consulting Topics Faith Breakthrough! – Living life the way God intended

Tim Smith

Tim Smith is President of Life Skills for American Families, a non-profit (501c3) organization dedicated to challenging the issues that harm families, and building strength and health into families. With a background in children’s, youth and family ministry, Tim Smith brings humor and a real-life perspective to his popular presentations. In addition to his conference speaking, he has authored fourteen books, including Fast Families (Bethany House) and The Seven Cries of Today’s Teen (Integrity Media). Tim is a Research Fellow with the George H. Gallup International Institute of Princeton. His M.A. is from Biola University where he met his wife – Suzanne, who now teaches elementary school. They have been married since 1978 and have two young adult daughters and an “empty nest”! Speaking Topics Connecting With Your Kids – How fast families can move from chaos to closeness The Danger of Raising ‘Nice Kids’ - preparing your children to change their world Raising Kids in Challenging Economic Times – Growing kids from the inside out 7 Cries of Today's Teens - Hearing their hearts - Make the connection

Dr. Tony Wheeler

Dr. Tony Wheeler is an expert on family strengths and family dynamics. He is the Executive Director for the Dr. John Trent Institute for the Blessing based on the campus of Barclay College in Haviland, KS. Dr. Wheeler has been a pastor and counselor for 18 years, a speaker for 14 years, and he has seen many relationships repaired and individuals healed through his counseling ministry and seminars. Tony has a Masters in Family Therapy/Studies and a Ph.D. in Family Life Education and Consultation from Kansas State University. Dr. Wheeler has worked with Dr. John Trent for the last five years teaching seminars and helping individuals, marriages, and families find hope and healing. He has been married to his wife, Stacey, for 22 years and they have three children, ages 21, 19, and 15. Speaking Topics Blueprints 4 Marriage™ Blueprints 4 Parenting™ Blueprints 4 Families with Special Needs Children™ Consulting Topics Coffee Cup Coaching™ Training Coffee Cup Coaching™ Seminar Leading From Your Strengths Seminar

Kari Trent

Kari Trent is a graduate of Azusa Pacific University in California and received both a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and a Masters of Business Administration from Azusa Pacific. She is Dr. John Trent’s oldest daughter, and is currently the Director of Marketing and Product Development for StrongFamilies®. As the founder of KL Consulting, she provides marketing, team building, and business solutions for ministries and small businesses. Kari works with students and college campuses to educate students on their God-given strengths and how to improve relationships. Her passion is for helping strengthen women, both youth and working professionals.

Dr. Julie Verner, Ph.D.

If anyone knows the challenges of parenting and family life, Dr. Julie Verner certainly does! As a married mother of three who balances her busy life at home in Southern California with the rigors of a growing career, she is intimately acquainted with both the joys and demands of contemporary life with children. With a PhD in Clinical Psychology, a Master’s degree in Theology, and a broad base of experience in church ministry, she is dedicated to addressing the needs of young families. Her training as a clinician allows her to teach with great insight. Actively participating in family life, alongside her husband, Jeff, brings a quality to her work that is authentic and down-to-earth. This is particularly evident in her reflections on the challenging arena of work-life balance. Julie pursues family life with deep commitment and brings family teaching that is indicative of her dedication to families and to the Christian faith. Speaking Topics Work-Life Balance Parenting and Temperament Control and Support in Parenting Motivating Your Kids Parenting: Count to Ten The Juggled Life with Kids

Steve Cesari

Steve Cesari is a leading expert on health, high-performance, and entrepreneurial effectiveness. As President of Vital Visions Inc, Steve uses his passion and experience to mentor, consult and equip others seeking to maximize their potential in all areas of life. From owning his own sporting goods stores to the start up of the first warehouse sporting goods concept, he has built a proven track record in the business community. Steve started Trillium Health Products, marketer of the Juiceman Juicer. Inc. Magazine named Trillium one of the fastest growing privately held companies in the United States. In that same year Cesari was nominated “Entrepreneur of the Year.” He and his company were the topic of many articles in Fortune, People, Success, USA Today, Wall Street Journal and many others. Steve serves on the Board of Directors of The Leadership Companies and Pro Athletes Outreach, helping to equip individuals to make a positive impact at home, at work, and in the community. He resides in Atlanta, Georgia with Indy, his wife of 29 years. They have 4 grown children. Consulting Topics How to Stay up in a Down Economy