Past Speakers

Darryl Strawberry

Darryl Strawberry is a baseball legend, known for his incredible power at the plate and iconic nicknames like Straw’s Sweet Swing and The Legendary Straw Man. While his career was filled with success, his personal life was marked by struggles, including addiction, abuse, and cancer. Through his faith in Jesus Christ, Darryl found redemption and restoration. Today, he is dedicated to inspiring others, traveling the country to share his story of hope and the transformative power of faith.

Part 1

Part 2

Major general (retired) julie bentz

Major General Bentz retired from the U.S. Army after a distinguished 33-year career, where she served in key roles across multiple administrations, including Senior Advisor for Emerging Technologies and Deputy Senior Director for Weapons of Mass Destruction on the National Security Council. She has also held leadership positions at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization. With advanced degrees in National Security Strategy and Nuclear Engineering, Major Bentz will share her powerful testimony of how her faith has guided her through personal loss and played a pivotal role in her remarkable professional journey.

KenN kington

Kenn has spoken and performed in over 1,000 churches, as well as at numerous conferences, including the Fatherhood Initiative and Women of Faith. He is a familiar voice on several podcasts, social media platforms, and radio networks, including Focus on the Family, where he was named BEST of 2020 on their nationwide network. Kenn also teaches at churches and conferences of all denominations and speaks at fundraisers for various nonprofit organizations and ministries.

"auntie" Anne beiler

"Auntie" Anne Beiler is a speaker, author, and entrepreneur who inspires audiences with her authentic stories of overcoming adversity, finding purpose in pain, and achieving success. Through her books and STORIESx8 experience, she offers guidance and encouragement to help others break free from their past and lead with purpose.

Mark Whitacre

Attendees had the unique opportunity to hear the true story behind the film The Informant from the informant himself, Mark Whitacre. An Ivy League-educated Ph.D. and former convict, Whitacre was responsible for uncovering the Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) price-fixing scandal in the early 1990s. This groundbreaking case became one of the largest and most notorious white-collar crimes in U.S. history. Whitacre's story of corporate corruption, personal struggles, and eventual redemption captivated the audience as he shared his experience and the lessons learned along the way.

Zig Zagler

Zig Ziglar, one of America’s most beloved encouragers and motivational leaders, founded the Zig Ziglar Corporation in 1977. Known for his unwavering belief that everyone can achieve more, he inspired millions through his timeless teachings and 33 books, including the bestseller See You at the Top, which has sold nearly two million copies.

cal thomas

Cal Thomas is one of the nation’s most widely syndicated columnists, with his work appearing in hundreds of newspapers. A veteran of TV and radio news, he spent 19 years at Fox News and previously worked with NBC News and KPRC-TV in Houston. Starting his journalism career at just sixteen, his column celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2019, marking decades of influential commentary.

Emily Colson

Emily Colson is a popular speaker and author of the award-winning book Dancing with Max. She shares the story of life with her son Max, who has autism, co-authored with her late father, Chuck Colson. Emily's inspiring message of perseverance and the sanctity of life has touched many, and her book was named "Book of the Year" by the Autism Society. She frequently speaks in churches and organizations nationwide and has appeared on media outlets such as Focus on the Family, the Huckabee Show, and Hallmark’s Home & Family.

U.S Senator Bill Armstrong

Bill Armstrong was a key figure in the national evangelical movement and a sought-after speaker at prayer breakfasts and Christian events across the country. Known for his good humor, wit, and unwavering Christian principles, Armstrong embodied the role of a Christian statesman. He approached life and politics with humility and grace, avoiding judgmental or self-righteous tones while engaging with the most important issues of his time. Armstrong believed that his faith not only shaped his life but also enriched his work, making it all the more meaningful and impactful.

Scott Rasmussen

Scott Rasmussen, president of RMG Research, Inc., is a trailblazer in the field of political polling. In the mid-1990s, he pioneered automated polling, revolutionizing the industry and releasing the first-ever daily presidential tracking poll. As traditional phone polling faded into history, Scott remained at the forefront of innovation, adapting to the ever-evolving landscape of politics, polling, and media.

Texas Senator Brian Birdwell

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Brian Birdwell is a proud Texan, decorated military veteran, and lifelong conservative Republican representing Texas Senate District 22. A Fort Worth native, Brian holds a degree from Lamar University in Beaumont, a Master of Public Administration from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.