Category: Teams – Youth Conference

2020 Youth Conference Teams

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Kris Frank

Kris Frank serves as the Chief Mission Officer for the National Eucharistic Congress. He previously served as the vice president of Vagabond Missions. Kris has had the privilege of traveling around the country, sharing the Gospel with teens and adults at retreats, camps, conferences, and parish missions. In addition, he has contributed to various evangelical and catechetical writing projects and publications over the years. In 2020, Kris published his first book, Hope Always: An Anchor for Life’s Storms. Kris lives in Steubenville with his wife, Grace, and their six children.

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Fr. Mike Schmitz

Father Michael Schmitz is the director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Duluth as well as the chaplain for the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Father Mike attended Saint Paul Seminary and was ordained in 2003. He offers weekly homilies on iTunes and bulldogCatholic.org and has appeared in programs for youth and young adults through Ascension Press, as well as through regular short video messages on Ascension Presents.

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Ben Walther

After producing two albums as an independent Christian musician, Ben Walther joined the Oregon Catholic Press family and released his album Make Your Home in Me in 2013. It debuted at No. 12 on the iTunes Christian charts. In June 2016 he released Ablaze, again partnering with OCP. A graduate of Franciscan University, Ben is honored to serve the Walsh University community as the director of Campus Ministry. He completed his master’s degree in theology and spiritual direction training through Franciscan University. He and his family live in North Canton, Ohio.

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Mari Pablo

Mari Pablo is a proud Hispanic from Miami. She has degrees in theology and psychology from Franciscan University of Steubenville and the Augustine Institute. She has worked in youth ministry for over 15 years, including serving as a youth minister and as a high school theology teacher. Mari is currently serving with The Evangelical Catholic. She is a presenter for Ascension Press, including YOU: Theology of the Body and Connected: CST for this generation. Mari loves to dance, has a deep love for food but an even greater love for Christ, and is dedicated to helping others encounter him.

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Fr. Joe Freedy

Father Joe Freedy is the youngest of five children. He grew up in Pittsburgh and attended Bethel Park High School. Earning a scholarship to the University at Buffalo to play football, Father Freedy started at quarterback for three years. After college, he entered the seminary in Pittsburgh and was assigned to study in Rome first at the Gregorian University and then at the John Paul II Institute. He was ordained a priest in June of 2008 and is currently assigned at Holy Redeemer in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania.

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Brian Greenfield

Brian Greenfield was born and raised in Washington, D.C. Brian attended Seton Hall University and then attended Franciscan University of Steubenville. In 2002, Brian entered the Community of the Franciscans of the Renewal. After postulancy, Brian returned to Washington, D.C., to further discern. Brian returned to Seton Hall to finish his studies in theology, receiving his MA in theology and another master’s degree in education leadership. Brian currently lives in Tampa, Florida, with his wife, Genevieve, and three children, Mieko, Michael, and Grace. He works at Jesuit High School, where he is the assistant principal for Discipline.

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Ennie Hickman

For over two decades, Ennie Hickman‘s pursuit of Gospel joy has helped transform the lives of countless people. He has served as a youth minister, coach, domestic missionary, international speaker, nonprofit president, and currently serves The Saint Constantine School in Houston, Texas. In 2019, after 10 years leading Adore Ministries, Ennie and his wife, Cana, founded Del Rey Collective to empower individuals and families to live on mission in ordinary life. Ennie, Cana, and their nine children aim to follow Jesus’ commands to love God and their neighbors while accompanying people in this beautiful, messy, life of joy.

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Andrew Laubacher

Andrew Laubacher, aka ALOB, was raised in Ventura, California, where he attended Mass, played many sports, hung at the beach and was always into music. He attended Catholic school before switching to a public school because he was “tired of the Catholic rules.” In high school, he partied hard. After a serious wake-up call, he decided to attend a Steubenville Youth Conference where he found God. That changed his life. ALOB received degrees in theology and philosophy from Franciscan University. He is on the road full time, traveling and evangelizing around the world.

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Bob Lesnefsky

Bob Lesnefsky serves as assistant director of Household Life at Franciscan University. He has spent most of his life sharing the hope of God’s love with inner city kids in the nonprofit he started, Dirty Vagabond Ministries. Bob, aka RIGHTEOUS B, is also a washed up, award-winning Christian hip-hop artist and speaker, using rap music as an engaging outreach to teens. Bob and his wife, Kate, both Franciscan University alumni, live in Steubenville, Ohio, with their seven children. Bob also has a ton of stupid tattoos.

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Fr. John Burns

Father John Burns is a priest of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. He studied business at Notre Dame but then realized a deeper call to give his whole life to God. He was ordained in 2010, and in 2019, he completed a doctorate in moral theology on the topic of healing through forgiveness. Father John works extensively in healing and renewal ministry with communities of women religious. He is founder of Friends of the Bridegroom, an apostolate dedicated to the renewal of the Church through the renewal of the priesthood and women’s religious life.

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Sarah Swafford

Sarah Swafford is the founder of Emotional Virtue Ministries. She speaks internationally on faith, relationships, and interior confidence to audiences of all ages at school assemblies, retreats, rallies, parishes, and conferences. She is the author of Emotional Virtue: A Guide to Drama-Free Relationships and cohost of EWTN’s At the Heart of Relationships. Sarah is a contributor to Chosen and What We Believe: The Beauty of the Catholic Faith, both published by Ascension. She resides in Atchison, Kansas, with her husband, Dr. Andrew Swafford, and their five children. Learn more about Sarah and Emotional Virtue Ministries at theswaffords.com.

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Paul J. Kim

Paul J. Kim is an internationally recognized Catholic speaker, beatboxer, and comedian whose presentations have impacted people in 48 states and 16 countries over the past decade, leading them to life-changing encounters with Christ. He’s the author of the bestselling CatholicAdulting.com online course, the founder of the Triumph Men’s Conference, and his videos have accumulated millions of views. His background includes work as a marriage and family therapist and religious formation with the CFR’s. He resides in Texas with his wife and five children. Learn more about Paul’s ministry at PJKmusic.com.

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Dcn. Bob Rice

Deacon Bob Rice lives in the Diocese of Steubenville with his wife, Jennifer, and seven children. He is a professor of catechetics at Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he teaches courses on Scripture, youth ministry, and music ministry. He travels around the country preaching about Jesus and leading worship. He also does a weekly podcast with Franciscan University President Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, called “They That Hope.” Learn more about him at deaconbobrice.com.

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John Paul Von Arx

John Paul Von Arx seeks to share his faith and love for country music in venues all across America and has been performing professionally for the last nine years. Since the release of his debut solo album in 2018, John Paul has been known for his advocacy work for people with Down Syndrome and their families. Additionally, in 2020 he was hired as coordinator of Worship at Franciscan University in order to mentor students in leading worship and to teach Intro to Music Ministry as an adjunct professor.

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Fr. Louis Merosne

Father Louis Merosne is madly in love with the Trinity, the Blessed Mother, and the Catholic Church. Born in Haiti, he moved to Boston in 1993. He studied at the Franciscan University (undergraduate French, philosophy, and theology from 2002 to 2005 and graduate theology and Christian ministry from 2005 to 2007). Ordained in 2011, he now serves in Haiti in the Diocese of Anse-à-Veau and Miragoâne under Bishop Pierre-André Dumas. Preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ is both a duty and passion for him. His perpetual prayer intention is to be a saintly priest.

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Joel Stepanek

Joel Stepanek has been passionately involved in youth ministry for over 15 years and has traveled throughout the United States and world proclaiming the Gospel. He is the author of several books, including Beginning Well, Chasing Humility, and True North: A Roadmap for Discernment. Joel is an avid Packers fan and enjoys cooking, Spartan races, and reading. Most importantly, he loves spending time with his wife, Colleen, and three children, Elijah Daniel, Sophia Grace, and Micah James.

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Jackie Francois Angel

Jackie Francois Angel is a speaker, vlogger, worship leader, author, and homeschooling mom from Orange County, California. In 2013, Jackie married Bobby Angel, who shares her passion for Jesus, coffee, and superhero movies. Together they have written two books, including Pray, Decide, and Don’t Worry: 5 Steps to Discerning God’s Will (with Fr. Mike Schmitz). They reside in Texas with their five children.

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Katie Prejean McGrady

Katie Prejean McGrady is an award-winning author of four books, international Catholic speaker, and host of The Katie McGrady Show on The Catholic Channel on Sirius XM. She writes for Blessed is She and LaCroix International and hosts the podcasts “Ave Explores” for Ave Maria Press, “Like a Mother” for Our Sunday Visitor, and “Family Mass Prep” on Hallow. Katie lives in Lake Charles, Louisiana, with her husband, Tommy, and her daughters, Rose and Clare.

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Sonar

Based in St. Paul, Minnesota, Sonar is a collection of musicians who seek to draw closer to Christ through music. Sonar’s engaging style draws inspiration from a breadth of genres from electronic dance music to country and bluegrass while finding roots in modern worship music and traditional hymns. Sonar is Nate Reinhardt (vocals/guitars), Caroline Metzinger (vocals/keyboards), Nate Lamusga (guitars/banjo), Christian Ankrum (bass/vocals), and Reese Kling (drums).

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Oscar Rivera Jr.

Oscar Rivera Jr. (“Two Ten”) lives in Fall River, Massachusetts, with his wife. He serves as the director of Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Fall River. He grew up in the inner city of Waterbury, Connecticut; his method of avoiding the hood’s promises became God and hip-hop. For over a decade, he has been an international speaker and performer. Oscar’s life is devoted to the new evangelization, and his upbeat urban approach has made his message entertaining and easy to understand. Our faith is not boring and neither is Oscar.

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Katie Prejean McGrady

Katie Prejean McGrady is an award-winning author of four books, international Catholic speaker, and host of The Katie McGrady Show on The Catholic Channel on Sirius XM. She writes for Blessed is She, Catholic News Service, and hosts Ave Explores for Ave Maria Press. Katie lives in Lake Charles, Louisiana, with her husband, Tom, and daughters, Rose and Clare.

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Bishop Ronald Hicks

Bishop Ron Hicks was ordained to the priesthood in 1994. He served at several parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago before serving as regional director at Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos in El Salvador. He was Dean of Formation at Mundelein Seminary before he was appointed Vicar General, then auxiliary bishop. He was named bishop of the Diocese of Joliet in 2020.

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Chris O’Hara

Chris O’Hara has been working with Catholic youth for 15 years after rediscovering his faith at a Steubenville Youth Conference in High School. He works in the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth office of Pastoral Life and New Evangelization and teaches courses at Atlantic School of Theology. Chris has worked with Catholic Christian Outreach, FacetoFace Ministries, St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission, and Franciscan LEAD. He loves hockey and board games, and has three kids with his beautiful wife Becca, who he met in Steubenville Ohio! We are so excited to have Chris join our Steubenville team this year as a speaker.

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Fr. Simon Lobo

Fr. Simon Lobo is a priest of the Companions of the Cross, ordained in 2009. He worked for three years as the campus minister at Wayne State University in Detroit where he witnessed hundreds of students being evangelized and coming to faith. Over the last several years, he has served in parishes throughout Ottawa. He joined the team at Saint Benedict Parish, Halifax, in July 2015 as the associate pastor where he experienced parish renewal and learned about the essential role of leadership. Fr. Simon is now the pastor of Saint Benedict Parish here in Halifax where parish renewal continues to flourish.