Senior Director of Ministry Partnerships: Youth Ministry Institute

Kirsten served 20 years as a youth minister. She served at her last church for ten years and has been with YMI for the past ten years. She has experience working in small and large churches, including on a full-time and part-time basis. In addition, Kirsten has served students and families as a social worker. Kirsten holds a Bachelor\'s of Arts degree from Asbury University in Christian Ministries and is a graduate of YMI.

Director of Youth Ministries - FUMC Lakeland, FL

Emily currently serves at First United Methodist Church of Lakeland as the Director of Youth Ministries. She has been a full time Youth Minister for 15 years and is a graduate of Youth Ministry Institute. She has a chocolate lab 2 year old dog named Cubby after the Chicago Cubs (her home town). She loves to laugh and have fun with her ministry peers.

Co-Director: Gator Wesley Foundation, Gainesville, FL

Conference Director of Young People's Ministry

Joel is a Licensed Local Pastor in the Florida Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Joel married his best friend Heather in 2001. They have two daughters, Elliot and Norah. Joel grew up in Ocala, FL and graduated from UF in 1999. Joel’s call into full time ministry has taken him through Youth Ministry, Camping Ministry, and now serving alongside college students in Gainesville, FL.

Director of Student Development: Youth Ministry Institute

Brian is a 16+ year youth ministry veteran, host of the Making Sense of Ministry Podcast, and works to see youth and children\'s ministers succeed. He holds a Master of Ministry with a focus on organizational culture, team-based leadership, change, conflict, and peace-making from Warner University. In addition to his degrees from Warner, he studied Christian Education at Asbury Theological Seminary.

Mental Health Counselor: St. John's County Schools

CCYM Coordinator: Florida Annual Conference of the UMC

Kelly is a 20 year veteran of youth ministry, on a local church and conference level. She is also a Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern, working in private practice for Anchored Counseling in North East Florida. Kelly\'s counseling focus is teens, families, and those who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. She publishes "Ask a Therapist" Videos, available on YouTube and Instagram.

Pastor of Shepherds Community UMC since July 2021

Rev. Michael LeBlanc Pastor Michael has been the pastor of Shepherds Community UMC since July 2021. It’s the coolest church on the planet and don’t even get him started talking about it unless you’ve got an hour or two. Before starting at Shepherds, he spent 10 years in youth ministry. He also serves as the adjunct professor of Youth Ministry at Florida Southern College. He was born in Boston but was raised in Polk County. Michael is a graduate of Iliff School of Theology in Denver. He is passionate about people and helping them know Jesus. Michael believes the church is how the world will change and he can’t wait to see it happen. Michael is married to Amanda and they have a six year old named Annabelle who loves princesses and riding her bike.

Director of Youth Ministries FUMC Orlando

Savannah Rogers is currently the Director of Youth Ministries at First United Methodist Church of Orlando and has been in youth ministry for 8 years. Savannah graduated from Florida Southern College with a BA in Religion and a concentration in Youth Ministry, and is also a YMI alum. She enjoys traveling and trying to keep her plants alive.

Director of Children's Ministies at FUMC Lakeland

Cristi Moore has been serving in children's ministry for the last 25 years and truly feels this is her lifelong calling. She is currently the Director of Children's Ministries at First United Methodist Church of Lakeland. Mom to 4 children, Ammie to 5 grandchildren, wife to Bill and puppy mom to Baxter, their Goldendoodle, are some of the other title's she enjoys!

Minister of Congregational Care

Coronado Community United Methodist Church

I am a provisional deacon in the Florida Annual Conference. I currently serve as the Minister of Congregational Care at Coronado Community UMC in New Smyrna Beach. I am a certified spiritual director and I serve on the conference's Shade and Fresh Water Team. I have previously worked with high school and college age students as the Director of the Huntingdon Leadership Academy, a Lilly Endowment funded residency program for youth and young adults to discern their calling and explore areas of ministry. I hold a degree in Youth Ministry from Huntingdon College, a Master of Divinity from Duke Divinity School, and I am currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary where I am researching the impacts of Christian deconstruction in young people fostering adaptive spirituality.

Director of Youth Ministry - FUMC Auburndale, FL

Theresa has been in ministry over 40 years working with all ages and denominations. She is a writer, ministry consultant, and part time ninja. Over the past three years she worked as the director of marketing for home health company and focused her ministry on senior adults during the pandemic. She is married to the smartest man she knows, a Gator mom and serves as the Director of Youth at First United Methodist Church in Auburndale.

Director of Pastoral Care at our

Florida United Methodist Children's Home

Madeline studied religion and psychology at Florida Southern College (Go Mocs!) before attending seminary at Duke Divinity School. She is an ordained deacon in the Florida Conference, and has been serving in her role at the Children’s Home for 6 years. Madeline is passionate about spreading trauma –informed theology throughout the land, and making space for people who need to heal from spiritual trauma. Madeline’s passions have led her to pursue a Master’s degree in Social Work, which she plans to graduate with in May 2023 (God willing). Madeline enjoys traveling with her husband, reading, trying new foods, and making up nonsensical songs about her dog.