Host: Ennie Hickman

Ennie Hickman graduated from Franciscan University in 2001 with a degree in theology and spent eight years in parish youth ministry. Today, Ennie and his family serve as full-time domestic missionaries in Houston, Texas, with ADORE Ministries. With passion and energy to see God’s kingdom come “on earth as it is in heaven,” Ennie has dedicated his life to furthering the New Evangelization. He has spoken at numerous large-scale retreats and conferences throughout the United States, Central America, Eastern Europe, and Africa. He and his wife, Cana, have four children.

↑ Return to Top

Music: Matt Maher

Matt Maher is one of the most popular contemporary Catholic music artists in the country. Matt has taken his calling as a “musical missionary” to create a substantial impact on a national and global stage. As an award-winning songwriter, Maher gained notice as the co-writer of the internationally renowned modern-worship song, “Your Grace Is Enough,” recorded by Chris Tomlin. His music, writing and live performances are intentional, compelling, experiential and draw people into a community of dependence on Christ. He’s not only a songwriter and worship leader; his ability to communicate allows him to facilitate community at the intersection where culture meets the church. Amid busy touring and writing schedules, Maher finds it important to serve alongside ministries including Life Teen, Adore Ministries, and Catholic Relief Services while still playing an active role with Oregon Catholic Press’ spiritandsong.com.

Entertainment: Bob Lesnefsky

Bob Lesnefsky serves as the president of Dirty Vagabond Ministries. He has over 12 years of hands-on experience in youth ministry, serving as a youth minister in both urban and suburban churches. Bob is also an award-winning Christian hip hop artist and speaker, traveling to over 100 venues each year using rap music as an engaging outreach to teens. Bob and his wife, Kate, both Franciscan University alumni, live in Steubenville, Ohio, with their five children.

Speaker: Fr. Leo Patalinghug

Father Leo E. Patalinghug is a priest of the Archdiocese of Baltimore who serves as the director of Pastoral Field Education at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland. A dynamic speaker and popular retreat master, his pre-ordination background includes undergraduate studies in political science and journalism, music ministry service, work as a third degree martial arts instructor in the Tae Kwon Do and Arnis (Arnees), and choreography for an award-winning break dancing group. He began seminary at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and was appointed to the Pontifical North American College in Rome. He received degrees at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and an advanced license degree from the Pontifical Marianum Institute, specializing in the study of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Speaker: Fr. John Gerth

Father John Gerth (aka, Father J) has had the incredible blessing of serving the Lord and his Church as a priest for the past 17 years. His greatest joy has never changed in all these years and that is his love of the Eucharist. “Even now, almost 24 years after going into the seminary, I am still amazed that God chose me—the guy who still keeps his long hair, doesn’t like to wear shoes, plays his music way too loud—can you believe God wants this guy, ME, to be a priest for his people?” In his fifth year at Steubenville Youth Conferences, Father J is thankful for everyone who puts so much effort into these events.

Speaker: Mark Hart

Mark Hart, affectionately known as the “Bible Geek®,” serves as executive vice president for Life Teen International. A graduate from the University of Notre Dame, Mark is a popular speaker, award-winning author and weekly regular on Catholic radio programs. Mark’s Catholic teen DVD Bible Study series, “T3”, and free weekly Life Teen podcasts help hundreds of thousands of Catholics, young and old, explore Scripture in a new way. He has written seven books and lives in Arizona with his wife, Melanie, and their daughters, Hope, Trinity and Faith.

Speaker: Lisa Epperson

Lisa Epperson is the resource director for Life Teen. In this role, she prepares Life Teen’s youth ministry resources, blogs on their Web site, and heads out across the country to speak at training events, youth retreats, and rallies. Lisa is honored to share her love for Jesus and the truth of his Church with others. In addition to leading teens closer to Christ, she co-founded On the Deck, a ministry committed to building faith and community among college students. Lisa recently moved from Georgia to Arizona, bringing a little southern hospitality to the desert.

Speaker: Kate Barta

Kate Barta has a passion to live in the love and the truth of Christ and to share this treasure with others. Kate grew up in the Midwest and discovered God’s personal love through Young Life. She attended Franciscan University and earned a Bachelors degree in Theology. Over the past ten years, Kate has worked as a youth minister in Littleton, Colorado, a speaker for the Steubenville Youth Conferences and a religion teacher in elementary, middle and high school grades. Kate still can’t believe she lives in dreamy Ventura, California. She and her husband Aaron moved to sunny So-Cal a few years ago, and have since welcomed their first two bambinos to life: Kolbe and Mercy. Kate is now a full-time mom and an independent representative for Silpada Designs Jewelry Company. She continues to seek the Treasure and serve the Church in little ways through family, confirmation, pro-life, marriage and women’s ministries.

Speaker: Kris Frank

Kris Frank is a small-town boy from northwest Ohio who has worked with the Steubenville Youth Conferences since 2006. He graduated from Franciscan University in 2008 with degrees in catechetics and theology, then traded the cold Ohio winters for the sandy beaches of Florida to answer the call to youth ministry. Last summer, he married the love of his life, Grace. Now living in Fort Pierce, Florida, he serves as the director of Youth Ministry at St. Anastasia Catholic Church. Kris’ life is focused on bringing everyone he meets into an intimate relationship with the Living God through Jesus Christ.