Biographies.

Steve Sjogren
The message of servant evangelism is creating a wave of excitement across North America as churches are grasping its simple but powerful evangelistic effects. Emphasis is placed on showing the love of God in helpful ways, which in turn, opens avenues to people’s hearts. Steve Sjogren addresses both the practical and spiritual benefits to this type of outreach and how it can become “doable” in any church. Steve’s talks are enriching, humorous, and filled with creative incentives to “…love thy neighbor.…” Steve Sjogren launched the Vineyard Community Church in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1985 with 37 people. The dynamic congregation has grown to more than 6000 in average attendance. From the onset, VCC has had a strong emphasis on servant evangelism, small groups, church planting, and caring for the needy. Steve's passion for evangelism, church planting and leadership development is reflected in his books and other writing.

Robert Webber
Dr. Robert E. Webber is the William R. and Geraldyn B. Myers Professor of Ministry at Northern Seminary in Lombard. Il. He is also the President of the Institute For Worship Studies and Professor of Theology Emeritus at Wheaton College, Wheaton, Il. Dr. Webber has lectured in nearly every denomination and fellowship, and has authored or edited more than forty books.
“Today many churches are turning away from a superficial evangelism to a discipleship that forms new Christians and incorporates them into the full life of the church,” says Webber.
The model of worship and evangelism proposed by Webber is a resurrection of the seeker model that originated in the third century (yes—the “seeker” was used in the third century). He has translated and adapted this ancient approach for today’s church. It speaks particularly to the current search for an effective style of formation in a world dominated by postmodern thought, a church living in a post-Constantinian society, and the challenge to overcome the resurgence of pagan values. He adapts this ancient form of worship evangelism for use by any church committed to evangelism and discipleship in the present post-Christian society (a world that bears striking similarity to the Roman Empire in its final centuries of decay and dissolution).

Rev Steve Hollinghurst
Steve is Researcher in Evangelism to Post-Christian Culture at the Church Army Sheffield Centre as. He came to faith in his late teens after involvement in the occult and alternative religions. In the past he has been an inner city youth evangelist and University Chaplain in addition to parish ministry. He has been part of the alternative worship movement since 1990 .He is also involved in Elemental, a venue offering Christian Spirituality at the Glastonbury festival and in running Christian stalls at Mind Body and Spirit fairs. He has an MA on the New Age and Paganism in Britain today. In May 2003 he began his current post researching evangelism in the UK with special interest in reaching the increasing majority who don’t have church backgrounds. He does a wide range of training and speaking engagements in Britain looking at evangelism within the emerging culture.

Holly Rankin Zahar
Holly Rankin Zaher is a door opener. She specializes in opening doors for thinking differently in today's current cultural context. Whether she is creating space for God to move at a threenails (www.threenails.org) - a new Episcopal church planting movement in the Diocese of Pittsburgh - worship gathering training folks with Rock the World Youth Mission Alliance (www.rocktheworld.org), working with the coordinating group of Emergent (www.emergentvillage.com), or teaching and working in online education at Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry (www.tesm.edu), Holly opens doors for folks to ask different types of questions. A speaker and writer about being the church in an emerging culture, Holly resides in Pittsburgh with her husband Jim and their new daughter.

John Stanley
John Stanley has been practicing as an evangelist from the age of 14, finally waking up to his call at 21 and working with Church Army for the past 16 years in Australia and the US.
In both continents his passion is building evangelistic community with his family among the poor and disenfranchised in urban settings.
Currently called to Aliquippa PA, John, Alison, Zac, Ben and Luke are drawing together the churches of this rust belt town, left desolate by the departure of the mills, proclaiming Good News that transforms lives, streets, even towns!

Steve Baughan
Steve Baughan is director of Church Army of Branson in Branson, Missouri. A recovered alcoholic and addict for more than eleven years, he has conducted more than 400 workshops in various settings. These interactive presentations, offering troubled persons a transforming life experience through the application of spiritual steps, have led thousands of people to a better way to live. Steve and his wife, Dyan, make their home in Branson and are parents of four children.

Whis Hays
The Rev. Whis Hays is the founder and Executive Director of Rock the World Youth Mission Alliance. Whis' responsibilities include serving as Assistant Professor of Youth Ministry at Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry in Ambridge, PA where he founded the first masters degree for youth ministers in an Anglican seminary worldwide. He has been involved in ministry with young people since 1972 as a professional and as a volunteer, as a layman and as priest. He has served as a student ministry leader in six parishes, at two residential summer camps and in a university chaplaincy.

Colenzo Hubbard
Rev. Colenzo Hubbard is Executive Director of Emmanuel Episcopal Center, an Urban outreach into the largest public housing community in Memphis, TN. Since 1989 the primary focus of this ministry has been evangelism, education, social services, community relations, sports and business development.

Having played football for the University of Alabama, he left with a degree in social work and went into the business world for 8 years.

As a result of the work of Emmanuel Center, Hubbard founded St. Joseph’s Church in Memphis. He received the State of Alabama Governor’s award for Outstanding Religious and Community Service along with several awards for leadership.

Willerton trained as a vocational evangelist with Church Army in England. He now lives with his wife, Isabel, and young daughter Aimee Louise in Dromore, Northern Ireland.

For media enquiries contact: Richard Priestley
Email: richard.priestley@churcharmy.net

For conference information contact: Kathy Chludzinski
Email: info@grassrootsevangelism.org