The FAMiLY Leader hosted the 2017 Family Leadership Summit on Saturday, July 15, 2017, at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines, IA. Those in attendance heard from numerous speakers such as U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Dr. Jim Garlow, David and Jason Benham, George Barna, Kellyanne Conway, Pastor Rafael Cruz, Steve Scheibner, Dr. Jeff Myers, and Bob Vander Plaats.
Caffeinated Thoughts recorded all of the keynote speakers which are listed below in the order of appearance:
1. U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa)
2. U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa)
3. Dr. James Garlow Garlow is Senior Pastor of Skyline Church in San Diego, CA. He is
Garlow is Senior Pastor of Skyline Church in San Diego, CA. He is heard daily on over 800 radio outlets in his one-minute commentary, “The Garlow Perspective.” Jim Garlow came to national attention in 2008 for his leadership role in organizing religious groups to support California Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage. He has done over 900 radio, TV and print interviews, national and local, covering a wide-range of historical, theological, and political topics.
4. Jason and David Benham
The Benham Brothers are former professional baseball players, nationally acclaimed entrepreneurs, and best selling authors. Their rise to success earned them a reality show on HGTV that was set to air in the fall of 2014 – yet the show was abruptly canceled because of their commitment to Biblical values. Appearing on CNN, Fox News, ESPN, ABC’s Nightline & Good Morning America, the Benham’s continue to stand up for what they believe and encourage others to do the same.
5. Kellyanne Conway (an interview with Bob Vander Plaats)
Conway serves as Counselor to President Donald Trump and is the founder and former president of the polling company inc./WomanTrend. In 2016 she served as campaign manager to the Trump-Pence presidential campaign, becoming the first woman to successfully manage a presidential campaign. One of the most quoted pollsters on the national scene, Kellyanne has provided award-winning research for hundreds of political races, trade associations, and Fortune 100 companies. A “fully-recovered” attorney holding a law degree, with honors, from George Washington University Law Center, Kellyanne is married to George T. Conway III, and they have four young children.
6. Dr. Jeff Myers
Myers is president of Summit Ministries. In the last 20 years, Dr. Myers has become one of America’s most respected authorities on youth leadership development. Focus on the Family founder James Dobson referred to him as “a very gifted and inspirational young leader.” Evangelist Josh McDowell called him “a man who is 100% sold out to preparing the next generation to reflect the character of Christ in the culture.” Through his appearances on Fox News and other media programs, Dr. Myers has become a fresh voice offering humor and insight from a Christian worldview. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree and teaches leadership courses through CollegePlus and Belhaven University. Jeff and his family live in Colorado.
7. Dr. Steve Scheibner
Scheibner is the President of Characterhealth Corporation. He has dedicated his life to equipping parents to train a new generation of courageous, Christ-like, and character-healthy leaders. Using his background as a Naval aviator, church-planting pastor, and airline pilot, Steve co-authored Parenting Matters: The Nine Practices of the Pro-Active Parent. His testimony of how God spared him from on 9/11 has reached millions on YouTube. Scheibner has been married to his wife, Megan, for 30 years, and together they have homeschooled their eight children for 23 years.
8. George Barna
Barna has filled executive roles in politics, marketing, advertising, media development, research, and ministry. He founded the Barna Research Group in 1984 (now Barna Group) and helped it become a leading marketing research firm focused on the intersection of faith and culture before selling it in 2009. His work is frequently cited as an authoritative source by the media. Barna has been hailed as “the most quoted person in the Christian Church today” and has been named by various media as one of the nation’s most influential Christian leaders.
9. Bob Vander Plaats
Vander Plaats is President and CEO of The FAMiLY Leader.
10. Pastor Rafael Cruz
Pastor Cruz was born in Cuba and immigrated to this country over 55 years ago to flee an oppressive communist regime. A previous speaker at the 2013 Family Leadership Summit and father to U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), he returned to speak as a representative of the Conservative Action Network.