2026 Children in Crisis Conference

Since moving to America in 1987, Australian Ken Ham—founder of Answers in Genesis, the highly acclaimed Creation Museum, and the visionary behind the popular, full-size Noah’s Ark—has become one of America’s most in-demand Christian speakers and interview guests. A biblical apologist, Ken gives numerous faith-building talks to tens of thousands of children and adults each year. Ken cofounded AiG in 1994 with the purpose of upholding the authority of the Bible from the very first verse and sharing the gospel beginning in Genesis. In addition, he provides biblical and scientific answers to some of the most difficult questions people ask about the Christian faith. Ken and his wife, Mally, reside in northern Kentucky. They have five children, eighteen grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Jeff has been in Christian ministry for over 35 years. He received a Christian education degree from Welch College and a master’s degree in business from Trevecca Nazarene University. He has served churches in Oklahoma, Missouri, and Tennessee in various roles from Children’s Pastor to Executive Pastor. In 2020 he became the state director for CEF of Tennessee and served in that role for four years. In early 2024 God called him to serve at CEF International Headquarters as Vice President of USA Ministries. He and his wife Debbie live in Lebanon, TN and have two adult daughters and three grandchildren.

Dr. Daniel Anderson has served as president of Appalachian Bible College since 1983. After receiving a Bible/Theology diploma from ABC, he completed undergraduate studies at Faith Baptist Bible College. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from Grace Theological Seminary while being ordained to the ministry and serving as a pastor. Dr. Anderson later earned a Master of Sacred Theology and Doctor of Theology at Dallas Theological Seminary. The passion of Dr. Anderson’s life and ministry has centered upon nurturing servants for the fields of the world. The motto of ABC, “…because Life is for Service,” captures his heart.

Lori and her husband, Greg, recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary and live in Bedford, Indiana. They have been blessed with two children, their spouses, and five lively granddaughters. Lori has had the joy of praying scripturally with other women in Moms in Prayer (MIP) for over 26 years and has served as the Indiana MIP state coordinator since 2014.

John Camp trusted in Christ as Savior during a family Bible conference when he was five years old. As a student at Appalachian Bible College, he was able to take cutting-edge children ministry classes through Child Evangelism Fellowship. Upon graduating from college, John became an elementary school teacher for ten years, during which, he had a growing burden for children and their need for the Savior. In 2006, God called him to serve Him as a full-time missionary with CEF, beginning as a teacher-trainer and later as a local area director. Today, John serves as state director for CEF of West Virginia.

Birjan D. Crispin, Deputy Director of The Good Citizen Project, is a graduate of The Heritage Foundation’s Leadership Fellowship, The Leadership Institute’s Young Leaders Program, and Indiana Family Institute’s Hoosier Leadership Series Class of 2024. Birjan formerly served as a legislative aide in the Indiana House of Representatives. He can regularly be seen on the conference stage, as a podcast guest, or sharing his “Orphan to Advocate” story, taking him from the Orphanages of Eastern Europe to advocating for pro-family policy in the United States. Birjan lives in Anderson, IN with his wife, Brooke, and their daughter Abigail, and are active members of Grace Baptist Church in Anderson. In his free time, Birjan is a classical violinist and an avid golfer.

Faith began full-time ministry with Child Evangelism Fellowship in the Greater New York City area in 1989. She transitioned to the CEF International Headquarters in 2016, where she serves as a Leadership Training Instructor at the Children’s Ministries Institute® and the CMI Online™ Director. She also works to expand the global Junior Youth Challenge™ ministry. Faith has a passion for reaching the middle-school age group and teaches an after-school Junior Youth Challenge club at Black Hawk Middle School in Warrenton.

Patricia Engler serves the Lord Jesus Christ as a speaker and author for Answers in Genesis. She holds a BSc in general science and an MA in bioethics and is pursuing doctoral coursework in applied apologetics. Previously, she backpacked 360° around the world documenting how Christians keep their faith at college. Takeaways from this trip and other journeys are available in her books, Prepare to Thrive: A Survival Guide for Christian Students Fighting for Faith, and Modern Marxism: A Guide for Christians in a Woke New World. Patricia enjoys adventuring outdoors and cohosting the Zero Compromise podcast for young adults.

Anna Gosman is the state director of Child Evangelism Fellowship of Indiana, where she supervises nine regional offices and 40 staff members, reaching children with the gospel. Previous to this position, Anna served as the administrator of a Christian school and taught middle and high school English. Anna holds a BA in English Education, an M.Ed. in Educational Administration and Supervision, and a Ph.D. in Leadership. She has been married to her husband Eric for 27 years, and they have two married daughters and a teen daughter that keeps them busy trying to understand Gen Alpha. They live on a family farm with five other Gosman families.

Greg has served the Lord for over 30 years as a business professional in the health care arena and church and nonprofit leadership. During his collegiate athletic career, Greg’s faith was powerfully influenced by Christian coaches. Coaching has been at the center of Greg’s career ever since. Greg holds a Masters in Business Administration and a Masters in Christian Leadership from Dallas Theological Seminary. This confluence of business experience and ministry leadership has made nonprofit leadership a natural fit for him and is where his disciple-making passion can be fulfilled. Greg and his wife Deena raised their three children, Kelsey, Chandler, and Claire in Knoxville Tennessee.

Beth and her husband, Todd, serve as Co-Executive Directors of Back2Back Ministries, an international organization dedicated to serving orphaned and vulnerable children. After graduating from Indiana University, they moved to Monterrey, Mexico, where they lived for 15 years. That season shaped their hearts, their home, and their calling. Between biological, adopted, and foster children, Beth and Todd have raised eleven children. Beth is the author of seventeen books, including adult and children’s titles. She travels and speaks regularly at conferences, youth gatherings, and church services about reckless faith.

Scott has been sharing his faith and discipling middle and high school students for more than forty years. In his current role he spends most of his time coaching volunteers from across the country to start middle or high school movements of evangelism and discipleship at a local school. He is particularly interested in helping public school teachers legally live out their faith in the classroom and share their faith outside of that environment.

Marcy has been on staff with Cru going on 27 years, working with business women, middle and high school students, and now, educators. Her life’s mission involves pointing people to God’s Word and she loves speaking, especially to women’s groups! Marcy and her husband Bill have been married for 26 years. Marcy loves all things Indiana, is an avid reader, and loves to do anything outdoors.

Lynette Taylor and her husband, Tom, have been married since 1984 and live in Deshler, Ohio. They have been blessed with four sons, two “daughter-in-loves” and five grandchildren. Lynette has been a part of Moms in Prayer (MIP) for over 30 years. She served as the MIP State Coordinator for Ohio from 2015-2022. She currently serves as the MIP Great Lakes Division Coordinator, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

With over five years of experience working alongside children, youth, and families in Cincinnati, Maddie has helped individuals take steps toward self-sustainability and interdependence by providing guidance, resources, and encouragement. Her background in working with urban communities, combined with her deep understanding of trauma’s impact, allows her to offer valuable insights tailored to the unique challenges these environments face. Maddie holds a Bachelor’s from Grand Canyon University and is passionate about fostering healing and resilience through education and connection.

Wally brings over a decade of experience in disability services, answering a divine call that led him from aviation into hands-on roles supporting and training individuals with disabilities. His work revealed the unique strengths within the disability community and shaped his passion for inclusion. Since joining Joni and Friends in 2021, he has partnered with churches to equip ministries with trusted resources and training to Reach, Care, and Connect with families affected by disability.