Speakers
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Stephen Azan is a worshipper with a powerful testimony of God’s faithfulness and grace. He is a gifted preacher, teacher, mentor, worship leader, musician, songwriter, and psalmist with a heart for sharing the good news of the Kingdom.
Stephen is a graduate of Christ For The Nations Institute (CFNI), where he earned a Degree in Practical Theology and an Advanced Diploma in Leadership and Pastoral Studies. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Dallas Baptist University (DBU).
Stephen and his wife, Kelly, serve as Youth and Young Adult Pastors at Iglesia Cristo A Las Naciones, Filial Dallas, where Stephen also serves as Worship Leader. Together, they have two sons, Joshua and Benjamin.
Stephen serves on the boards of Living Life Together in Christ (LLTC) in Maine and Bread of Life Ministries in Jamaica. He travels nationally and internationally, using his gifts in preaching and worship to lead others into a deeper relationship with Jesus.
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Ryan Barnett is a pastor, preacher, professor, and leader with more than 20 years of ministry experience and a passion for helping the next generation live out a bold and authentic faith.
An ordained elder in the GMC, Ryan has served churches of all sizes and currently serves as the MidTexas Connectional Operations Officer. He is also Senior Advisor for Advancement at the Wesley House of Studies at Truett Seminary, where he teaches Preaching.
Ryan is the co-author of Profoundly Christian, Distinctly Methodist and has helped shape the mission and foundation of the Global Methodist Church from its earliest days.
A graduate of UT Austin, Texas A&M–Corpus Christi, and Asbury Theological Seminary, Ryan brings together deep theology, practical leadership, and a genuine love for the local church. He and his wife, Kim, are the proud parents of one son.
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Leigh Gettman-Allen’s greatest desire is to see an entire generation transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit and experience a worship movement like no other.
As a worship and young adult minister, Leigh, has faithfully served the Dallas-based, young adult ministry, The Branch at Tyler Street Church for over a decade. She and her husband Billy have ministered to hundreds of young adult students, including for thousands at the national Awaken The Dawn gatherings in Washington D.C., Dallas, and Austin metroplexes.
Leigh is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Dallas Baptist University with a BA in Communication and a Masters graduate of Regent University with a MA in Intercultural Interpersonal, and International Communication. Leigh instructs Communication courses at DBU and is currently a student at Baylor’s Truett Seminary, continuing her education in Pastoral Leadership at the Wesley House of Studies.
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Mark Swayze serves as the Pastor of NextGen at The Woodlands Methodist Church in Texas. He leads a 20-year discipleship movement across multiple campuses, equipping the next generation to become strong Christian leaders. Mark is also a songwriter and speaker with a passion for revival, worship, and Spirit-filled ministry.
“My heart is now creating a culture of leadership with the next generation. The future is bright. I can feel God doing something incredible here.”
Mark and his wife, Missie, have two children, Lauren and Caleb.
Workshop Leaders
The Relationship Reset
Dating with Purpose, Discernment, and Healthy Boundaries
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Stephanie and Erik Smallwood have been married since December 1, 2020, and serve as the Co-Lead Pastors of Elgin Methodist Church in Elgin, Texas. After both experiencing the pain of previous marriages, they have seen firsthand that God truly works all things together for good. Their story is a testimony of God's grace, healing, and redemption.
Together, they have served in nearly every area of church ministry, including worship, children, youth, young adults, administration, outreach, prayer, and pastoral leadership. Ordained into ministry by their home church in Alabama, they are currently pursuing ordination as Deacons in the Global Methodist Church while earning their Master of Divinity degrees through Wesley Biblical Seminary.
Most of all, they want you to know this truth that changes everything: Jesus loves you. His grace is for you. And He can transform your life from the inside out.
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Dr. Dorothy Smith-Hubbard & Minister Roland Hubbard have been married for 10 years and share a big, beautiful family of seven adult children, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Together, they lead The Branches, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to raising up “Leaders to Serve.” Dr. Dorothy serves as President and Founder, while Roland serves as CEO.
Roland is a retired U.S. Army veteran with 20 years of service and a background in commercial real estate. Dr. Dorothy is an Associate Pastor and Elder in the Global Methodist Church, as well as an adjunct professor at Oral Roberts University and a published author.
At the heart of everything they do is a shared passion for faith, leadership, and helping the next generation step into their God-given purpose.
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Joey and Lisa have been happily married for nearly 33 years and are passionate about healthy marriages. They started a Marriage Enrichment ministry in North Carolina in 2006. They have developed and led Marriage Enrichment Classes, Date Nights, Mini-Retreats and Small Groups ever since. Joey and Lisa represent Marriage and Family Ministries in the MidTexas Conference Discipleship team. They have 3 grown children, one daughter-in-law, one grandcat, and 3 grandchickens. They currently live in Frisco, TX.
Money Moves
Managing Your Money with Wisdom, Purpose, and Confidence
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Billy Allen brings more than 20 years of experience in the medical device industry, specializing in orthopedic trauma and spine. He is currently a Spine Consultant for DePuy Synthes Spine and previously ranked in the top three Orthopedic Consultants in the nation for Johnson & Johnson. Billy earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University–Commerce and has built his career around leadership, sales, and strong professional relationships.
Beyond his career, Billy has a heart for ministry and the next generation. He serves alongside his wife, Leigh Gettman-Allen, leading The Branch Young Adult Ministry at Tyler Street Church, volunteering in worship, mentoring, events, and young adult discipleship.
Billy brings practical experience, biblical wisdom, and a real-world perspective to helping young adults build healthy financial habits and become faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to them.
Mind Matters
Finding God’s Resilience, Peace, & Healing for your Mental Health
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Susan has dedicated more than 50 years to ministry, serving alongside her husband, Randy, including 20 years in pastoral leadership. Her passion is helping believers not only begin their walk with Christ, but finish strong. Through biblical teaching, humor, and real-life experiences, Susan equips Christians to grow in spiritual maturity, leadership, and resilience through life’s challenges.
Susan has ministered throughout the United States and internationally and currently serves as an adjunct instructor at Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas. She is also Co-Founder and Vice President of World Missions Advance, a nonprofit supporting missionaries and Christian organizations around the world.
Susan holds a Master of Practical Theology from King’s Seminary and continues to inspire believers to live with faith, purpose, and an overcoming spirit.
Built for This
Creating a Young Adult Ministry Where Faith, Community, and Purpose Come Alive
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Brandon Shook lives in The Woodlands, Texas, with his family and has decades of experience in youth and young adult ministry.
“Shook” helps individuals, churches, denominations, and organizations discover meaningful ways to partner with Fusion and engage in its mission. When you meet Shook, chances are you’ll quickly discover that he loves meeting new people and making connections.
CoHosts
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Hayden has a contagious heart for this generation and a natural ability to connect with people wherever she goes—she truly has never met a stranger! She recently earned her bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration and loves having fun, laughing, and building meaningful relationships.
For the past five years, Hayden has served in various roles with Revive Youth Ministries. Through Revive and her local church, she has developed a deep passion for mentoring, encouraging, and walking alongside the next generation.
At the center of Hayden’s life is her love for Jesus and worship. She leads with The Branch young adult ministry and Tyler Street Church worship teams. She is passionate about creating space for people to encounter the presence of God and discover how worship can transform their lives.
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Adam is passionate about helping the next generation know Jesus for themselves—not just know about Him. His heart is to see young people encounter the presence of God, walk boldly in the power of the Holy Spirit, and discover the identity and purpose God has placed within them.
For the past four years, Adam has served as a Preteen Pastor and in Kids For The Nations leadership at Christ For The Nations Institute. He holds a degree in Advanced Studies of Theology and Children’s and Family Ministry from CFNI and currently serves as Youth Minister at Tyler Street Church. Adam is also pursuing a degree in Education from Dallas Baptist University, believing his calling extends beyond the walls of the church as he seeks to bring the love and image of Christ into the next generation and the school system.