Think Like Christ Ministries is inviting you to come join us for an awesome men's conference. No extra fluff. Just some good food and great challenging preaching from God's Word. We are excited to have Juan Valdes with Reasons for Hope as our keynote speaker this year.
This year's breakout session speakers will be: Kelly Danilson - Man in the Mirror Ministries, Dennis Fulkerson - Mount Vernon Community Bible Church, and Kevin Smith - The Stone Church, Manchester, IA
Whether you are an ardent follower of Jesus or have a passing interest in religion; you will be challenged, strengthened and encouraged. And if that does not appeal to you, come for the Feast of Meats and Chili Cook-Off. No men's conference can be complete without a giant pile of meat for lunch.
The conference starts at 9AM and ends at 4PM and is intended for men and high school aged young men. If you want to come early, we will be providing breakfast at 8AM. The Feast of Meats will be for lunch and will also be included. Along with the Feast of Meats we will also be having a Chili Cook-Off. If you want to participate in the Chili Cook-Off, check the box on the registration form so we know how many to expect.
What better way can you spend a Saturday then worshiping, growing, and eating meat? Early-bird registration is only $15 a person or $150 for a church and includes both meals and all sessions so bring all your friends, men's groups, older sons, and anyone else who needs to come.
Early-Bird Registration (Register by January 31st) $15 and $150 for a church/ministry
Register after January 31st - 20$ and $200 for a church/ministry
Juan has always had an curious mind and asked lots of questions growing up. Searching for answers has been his passion and a lifelong journey. He had his first debate in 10th grade Biology class. Juan believes people have good questions and we as Christians need to have good answers. He desires to live out the command in the Bible where we’re told to always be ready to give an answer and to do so with the right attitude (1 Peter 3:15).
Further, Juan feels called to equip young people for the battles they face every day in an increasingly hostile culture. He also desires to equip parents and pastors so that they’re able to engage the youth. Juan loves to see people emboldened when they realize that there’re excellent arguments in support of the Truth. Most importantly, he enjoys removing the obstacles that keep people from surrendering to Christ.
When Juan’s not traveling, he is engaged in the pastorate of his bilingual congregation in Miami, FL. When he has down time (which isn’t often) you might find him in a quiet place reading a book or fishing. Juan’s educational background includes graduate work at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and master’s degrees from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and Logos Graduate School. He also has a Doctor of Ministry in Apologetics from Southern Evangelical Seminary.
Kelly has served Iowa as a Missionary Area Director with Man in the Mirror Ministries since 2019. As a trained Man in the Mirror consultant, he guides leaders through a comprehensive strategy to reach and disciple men, while providing ongoing support and encouragement every step of the way. Kelly has been a speaker at various men’s events and is a leader with the Iowa Edge Venture Men’s Weekend retreats. Before serving Iowa as a missionary, Kelly worked in the education and coaching profession. Kelly Danilson was born and raised in central Iowa and grew up on a cattle farm. When Kelly was 26, he got married and moved to Southern Iowa where he and his wife met Jesus. Shortly after his salvation, an older man invited him to spend weekly time together reading God’s word and praying. This started Kelly’s burden for every man to know Jesus and be discipled. He now lives in Cedar Rapids with his wife and five children. When he isn’t working, he loves reading and being physically active as much as possible.
Dennis serves as Discipleship Pastor at Mount Vernon Community Bible Church. In his role, Dennis supports the church’s small group ministry, men’s and women’s ministries, and biblical counseling ministry. One of his favorite ministries is Deep Woods Immersion, a weekend retreat that introduces participants to the practices of spiritual solitude and Scripture meditation.
Over the years, Dennis has served as teacher, researcher, missionary, and pastor. He and his wife, Amy, have been married for 22 years and have three teenage daughters. Dennis has studied at Iowa State University, Montana State University, Liberty University, and Lincoln Christian University. Iowa State holds a special place in his heart as that’s not only where he met Amy, but it’s where the Lord began to draw Dennis to Himself. In his spare time, you’ll find Dennis sitting in a coffee shop, watching a good football game, or wandering through the woods.
Kevin Smith
Co-Director: The Stone Church Men’s Ministry of Manchester Iowa
Senior Government Account Executive with T-Mobile, USA
Kevin has served in Men’s Ministry for over 15 years and worked closely
with organizations such as Man In The Mirror, Iron Sharpens Iron, Edge
Venture of Iowa, as staff, and many other Churches and Men’s
Conferences around the Midwest. Kevin is a Veteran with the United States
Army of over 27 years, and served in the realms of Aviation, Medical,
Intelligence, Information Operations, Special Operations Fields and Joint
Operations, Law Enforcement -Counter Drug, Special Operations Groups.
Multijurisdictional Task Forces around the country.
Kevin’s Message is: God desires you to be a Man in the sense that God
intended us to be. Are you a Cultural Christian or do you want to be the
kind of Man/Christian who walks with God and influences our world for
Christ? As Brett Clemer says: “It’s not about knowing more scripture and
praying better, it’s about living a vibrant life as a Man who knows himself
and His God a little better every day.”