Program Center Keynote Speaker

David Hicks has been a pastor in the Pacific Northwest Conference for the past 30 years. He has served as Sr. Pastor in five different churches (Marysville, Lynnwood, Renton, Snohomish, and Seattle First Church) as well as several appointments as a staff pastor. David currently serves as the Director of Spiritual Formation and Pastoral Care forthe PNW Conference. In this role he functions as a kind of "pastor to pastors", helping them to tend to their own spiritual and emotional health.

Maple Center Morning Speaker

Chris Henderson serves as youth pastor for Mountain Park Church in Oswego, OR. Chris brings a fresh, insightful teaching style that is thoroughly biblical and completely relevant to daily life. Chris is passionate about seeing young people embrace God’s call on their lives. Through music, prayer, Scripture, and reflection, Chris and his brother, Eric Henderson, will create an evening worship experience that will stir hearts toward Christ.

Maple Center Evening Speaker

Joe Alvarez – Associate Pastor, Hillcrest Christian Fellowship

Joe is passionate about leading others to Jesus Christ, by preaching and teaching.  He wants to be a part of raising up new and young leaders by discipleship and mentoring.  Joe graduated from Northwest University with a BA in Pastoral Ministries.  Joe has been in youth ministry in Seattle for 10 yrs.  For the last 3 years he has helped students in bilingual and special ed. at Concord International Elementary in Seattle as  a para-professional.  In 2012,  Joe was ordained elder with the Free Methodist Church.

Maple Center Morning Worship

Back by popular demand, Eric Henderson will be leading an alternative worship experience in the Maple Center sessions. Eric is the Worship Director for Bethany Community Church, in Seattle. Eric’s passion is to connect people to the heart of God through worship.

Adult Bible Teacher

Rev. Kevin Austin, a former missionary to Thailand, is a Free Methodist leader directing the Set Free Movement in the abolition of modern-day slavery. Working in partnership with others, Kevin wants to empower faith communities and faith based organizations to create effective, sustainable, integrated, community based action addressing modern slavery issue and other orbiting issues. His 12+ years of experience in cross cultural ministry and working with innovative organizations like Not For Sale, YWAM, World Relief, etc., make him a valuable resource and leader.

Program Center Evening Worship

Soo Ji Alvarez – Pastor of Worship Arts, Hillcrest Christian Fellowship

Soo Ji is passionate about worshiping God through the creative arts such as music, dance and drama.  She has led worship and performed special music for church services, retreats and conferences. Soo Ji graduated Cum Laude from Northwest University in Kirkland, with a B.A. in Church Music, an emphasis in conducting and minors in piano and voice. She also taught classroom music, choir and band for Rainier Christian Schools for nine years and has a private music studio offering private piano and voice lessons. Soo Ji is also an ordained elder with the Free Methodist Church.

Family Camp Missionaries

The Willson family has ministered in Malawi since February 2007. Ryan is invovled in pastoral and leadership training and currently serves as principal of the Great Commission Bible School. Jen is the International Child Care Ministries coordinator and works with women's ministries. They are in the process of transitioning all of their roles and responsibilities to Malawi Free Methodist Church leadership by the end of 2013. These exciting developments in their ministry will bring a new assignment for their family and ministry in 2014.