About the Conference

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Leadership Team

Scottie May – Scottie convenes the leadership team for vision fulfillment, theme development, and personnel planning for each annual Conference. She teaches on the faculty of Wheaton College, Illinois in the area of Christian formation. As the grand-daughter of founder R.R. Brown and the daughter of President Emeritus R. S. Brown, she has participated in the Conference for much of its history. She in turn celebrates the presence of her children and grandchildren in attendance each year. Her academic credentials and publications, Conference experience, and wide-ranging speaking opportunities open networks of relationship which cannot help but enrich the Conference for years to come.

Dave Van Kley - Dave is the Conference pastor. In that role he gives a continuity to the "up front" leadership of the event. Dave also assists in the planning and execution of the Conference taking a hands-on role in Pastors Day, children’s ministry, prayer leadership, and pastoral care. Dave is an ordained pastor of the Reformed Church in America serving part-time as Pastor of Care at the Calvary Reformed Church in Orland Park, Illinois. He and Jody also lead Shine Like Stars, Inc., whose mission is bringing high quality character building assembly programs into the public schools. The Van Kley family resides in New Lenox, Illinois.

Jody Van Kley - Jody is the Conference coordinator. She carries all operational responsibility for Conference planning, communication, travel and management. She also continues to give effective leadership with Dave in children’s ministry. She has more than full-time responsibilities as a wife and mother of two boys, Kent and Ross, as well as joining Dave in the music and teaching service of Shine Like Stars, Inc.

Steve Yost – Steve builds a team of worship leaders, then works with the Van Kleys and Conference guests to craft rich, memorable worship gatherings. It is for Steve to guide the various components of the plenary and smaller gatherings to prepare the way for God’s Spirit to have freedom with God’s people. Steve serves full-time as an associate pastor for worship at Christ Community Church. Steve and Timaree have three grown sons and one son at home.

Development Director

Rick Porter – Rick Porter served as executive director of the Conference following the retirement of R. S. Brown in 1994. He led all aspects of the Conference until 2001. In 2005, Rick and Dianne moved to the Lakes Area of Iowa to give full-time support to the Conference in funding and promotion. He was also mandated by the board of directors to launch an enlarged year-round ministry [Intersect] and move both ministries toward a dramatic improvement of facilities envisioned in "The Faith and Family Center".
Rick and Dianne have served both in pastorates, education and educational administration.