Rev. Stephen Rankin is Chaplain and Minister to the University at Southern Methodist University.  He has been a youth minister, a high school basketball coach, a local church pastor, and a college professor and campus minister.  He has written articles and book chapters on college ministry and on John Wesley’s theology.  He and Joni, his wife, lived in Italy for a while where they did youth ministry with a diverse group of international students and families.  They have four grown children and one grandson.  Steve likes to stay physically fit (so he can keep up with his grandson) and play the guitar.  He loves talking to people about what God is calling them to do with their lives.

Rev. Steve Rankin will be our bible study leader for the week during JYMO!

Tim Kennedy is the Chaplain and Director of Religious Life at McMurry University in Abilene, TX.  He studied Religion at McMurry University before receiving his Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from Princeton Theological Seminary in 2003.  In addition to providing pastoral care to McMurry faculty, staff and students, he teaches courses in Church History, Christian Ministry, and Servant Leadership, leads the university’s weekly chapel services, and is responsible for the development of spiritual formation programming on campus.  Tim was recognized as “Outstanding Administrator of the Year” in 2005 and awarded McMurry University’s “Exemplary Service Award” in 2010.  He has a passion for teaching and enjoys communicating the message of God’s love and mission in the world in fresh and innovative ways. 

Tim lives in Abilene, Texas with 1300 university students.  He has one dog, one cat, and likes to hang out at coffee shops.  In his spare time, he enjoys running marathons, cooking, listening to music, and traveling the world.  His favorite country is India.      

Lisa is a fifth generation Texan who grew up in Dallas attending First United Methodist Church in Richardson. She received a BA in Psychology from The University of Texas in Austin and a Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School. Ordained in the North Texas Conference in 1992, she served as an associate pastor at Highland Park UMC and First UMC in Denton. In 2003, she was appointed to serve First United Methodist Church of Commerce as Senior Pastor.

Lisa is involved in the community through Rotary, Commerce Alliance for Ministry, Communities in Schools, and as a parent in the two elementary schools. She also serves the North Texas Conference as the chair of the Order of Elders and a member of the Board of Ordained Ministry.

She enjoys spending time with family (especially her two girls, Elizabeth and Caroline), reading a good book, traveling, running, playing cards, engaging with friends, and participating in God’s transforming work wherever possible.

Adam graduated high school in 2009, attended Wichita State University for a year and will attend Columbia College Chicago in the Fall of 2010 to pursue a major in film. He was a member of CCYM in Kansas West for three years and served as JYT representative to the South Central Jurisdiction for two years. He was elected president of Kansas West CCYM during his senior year. Adam preached at the Kansas West annual conference in 2008 and 2009. He has one sister who is a sophomore in high school and two loving parents. Adam loves cake and procrastination!

Rev. Delia Estrada is currently the Northwest District Superintendent in the Rio Grande Conference

Charles serves Ecumenically in local Churches, Districts, and Conferences across the United States as well as in Europe, Canada, and Mexico, as a youth ministry consultant, providing leadership development of youth and youth workers through mentoring, training, workshops, and retreats.

Charles spends all of his free-time with his life-partner of 16+ years, Georgia Harrison. She is a student at Perkins School of Theology and a candidate for Deacon in the North Texas Conference. Charles especially enjoys his time with his own children, Ricky and Marisa.