Jerry Jenkins
Keynote speaker Jerry Jenkins, a former vice-president for publishing and currently writer at large for the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago, is the author of more than 170 books, including the 65,000,000 selling Left Behind series. Jenkins owns Jenkins Entertainment, a filmmaking company in Los Angeles, which produced the critically-acclaimed movie Hometown Legend, based on his book of the same name. Diligent in training writers, Jenkins also owns the Christian Writers Guild, which aims to train tomorrow's professional Christian writers.
Bill Myers
A national and international award-winning writer and director, Bill Myers is well-known for his McGee and Me book and DVD series, which has sold 4.5 million copies. He writes, directs, and voices characters for Focus on the Family's Adventures in Odyssey radio series. An author for both children and adults, Myers currently has twenty novels under option for motion pictures. His novel, The Wager, starring Randy Travis and based on Myers' novel by the same name, was recently released.
Carole Gift Page
Carole Gift Page, under contract for her 45th book, has published both fiction and non-fiction. An award winning novelist, she has received the C. S. Lewis Honor Book award and has been a finalist several times for the Gold Medallion Book award and the Campus Life Book of the Year award. Living in southern California with her husband Bill, Page currently serves on the Advisory Board of the American Christian Writers.
Jim Zabloski
Jim Zabloski, a gifted speaker, playwright, and composer of contemporary dramatic musicals, served twelve years as Editorial Director at Vida Publishers International, a book publishing house. Zabloski has published several dramas, a business book now translated into three languages, and many articles. He is currently employed by Liberty University, where he is pursuing his doctorate in Education.
Don Alban, Jr
Having begun his career in journalism, Don Alban has served since 1995 as the editor of Power for Living, an inspirational weekly magazine that profiles people whose experience explicitly communicates the truthfulness and practical relevance of biblical principles. Alban has published articles on religious communication in magazines and journals. He currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Communication Studies at Liberty University.
Mark Jennings
Mark Jennings is an award-winning teacher and has served with the Virginia Department of Education. He has written lesson plans on incorporating writing with Creation Station LLC Famous Bean collectible dolls in the classroom. He currently serves as the English Department Chair and Theatre Director at Forest Oak Middle (Spotsylvania, VA).
Janice Delong
With two master’s degrees in education, Janice DeLong has taught in public, parochial, and home schools. She is a frequent speaker at workshops, and with Mrs. Schwedt she has co-authored books on children’s literature and contemporary authors of Christian fiction. She has served on the faculty of Liberty University since 1985 where she currently teaches Children’s Literature.
Rachel E. Schwedt
Rachel Schwedt holds a master’s degree in Library Science and has served as a school librarian and as a curriculum librarian at Liberty University. These experiences have served as a springboard to co-author three reference books about children’s literature and one title about the authors of Christian fiction with her colleague Janice DeLong. She further expresses her passion for her field by conducting workshops for elementary and high school teachers.
Jamaica Johnson Conner
Named the 2005 Profound Educator at Amherst County High School, Jamaica Conner has studied and tested techniques to improve student writing. Published in the educational journal Library Media Connection, Conner currently teaches as an adjunct professor at Liberty University.
Stacey Hester
With ten years of teaching experience, Stacey Hester has worked with elementary, junior high and senior high students. Having completed a master’s degree in education from Sweet Briar College, Hester specializes in differentiated instruction and curriculum development. She has been honored with the Golden A -- Most Influential Teacher award and Who's Who Among American Teachers.
Beth Ackerman
Passionate for children with disabilities. Beth Ackerman holds a master's degree in Special Education, a postgraduate professional license that endorses her to teach students (K-8) with learning and emotional disabilities, and a doctoral degree in Administration and Supervision. Ackerman teaches graduate special education courses and serves as Associate Dean for graduate studies and distance learning at Liberty University.
