Jim Gill is a musician and author with singular credentials among children’s artists. Jim spent twenty years directing programs in music play for families with children with special needs in the Chicago area. His particular writing style—combining word play and movement opportunities into songs—was developed through this work. Jim completed his graduate studies in child development at the Erikson Institute of Chicago with a special emphasis on the study of play. His work experience and studies have led Jim to create each of his recordings and books as an opportunity for playful interactions between a child and a caring adult.

Heidi Goehmann is a licensed clinical social worker and mental health provider and also a deaconess of the LCMS. She loves walking with people to find the ways God has built restoration into our bodies and souls. She provides therapy, writes, and creates resources about mental health, genuine relationships, hope, and restoration at heidigoehmann.com. She loves her giant dog, Star Wars, hockey, adventures, and new ideas. She lives in Ludington, Michigan with her husband, four amazing kids, and 1.5 dogs.

The Rev. John Nunes, PhD, the pastor at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Santa Monica, and a senior fellow at the Center for Religion, Culture & Democracy, is the former president of Concordia College New York and the former president and CEO of Lutheran World Relief. He speaks and writes on diversity, vocation, and the intersection of theology and culture—topics included in his recently released Meant for More: In, With, and Under the Ordinary.

Gabe Kasper will be back with us in 2024!  Gabe is Lead Pastor at University Lutheran Chapel at the University of Michigan. Prior to his current role, he spent 5 years as a church planter in Austin, TX. His passion for preaching and teaching has led him to speak across the country on a variety of theological and cultural topics. He is a graduate of Concordia University Wisconsin and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and is currently pursuing an MA in Philosophy at Eastern Michigan University. In his spare time, Gabe enjoys soccer, reading books, listening to punk rock, and co-hosting the Pint Glass Preachers Podcast. He and his wife Melissa have 3 great kids.

Dr. Todd Whitaker has been fortunate to be able to blend his passion with his career. Recognized as a leading presenter in the field of education, his message about the importance of teaching has resonated with hundreds of thousands of educators around the world. Todd is a professor of educational leadership at the University of Missouri and professor emeritus at Indiana State University. He has spent his life pursuing his love of education by researching and studying effective teachers and principals. One of the nation’s leading authorities on staff motivation, teacher leadership, and principal effectiveness, Todd has written over 60 books including the national best seller, What Great Teachers Do Differently. Other titles include: Dealing With Difficult Teachers, Ten-Minute Inservice, Your First Year, What Great Principals Do Differently, Motivating & Inspiring Teachers, and Dealing With Difficult Parents.