Jamie Finn
Jamie Finn is the author of the bestselling book, Foster the Family, and Filled: 60 Devotions for the Foster Parent’s Heart. She is the founder and President of Foster the Family and founder of the Filled Gathering. Her popular social media accounts offer a glimpse into the real life of a foster parent and provide encouragement to tens of thousands of foster and adoptive parents. Jamie is the mother to 7 children through foster care, adoption, and birth. She lives in Sicklerville, New Jersey, with her husband, Alan.
JEANNIE CUNNION
Jeannie Cunnion is a bestselling author of several books and Bible Studies. Her work has been featured on outlets such as The TODAY show, Fox News, CBN, and a host of popular podcasts. Jeannie holds a master’s degree in social work and she is the co-founder of The 509 Foundation. She and her husband, Mike, live in Greenwich, Connecticut, with their five boys. Connect with her at JeannieCunnion.com.
Meredith Brock
Meredith Brock is the wife of Mack Brock and a mother of 3 children through foster care, adoption and birth. She is the CEO of Proverbs 31 Ministries and occasionally serves authors as a literary agent. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives with her family in Charlotte, North Carolina.
RENEUT VAN DER RIET
If you find me at home, you’re likely to see me carrying heavy bags of food for the chickens or turning compost because Brooke is passionate about gardening. I love to go zip lining with my kids through the backyard adventure course we built together and make waffles with them on Saturday mornings. Every day I am thankful I get to wake up alongside them and explore the freedom for which Christ has made us free.
I came to know and serve Christ in a military home in South Africa during the apartheid era. By the time I was in high school, I had discerned that God was inviting me to pastoral ministry, so after graduation, I enrolled in Bible college in the Washington, DC, area. I met my wife, Brooke, there, and shortly after getting married in 1996, we moved to California, where I served as a student ministries pastor until we sensed God calling us to plant a church in Florida. We founded Mosaic Church in Winter Garden in 2002 with the goal of meeting the spiritual and tangible needs of the local and global community. It is an overwhelming privilege to watch Mosaic’s story unfold and, with it, to see lives changed along the way.
This incredible adventure I’m living with Christ has brought some amazing opportunities. Brooke and I were able to adopt four of our eight kids from Axum, Ethiopia. That journey inspired us to found Axum Coffee Company, a growing chain of coffee shops and restaurants whose goal is to fund justice and mercy initiatives, as well as Love Made Visible, a nonprofit organization that equips families, individuals, churches, and agencies to care for orphans and vulnerable children across the United States and worldwide. Most recently, I am developing The ReStory, a website aimed at providing gospel clarity to followers of Christ by extending them an invitation to tumble headfirst with me into the wonder of the freedom for which Christ has set them free.
Austin Ludwig
Austin Ludwig is a self-produced artist, speaker, and advocate for foster care, based in Atlanta, Georgia. After enduring fifteen years of abuse and trauma, Austin spent his formative years in the foster care system, aging out at 18. Amidst the brokenness of his past, Austin experienced the transformative love of Jesus, finding healing and restoration through the gospel.Over the past 12 years, Austin has dedicated his life to full-time ministry, using his testimony to fuel his recording artistry, writing, and speaking engagements. After years of pastoral ministry, he now focuses on his music career while also serving on staff with the WinShape Foundation, partnering with WinShape Homes to equip local churches in their mission to care for children in foster care.Austin’s passion for discipleship drives his commitment to helping younger generations come to know Christ. He believes that God has the power to turn traumatic stories into life-giving testimonies. Austin lives in Atlanta with his wife of five years, and together, they are dedicated to serving God through both their personal and professional lives.
Geoffrey Nelson
Geoffrey Nelson, based in Waco, Texas, lives with his wife and two sons and has been dedicated to Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®) since 2015. His journey began at the Methodist Children’s Home, where he became a TBRI educator and practitioner, launching a career focused on supporting children and families.Over nearly a decade, Geoffrey has applied TBRI principles in diverse settings, including Residential Treatment Centers, foster care and adoption agencies, schools, and corrections.Geoffrey is passionate about creating meaningful change for individuals of all ages. Inspired by Dr. Karyn Purvis’ words, “I don’t care if they are one, or 100. People all need the same kinds of stuff”, he continues to champion the transformative impact of TBRI in his personal life, work and community.
Melissa Corkum
Melissa Corkum is a sought-after speaker and author specializing in blocked care and strategies to overcome burnout and chronic stress. A TEDx speaker, co-author of Reclaim Compassion, an adoptee, and adoptive mom, she brings a blend of lived experience and expertise to her work. She is the CEO and founder of RISE to Regulation. Offstage, Melissa enjoys social dancing and savoring the half-popped kernels at the bottom of the popcorn bowl.
LINDSEY PHILLIPS
Lindsey Phillips is a foster parent with years of experience in her personal journey and helping other families work towards reunification. She is an advocate for reunification in the state and has advocated for foster care for over 7 years now. In addition to her work with foster care she has 15 plus years of experience working in the business profession with a variety of leaders. Lindsey spent two years supporting those in poverty overcome a variety of challenges.
Sandra Flach
Sandra Flach is mom of 8 children, 5 through adoption—2 diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. She encourages and equips foster and adoptive parents through her weekly Adoption & Foster Care Journey Podcast and blogs at SandraFlach.com. She is a certified facilitator of the FASCETS Neurobehavioral Model, teaches FASD workshops, and leads the Hope for the FASD Journey online support community. Sandra is co-founder of Justice For Orphans and Director of Adoption & Foster Care Resources at JFO. She’s author of Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father and will soon release her newest book, Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions to Encourage Adoptive & Foster Parents. Sandra and her husband Wayne have been married 38 years. They reside in upstate NY where they love to spend time in the Adirondack Mountains.
MORE Workshop SPEAKERS TO BE ADDED!