Children & Youth Ministry Conference 2025

Stephen is a dad, husband, writer, and foodie. He has served in churches since 1998 and as a lead consultant with Ministry Architects since 2009. Stephen is a graduate of Samford University and McAfee School of Theology. His books include Hollow Faith: How Andy Griffith, Facebook, and the American Dream Neutered the Gospel, ExtraOrdinary Time: 365 Ordinary Moments with an Anything But Ordinary God; and Organic Student Ministry. Stephen deeply loves working with students and equipping youth ministers, helping both answer the questions: Who am I, and why am I here?

Diane Maloney (she/her) serves Falls Church Presbyterian Church as Director of Spiritual Growth and Community Engagement. Her ministry focuses on spiritual growth for children, youth, adults, and families as well as the digital footprint and engagement with the larger community. Diane holds a degree from Memphis Theological Seminary. She loves helping all people (especially children and teenagers) know they are loved more deeply than they could ever understand by God. When she’s not thinking, speaking, or talking about children and youth ministry, she’s probably playing a sport, watching the tv show, Survivor, or relaxing with her wife, Paige, their cat PAL, short for President Abraham Lincoln, and their puppy, Kettle Corn.

Gracie is an ordained Deacon and the Pastor to Children and Families at Belle Meade UMC. Her greatest passion is seeing children connect to faith and the church community. She also believes deeply in the role of parents in spiritual formation and seeks to empower them in this call. Gracie has been in vocational ministry with children and families for 14 years. Gracie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies from Lee University (09) and a Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt Divinity School (13). In her free time, she enjoys reading, eating Mexican food, cuddling her cats, and going on adventures with her husband, Justin, and daughters, Emery and Hadley.

Kris has over 35+ years of experience in youth ministry. Her ministry experience includes serving as the Youth Minister at Collierville UMC in Tennessee. Kris has experience serving in youth ministry at the local, conference, jurisdictional and national level of the United Methodist Church. Kris served as the Director for Young People in Mission for 13 years and served on the ministry team with Breakthru for 26 years. Kris and her husband Bob are originally from Pennsylvania but following three cross country moves they have lived in Collierville, TN for 30 years. Kris and her husband are the parents to three adult children and their spouses and also have three young grandsons. Kris enjoys, reading, traveling, the beach, and time with her family and friends.

Hank is the Director of Youth and College Ministries at Franklin First UMC in Franklin, TN where he recently entered his 30th year of ministry. Hank has experience serving in youth ministry at the local, conference, jurisdictional, and national levels of the United Methodist Church and as a youth ministry consultant and coach.
Hank is married to his wife Amy and has two kids in college and two headed to college this fall. When not doing youth ministry or hanging out with family, you’ll usually find Hank on a disc golf course.

Kris is an adolescent and family counselor at Brentwood Counseling. Previously, Kris served for 12 years as the youth director at Calvary UMC in Nashville, Tennessee.

Maggie Jarrell is an ordained deacon who serves as the Pastor of Children and Families at West End UMC. She has an M.Div. from Vanderbilt and has been in full-time ministry for 13 years.
Maggie is passionate about helping young people learn to love God and their neighbors. She hopes to encourage kids and parents to ask questions about their faith together. She believes that helping to foster intergenerational experiences and relationships benefits everyone because every age and stage has gifts to bring to the table.
She loves reading books, running on the greenways of Nashville, baking bread, and spending time with friends, family, and her cat Belle.

Paige is the Director of Next Gen Ministries at Providence Presbyterian Church in Fairfax, Virginia.