GENERAL SESSIONS
Our General Sessions this year will feature special guests...
Our General Sessions this year will feature special guests...
Tom Shefchunas
Tom Shefchunas has over two decades of experience working with, mentoring, and leading middle and high schoolers, as well as the parents and adults in their lives. His desire to see the local church help students develop a growing and authentic faith is his passion, and what makes ministry both a personal and professional calling.
Currently, Tom is the Executive Director of Student Strategy at Orange. In this role, he leads the content development, strategy, and overall direction for XP3 Middle School and High School curriculum.
Prior to joining Orange, Tom was North Point Ministries’ Multi-Campus Director of Transit, their middle school ministry, for 12 years. While there, he worked with and trained staff and volunteers at not only their five main campuses, but at numerous strategic partners around the country as well. This tenure gave him a wealth of experience with churches of all sizes and stages of growth. He and his family are also happy to call Browns Bridge Church, a campus of North Point Ministries, their home church.
Before becoming part of a ministry staff, Tom spent 10 years in the education system as a high school teacher, coach, and finally, as a principal. It was during those years that he decided to shift to a middle school focus, where he believed it was possible to make proactive changes that would have a positive, lasting effect on the life and faith of high schoolers.
He has an undergraduate degree in Physics, and graduate degrees in both Educational Leadership and Biblical Studies. Additionally, he is also the co-author of Lead Small with Reggie Joiner, a resource that helps small group leaders understand their ability to make a big impact in the lives of children.
Tom and his wife, Julie, live in Cumming, Georgia, with their three children, Mac, Joey, and Cooper.
Currently, Tom is the Executive Director of Student Strategy at Orange. In this role, he leads the content development, strategy, and overall direction for XP3 Middle School and High School curriculum.
Prior to joining Orange, Tom was North Point Ministries’ Multi-Campus Director of Transit, their middle school ministry, for 12 years. While there, he worked with and trained staff and volunteers at not only their five main campuses, but at numerous strategic partners around the country as well. This tenure gave him a wealth of experience with churches of all sizes and stages of growth. He and his family are also happy to call Browns Bridge Church, a campus of North Point Ministries, their home church.
Before becoming part of a ministry staff, Tom spent 10 years in the education system as a high school teacher, coach, and finally, as a principal. It was during those years that he decided to shift to a middle school focus, where he believed it was possible to make proactive changes that would have a positive, lasting effect on the life and faith of high schoolers.
He has an undergraduate degree in Physics, and graduate degrees in both Educational Leadership and Biblical Studies. Additionally, he is also the co-author of Lead Small with Reggie Joiner, a resource that helps small group leaders understand their ability to make a big impact in the lives of children.
Tom and his wife, Julie, live in Cumming, Georgia, with their three children, Mac, Joey, and Cooper.
Virginia Ward
Virginia Ward serves as the assistant dean and assistant professor of youth ministry and leadership at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Boston Campus, where she teaches classes in urban youth ministry and leadership. She makes ministry personal by inspiring, enlightening, and empowering individuals and organizations to equip the next generation of leaders.
Virginia’s local and national involvement in the training and development of youth leaders spans three decades. She comes with extensive experience as an urban pastor, ministry organizer, and youth ministry expert. Virginia pursued education in ministry, earning a master of arts in youth ministry, and doctor of ministry in emerging generations at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
A third-generation minister, Virginia is an associate pastor at Abundant Life Church where her husband, Lawrence, is the senior pastor and bishop. They have two sons, Paul and Mark. Together they formed a consulting company, Wards of Wisdom, to equip urban leaders and ministries seeking change.
Since 2014, Virginia has been a keynote speaker for Orange at its national conference in Atlanta and at Orange Tour venues across the nation. She also serves with the DeVos Urban Leadership Initiative and Intervarsity Christian Fellowship.
Virginia’s local and national involvement in the training and development of youth leaders spans three decades. She comes with extensive experience as an urban pastor, ministry organizer, and youth ministry expert. Virginia pursued education in ministry, earning a master of arts in youth ministry, and doctor of ministry in emerging generations at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
A third-generation minister, Virginia is an associate pastor at Abundant Life Church where her husband, Lawrence, is the senior pastor and bishop. They have two sons, Paul and Mark. Together they formed a consulting company, Wards of Wisdom, to equip urban leaders and ministries seeking change.
Since 2014, Virginia has been a keynote speaker for Orange at its national conference in Atlanta and at Orange Tour venues across the nation. She also serves with the DeVos Urban Leadership Initiative and Intervarsity Christian Fellowship.
Red Letter Hymnal
Red Letter Hymnal started as a local worship band out of Pittsburgh, PA. As years passed, they began writing and performing their own music. They are motivated by a desire to connect with people through their music, in hopes to not only share the good news of Christ with their listeners but to also show them the love of Christ through their lives. RLH feels most at home when they are out playing shows. With their high energy, interactive live show, it is very clear that they are most comfortable spending time with their fans. Whether it's getting everyone in the room jumping to their brand of 'anthem- esque' dance-pop or taking time after concerts to connect, pray with, and engage those who attend their shows, Red Letter Hymnal is a band that is committed to offering more than just music to their listeners. Red Letter Hymnal is a band that is made up of members who have a reason to sing of God’s grace, love, and redemption. “Every one of us in the band have been pulled out of some dark places...” says RLH’s guitar player Spencer Te’o. Whether it be drug addiction, depression, homelessness, pride, or anxiety the boys of Red Letter Hymnal have powerful testimonies of God’s redemptive power that they wish to share through their music.