Born and raised in Des Moines, Dr. Doug Schulte attended medical school at Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, and completed his surgical residency at the Mayo Clinic. He then returned home to work with The Iowa Clinic in 2000.

Since then, Doug built a successful surgical practice, and he was very content with his life until a conversation with a Christian nurse who served with Mercy Ships on the Africa Mercy, the world’s largest civilian hospital ship. Dr. Schulte felt challenged to use his gifts as a surgeon and live out the model of Jesus: to bring healing and hope to the forgotten poor. Since 2016 he has served numerous times as a volunteer head and neck surgeon in Madagascar, Benin, Cameroon, Guinea, and Senegal.

Doug will tell the story of the underserved poor and of how the volunteers at Mercy Ships serve them. You will see, sometimes in images that are hard to look at, the challenges faced by those who do not have access to adequate healthcare. He will also tell his own story of surrendering to the will of Jesus, ultimately leading to his decision to leave his practice and serve on the ship full time.

Growing up in Texas, Seneca faced many hardships, but faith was an essential foundation for his family. Without a healthy father figure relationship in his life, he leaned heavily on his Mom, Uncle Gary, and their church family for guidance as he grew in his faith. In 1998 his Mom was diagnosed with cancer, and Seneca found himself relying even more on God. Knowing that his Mom never gave up on the Lord, Seneca knew he couldn’t either.

Throughout his success at Iowa State University and in the NFL, God surrounded him with men of faith that were intentional and poured into him. “These men were strong on the football field but even stronger in their faith.” Through those relationships, and his deepening faith, it has had a tremendous impact, not only his life but as a husband and a father. Seneca has taken his success on the football field (ISU Hall of Fame – 2019) and translated that into business, including the Wing Stop franchise. Join us as Seneca shares his faith journey and how God has shown His faithfulness.

Growing up in Texas, Seneca faced many hardships, but faith was an essential foundation for his family. Without a healthy father figure relationship in his life, he leaned heavily on his Mom, Uncle Gary, and their church family for guidance as he grew in his faith. In 1998 his Mom was diagnosed with cancer, and Seneca found himself relying even more on God. Knowing that his Mom never gave up on the Lord, Seneca knew he couldn’t either.

Throughout his success at Iowa State University and in the NFL, God surrounded him with men of faith that were intentional and poured into him. “These men were strong on the football field but even stronger in their faith.” Through those relationships, and his deepening faith, it has had a tremendous impact, not only his life but as a husband and a father. Seneca has taken his success on the football field (ISU Hall of Fame – 2019) and translated that into business, including the Wing Stop franchise. Join us as Seneca shares his faith journey and how God has shown His faithfulness.

Jake Sullivan is currently the Sr. Director for Next Generation Ministries at Grace Church in Eden Prairie, Minnesota and founder of the Live It – with Jake Sullivan podcast.  Prior to arriving at Grace Church; Jake founded Kingdom Hoops in Des Moines, Iowa as well as a non-profit global mission organization called Acts 2 Collective which is now known as Royal Promise.

Jake played high school basketball at Tartan High School in Oakdale, Minnesota and was a top 60 recruit in the class of 2000. Following high school Jake Sullivan went on to play college basketball at Iowa State University. During his 4 years at Iowa State Jake was selected as Big 12 Freshman of the Year (2000-2001), 3-time All-Big 12 selection (2002-2004), 3-time Academic All-American (2002-2004), became the All-Time leader in 3 point FGM in a career (2000-2004), and was voted to the Iowa State All-Century Team.

Jake is married to his wife of 15 years (Janel) and they have seven kids – Justice, JJ, Jennifer, Jayla, Julius, Jasara, and Jacoby.

Known as an avid outdoorsman who loves all things hunting and fishing, Outdoors Dan’s mission is to reach out to kids and get them involved in the outdoors, as they are the key to keep the outdoors growing!

Host of “The Outdoors Dan Show” heard 7-9 AM every Saturday on 1350 ESPN in Des Moines and also 7-9 PM Sunday nights on St. Louis-based KTRS-550 AM, Dan is heard throughout the Midwest. He writes a widely-read column in the Sunday Des Moines Register and produces a TV show, “Outdoors Traditions TV with Dan Young” that can be found on The Hunt Channel, Carbon TV and Gamehide.com.

Dan grew up in Washington, Missouri where he always enjoyed the outdoors and began working in radio in 1997 – eventually moving to St. Louis before coming to Des Moines in 2002. He believes, “Never listen to anyone when they say you cannot do something! You and the Good Lord upstairs are the only ones that know your potential!”

Outdoors Dan encourages listeners every week to, “Get outdoors and start an ‘Outdoors Tradition’ of your own this year!”

A sixth-generation Iowan, Adam Gregg serves as Iowa’s 47th Lieutenant Governor. A leader throughout his life, Adam Co-Chairs the Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa Initiative, serves on the executive committee of the National Lieutenant Governors Association and is vice chair of the Republican Lieutenant Governors Association.  He was chosen as a Hunt-Kean Leadership Fellow for 2018-2019, focused on leadership in education.

Adam previously served as the State Public Defender, leading a 220-employee organization focused on providing the constitutional right to counsel for Iowans.

He graduated in 2009 with high honors from Drake University Law School, receiving the institution’s prestigious Opperman Scholarship and chosen as an Iowa Supreme Court Scholar.

Adam earned his B.A. from Central College in 2006 where he graduated first in his class with degrees in political science and history, and played football for the Dutch. He and his wife, Cari – both natives of Hawarden – reside in Urbandale where they are active in church and raising their two children, Jackson and Lauren.

Casey Blake is without question one of the greatest major league baseball players ever to come out of Iowa. With a career batting average of .264 and the second-highest home run total of any Iowan who ever played in the majors, it goes without saying that Casey could hit. He was also a great fielder – whether playing his natural position of third base or filling in at first base or right field.

Most known for his time with the Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Dodgers, Casey’s leadership helped turn the Dodgers around. When joining the team, the Dodgers were two games under .500 but ended up winning the NL West and defeating the Cubs in the NLDS before losing to the Phillies in the NLCS.

After his major league career, Casey returned home to Indianola, Iowa where he and his wife, Abbie, are raising six kids – five daughters and a son.

Daniel is President and CEO of Encompass Holdings, LLC. Encompass Holdings is a diversified investment company with activities in commercial property development, agriculture, real estate, technology, and other high growth industries.

Daniel and his wife, Rachael, are original founders and active participants in Trailhead International. They enjoy seeing the growth the organization has experienced the past three years. Trailhead International currently has church facilities and community center projects in 16 countries and is expanding its team to make a larger impact for Jesus Christ!

A trusted voice, John McLaughlin retired as Chief Meteorologist for KCCI-TV after serving Central Iowa viewers for 31 years. He guided implementing the Doppler radar systems and taught hundreds of broadcasters in severe storm recognition. A commercial pilot and flight instructor in helicopters and fixed wing aircraft, John is also an NRA certified firearms and personal protection instructor.

Since retiring from KCCI, John has volunteered his time to faith-based properties in developing safety and security measures, and facilitating firearms training for hundreds of volunteers across the country. His passion for weather remains strong, too, as he released the Storm Hunter WX mobile weather app, currently with more than 60,000 downloads.

Major Sean Quinlan held 300 college, high school, and junior football coaches spellbound as he walked them through his plan on how to build a championship team. He utilized his personal anecdotes laced with quotes and stories to deliver an impacting challenge to everyone present. As a leader of marines in dealing with life-threatening situations, he blended vision and leadership with a practical timeline to get his men to achieve a goal. The Major was both motivational and inspirational in his message … His message, his delivery, and his thoughtful quotes of leaders past and present make this a must for aspiring achievers.

– Larry Kindbom, Football Coach, Washington University, St. Louis

Known and loved everywhere he goes, Brian Brown has always been an achiever … whether as a world-class athlete, in coaching or sports administration. He served Drake as Associate Athletic Director, including ten years as Drake Relays Director. In 2016 Brian returned to University of Missouri (his alma mater for masters and doctorate) to become Assistant Athletic Director. Of all achievements, he is most proud of God’s faithfulness in his life and his family.

Mike Hartwig was abandoned when he was in elementary school. Eventually he was adopted into an abusive, dysfunctional family that almost destroyed his life. Several decades later, Mike and his wife Lee Ann were awarded the Iowa Parents of the Year for their work in restoring families. Mike was project director for a multi-million dollar federal grant to strengthen marriages and families for the Bush administration, and was also President of Marriage Matters that sought to train couples to have healthy-happy marriages. You’ll not want to miss Mike’s story of restoration and forgiveness as we seek to “Lead with Power in our Families.”

Sometime ago the Board of Supervisors allocated nearly $1 million to 10 parochial schools around the Des Moines metro. The reaction from some were negative, biting and fierce. Some even called for the resignation of my colleagues and me. The editorial board of the local newspaper even demanded the Catholic Dioceses return the funds. But why? People seem to have the argument that we violated the separation of church and state. But did we? Can people serve only God or Caesar? Or should people even be forced to make that decision?

Whether you realize it or not, you are influencing those around you. The question is, are you having the kind of influence you want? The lasting legacy that we all want only happens as a result of intentionally living life towards that desired outcome, one step at a time. Join us as Jerry shares how to take SMALL STEPS and get BIG RESULTS.

Terry Norton, Co-Author of “The Power Of Faith When Tragedy Strikes” will be sharing on the importance of the choices we make – some big, some small. But each one can have a significant impact on you and those around you. Through the story of his son Chris, hear how their faith has impacted their journey and how they choose to make a difference.

Jamie Pollard, Athletic Director of Iowa State University, will kick off our Fall 2018 luncheon series. Come and hear how his heart attack and subsequent open heart surgery has made him realize what really matters in business and life, and how getting a second chance has strengthened and reinforced his faith.

Keith recently completed the Louisville, Kentucky Ironman Triathlon which he describes as “the adventure of a lifetime.”

For the past four years Keith and his wife Terri have been helping those in need of long-term assisted living and memory care through their four facilities in Wisconsin.

Keith and Terri founded Leading With Power in 2012. With chapters in five cities, LWP has been inspiring men to find “life, family and work balance while building servant leadership skills.”

Ray Howell’s youthful years were filled with boyhood dreams of hunting and fishing, however, these dreams were not to become a reality until after he turned 18 due to working on his foster parent’s farm.

He didn’t have anyone to teach him about hunting or fishing until Tom Poukey, his social worker, took Ray on his first whitetail hunt. He only hunted with Tom and his family four times during his high school years – but he was hooked!

Following his boyhood dreams has taken him to the frigid cold and snow of the Arctic, the wilderness areas of Mexico, throughout the forests of Canada, the remote regions of the Yukon, and in many of the 50 states including Alaska. Come hear Ray’s story of how God has used the struggles in his life as well as the gives He has given him to make an impact in the lives of underprivileged youth.

Born in the Islamic Republic of Iran right after the Islamic Revolution, Armin is a man that has lived more lives than most his age. His family went from a wealthy lifestyle to being on the run to avoid execution for being the ‘wrong’ religion. Armin and his family escaped the country, fled to the projects of a third world country to live in Pakistan for 17 months.

Upon receiving their refugee pass to the USA, Armin moved to MN, learned his fifth (5th) language and embraced an entirely new culture. Since then, he has gone from student and family boy, to Organized Crime leader, to leading in a vocational ministry role at one of the fastest growing churches in America, and is now a serial entrepreneur who continues to speak to Christian and non-Christian audiences around the country and globe.

Although he may not be known for “the rest of the story” like Paul Harvey, radio’s Van Harden is arguably the most recognizable voice in Iowa. You can find him every weekday morning with his co-host Bonnie Lucas on the “Van and Bonnie In The Morning” show on WHO radio. Van has impacted thousands in how they start their day for more than 30 years. His spirit-filled joy comes through in his voice and choice of uplifting words, making it obvious to many listeners that he is above all a one-of-a-kind man of faith.

Van’s career began in Perry, Iowa on KDLS-FM while attending Drake University where he graduated with a degree in Radio/TV Journalism. After 10 years as the mid-day radio personality at KRNT in Des Moines, Van became the Morning Man and Program Director at WHO Newsradio 1040. Van has personally received the nationally given Marconi Award five times and, under his leadership, WHO has received the award 13 times. He recently retired as Program Director of the station after 30 years, but continues to encourage listeners with his morning program heard across the state and beyond.

Come hear the story of one of the most famous Iowan’s in history, Simon Estes. A native of Centerville, he first sang in his church at the age of eight. While at the University of Iowa, he became the first black member of the Old Gold Singers. A scholarship to Julliard School of Music followed by winning the Bronze Medal in Moscow’s Tchaikovsky competition in 1966 ignited his storied career. Simon has performed with 84 of the major international opera companies; has sung for Popes, Presidents and Kings; and taught at many of the prestigious schools in the world.

Now living back home in Iowa, his passion for students and making the world a better place continues as he teaches at DMACC and Iowa State. A man of great faith who is grateful for the talents and gifts he has been given, Simon’s desire is that through his singing he can share God’s love in order to touch peoples’ heart to love God and one another.

The Des Moines Police Department (DMPD) is the largest law enforcement agency in Iowa. With nearly 500 officers and civilian staff members, they protect and serve our Capitol city 24 hours a day.

But times have changed. Police Chief Dana Wingert says, “30 years ago, a police department was judged by response time and solving crime. Although still important, today equally it is, ‘What does the community think of you?’”

Chief Wingert is highly regarded by his officers and staff, and the community. During times of tragedy within the DMPD that would rock anyone’s world, many looked to Chief Wingert for leadership and comfort. He believes, “in controlling the things you can, and faith will take care of the rest.” But also asks, “What are you thankful for? Do we thank God for our blessings?”

Terry is a two-time NCAA champion and Olympic medalist who is in his 19th season at Iowa. Since 1974, Iowa has captured 23 team titles, crowned 69 NCAA champions, and earned 262 All-American honors. Simply put, the Hawkeyes win championships.

Adrie has led the company from the opening of the very first restaurant in Hull, Iowa in December, 1981 to the franchising of 190+ restaurants in thirteen states with an annual volume of over $200M. A true entrepreneur, Adrie casts the vision and puts the resources in place to make it happen.  He understands the key to Pizza Ranch’s continued success is each restaurant’s commitment to providing a legendary guest experience on each and every visit.

Tom is the distinguished Professor of Servant Leadership at Viterbo University where he has taught for 33 years. He is founder of the Master of Arts in Servant Leadership, the only Master’s degree of its kind in the nation. Tom is a popular professor, talented public speaker, and active community member who lives by what he calls the 11th commandment – thou shalt not stand idly by! Tom is a husband, father, grandfather, teacher, active community member and part owner of a country tavern.

Randy McPherson has been described as a serial entrepreneur and knows first-hand what it takes to start and grow a company. Over the past 30 years, Randy has started and built several companies that collectively generate billions of dollars… including one that began with a $30,000 investment that is now over one billion a year in revenue.

Randy says, “Nothing significant happens without some pain and suffering.” Though he has known some great success, he has also been a member of “The Crash and Burn Club” and has been almost wiped out. Never the less, Randy has found out that extraordinary things can happen from ordinary people!

Randy and his wife, Susan, live in Wisconsin. They have four children, all of whom (according to Randy) act more grown up than their father.

Randy will be giving away 2 Mathews bows worth $1600 as door prizes (Mission Craze and Halon bows), as his brother owns the largest archery company in the world and loves to give his stuff away!

Andy founded Cornerstone Capital Management LLC in 1993 in service of private clients. Under his leadership, today Cornerstone has grown to a world-class, institutional caliber, investment management firm with $2.2 billion under management.

Prior to Cornerstone, Andy was Vice President and Portfolio Manager at Investment Advisors Inc. where he gained investment experience in serving both institutional and individual clients in portfolio management. A graduate of the University of Minnesota with a degree in agricultural economics and concentration in futures trading, Andy is a leader whose vision, passion, and energy results in an unwavering commitment to helping clients achieve their financial objectives.

As a personal development coach, John Peterson knows how to win. An Olympic champion, three-time World Cup champion and a member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, the father of five and grandfather to six children has built his life on a solid foundation of faith and family… and being a positive influence in the lives of all he meets..