Seminar Speakers Added

RiseFest 2022 Seminar Speakers Schedule and Lineup

 

Chaplain Cory Van Sloten 

Saturday | 12:45 pm | Seminar Building

Chaplain (Maj.) Cory Van Sloten, a third-generation Veteran, currently serves as Brigade Chaplain for the Ryder Brigade, the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, Iowa Army National Guard. He has served in the Iowa Army National Guard for 29 years; previously as an Infantryman, a Motor Transport Operator, and a Chaplain Candidate. Cory deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in 2004-2005 as a Motor Transport Operator in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism and to Kosovo in 2020-2021 as the KFOR (Kosovo Force) Regional Command East Chaplain in support of NATO Operation Joint Enterprise and U.S. Operation Joint Guardian.

A native of Ireton, Iowa, Cory resides in Maurice, Iowa with his wife Arla and their Yellow Labrador Retriever, Hank. They have four adult children, three single sons and a married daughter; and one grandchild, a boy. Cory is ordained as a Minister of the Word in the Christian Reformed Church in North America and endorsed as a chaplain by the CRCNA’s Chaplaincy and Care Ministry. In his civilian vocation, he serves as Support Coordinator for Army Survivor Outreach Services in Western Iowa. He also serves voluntarily as Chaplain of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6129 of Sioux Center, Iowa; as Chaplain of the 34th Infantry Division Association; and as Vice President of Midwest Honor Flight.

 

Drew Zahn

Saturday | 2:00 pm | Seminar Building
Saturday | 4:50 pm | Seminar Building

MEET DREW
Drew Zahn, an Iowa native, is a former pastor and international news journalist who today serves as the media track director for LEAD – a week-long leadership experience from The FAMiLY Leader that empowers teens to change their world. A graduate of Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota, Drew has served as assistant editor with Christianity Today’s Leadership Journal and news editor for WorldNetDaily. He has a passion for the movies, and in addition to covering red-carpet events in Hollywood for WorldNetDaily, his column on examining the worldview of popular films was published at WND.com for years. Drew and his wife, Debi, have 16 children and 7 grandchildren, but Drew refuses to act like a “grandpa.” In his free time, Drew enjoys writing, directing, and teaching student theater, and engaging in any sport that enables him to hit, throw, chase after, or watch a ball in play.

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ABOUT
Drew will be speaking about LEAD, The Family Leaders’s week-long summer program that empowers teens to change their world. At LEAD, we believe the best time to start being a leader is now, and the best way to learn is to do it. That’s why we run authentic leadership simulations where high school students have the opportunity to experience the roles of community leaders first-hand, making decisions that would affect millions of people as a state legislator. Mix that in with engaging biblical worldview discussions, faith-building worship and chapel, a hearty dose of games and recreational activities, and awesome relationships built throughout the week, and you’ve got a pretty good idea of what LEAD looks like.

 

Chris & Duane Blum

Saturday | 3:15 pm | Seminar Building

MEET CHRIS & DUANE
Duane and Chris Blum live in Mason City, Iowa, and have traveled the country since 2008 as volunteer leaders with Eight Days of Hope. The Blum’s have served with EDOH from coast to coast in over 20 different communities. Eight Days of Hope responds to help those in need following natural and human disasters, and over the past 17 years, EDOH has helped over 8,000 families rebuild their homes, for free, all in the name of Jesus. Whether its building homes for free or building safe places for those rescued from human trafficking, the Blum’s will share about how you can join the 50,000 volunteers to love and serve those in need.

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ABOUT
The Blum’s are excited to share some God-sized stories from the mission field working with Eight Days of Hope.

 

Raul Sanchez

Saturday | 6:30 pm | Seminar Building

MEET RAUL
Dr. Raul Sanchez is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in child and adolescent psychology, learning and cognition, and executive coaching. Dr. Sanchez has over 20 years of clinical experience which has also inspired a speaking career. Dr. Sanchez found his love for psychology while playing collegiate football at North Dakota State University. He then continued his education in earning his Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Iowa in 2000 and has been practicing since. Dr. Sanchez founded Renewing the Mind Clinic in 2013 where he has and continues to build a multi-provider mental healthcare clinic. Dr. Sanchez believes that healthy change occurs either behaviorally, emotionally, and/or spiritually, but often a combination of all three. He actively encourages himself and those around him both personally and in practice to Renew One’s Perspective, Move Towards Uncertainty, and Find What is Awesome in every situation. These fundamentally drive Dr. Sanchez’s practice and teaching. Personally, Dr. Sanchez loves to be with his family whether that be in playing tennis or board games, hunting and bike riding, or simply relaxing. Dr. Sanchez and his high school sweetheart Stacey have been married for 32 years and have four children. Their oldest, Tyler (33) and his wife Alyseia have two beautiful daughters Stella and Aliza. Terrence (24) is married to Melody and works as a mechanical engineer. Tavian (21) is in his 3rd year at Creighton University, and their youngest Valencia (12) is in 6th grade at Sergeant Bluff-Luton.