Speakers and Missions

Session Schedule

* Daniel "Ambush" Wallace will be speaking

2012 Family Camp Speakers

Family Camp Week 1, June 23–29

Dave Patty

Dave Patty is the founder and president of Josiah Venture, a mission organization focused on training next-generation leaders throughout Eastern Europe. Dave lives with his family in the Czech Republic. A second-generation missionary, Dave was born in the Philippines and served 10 years in Germany where he founded a ministry to military teenagers.

Mission Emphasis: Josiah Venture

Family Camp Week 2, June 30–July 6

Josh McDowell

Josh McDowell has given more than 24,000 talks to over 10 million young people worldwide since 1961. Author or co-author of 112 titles, his books have reached an estimated 500 million people. This includes More Than a Carpenter, with 15 million copies in print. Josh and Dottie have been married for 38 years and have four children and three grandchildren.

Sean McDowell

Sean McDowell is the head of the Bible department at Capistrano Valley Christian Schools and is a popular speaker at camps, churches, schools, and conferences nationwide. A graduate from Talbot Theological Seminary, Sean has authored and co-authored six books. He and his wife, Stephanie, have two young children.

Mission Emphasis: Josh McDowell Ministries

Family Camp Week 3, July 7–13

Jeff Manion

Jeff Manion is Senior Teaching Pastor of Ada Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he has served for more than 25 years. Jeff is the author of The Land Between, and he and his wife, Chris, have three adult children.

Mission Emphasis: PCM

Family Camp Week 4, July 14–20

Dr. Philip Griffin

Philip was born and raised in Mexico City by his missionary parents. He attended high school and college in the U.S., but it wasn’t until after college, and after starting a family that he surrendered his life to Jesus Christ. Philip and Deanna have three children and two grandchildren. Formerly the senior pastor of First Wes in Battle Creek, Philip is now the senior pastor of Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, Wisconsin.

Mission Emphasis: JAARS

Family Camp Week 5, July 21–27

Dr. John Barnett

John Barnett has taught God’s Word for over 30 years. He is the Senior Pastor at Calvary Bible Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan. In 1998 he founded Discover the Book Ministries, which provides audio, video, and text copies of his sermons free of charge online. John has published four devotional books, leads tours of the Holy Land, and has ministered to believers in 40 nations. He shares his life with his wife, Bonnie, and their eight children.

Mission Emphasis: Slavic Gospel Association

Family Camp Week 6, July 28–August 3

Larry Kiser

Larry Kiser has served as Senior Pastor of Gracespring Bible Church since 1993. During that time, the church has grown from a weekly attendance of 125 to over 1,600. Larry is also the father of eight children and an award-winning Walk Thru the Bible Ministries instructor. 

 Mission Emphasis: Kids Alive International

Family Camp Week 7, August 4–10

Ron Kopicko

Ron Kopicko has been the Chaplain at Spring Arbor University for over 30 years. He is an excellent speaker, beloved Bible teacher, and is returning for his sixth summer at Gull Lake. Ron has traveled extensively, having led 22 mission trips and spoken in 29 states and four countries.

Mission Emphasis: ICDI

Family Camp Week 8, August 11–17

Ed Diaz

Ed is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and of Dallas Theological Seminary. His ministry experience is diverse. Ed was a co-founder of Walk Thru the Bible Ministries and has been teaching on the national scene for three decades. During those 30 years with Search Ministries, Ed has focused on outreach to the business community. Ed and his wife Gwen have been married for forty years and live in Lakeland, Florida. They have raised four sons, and conduct evangelism and parenting workshops.

Mission Emphasis: Wycliffe

Family Camp Week 9, August 18–24

Kerby Anderson

Kerby is the National Director of Probe Ministries and host of the nationally syndicated “Point of View” radio talk show. Probe addresses current issues and events through a Christian worldview with its three-minute daily radio program, and extensive website. Kerby has authored 13 books, and has taught and lectured at many leading universities. He has also appeared on numerous radio and TV talk shows such as “Focus on the Family,” “Prime Time America,” and “The 700 Club.”

Mission Emphasis: Leadership Ministries Worldwide