2022 Conference Speakers
Keynote Speakers
Dr. Martin Giese
AM Plenary: From Surviving to Thriving in Rural Ministry Leadership
The greatest challenges rural ministry leaders will face are internal, not external—spiritual, not contextual. In this presentation we'll focus on some spiritual truths that will enable us to move beyond the threat of not surviving, and beyond the place of merely surviving, toward a posture of thriving in our leadership roles.
Dr. Martin Giese is the President of Oak Hills Christian College and Oak Hills Fellowship in Bemidji, MN.
He previously served as lead pastor of Faithbridge Church in Park Rapids, MN and First Baptist Church in Parkers Prairie, MN. In addition to his pastoral ministry Martin served for 10 years as an adjunct faculty member of the Billy Graham Schools of Evangelism—instructing church leaders in motivating Town and Country Churches for evangelism. He also served as founder and director of the "Country Shepherds' Workshop," an interdenominational training seminar for pastors of Town and Country churches.
Martin attended the University of Minnesota, Morris, St. Cloud State University, Oak Hills Bible College, Moody Graduate School, and Bethel University/Bethel Theological Seminary. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies, a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry, and a Doctor of Ministry in Executive Leadership.
Martin is married to Marcia and they have three daughters, a son and fourteen grandchildren.
Rev. Jo Anne Taylor
PM Plenary: Two Steps Forward, Six Steps Sideways
The past two years have taught us that we are all leading into the unknown. Our churches have had to adapt in ways we never imagined to needs we couldn't have foreseen, using resources we didn't know how to use, while drawing on energy we didn't know we had. Through it all, God has also been preparing each of our congregations for what’s coming next. And sometimes the way forward looks like a detour. Transitional ministry—bridging the gap between what was and what will be—can help us stay focused on Christ's mission as we navigate the unknown road ahead.
Rev. Jo Anne Taylor currently serves as Interim Pastor for the United Methodist Church in Willmar, Minnesota. Jo Anne has previously served as Senior Pastor for First United Methodist Church in New Ulm, Minnesota, and as Worship Pastor for Bethlehem Covenant Church in Minneapolis. She also taught music at Minnehaha Academy for 14 years.
Jo Anne attended Pittsburg State University, University of Missouri- Kansas City, and Bethel Theological Seminary. She holds a Bachelor and Master of Arts in Music Education and a Master of Divinity. Jo Anne is ordained to Word and Sacrament in the Evangelical Covenant Church and is certified as a Transitional/Intentional Interim Ministry Specialist.
Jo Anne is married to Bruce, and they have two grown sons.
Workshop Presenters
Rick Weinert
Rick Weinert is a graduate of Oak Hills Christian College and Dallas Theological Seminary, and has a DMin in Missional/Pastoral Leadership from Houston Graduate School of Theology. He has over 45 years in ministry, having served nationally and internationally as a pastor, teacher, missionary training center Director, denominational District Superintendent, mentor, and ministry consultant. Dr. Weinert serves as Facilitator of Church and Ministry Resources, and Sr. Vice President of Administration at Oak Hills.
Kris Stewart
Kris Stewart grew up in New Richland, MN and was fortunate to be a part of Vista Covenant Church where she had many opportunities to be involved as a youth. She and her husband John have co-pastored two Town and Country churches. Ordained in the Evangelical Covenant Church, Kris is also part of the teaching staff for the Covenant Orientation Vocational Excellence class.
Michael Behm
Michael Behm is the church planting pastor of Real Life Covenant Church in Waseca, MN. He has a great passion for the small-town church, church planting and coaching the best out of leaders. He loves doing ministry with his amazing wife and two incredible boys (10 and 8), that keep him young and feeling old all at the same time.
Mark Swanson
Mark Swanson is a Covenant Pastor who has served Covenant Churches in Minnesota, South Dakota, and Washington and currently is a Regional Director for Growing Hope Globally, a partner of Covenant World Relief and Development. Growing Hope Globally provides an opportunity for Christians to make a lasting impact on global hunger, while bringing renewal to their own rural communities and churches in the process.
Amy DuFrene
Amy DuFrene is the Christian Formation Pastor at Oak Heights Covenant Church, where she has served for 13 years. Overseeing children, youth and family ministry, Amy has developed an active presence in the Hutchinson community. She and her husband, Mike, have 2 boys ages 9 & 10 who keep them running from hockey rink to lacrosse field.
Jim Hodgson
Jim Hodgson serves as the Director of Church & Community Relations for Oak Hills Christian College & Fellowship. His role includes leading OHF's Mission Ministries Team (their Camp, Native ministry team, & Church Ministries), co-leading their online Certificate Program in Rural Ministry & Leadership, & networking with ministry & community leaders, connecting them with the resources our Lord has put in place in their own region. Jim & his wife Jenny both have family farm roots, & have 4 married adult children & 5 grandchildren.
Gary Gilkinson
Rev. Gary Gilkinson is now into his fifth year serving Winthrop Evangelical Covenant Church in Winthrop, MN, a rural community of 1400 people. Gary has served rural churches in both Canada and the United States. Gary and his wife, Pam, have two married children who both live in Canada and their son also pastors a rural Covenant church in Manitoba.
Cheryl Shekleton
Cheryl has been working in the area of worship for 40 years in various churches. The past 16 she has been serving in a town and country church of Wheaton, MN, with her husband, Pastor Tim Shekleton. It is her passion to lead people of all ages and stages into the presence of God through creative ways.