2023 Conference Speakers
Keynote Speakers
Dr. Glenn Daman
AM Plenary: Finding Stability in a Changing World
We will be looking at both the changes and opportunities that are confronting rural churches in a changing world and how the character of God provides direction and hope for the rural church. The focus will be on how our theology of God provides us with the lens necessary to understand and respond to the moral and spiritual crisis coming to rural communities.
Dr. Glen Daman is the Lead Pastor of River Christian Church in Stevenson, WA, where he has served since 1991.
His passion is preaching the Bible and equipping people to be effective in their Christian life.
He is the author of several books on small church and rural church ministries including “The Forgotten Church: Why Rural Ministry Matters for Every Church in America.” His latest book, “The Lighthouse,” is a 20-week devotional on the attributes of God.
Daman grew up on a farm in northern Idaho and attended Big Sky Bible College, Western Seminary and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
He enjoys photography, woodworking, camping with his family and spending time on the family farm.
Rev. Heidi Wiebe
PM Plenary: Discovering Resilience for Thriving Ministry
We in the Church passed normal a long time ago. The Spirit invites us to embrace the new realities we face, and find ways to persevere in faithful ministry by learning to:
Fuel our mission – by discerning what our God-given purpose in our community is.
Calibrate our strategy – by aligning our ministry with the God-given opportunities put before our congregation.
Discover our joy – by restoring the “joy of our salvation” in the “strange new land” our church now inhabits.
Rev. Heidi Wiebe is the Lead Pastor of Hope Community Church in Strathmore, Alberta.
Ordained by the Evangelical Covenant Church in 1993, Wiebe has been a pastor for 30 years, having served in rural, small town and suburban churches throughout the Midwest and now in Strathmore. She has also taught Vocational Excellence for the Covenant Orientation program for 14 years.
She makes this statement, “For most of my ministerial life, I have ministered in rural communities. While the rural setting was different from my upbringing, I have come to enjoy and love small town life and rural people.”
Wiebe is a graduate of Westmont College with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Her graduate studies include a Master of Science in Anatomy/Physiology from Boston University and a Master of Divinity from Fuller Seminary.
In her free time she loves being out in nature, walking, and hiking with her dog, Pepin, which refreshes her soul. She also loves watching movies, making jewelry, cooking and entertaining.
RILC Worship Leader
Julia Dahlke
We are excited to announce that this year we will be led in worship by Julia Dahlke and a team from Oak Heights Covenant Church in Hutchinson, MN, where Julia serves as their Worship Director.
Julia is passionate about music and guiding people into Biblical worship in part from her studies at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary where she received her MDiv and led worship in the chapel program. Through the years she has put her gifts and talents to good work by serving God's people in various roles.
As a graduate from Christ Clown College, she also is always down for a good laugh and great conversations. Julia with her husband, Travis, live on a farm near Arlington, MN, where they raise their two children.
Workshop Presenters
Dr. Martin Giese
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, 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 was founder and director of the "Country Shepherds' Workshop," an interdenominational training seminar for pastors of Town and Country churches.
Dr. Glenn Daman
Dr. Glen Daman is the Lead Pastor of River Christian Church in Stevenson, WA, where he has served since 1991. His passion is preaching the Bible and equipping people to be effective in their Christian life. He is the author of several books on small church and rural church ministries including “The Forgotten Church: Why Rural Ministry Matters for Every Church in America.” His latest book, “The Lighthouse,” is a 20-week devotional on the attributes of God.
Tiger McLuen
Tiger McLuen is the Executive Director of Youth Ministry Consultants—a ministry that serves the Church by equipping youth ministry leaders and volunteers. Tiger has a unique perspective on leadership as he has served many years in the church, was an instructor of youth ministry at two seminaries, led Youth Leadership for 29 years and is a nationally known speaker and coach. Mostly, he is a youth leader who loves being in a room full of people who care about the next generation.
Michael Behm
Pastor Michael Behm is the founding pastor of Real Life Covenant Church in Waseca, MN.
Deb & John Westphal
Deb & John Westphal are members and ministry leaders at Real Life and Community Covenant Church in Huntley, MN.
Amanda Duciaume
Amanda Duciaume is a member and the Ministries Coordinator at Real Life Covenant Church in Waseca, MN.
Sara Sosa
Sara Sosa is the Director of Children & Family Ministry at the Northwest Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church. In her role at the NWC, Sara serves as a resource for churches in the area of children and family ministry and facilitates connections with children’s ministry leaders. Sara has been involved in ministry for kids, teens and their families for nearly 30 years. She holds ministry degrees from North Park Seminary (MA in Children, Youth & Family) and Bethel Seminary (DMin in Church Leadership). Sara currently also serves as the Family Ministries Pastor at Faith Covenant Church in Burnsville, MN. She loves helping kids and families embrace the truth of who they are in Christ and learn how to fearlessly share that with the world.
Jenny Groen
Jenny is the Willmar Area Coordinator for Arrive Ministries which seeks to engage the local church in extending welcome and forming relationships with immigrant and refugee neighbors in the Willmar community. Jenny was born and raised in Willmar, MN. After college, she moved with her husband to California to teach and then to Haiti. After starting their family, they returned to Willmar and found the city they remembered had changed drastically. Jenny became passionate about learning more about the newest members of their community and how her family could form relationships across religious, cultural and racial barriers.
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.
Stephanie Downey
Stephanie Downey serves as the Suicide Prevention Coordinator for the MN Dept. of Health – Injury & Violence Prevention Section, and is based out of Bemidji, MN
Monica McConkey
Monica McConkey serves as a Rural Mental Health Specialist with Eyes on the Horizon Consulting. She grew up on a farm near Mahnomen, MN, has worked for the past 27 years in the behavior health field primarily in northern MN & ND, and now works primarily with farmers, ranchers, & those in the ag industry.
Rebecca Gardner
Rebecca Gardner serves as the Worship Arts Director at First Covenant Church in Willmar, MN, and as a Counselor with Nystrom & Associates Counseling Office. She has been in ministry for over 20 years, including 11 years with Youth for Christ both here in MN and overseas.
Glen Bloomstrom
Glen Bloomstrom serves as the Military Representative & Faith Community Liaison for Living Works, an international suicide intervention training company. He grew up as a military kid around the world, moved to their family Minnesota homestead when his father retired from active duty, graduated high school in Brainerd, MN, has ministry degrees from Bethel University & Seminary, and served as a US Army chaplain from 1982-2011.