Ennie Hickman

Originally from Houston has been ministering to youth around the country for over nine years. Ennie graduated from Franciscan University in 2001 with a degree in theology and minors in human life studies and communications. In his sixth year of full-time parish ministry, Ennie is currently the coordinator of Youth Ministry at St. Timothy's in Mesa, Arizona, the birthplace of Life Teen.

Through his gift of communicating the Gospel and relating to teens in a unique way, Ennie has helped God change lives. He has spoken at numerous retreats and conferences in the U.S., Eastern Europe, and Africa. This is Ennie's third year as a Steubenville Youth Conference host. Ennie builds suspension bridges in his spare time, enjoys listening to Bobby Darin,and is determined to find someone in the world with his same name. He and his wife Cana have three children; Madeline (5), Dominic (3) and Sophia (1).

Fr. Stan Fortuna

Fr. Stan is one of the founding members of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, a community established by the late John Cardinal O'Connor in the Archdiocese of New York. Fr. Stan spent many years serving the poor in the South Bronx at the community's first house, St. Crispin Friary. Since 1997, Fr. Stan has been involved full-time in the preaching apostolate. An accomplished musician and composer, Fr. Stan's non-profit record company, Francesco Productions, gives all proceeds directly to the poor. Among his many performances, Fr. Stan was asked to preach and perform at the youth rally during Pope John Paul's visit to St. Louis in 1999. A humble troubadour for the Lord, he uses his gift of music as a powerful means to reach deep into the heart and soul of the young and the old throughout the world.

Fr. Jim Crisman

Fr. Jim is a graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville. Upon graduation, he worked in the financial services field and taught English and catechism Europe. He returned to the United States and earned a master's degree in education. While teaching math in Denver, he heard a call to discern a vocation to the priesthood. He entered Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and was ordained a diocesan priest of the Archdiocese of Denver on June 9, 2001. Fr. Jim served for three years at St. Michael the Archangel parish in Aurora, Colorado, one year as administrator of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Denver, and is currently the director for priestly vocations for the Archdiocese of Denver.

Fr. Dave Pivonka

Fr. Dave is a Franciscan Friar who generally resides at Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio but for the last year has been in Gaming Austria as Director of the University's study abroad program. In gratitude for 10 amazing years as a priest, earlier this summer, Fr. Dave spent thirty-one days walking across Spain on an ancient pilgrimage route called el Camino de Santiago Compostela. If he is not at this conference, that means he got lost and we have not heard from him. Fr. Dave desires with all of his heart to be a disciple of Christ and wants others to experience the passionate love he has found in Christ.

Melanie Pritchard

Melanie newly married, gets right to the heart of the matter and isn't afraid to challenge with the Truth…God's Truth. After getting involved in the LIFE TEEN Program in high school, Melanie went on to college where she began serving in youth ministry. Over the past few years she has traveled the country speaking on topics including Chastity and Pro-Life. She has put her Master's degree to work teaching on both a high school and college level. She is the founder of Refuge Clothing Co., a line of modest Christian clothing for teens (www.refugeclothing.com) and founded The Underground Project, www.theundergroundproject.com) a pro-life organization that helps youth become more actively involved in the protection of life. Currently she is the Education Director for The Life Educational Corporation.

Jason and Crystalina Evert

Jason and Crystalina Evert were brought together by their common career and passion of chastity speaking. After speaking together for years, they married in June 2003 and continue to share their inspirational testimonies with thousands of teens and parents internationally. In their highly popular chastity seminar, "Romance without Regret," the duo provides compelling and uplifting reasons for embracing the virtue of chastity.

Jason and Crystalina are on the Board of Advisors for the National Abstinence Clearinghouse, and are frequent guests on radio programs throughout the country. Their television appearances include MSNBC, BBC, WGN, and EWTN. In 2003 they were given the Impact Award from the National Abstinence Clearinghouse in recognition of their success in working with teens. Currently, Jason and Crystalina are full-time apologists with Catholic Answers, the nation's largest Catholic lay-run apostolate for apologetics and evangelization. Together, they run www.pureloveclub.com.

Lisa Epperson

Lisa is passionate, energetic and shares her love for Jesus and the truth of His Church with teens and young adults around the country. She has been involved with Life Teen for 13 years as a teen, Core member, and youth minister. Lisa currently serves as the Eastern and International Director for Life Teen. In addition to leading teens closer to Christ, she co-founded "On the Deck", a ministry committed to building faith and community among college students. Lisa lives in her hometown of Atlanta, Georgia and enjoys skydiving, hang gliding, rock climbing, and a rousing game of Scrabble.

John Beaulieu

John has served as the Director of Youth and Young Adult Outreach for Franciscan University for the past five years. He first responded to God's call to minister to youth back in 1983 when he traveled with the National Evangelization Teams for two years. After graduating from Franciscan University in 1989 with a degree in counseling, John spent thirteen years ministering to youth at parishes in Texas, Colorado, and North Carolina. He has presented at local, diocesan, regional and national youth events including the NCYC and the NCCYM. In addition to youth, John ministers to parents and youth ministers through missions and retreats. John and his beautiful wife Lisa are blessed with four children: Andrew, Madeleine, Catherine, and JohnPaul.