Main Session Speakers
Rusty C.
Rusty grew up in eastern New Mexico and attended New Mexico State University, where he was discipled through the Christian Challenge ministry. After graduating, he spent a year and a half serving in Central Asia. A few years later, he joined the OneLink staff, dedicating 15 years to recruiting, training, and sending university students to the nations. Rusty then transitioned into the business world with a desire to continue pursuing the Great Commission through business. He and his wife, Lesli, now own and operate a roofing company based in Wichita, Kansas. They have four children: Hudson (21), Hannah (21), Josh (19), and Titus (8).
Rusty grew up in eastern New Mexico and attended New Mexico State University, where he was discipled through the Christian Challenge ministry. After graduating, he spent a year and a half serving in Central Asia. A few years later, he joined the OneLink staff, dedicating 15 years to recruiting, training, and sending university students to the nations. Rusty then transitioned into the business world with a desire to continue pursuing the Great Commission through business. He and his wife, Lesli, now own and operate a roofing company based in Wichita, Kansas. They have four children: Hudson (21), Hannah (21), Josh (19), and Titus (8).
John and Jen Kelsey
Kels and Jen grew up together in Sapulpa, OK—high school sweethearts whose lives were upended in the best way when they were transformed at the University of Oklahoma Baptist Student Union. After graduation, marriage, and seminary, God sent them back to Norman, where they poured eighteen years into shaping students through the OU BSU.
Eleven years ago, their calling widened. They joined The Navigators—keepers of Glen Eyrie and champions of intentional life-to-life disciplemaking—where they continue investing deeply in people. Their son, Josiah Max, a recent OU graduate, serves faithfully in his church, teaches youth, and is building a career in real estate.
Across every season, the Kelsey family has carried an unwavering passion: “To know, love, and glorify God, and in dependence upon Him, to raise up multiplying disciples to reach the nations.”
Kels and Jen grew up together in Sapulpa, OK—high school sweethearts whose lives were upended in the best way when they were transformed at the University of Oklahoma Baptist Student Union. After graduation, marriage, and seminary, God sent them back to Norman, where they poured eighteen years into shaping students through the OU BSU.
Eleven years ago, their calling widened. They joined The Navigators—keepers of Glen Eyrie and champions of intentional life-to-life disciplemaking—where they continue investing deeply in people. Their son, Josiah Max, a recent OU graduate, serves faithfully in his church, teaches youth, and is building a career in real estate.
Across every season, the Kelsey family has carried an unwavering passion: “To know, love, and glorify God, and in dependence upon Him, to raise up multiplying disciples to reach the nations.”
Breakout Sessions
& Who's Who
Saturday Morning Breakouts (Breakouts #1)
1. Defining Success as Believers - Klaus Cabrera
How does our understanding of success affect our walk with Jesus? How can we be successful in the long run? A discussion on the impact of poorly defined success in our lives as Christians.
2. Kickstarting a Discipling Relationship - Micah Englehart
Do you want to spend your life discipling others who disciple others? That's good! But how do you get started? How do you go from 0 to 1, especially if you one day don't have the benefit of being surrounded by a discipling culture? Come get some insights and tips for how to successfully start discipling relationships in reproducible ways.
3. Sharing Truth in a 'Your-truth' Culture, pt.1 - Zach Meese
College life is full of big questions, bold opinions, and a whole lot of "you do you." But what happens when everyone has their own version of the truth--and they don't line up? This talk digs into why today's culture is obsessed with personal truth, what that means for how we share our faith, and why sharing God's real, grounded truth might be more important now than ever.
4. Biblical View of Mental Health - Brian Stackhouse
This session explores a biblical framework for how we can develop and approach mental health. This will include a H. A. R. D. approach to how internal/relational conflicts develop and what the path of forgiveness and reconciliation looks like. As time allows, we can follow up the lesson with a Q&A or discussion.
5. Moving Discipleship from Me to We - Carin Cochran
We were created to both have a relationship with God and to live in relationship with other people. The Bible makes it clear we are to grow both in our relationship with God and other people. We cannot remove Discipleship from the context of Community. Let’s talk about what that looks like.
6. How Do I Know if I’m Called - Mackenzie Norman
Calling can seem like an ambiguous term at best, downright scary at worst, and in the middle-just confusing. Let's talk about hearing and discerning the voice of God in general, and then more specifically as we journey towards missions or ministry.
7. CO Challenge & CV Staff Meeting - Kent Slack & Jack Hall
How does our understanding of success affect our walk with Jesus? How can we be successful in the long run? A discussion on the impact of poorly defined success in our lives as Christians.
2. Kickstarting a Discipling Relationship - Micah Englehart
Do you want to spend your life discipling others who disciple others? That's good! But how do you get started? How do you go from 0 to 1, especially if you one day don't have the benefit of being surrounded by a discipling culture? Come get some insights and tips for how to successfully start discipling relationships in reproducible ways.
3. Sharing Truth in a 'Your-truth' Culture, pt.1 - Zach Meese
College life is full of big questions, bold opinions, and a whole lot of "you do you." But what happens when everyone has their own version of the truth--and they don't line up? This talk digs into why today's culture is obsessed with personal truth, what that means for how we share our faith, and why sharing God's real, grounded truth might be more important now than ever.
4. Biblical View of Mental Health - Brian Stackhouse
This session explores a biblical framework for how we can develop and approach mental health. This will include a H. A. R. D. approach to how internal/relational conflicts develop and what the path of forgiveness and reconciliation looks like. As time allows, we can follow up the lesson with a Q&A or discussion.
5. Moving Discipleship from Me to We - Carin Cochran
We were created to both have a relationship with God and to live in relationship with other people. The Bible makes it clear we are to grow both in our relationship with God and other people. We cannot remove Discipleship from the context of Community. Let’s talk about what that looks like.
6. How Do I Know if I’m Called - Mackenzie Norman
Calling can seem like an ambiguous term at best, downright scary at worst, and in the middle-just confusing. Let's talk about hearing and discerning the voice of God in general, and then more specifically as we journey towards missions or ministry.
7. CO Challenge & CV Staff Meeting - Kent Slack & Jack Hall
Sunday Morning Breakouts (Breakout #2)
1. Business as Missions - Mitch Kraft
Does God want to change lives through better business practices? Yes! Come explore what it might look like to use your degree in the marketplace overseas and in the US.
2. Biblical Principles for Modern Day Dating - Jay Leibold
In a culture that revolves around sex, dating, and marriage, what principles/truths can we take from the Bible and apply to our modern lives?
3. Sharing Truth in a 'Your-Truth' Culture, pt.2 - Zach Meese
College life is full of big questions, bold opinions, and a whole lot of "you do you." But what happens when everyone has their own version of the truth--and they don't line up? This talk digs into why today's culture is obsessed with personal truth, what that means for how we share our faith, and why sharing God's real, grounded truth might be more important now than ever.
4. I Want to Go on Mission…Now What - Mackenzie Norman
Spend some time with me as we talk through practical ways to prepare for a mission trip or a calling to longer-term mission service. We'll also cover specific opportunities provided by the International Mission Board.
5. Words, Worry, & the Way Forward - Jen Kelsey
Join Jen for a practical, heart-level look at how our words, fears, and quiet temptations shape everyday life. Anchored in 2 Timothy and Titus, we'll explore how Scripture memory becomes a steady lifeline in a wobbly world. Expect real talk, a few laughs, and simple tools you can use right away.
6. Practicing Prayer - Caleb Norman
Has anyone ever taught you how to pray? Of all the disciplines the disciples wanted to learn from Christ, prayer was the only one they asked for a lesson on. Come learn and practice four different ways to connect with God.
Does God want to change lives through better business practices? Yes! Come explore what it might look like to use your degree in the marketplace overseas and in the US.
2. Biblical Principles for Modern Day Dating - Jay Leibold
In a culture that revolves around sex, dating, and marriage, what principles/truths can we take from the Bible and apply to our modern lives?
3. Sharing Truth in a 'Your-Truth' Culture, pt.2 - Zach Meese
College life is full of big questions, bold opinions, and a whole lot of "you do you." But what happens when everyone has their own version of the truth--and they don't line up? This talk digs into why today's culture is obsessed with personal truth, what that means for how we share our faith, and why sharing God's real, grounded truth might be more important now than ever.
4. I Want to Go on Mission…Now What - Mackenzie Norman
Spend some time with me as we talk through practical ways to prepare for a mission trip or a calling to longer-term mission service. We'll also cover specific opportunities provided by the International Mission Board.
5. Words, Worry, & the Way Forward - Jen Kelsey
Join Jen for a practical, heart-level look at how our words, fears, and quiet temptations shape everyday life. Anchored in 2 Timothy and Titus, we'll explore how Scripture memory becomes a steady lifeline in a wobbly world. Expect real talk, a few laughs, and simple tools you can use right away.
6. Practicing Prayer - Caleb Norman
Has anyone ever taught you how to pray? Of all the disciplines the disciples wanted to learn from Christ, prayer was the only one they asked for a lesson on. Come learn and practice four different ways to connect with God.
Monday Morning Breakouts (Breakout #3)
1. Exit Strategy (Recommended for Upperclassmen) - Wade Pacheco
Soon you'll be making major life decisions. Learn how to navigate this transition time of moving, new job, paying student loans, finding new spiritual community, and possible relationship changes.
2. Creative Ways to Participate in Missions - Rob and Allie W.
Torn between a career and overseas mission work? Come listen to our journey and lessons learned as we explore what it looks like to pursue a career while investing in God's Work in a cross-cultural context.
3. A Biblical Theology of the Covenants - Rob Hansard
Understanding the Bible can be especially difficult if you're unaware of how each passage contributes to a much bigger story! This workshop is meant to enhance your understanding of, appreciation for, and trust in the Bible by overviewing its story's major plot points - God's "covenants" - from beginning to end.
4. The Decision-Making Train - Annie Englehart
Making sound decisions is important for living a successful life. It can also be overwhelming and confusing. This breakout will give you a simple tool for practicing what the Bible says is the best way to make decisions.
5. 4 Things You’ll Need on Mission with Jesus - Jack Hall
To live our lives on mission with Jesus we need training for the spiritual battle that is best learned while we are in college and reinforced after college. Let's talk about what this preparation for life and faith looks like and what it is going to take to be ready to be used by God in the fight for eternal souls for the rest of our lives on earth.
6. Boots on the Ground: Advanced Spiritual Warfare - John Kelsey
Scripture tells us our struggle is not against flesh and blood, yet we often lack the training to engage the enemy. We will cover the nature of our spiritual oppression, how to discern active threats, and resources available through the victory of the cross. Come prepared for a candid and necessary conversation.
Soon you'll be making major life decisions. Learn how to navigate this transition time of moving, new job, paying student loans, finding new spiritual community, and possible relationship changes.
2. Creative Ways to Participate in Missions - Rob and Allie W.
Torn between a career and overseas mission work? Come listen to our journey and lessons learned as we explore what it looks like to pursue a career while investing in God's Work in a cross-cultural context.
3. A Biblical Theology of the Covenants - Rob Hansard
Understanding the Bible can be especially difficult if you're unaware of how each passage contributes to a much bigger story! This workshop is meant to enhance your understanding of, appreciation for, and trust in the Bible by overviewing its story's major plot points - God's "covenants" - from beginning to end.
4. The Decision-Making Train - Annie Englehart
Making sound decisions is important for living a successful life. It can also be overwhelming and confusing. This breakout will give you a simple tool for practicing what the Bible says is the best way to make decisions.
5. 4 Things You’ll Need on Mission with Jesus - Jack Hall
To live our lives on mission with Jesus we need training for the spiritual battle that is best learned while we are in college and reinforced after college. Let's talk about what this preparation for life and faith looks like and what it is going to take to be ready to be used by God in the fight for eternal souls for the rest of our lives on earth.
6. Boots on the Ground: Advanced Spiritual Warfare - John Kelsey
Scripture tells us our struggle is not against flesh and blood, yet we often lack the training to engage the enemy. We will cover the nature of our spiritual oppression, how to discern active threats, and resources available through the victory of the cross. Come prepared for a candid and necessary conversation.
Who’s Who
Klaus Cabrera, staff, Christian Challenge, NMSU, Las Cruces, NM
Carin Cochran, director, Christian Challenge, FHSU, Hays, KS
Rusty and Lesli C., Wichita, KS
Micah and Annie Englehart, director, Christian Challenge, NMSU, Las Cruces, NM
Jack Hall, director, Campus Ventures, Spearfish, SD
Rob Hansard, staff, Christian Challenge, UNC, Greeley, CO
John and Jen Kelsey, Navigators, Oklahoma City, OK
Mitch Kraft, assoc. staff, Campus Ventures, Spearfish, SD
Jay Leibold, director, Christian Challenge, UNM, Albuquerque, NM
Zach Meese, staff, OneLink International, Wichita, KS
Caleb and Mackenzie Norman, assoc. director UNT BSM and Southwest NextGen
Missions Recruiter, IMB, Denton, TX
Wade Pacheco, assoc. director, Christian Challenge, CSU, Fort Collins, CO
Brian Stackhouse, Hays, KS
Rob & Allie W., staff, Christian Challenge, NMSU, Las Cruces, NM
Carin Cochran, director, Christian Challenge, FHSU, Hays, KS
Rusty and Lesli C., Wichita, KS
Micah and Annie Englehart, director, Christian Challenge, NMSU, Las Cruces, NM
Jack Hall, director, Campus Ventures, Spearfish, SD
Rob Hansard, staff, Christian Challenge, UNC, Greeley, CO
John and Jen Kelsey, Navigators, Oklahoma City, OK
Mitch Kraft, assoc. staff, Campus Ventures, Spearfish, SD
Jay Leibold, director, Christian Challenge, UNM, Albuquerque, NM
Zach Meese, staff, OneLink International, Wichita, KS
Caleb and Mackenzie Norman, assoc. director UNT BSM and Southwest NextGen
Missions Recruiter, IMB, Denton, TX
Wade Pacheco, assoc. director, Christian Challenge, CSU, Fort Collins, CO
Brian Stackhouse, Hays, KS
Rob & Allie W., staff, Christian Challenge, NMSU, Las Cruces, NM