Conference Speakers

Jeff Buchanan
As the Director of the Exodus Church Association for Exodus International Exodus International, Jeff assists pastors in dealing with one of the most crucial issues facing the global church today — homosexuality. Jeff's own experience as a Christian who personally struggled with homosexual feelings allows him to better understand those who feel conflicted about and trapped by their same-sex attractions. Jeff's life was transformed by the support of caring individuals at his local church and this life-changing encounter is one of the primary reasons he is passionate about equipping the Christian church to effectively deal with this issue. He has spent more than ten years in church ministry and is pursuing a Masters Degree in Theological Studies from Liberty University. In addition to his position at Exodus, he is an Associate Pastor at New Song Christian Fellowship in Tennessee.

Alan Chambers
Alan Chambers is one of world's leading experts on homosexuality and is the president of Exodus International, the largest Christian organization dealing with this issue in the world today. Alan has shared his own story of breaking free from the unwanted same-sex attraction with audiences around the world and with countless media outlets including the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, Newsweek, TIME magazine, ABC, NBC, the Fox Network and CNN.  Under his leadership, Exodus has expanded its outreach to include teens and young adults wrestling with their sexual identity as well as pastors and church staff desiring to help hurting individuals affected by homosexuality. Alan is the author of God's Grace & the Homosexual Next Door and is currently writing a second book entitled Leaving Homosexuality.  He and his wife, Leslie, and their two children make their home in Orlando, Florida.

Joe Dallas
Joe Dallas is a pastoral counselor, author and public speaker who directs a Biblical counseling ministry in Tustin, CA. He directs a men's seminar on sexual purity titled "The Game Plan" and speaks regularly at churches, universities and conferences nationally and internationally. He and his wife Renee have two sons and reside in Southern California.

Melissa Fryrear, M.Div.
Melissa Fryrear serves as the director of gender issues for Focus on the Family's Government and Public Policy division. She is actively involved in public speaking, writing and educating Focus constituents on a wide range of subjects related to homosexuality. Much of the insight Melissa offers comes from her own experience having lived homosexually, as well as having counseled thousands of individuals and families affected by same-sex attraction. Over the last 15 years she has had the opportunity to share her overcoming testimony with tens of thousands, including Focus on the Family’s daily radio broadcast. Her story has also been featured in numerous articles and books. She is committed to proclaiming biblical truth with regard to the issue of homosexuality, complemented with grace and compassion. Prior to joining Focus, Melissa served as executive director of an Exodus-International member ministry in Kentucky. She holds a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary.

Mike Goeke
Mike is a counseling pastor at Stonegate Fellowship Church in Midland, Texas. He is also the director of Cross Power Ministries(CPM), a ministry of Stonegate which works primarily with married couples impacted by homosexuality. CPM was born out of the experience of Mike and his wife, Stephanie, as their marriage was almost destroyed by Mikes pursuit of homosexuality. Because the local church played such a vital role in Mike and Stephanies journey, CPM also seeks to educate and equip the local church to minister redemptively to all who are impacted by homosexuality. Mike is a frequent speaker and writer on issues related to faith, life and homosexuality. He has a finance degree from Baylor University and a law degree from Texas Tech University. Mike practiced law for several years before entering full-time ministry at Stonegate in 2001. In addition to his ministry at Stonegate, Mike spent two years at Exodus International as executive vice president and is currently a member of the Exodus Board of Directors. Mike and Stephanie have three children: Margaret, Frances and Peter.

Nancy Heche, D.Min.
In the past 15 years Nancy has earned her masters and doctorate degrees in pastoral counseling and psychotherapy. She has been a Bible teacher for more than 25 years and is the author of the book The Truth Comes Out, The Story of My Hearts Transformation, which has been translated into Spanish and German. She recently collaborated with Joe Dallas on a new book that will be published in spring 2009. Nancy is a university and seminary professor as well as a psychotherapist and family coach. She is a mother and grandmother and divides her time between Chicago and Naples, Florida with her new husband.

Reverend Karen Booth
Karen Booth is the Director of Transforming Congregations—a ministry of Exodus International committed to equipping Christian leaders from Methodist and Wesleyan traditions with a biblical, compassionate view of homosexuality. Rev. Booth works to help churches, seminaries and Christian colleges develop effective ministries to those who struggle with unwanted same-sex attraction. She is an honors graduate of Drew Theological School in Madison, New Jersey as well as an ordained Elder in the Peninsula - Delaware Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. She has been active in various denominational renewal efforts for over a decade and has written policy statements on human sexuality for submission to the United Methodist General Conference. Rev. Booth has been interviewed by the Moody Broadcasting Network, Focus on the Family’s news feature Family News in Focus as well as numerous blogs and local media outlets. She and her husband, Rev. Randy Booth, reside in Monroe, Wisconsin.

Please note that speakers may change without notice.