Military And Civilian Chaplain Training Event

It’s official…the 2023 Military and Civilian Chaplain Event (June 19-23) will take place in Scottsdale, AZ! This spectacular event is coming together for our military and civilian chaplains, candidates, and their families!

The world we find ourselves called to minister in is filled with uncertainty.  People are faced with fears, conflicts, and pending disasters at home and abroad.  We must be ready and resilient in order to partner with the Holy Spirit to help them navigate the uncertain days ahead. Our goals for this year’s training event are to provide space for you to connect with God so that He can strengthen your spirit and to provide you with tools to help others connect with God at a deeper level. Join IMF, and other chaplains to deepen, renew, and equip your spiritual growth at the IMF annual Chaplains Training Event.

*Please book your hotel rooms early to ensure the best group rate for your stay

*Military Chaplains – Remember to get your orders in ASAP – Commander Letter

*Civilian Chaplains – Supervisor Letter

Overview

  • Theme:               Spiritually Ready – Spiritually Resilient Ministering in a World of Uncertainty
  • Dates:                  June 19-23, 2023
  • Location:            Embassy Suites by Hilton Scottsdale Resort, 5001 N. Scottsdale Road Scottsdale, Arizona, 85250, USA
  • Cost:                     $175.00, $75 per guest
  • CEUs:                   Up to 3.0 (to get 3, you are required to attend all sessions)

REGISTRATION:

  • Registration Fee is $175 for IMF Chaplains. Spouses and guests $75(children-no charge).  Families are welcome but daycare will not be provided.

HOTEL:

Make sure you book your hotel room – Your hotel stay is not included in the registration cost. Registration includes the event and meals.

  • Location- Embassy Suites by Hilton Scottsdale Resort, 5001 N. Scottsdale Road Scottsdale, Arizona, 85250, USA
  • Room availability is limited.
  • Hotel room rate is $103.00 per night + tax. To get the discounted rate you must click this link: Book Your Hotel Room
  • Free Made to Order Breakfast and Evening Reception
  • On-Site Facilities – Take advantage of the business center, fitness center, tennis courts, gardens, or pool while you’re away from home. Print your boarding pass, finish a presentation or check e-mail in our business centers.

*Please contact the hotel for requirements regarding service animals.

MEALS:

  • Complimentary Made to Order Breakfast for each guest
  • Complimentary Evening Reception
  • Noon meals Tuesday and Wednesday will be provided.
  • All other meals will be at your own expense.

EXTRAS:

  • Complimentary wireless internet (Wi-Fi) in all guest rooms and public spaces.
  • Countless attractions and scenic destinations are relatively close by. Take advantage of extending your stay and vacation.

*If your work organization pays this event fee, please specify this in your registration if you cannot get reimbursed. Please provide contact details of who will be paying for your registration. If needed, you can register your guests in a separate registration along with any T-Shirts to make payment easier for you and your workplace. Please let accounting know (accounting@imfserves.org) if a secondary payment method will be used for your guests.

If you have any questions, please contact one of the organizers of this event.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Pastor Javon Ruff – Free Chapel, Spartanburg

Javon Ruff is the Campus Pastor of Free Chapel Spartanburg. He has served at Free Chapel for the past 21 years collectively at the Gainesville campus (8 years), the Orange County campus (10 years), and currently 3 years at the Spartanburg campus under the leadership of Senior Pastor Jentezen Franklin. Javon is a four year graduate of Spirit Vision Bible Institute and also a graduate of the National Institute of Christian Leadership.

His ministry responsibilities over the years encompasses School of Discipleship, Small Groups, Men’s Ministry, and Pastoral Care. Combined with his ability to uniquely preach and teach the word of God, he has a deep passion to help others discover their purpose, develop their leadership qualities, and a desire to see lives changed and generations impacted by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Javon is married to Shana Ruff.  Shana is a Counselor and has her Master’s Degree in Counseling.  Together, they work hard to see people healthy and whole spiritually, emotionally, and psychologically.  They have been married for 21 years and have two children, Sydni (17) and Jacob (15).

Duke Walker

Rev. Dr. H.W. “Duke” Walker has experienced deep peace, firm hope, and bold courage in being listened to well by spiritual directors over the last 22 years, which led to his own journey of becoming a spiritual director. He is committed to being with others compassionately having seen his own sin and wounds in Christ for the felix culpa or happy fault that they are. He seeks to be with people humbly having realized God’s invitations to new life often come in conversation with others that call for a sobering honesty. His formation led him through UNC Charlotte (BA, Political Science), Asbury Theological Seminary (MDiv, Spiritual Formation), The Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation, a Men’s Rite of Passage through The Center for Action and Contemplation, Francis and Judith MacNutt’s School of Healing Prayer at Christian Healing Ministries, a Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Direction from The Graduate Theological Foundation (focusing on Contemplative, Charismatic and Benedictine Spirituality), as well as a Clinical Pastoral Education Residency in a Level I trauma hospital as resident for the Coronary ICU and heart floors (2 time Stellar Star recipient). Currently, he works as a chaplain and is the founder of The Inner Hue, where he teaches in churches on prayer as intimacy with Christ and offers spiritual direction helping people identify the voice of Christ in their journey. Duke visits with men and women on a Christian journey, in person, by phone and Zoom.  He and his family live in the Atlanta, GA area.

Bob Turner

By the grace of God, Bob Turner has come to know and serve Jesus Christ since 1979. He lives in the Milwaukee area with his beloved wife of 27 years, Laurie. They have four adult children, Jessa, Abby, Ben, and Josh. For the past twenty years, Bob has served as a civilian chaplain in healthcare settings, including acute care, long-term care, outpatient oncology, behavioral health, and virtual support. He has specialized in team coordination and resource development. 

John Braland

John grew up in Burnsville, Minnesota and joined the United States Air Force after high school. He became a Christian in his twenties when, upon returning from the Persian Gulf War, he was stationed in Bitburg, Germany and working as an Undercover Narcotics Agent with the Office of Special Investigations. After being honorably discharged, he attended Crown College where he met Kathi and married her (even though she is an avid Packers fan). John and Kathi have three awesome children; Josh, Sara, Katie, and one awesome black lab named Hunter. John enjoys riding his Harley, snowmobiling, tinkering on his Mustang GT convertible, playing hockey, and mentoring other leaders. Kathi enjoys entertaining guests and playing volleyball. Both of them enjoy spending time with their children, dining with friends, and going on family vacations.

Their son Josh was diagnosed with Leukemia when he was younger. “It was the lowest point in my life,” John says, “But Josh’s battle with cancer helped me to understand grace, mercy, and healing, in a whole new light.” God graciously healed Josh of his leukemia and now he has a clean bill of health.

John’s favorite verse is John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” He is passionate about living and says that he tries to make the most out of every day through authentically living out his faith.  This shows in his commitment to disciple others. John says: “I never get tired of challenging people to take the next step in their spiritual journey.” His favorite authors include anything by Jim Collins, Warren Bird, Patrick Lencioni, Andy Stanley, Ed Stetzer, and Larry Osborne. John is mentored by Leith Anderson, whom he greatly admires.

John has a B.A. in Pastoral Ministry and an M.A. in Organizational Leadership from Crown College. He also earned a Doctorate of Ministry in Executive Leadership for Larger Organizations from Bethel University. He is ordained with the Christian and Missionary Alliance and with International Ministerial Fellowship.

Bill Goodwin

Bill Goodwin lives in Apple Valley, MN. He has 31 years of leadership experience in growing and building individuals and teams. As a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member, he provides dynamic keynote speaking, leadership training, and business coaching for businesses, non-profits, and churches. The owner of a leadership development company called Priority Living of Minnesota, Bill adds value, encourages, and equips leaders to reach their full potential.  

Since 2004, Bill has served on staff at Lighthouse Church in Rosemount, MN where he became the lead pastor in March 2006. He serves as Vice-President of International Ministerial Fellowship (IMF), is an active Rotarian, and a member of two local Chamber groups. November 23, 1999 was a life changing day when Bill suffered respiratory failure, a near death experience (NDE), and went to heaven before being revived! Quite a story. Bill is married to Karla, has two adult children, and two grandsons.

Maria Duck

Pray Like a Warrior!

Yes, I am the quite, reserved, hater of  the spot light, retired elementary teacher, and wife of Tony Duck.  We have been married almost thirty-one years and have a twenty-seven year old son. We have a miniature schnauzer, who I am training to be able to work as a therapy dog.  Tony and I have been blessed to be part of the best prayer ministry school we know, Victorious Ministry Through Christ. I have also been blessed beyond measure to have a spiritual mom / mentor for twenty years, who has shard with me her incredible wisdom and recommended many great resource books.  My best training, of course, has been what I love to call “The Holy Spirit University”.  We will focus on our authority in Jesus and how to fight our enemy.  Come kick some enemy butt with me!  🙂

Jake Clement

My name is Jake Clement, and I recently returned from a deployment to Poland with the Maine Army National Guard. While I was there I encountered soldiers and Polish civilians who benefitted greatly from embracing the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Polish civilians live under the constant fear of the threat of Russian invasion as they watch the events unfold in neighboring Ukraine. As a result of their new-found faith, they became more resilient. What is it about a Christian spirituality that supports resilience? Come to my session and find out!

Emily Leatherbarrow

President and Founder of Sister’s of Grace, Emily Leatherbarrow, and her husband James began a unique home for children at risk of human trafficking. This home not only rescues girls but offers a specialized mental health curriculum, healing programs and hope to young girls from the hill tribes of the golden triangle. With 20 years of experience preventing child labor and sexual slavery, serving homes in Thailand and West Africa, Emily now faces human trafficking both internationally and stateside. Emily received her bachelors from Southeastern University in 2004 and was ordained in 2006. Reverend Leathertherbarrow has held her ordination with IMF since 2011.  

 

Author and speaker, Reverend Leatherbarrow has dedicated her life to sharing the gospel and raising awareness for human trafficking and the exploitation of children. Emily believes that a vital part of her calling is to teach about and pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to heal those who have suffered trauma, oppression and hopelessness. Over the last 20 years Emily has preached around the world, sharing the love of Christ in prisons, churches, recovery centers, homeless shelters, bars, grocery stores, public schools and wherever the Holy Spirit leads her. Emily believes God has called us to protect the vulnerable and heal the broken hearted. This can only be done through His grace and endless love.

 

James, Emily and their three children, Juliet, Camille and Everett, live in North Georgia. The Leatherbarrow family enjoys spending time together swimming, eating, playing board games, watching movies, going for walks at the park and more eating! Along with being the CFO for Sisters of Grace and COO for the Church at War Hill, James is an amazing chef who spoils his crew with great food. Emily and James recently celebrated 20 years of marriage and they give God all the glory for everything that they have together. Emily is most proud of her family who serves God hand in hand.

Carl Wesley Anderson

Reverend Carl Wesley Anderson is an international equipping evangelist and documentary filmmaker.  His vision, through itinerant ministry and his unique calling as a media missionary, is to inspire and equip believers for passionate discipleship and hearing God’s voice. 

Carl is the author of LOVE SPEAKS as well as the writer/director/producer of the LOVE SPEAKS series & FROM HISTORY TO HOPE series. He is also the Executive Director of Born To Blaze Ministries which produces and publishes quality and evangelistic content like LOVE SPEAKS
in order to impact others, grow others spiritually and advance the kingdom of God.

Get to know Carl by following him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  He loves to interact with readers and viewers impacted through his ministry – and he hopes that you will join in the conversations too.

​Carl resides in Buffalo, Minnesota, USA with his wife Sarah and their three children.

Also Included:

Aaron Meadows

Jim Browning

Dustin Kennedy

Josh Braland

George & Becky Gilmour

…and more!

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