2013 Lutheran Educators' Conference November 24-26, 2013  JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa, Palm Desert, CA   "You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all of your heart" Jeremiah 29:13

Our Lutheran Educators' Conference will focus in on three specific and direct areas - Spiritual Nurture, Sustained Professional Learning, and Homecoming (or fellowship). 

SPIRITUAL NURTURE - LEC can have a great impact on our spiritual/faith walk aspect. We will work to integrate that spiritual formation into all aspects of the Conference – heighten the spiritual dimension. Potentially have devotions that are sent to schools that lead up to the conference, and possibly a take-away devotional as well. Could also look into incorporating more times of worship within the conference, as well as having a conference chaplain, a prayer room, etc.

SUSTAINED PROFESSIONAL LEARNING - Sustained Professional learning happens through intentional and focused strands. We will offer 7 different strands designed specifically to help attendees grow and develop in their ministry.  Our goal is that people leave LEC with tools to equip them throughout the year.

HOMECOMING (FELLOWSHIP) - It’s important that we can see friends from other Lutheran schools in our district and have fellowship with each other through service projects, sharing a meal, walking the exhibit hall, or enjoying catching up over a cup of coffee.

 

Conference Registration Information  Conference Registration Information will be uploaded in August!

 

Introducing our Conference Keynote Speaker - Dr. Tim Elmore Dr. Tim Elmore is the founder and president of Growing Leaders, an Atlanta-based nonprofit organization created to develop emerging leaders. Since founding Growing Leaders in 2003, Elmore has spoken to more than 300,000 students, faculty, and staff on hundreds of campuses across the country, including the University of Oklahoma, Stanford University, Duke University, Rutgers University, the University of South Carolina, and Louisiana State University. Elmore has also provided leadership training and resources for multiple athletic programs, including the University of Texas football team, the University of Miami football team, the University of Alabama athletic department, and the Kansas City Royals Baseball Club. In addition, a number of government offices in Washington, D.C. have utilized Dr. Elmore’s curriculum. From the classroom to the boardroom, Elmore is a dynamic communicator who uses principles, images, and stories to strengthen leaders. He has taught leadership to Chick-fil-A, Inc., The Home Depot, HomeBanc, and Gold Kist, Inc., among others. He has also taught courses on leadership and mentoring at nine universities and graduate schools across the U.S. Committed to developing young leaders on every continent of the world, Elmore also has shared his insights in more than forty countries—including India, Russia, China, and Australia. Elmore has written more than 20 books, including the best-selling Habitudes™: Images that Form Leadership Habits and Attitudes, Life Giving Mentors, and Nurturing the Leader Within Your Child. His latest book Generation iY: Our Last Chance to Save Their Future released in August 2010. In addition, he has appeared on the ABC Family Channel. Elmore has worked alongside internationally recognized leadership expert Dr John Maxwell for the past 25 years. According to Maxwell, “No one teaches leadership better than Tim Elmore.”  Elmore lives in Atlanta with his wife, Pam, and his two children, Bethany and Jonathan. Introducing our Strand Focus Presenters Spiritual Nurture Strand - Pastor Mike Gibson Pastor Gibson has served as Lead Pastor at Christ Lutheran Church and School, Costa Mesa, CA since August 2006.  He speaks regularly on the subject of Missional Leadership at conferences and seminars in the US and in Asia.  He and his wife, Kathy, have been married for 33 years and have two sons, Andrew and Tim.  His hobbies include riding a motorcycle, home remodeling, and following the San Francisco Giants.     Leadership Strand - Dr. Tim Elmore (see above) Learning Strategies Strand - Kim Marxhausen Kim Marxhausen, a nationally sought-after speaker and a Lutheran early childhood teacher of more than 25 years, is currently a PhD candidate in Educational Psychology at the University of Nebraska/Lincoln. She has had the joy of teaching at Concordia University, Nebraska, Concordia, Selma and for UNL where she recently received the Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor Award. She serves the Lutheran Education Association as a member of the board of directors. Kim published two teacher resource books, through Concordia Publishing House, and writes a monthly newsletter for Synod called Parent Pages available on the Lutheran School Portal.     Health and Hope Strand - Mark Schoepp Mark began his professional career in education and youth ministry in 1980 and, over a 14-year period, served parishes in Oregon, Washington and Nebraska. In 1994, Mark and his wife, Becky, and their four children launched Fitz Family Ministries, a unique family ministry and entertainment troupe. They performed all over the United States in schools and churches, youth gatherings and conferences with a mission “to encourage people to discover, celebrate and use their unique gifts in the Lord’s service.”      In 2005, Mark returned to parish work, serving at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Aurora, Illinois, in Children and Family Ministry, while continuing to tour part time with Fitz Family. In June 2009, Mark went back on the road full time with Fitz Family Ministries and in addition to performing, added workshops for church and school staff and parents on current brain research. Mark also worked part time with Wheat Ridge Ministries while traveling.      Mark has served on regional and national boards and committees, including planning committees for three different National Lutheran Youth Gatherings and various local and regional youth gatherings and conferences.      Mark graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology in 1975 and received certification as a Director of Christian Education from Concordia University Nebraska in 1980. In 1990, he earned a Master’s Degree in Parish Education from Concordia University Nebraska  Best Practices Strand - Gretchen Jameson Gretchen likes to talk—a lot! She also likes to listen. In fact, she's made a career out of talking and listening, tweeting, e-mailing, facebooking, producing media, blogging, and using all types of platforms to talk about causes, mission, and nonprofit work.      Gretchen spent the last decade leading communications within the lutheran church—missouri synod, first as the communications director for the national youth gathering and then as the director of pr and corporate communications at concordia publishing house. In april of 2010, she launched purepr. With a tag line of “mission matters most,” purepr works with ministries, nonprofits, and mission based for-profit companies to develop effective communications strategies.      At her core, gretchen believes that there are better stories to be told and is dedicated to partnering with passionate people of purpose to create communications that impact communities and change the world.      In addition to serving dozens of faith based nonprofits, purepr is the pr lead for former missouri governor bob holden, the holden public policy forum, and the midwest u.s. China association. A 1997 graduate of concordia university nebraska (where she was named young alumnus of the year in 2010), gretchen also holds a master’s degree in pr from webster university, where she has also been named a distinguished alumna. She is a 2012 recipient of the emerging young professional award from the athena leadership foundation - st. Charles, missouri, and is active in her community and congregation. Connect with her online at twitter.com/gmjameson or click her picture to access her website. Special Guests Worship Pastor and Bible Study Leader - Pastor Jon Thomas Jon Thomas is the senior pastor at Salem Lutheran Church. For 19 years he has been pointing people to Jesus. Previously, he served at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas, as a student pastor for nine years. He also served for seven years at a mission-focused church in Orlando, Fla. He comes to Southern California, leading his congregation in adopting a local and global community to bring the Gospel to the world around them. According to Jon, "The community should be better because the church is there. If we went away and they don't care, we haven't done our job."   Banquet Entertainment - David and Teesha Laflin  Since 2002, internationally recognized illusionists David and Teesha Laflin have entertained and inspired audiences all across the United States and in several foreign countries through their creative blend of both classic and cutting-edge illusions. Their programs have been featured at numerous conferences and conventions throughout the world and have reached largescale audiences through their television appearances. More than simply entertainers, David and Teesha are also gifted speakers. They are quick to point out that everything they do is simply an illusion. Only God can do real miracles. The high-energy and fast-paced show that they present captivates audiences. People simply cannot help but stop and pay close attention to what they are doing. As they watch the amazing things that happen, their attention also focuses in on the message David and Teesha share. Through their illusions, the reality of the love of God is revealed in a way that people of all ages connect with. And, this, is their ultimate goal. David and Teesha have a desire to bring families together for an experience they will never forget. An experience, that may just change their lives forever.

   

Our conference will be located at the BEAUTIFUL JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa in Palm Desert, CA Marriott Desert Springs has extended us a fabulous room rate for this event - $99 p/night plus tax! Hotel registration information will be uploaded soon - keep checking back in!

Are you an exhibitor for our conference?  Would you like to be?! Would you like to advertise in our program book?!   All of the forms and information you will need will be linked for you right here very soon!

 

Accountablity is an important piece of any conference. The LEC Committee believes that there are three distinct areas of accountabiltiy for LEC starting with their accountabilty as the committee! Click on the links below to see the accoutability map as well as the accountabitly pieces for the committee, for our schools and congregations, and for each of you as participants! MAP COMMITTEE SCHOOL/CONGREGATION PARTICIPANTS