The past 16 months have been challenging as leaders to say the least. We’ve all been humbled as we’ve sought to find our way and guide others in these strange and uncertain times. Some things have changed drastically, others not so much. And together this creates a unique challenge for leaders in the Church as we face the future. We are very hopeful, but understand just how critical it is for us to connect with and learn from one another as we navigate a difficult road ahead.
We hope you can join this diverse group of leaders as we seek what is necessary to be effective in His Kingdom mission and movement. We will be hearing from some creative and experienced leaders about what they believe is important for us to know and apply moving forward. Come be encouraged and equipped to grow as the instruments of transformation God has called us to be in our churches, communities and the world.
All purchases are non-refundable. You may transfer your registration.
Simply email the new registrant’s contact information to info@makeheadway.org.
Mike was born into a Navy family in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1944. His father was an Admiral; the family lived in Hawaii for three years, and had three different tours of duty at the Naval Academy. Mike attended the Naval Academy and has a degree from Old Dominion University in Political Science and a degree in Bible from Florida Bible College.
While traveling with a friend through Europe during the summer of 1970, Mike trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior. It was through the consistent witness of his friend that he came to see the truth. He had a growing desire to study and teach the scriptures. He entered Florida Bible College in 1972 and graduated in 1974. It was at FBC that he met and married his wife, Kay, and was called to the ministry to start an evangelical work in Reston. The first Bible study was held in June of 1974, and the first RBC church service was in March of 1975. He has been the main teaching Pastor at RBC for 45 years. As of January 2021 Mike transitioned to Pastor Emeritus at RBC.
His first book, entitled A Western Jesus, takes a fresh look at what it means to follow Christ. Now in his fourth decade of ministry, Pastor Minter is a coveted speaker. He is known for his great insight into God’s Word, keen ability to communicate it in a way that is relevant to the 21st century believer, and for his appeal to both adults and youth in all stages of their walk with Christ.
Mike and Kay live in Virginia and have four grown children and six grandchildren.
Joshua Synmonette is and has always been an encourager of people. A logical path following his football career in the National Football League (with the Washington Redskins, Miami Dolphins, and NFL Europe) could have been coaching football. Instead he has spent the last 16 years coaching, developing, and speaking on matters of life, spirituality, and talent development. Identifying and activating potential is what he enjoys most. Known as an engaging and authentic communicator, Joshua has partnered with non-profit, government, and private organizations like the FDA, Chick-fil-a, National Football League, the District of Columbia Public Schools (Washington, DC), and Fairfax County Public Schools (Virginia). In addition to speaking regularly, Joshua is currently a teaching pastor at National Community Church in Washington, DC and recently launched BluPrint Collective, Inc, a non-profit entity in Baltimore, MD with a focus to disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline. His intention is to inspire and invest in urban Black youth by providing educational and exposure opportunities. Joshua has a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies, with a concentration in English-Journalism from Tennessee Technological University and a Master of Arts in Practical Theology from Regent University. He also is a licensed Myers-Briggs Type Indicator practitioner. He and his wife Ericka have been married for 18 years and they live in Baltimore, Maryland with their four children: Jaylah, Joslyn, Isaiah, and Jurney.
As the founder and previous CEO of World Hope International, Jo Anne directed the faith-based relief and development organization into over 30 countries to alleviate suffering and injustice. During her time as CEO, she was involved with several countries experiencing fragility, conflict and violence with a strong focus on the role of faith. Following 12 years of service to World Hope International she was elected as the General Superintendent of The Wesleyan Church worldwide. She served in that position for eight years. Jo Anne serves on the board of directors of many organizations such as Bread for the World, Vice-Chair of the Board of National Association of Evangelicals, National Religious Partnership for the Environment, Council on Faith of the World Economic Forum, previously President Obama’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and others.
She holds a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology, continued graduate studies in Historical Theology and has been granted five honorary doctorates. She is an ordained minister of the Wesleyan Church. The recipient of the 2016 World Methodist Peace Award, 2017 “Keeper of the American Dream Award” from the National Immigration Forum in Washington DC as well as various other awards.
Dr. Lyon and her husband, Rev. Wayne Lyon, live in the Indianapolis area. They have four children and 10 grandchildren.
Pastor TL Roger’s verse for this season of his life is 1 Corinthians 4:15-16: “Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore
I urge you to imitate me.” Pastor Roger’s desire is to serve those to whom God has called him to minister and he believes that this is best accomplished by a ministry of Fathering and Discipling young pastors in the Word of God.
TL Rogers was born in NY, NY but was reared in Washington D.C. He was led to the Lord at a very early age and was discipled in a Christian home. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religious Education from Washington Bible College and completed much of his graduate work at Capital Bible Seminary. Pastor Rogers is married to Mable Perrin Rogers, and they are the proud parents of two adult children, both of whom are married, Tiffany Joi, Perrin Dior, and seven grandchildren. Pastor Rogers has ministered at the Isle of Patmos Baptist Church and pastored the St. Stephens Baptist Church (both in Washington, DC) and the Union Bethel Baptist Church (King George, Virginia). He is the Pastor Emeritus of The Triumphant Church in Mt.Rainier, Maryland, which he planted in May, 1987.
Pastor Rogers currently Fathers a group of “Emerging Pastors” who he meets with monthly in his home. Additionally, once a quarter TL Rogers gathers a group of multicultural church pastors from across the area for breakfast in order to forge relationships across, racial, denominational, generational and gender lines. This gathering has proven to be unprecedented in a city which is so politically and racially torn.
Heather Zempel serves as the Discipleship Pastor and Ministries Director at National Community Church in Washington, DC. With a background in biological engineering and experience as a policy advisor in the United States Senate, she brings a unique perspective to ministry, leadership, and discipleship. Heather is the author of several books including the most recent, Amazed and Confused and Big Change, Small Groups. She loves football, BBQ, and having adventures with her husband Ryan and fun-loving daughter Sawyer Elizabeth.
Drew grew up in Northern Virginia and went to Park View High School in Loudoun County. He and his wife Dawn met at James Madison University and have been married for 22 years, have 5 children…3 daughters (Maddie-20, Ryan-17, Devon-15) and 2 sons (Roba-14, Sean-12). Before starting Headway Church in 2013, Drew served at Church of the Redeemer in Gaithersburg, MD and with the national organization, Prison Fellowship, helping churches around the country serve prisoners and their families. Drew also founded and leads the Leesburg Junction, a not-for-profit coworking and event space that develops leaders in the community, including entrepreneurs, small businesses and other not-for-profits.
Greg Wigfield is Founder and President of National Church Group Insurance Agency (NCG), focused on insuring churches, camps, private schools and non-profit organizations. This year NCG celebrates 37 years of success and insures more than three thousand churches and non-profits across the United States.
Greg is also the Founding Pastor of Destiny Church in Leesburg, VA. He received his undergraduate education from Southeastern University and Shenandoah Conservatory, and earned an M.A. in Organizational Leadership and Divinity from Regent University. He also served as Chaplain to the Washington Redskins from 1982 until 1988 under the leadership of Coach Joe Gibbs.
Greg’s ministry passion is to be able to help start new churches and kingdom endeavors in order to reach more people for Jesus Christ. His father and grandfather gave over a century of ministry to planting churches and making disciples throughout Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Greg continues to build on that legacy as he and his wife Pam have helped to launch four churches. Presently, they have four children, six grandchildren, and three more on the way!
Courtney Jordan is a Senior Consultant with GiANT Southeast who loves working with people and organizations seeking to reach their full potential. After earning an economics degree from University of Virginia, her first job at a strategic management consulting firm taught her the value of a good boss and also how devastating a bad manager can be on employee morale and motivation.
Since joining GiANT in 2017, Courtney has used her deep listening and innate people skills to help managers and organizations of all sizes and industries transform into leaders worth following and companies people want to work for. Courtney’s experience includes training managers at Leidos; certifying Air Force staff on 5 Voices; and working with other organizations like: Loudoun County Public Schools, Loudoun Chamber of Commerce, Loudoun Habitat for Humanity, nonprofit and ministry leaders and various people in the real estate industry.
Courtney is a GiANT Certified Coach, 5 Voices & 100X Certified Coach, and a Myers-Briggs Certified Facilitator.
The JOINT Conference has been postponed to later this year. These are unique times and we’re all busy continuing to faithfully make plans and move forward. We definitely need this gathering to encourage and learn from one another but we believe that later this year will be a better time for us to connect and engage together in this way. Please stay tuned to this website and at the JOINT Conference Facebook page as to when the gathering will be rescheduled as well as other updates and information.
Thank you!