Announcing 2026 Christian Youth Summit Keynote Speakers and Live Registration!
Prepare the Way Ministries’ 19th annual Christian Youth Summit is coming up on April 10-11, 2026 at New Hope Church in Bend, Oregon! We are very excited to announce that our keynote speakers for the Summit will be Brett Kunkle, Stephen Williams and Shawn Hart.
Brett is the founder and president of MAVEN. He has more than 25 years of experience working with junior high, high school, and college students, as a youth pastor and as the Student Impact Director at Stand to Reason. Brett was an associate editor for the Apologetics Study Bible for Students, wrote the Ambassadors Guide to Mormonism and co-authored A Practical Guide to Culture: Helping the Next Generation Navigate Today’s World. He received his bachelors degree in Christian education from Biola University and his masters degree in philosophy of religion and ethics from Talbot School of Theology.
Stephen John Williams is the founder and director of Prepare the Way Ministries. After graduating with a degree in economics from University of California at Berkeley, he worked as an economic consultant before pursuing a teaching career. Stephen founded Prepare the Way Ministries in 2006, following his involvement in a federal court case concerning the censorship of historical documents with Christian references. With the help of the Christian legal firm, Alliance Defending Freedom, Stephen filed a federal court case in November of 2004 to protect the freedom of speech and religion in public schools. The mission of Prepare the Way Ministries is to empower Christians to uphold a Biblical worldview in an increasingly secular culture through seminars and events. Having been on the front lines in the church/state battle, Stephen offers a unique perspective on the ways our culture can erode a Biblical worldview. Stephen speaks nationally on worldview, apologetics, and cultural issues. He currently resides in Bend, Oregon with his wife and four daughters. He co-authored a book titled, Navigating Public Schools, and offers a Biblical worldview curriculum titled Standing Firm.
Shawn Hart is President of the Ambassadors Forum. He entered full-time vocational ministry in 2008. Since that time, the Lord has led him and his wife, Carly, all over the world ministering in many diverse settings and roles. Missionary, pastor, evangelist, apologist, podcast host, and ministry leader are some of the roles Shawn has served in. Rather than the “answer guy”, when it comes to apologetics conversations and teachings, Shawn views himself as a shepherd, with the great privilege of guiding people through their heartfelt questions about God. He likes to say, “I may not be able to give you an answer, but I can guarantee that I will give you a response.” Shawn joined the Ambassadors Forum in 2025.
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Registration is free and required to attend.