We face a culture and an adversary that seeks to destroy the very identity of our youth. AHG and TLUSA Adult Members as well as church ministry teams face issues like gender confusion, interpersonal conflict, anxiety, and fear within their Troops and youth groups. Christ has already won the victory and He provides us with weapons to stand against the enemy's attacks against you and the young men and women you serve. AHGinspire attendees will leave truly filled, encouraged, and equipped to lead the youth entrusted to your care.
Below are some helpful documents for you to review as you prepare for your time in Cincinnati and at the AHGinspire Adult Leadership Conference:
Guide to Area Attractions and Discounts
AHGinspire FAQ *The FAQ includes a list of hotels offering special rates to AHGinspire attendees
AHGinspire Workshop Descriptions
AHGinspire Workshop Planning Grid
Keynotes: Patti Garibay, AHG Executive Director and FounderBethany Bomberger, Radiance Foundation
St. Gabriel Church located at 48 West Sharon Rd., a half mile away from Springdale Nazarene Church, welcomes AHGinspire attendees for Daily Mass. For those attending Mass, an option to pre-order a boxed breakfast is available during registration for an additional cost. Attendees are responsible for their own transportation to and from St. Gabriel's Church.
Keynote:Beth Guckenberger Co-Executive Director of Back2Back Ministries
Interested in how to implement the Catholic curriculum in your Troop? Join the AHG National Catholic Committee in the Fireside Room during lunch from 12:30pm - 1:30pm, as they share how to engage girls in their Catholic faith through AHG's programming (i.e., AHG Catholic Faith Awards, Catholic Patch Programs, etc.). Bring your questions or share ideas on how your Troop implemented AHG's curriculum last year. (Optional)
Keynote:Tina Griffin from Counter Culture Mom
Comedian:Mike Goodwin
Keynote:Dr. Juli Slattery of Authentic Intimacy
Keynote Speaker: Mark Hancock of Trail Life USA
Bethany Bomberger has been an educator for almost three decades. She has taught in both public and private schools, working with thousands of children, youth and adults of all ages. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and Family Studies from Messiah College and a Master’s Degree in Education from Regent University, Bethany has spearheaded innovative educational programs in her classrooms and the communities where she lived. She is the Co-Founder (along with her hubby) and Executive Director of The Radiance Foundation, a life-affirming organization that is rooted in the belief that we are all created in God’s image and have undeniable purpose. As a public speaker, she addresses large and diverse audiences with inspiring messages of faith, hope and Christ’s love. Married to her best friend, Ryan, Bethany is an adoptive mama who loves to celebrate courageous birth moms and the beauty of adoption. She embraces the challenge and the blessing of homeschooling her four bold and compassionate pro-life kids: Rai Rai, Kai, Aliyah and Justice.
Patti Garibay is the founder and executive director of American Heritage Girls (AHG), a national Christ-centered leadership and character development program, and she is the host of the Raising Godly Girls daily one-minute radio feature found on thousands of radio stations across the nation. Patti is also the author of Why Curse the Darkness When You Can Light A Candle?
Mike Goodwin is a refreshingly funny comedian, speaker, and leader. His signature bowtie represents his expectation-defying brand of comedy that leaves a variety of audiences - from churches to corporate events to swanky galas - laughing hysterically and completely inspired, without a foul or vulgar word spoken. He’s appeared on America’s Got Talent, Dry Bar Comedy, Lifetime, BET, Amazon Prime, TBN, Daystar, USA, the Word Network and Circle TV, and been featured on SiriusXM. Mike has shared stages with Dr. David Jeremiah, Tim Hawkins, John Crist and Michael Jr., and participated in the That Sounds Fun Podcast Tour with Annie F. Downs and the USO Europe Comedy Tour. A southern gentleman with a curious mind, love for people, and heart for God, Mike Goodwin is in a class all his own. He resides in Columbia, SC with his beautiful wife Rozalynn and their two children.
Former Hollywood actress, pop culture expert, Tina Griffin, left her Wisconsin dairy farm at the age of 20 and headed to Hollywood, CA to earn a BA in Film and Television broadcasting from California State University - Los Angeles. She’s traveled globally for the past 20 years delivering her eye-opening show, Hollywood Exposed, explaining the real agenda behind the entertainment industry and its impact on the foundational development of today’s youth. Besides being in countless movies, Tina has worked on TV shows such as Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Young and the Restless, Days of Our Lives, Lizzie McGuire, Drake and Josh, and Malcolm in the Middle. She was a member of the Film Society as well as Women in Film and the Screen Actors Guild. She has opened for bands such as Colton Dixon, Third Day, and Jeremy Camp. As host of The Counter Culture Mom Show, Tina gives the pop culture updates of the week and features experts covering critical topics such as cutting, suicide, bullying, online chat room dangers, along with family-friendly entertainment, safe social media options, and homeschooling tips.
Beth and her husband, Todd, live with their family in Cincinnati, Ohio where they serve as Co-Executive Directors of Back2Back Ministries. After graduating from Indiana University, the Guckenbergers moved to Monterrey, Mexico where they lived for 15 years. Between biological, foster, and adopted children, they have raised eleven children.
Beth is the author of many books including adult and children’s titles. She travels and speaks regularly at conferences, youth gatherings and church services about reckless faith. Her style is based in story-telling and she draws from her vast field experience as a missionary, Bible teacher and parent for illustrations of biblical concepts.
Mark Hancock began his career founding a national advertising agency and running it for fifteen years. His conversion to Christ led him into ministry as a Youth and College Pastor, Associate Pastor, Homeless Ministry Director and Global Event Director for an international ministry, organizing events on five continents.
He holds two Masters Degrees in the Mental Health Counseling field, having spent a number of years in private practice, and has taught at secular and Christian colleges. Mark has been a guest on numerous radio and television programs including: Fox Nation’s Starnes Country, Family Life Radio, and James Dobson’s Family Talk Program. In 2017, Mark was named to the American Family Association’s ’40 Faithful’. An author, award-winning writer, and conference speaker, he serves as Chief Executive Officer of Trail Life USA and lives near Greenville, SC with his wife of 33 years. They have two sons.
Dr. Juli Slattery is a clinical psychologist, author, speaker and the president/co-founder of Authentic Intimacy. Juli earned her college degree at Wheaton College, an MA in psychology from Biola University, and an MS and a Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from Florida Institute of Technology.
From 2008-2012, Dr. Slattery served at Focus on the Family writing, teaching, and co-hosting the Focus on the Family Broadcast. In 2012, she left Focus on the Family to start Authentic Intimacy, a ministry devoted to reclaiming God’s design for sexuality. In 2020, Juli launched SexualDiscipleship.com, a platform designed to help Christian leaders navigate sexual issues and questions with gospel-centered truth.
Juli is the author of ten books and host of the weekly podcast “Java with Juli.” Juli and her husband Mike are the parents of 3 sons; they live in Akron, Ohio.
Whitney Blackston is the Vice President of Luke5Adventures, “whose mission is creating community by bringing those impacted by disabilities closer to Christ through empathetic love and making the impossible possible.” She is from Mississippi, but her family moved to Ohio in 2019 for her daughter. She lives in Kings Mills, Ohio and is a wife to Jeremiah and mother to Emerson, who has complex medical needs. Whitney loves serving other families like hers through hiking with those that can’t hike themselves, and she loves to share how disability ministry and the outdoors have changed her family’s lives.
Meredith Briski is the Training Specialist at American Heritage Girls, Inc. She has over 21 years of volunteer and professional youth development experience which began when she earned her first archery instructor certification at the age of 18. She has published 4-H Club project manuals that have been sold across the country, and collaborated on curricula tools for certifying 4-H youth shooting sports instructors. Meredith is passionate about giving adults opportunities to develop both the soft and hard skills they need to deliver the AHG Program with excellence, and loves to watch how beautifully God equips those he calls to His service. Her favorite place to sleep is a tent and her favorite classroom is the outdoors. She is nearly always caffeinated. Ask her for the best ice cream spots near AHGinspire. Meredith joined American Heritage Girls, Inc. in June, 2019.
Julie Cooper is a national and international trainer passionate about helping others understand the impact of trauma. Together with her husband, she has six children, has fostered over 20, and has been an advocate for children’s wellbeing worldwide.
Rachael Culpepper has been involved with AHG since 1995, and has served in a variety of staff roles, including National Program Manager, Brand Specialist, and currently as a Chief Strategy Officer. She received her degree in social work from Miami University and brings nearly 15 years of experience with YMCA Camping. She and her husband, Jeremy, live in Cincinnati, Ohio with their three children; Holden, Maeble and Oliver. Rachael enjoys hiking, camping and experiencing AHG alongside her Tenderheart daughter.
Jennie and her daughter, Marti, began their AHG journey in 2011 as founding members of the first Troop in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Through the blessing of a vibrant homeschool community and actively connected Troop members, AHG quickly became a second family with lifelong friendships. During this time, she participated with volunteers from multiple faith tradition backgrounds to develop a curriculum for the multi-denominational Troop that would lead girls to discover biblical truths regarding the AHG Oath, Creed, and Mission. This team became a meaningful support system, and the fruits of their labor were later published by AHG as the R.E.A.L. Life Bible Study. As an empty-nester, Jennie began on staff with AHG in 2021, where she grew her AHG family and got her feet wet co-developing G.R.I.T. with Grace. She is eager to connect with Troops from around the country to present exciting ideas for the upcoming AHG 2022-2023 Program Year.
Sarah is a homeschooling mother of eight children and the Director of Brand Engagement for the International homeschooling company Classical Conversations. Sarah started refining her skills for conflict resolution simply through a “baptism by fire” as she served as a field leader. However, as Classical Conversations grew so did the need for conflict resolution. That is when Sarah began taking more formal trainings like Relational Wisdom 360, Crucial Conversations, and Listening for Heaven’s Sake. She now leads a team and is the primary conflict mediator nationally for the company. Not only does she serve in times of crisis and conflict, but she trains and equips the CC leadership with the same skills so they can have confidence to properly and biblically approach both professional and personal conflict.
Carrie loves Jesus Christ and is thankful for his grace and love as she follows Him. She has been married for 23 years to John, who is a retired Air Force pilot and a Trail Life leader. She has two teenagers: a son who is a Trail Life Adventurer and a daughter who is a Patriot. Her son earned the Trail Life Freedom Award this year (TLUSA’s equivalent of Stars & Stripes). Her daughter earned her Abigail Adams Award this year. In AHG, she currently serves as the DC Metro Area Leadership Development Coordinator, a role which she humbly accepted in following Christ’s calling and which she has seen our Lord working in beautiful ways as she teaches and helps other leaders implement Biblical leadership both for girls and adults. Her daughter joined AHG as a first year Tenderheart in 2012 and Carrie has been serving in this ministry ever since then. In the past, she has served as Troop Coordinator, Vice Coordinator, Shepherd and unit leader at all levels except Pathfinder. Her two biggest passions when it comes to AHG are faith in all we do and making service a way of life—both of which can lead to godly servant leaders that God calls each of us to be. Carrie’s education background include a minor in leadership, Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, and Masters of Science in Space Studies. She served as an Air Force officer for several years in the career field of space operations. She left the Air Force to become a stay-at-home mom. For the last 12 years, Carrie has homeschooled her children. She enjoys running marathons, hiking, eating chocolate and reading biographies. After her husband’s retirement from the Air Force, her family settled down in Nokesville, Virginia.
Erin Kunkle is a speaker and the co-host of The Strong Women podcast for the Colson Center, a podcast that explores God’s design for women through women’s stories. She co-founded MAVEN three years ago with her husband, Brett. MAVEN is a movement to equip the next generation know truth, pursue goodness and create beauty and together Erin and Brett host the MAVEN Parent podcast. Erin received her bachelor’s degree in Social Science with an emphasis in Political Science from Biola University. She and her husband have 5 children and 2 granddaughters. They live in Southern California.
Lee Nienhuis is an author and passionate Bible teacher. She is on the national speaking team for Moms in Prayer International and the Co-host of The Martha and Mary Show. Her books, Brave Moms, Brave Kids and Countercultural Parenting have helped countless parents gain a biblical perspective on parenting a godly and countercultural generation. Lee’s writing and speaking have been featured on Focus on the Family broadcast and magazine; Moms in Prayer International, True Woman; Proverbs 31 Ministries, Hearts at Home, Iron Sharpens Iron conferences and American Heritage Girls! Lee and her husband, Mike, have four great kids and live at Grace Adventures, a Christian Camp and Conference Center in West Michigan. Lee loves hot cups of coffee, laughing till her sides ache, and Jesus.
Alana Melton has lived in the Marietta, GA area for over 15 years with her husband raising their daughter who joined AHG as a first year Tenderheart and is now a second year Pioneer. For the past four years Alana has served as the Troop Coordinator in AHG Troop GA4224. She has a heart for serving Christ through serving others. Witnessing the way God influences the lives of girls and adult members drives her passion to serve in the AHG ministry. Alana is excited to lead the North Atlanta Area Team as the Area Coordinator. The vision of the North Atlanta Area Team includes local Troop connections, improved communication, and exciting opportunities for girls and families in the AHG community. Alana believes that God moves the hearts of AHG volunteers as they serve in this ministry.
Josh Mulvihill is the Executive Director of Church and Family Ministry at Renewanation, which helps children develop a biblical worldview. He served as a pastor for eighteen years, has a PhD in Family Ministry, serves on the board of Awana, and is the author or editor of ten books on parenting and grandparenting including Biblical Grandparenting, Preparing Children for Marriage, Biblical Worldview and 50 Things Every Child Needs to Know Before Leaving Home. He is married to Jen, they homeschool their five children, and live in Minnesota on a hobby farm where they raise KuneKune pigs, heritage breed chickens, and their black lab named Liberty. Josh blogs at GospelShapedFamily.com, enjoys camping with friends, reading a great book around the fire, and catching fish in Minnesota lakes.
Abby Riley is the Director of Curriculum Development at American Heritage Girls, Inc. leading in projects such as the Girl Handbooks and G.R.I.T. with Grace. She has over 20 years of non-profit and ministry experience in childhood development with a degree in Psychology and Christian Counseling. With the life mantra of “knowing Him and making Him known” Abby is passionate about connecting girls to Jesus and God’s Word so that they understand how to practically navigate life through a Biblical worldview. Her greatest desire is for people to truly experience the love of God in such a way that He is the driving force behind how they lead others. She finds joy in being creative and spending time with her three teenagers and husband. She is energized by quiet walks in nature. Her favorite expression of creativity is writing and Bible journaling. Sticky notes, a crazy pen, and a great latte speak to her love language.
LeAnn Russell has been married to her knight in shining armor for 36 years. They have 7 children earth side ranging from 31 to 14. She has had 7 children graduate out of her home and has two left…. Yes, she homeschooled 2 other than her own children. She has a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Masters in Education both from Texas Tech University. Outside of AHG she teaches CLEP prep and dual credit government classes from a Christian Worldview through Blackstone Institute where she sits on the board and through Patriot Academy where she is a volunteer. She and her husband have been in scouting type ministries for 31 years. Her oldest daughter is Stars and Stripes #7 in Tx and #72 in the USA, her second daughter earned her Dolley Madison and completed a legacy service project and her youngest daughter is a S&S Candidate working on her PJD. She is a new Area Shepherd and a long time PiPa Unit leader.
Kevin Schwieger is the Founder and President of Luke5Adventures, a ministry that uses unique equipment to enable individuals living with disabilities on hikes. Before launching Luke5Adventures, Kevin spent close to 30 years as a pastor and missionary. Kevin is from Cincinnati, Oh. where he lives with his wife, Kim, two adult children and 3 grandchildren. Kevin is an outdoorsman and athlete and loves creation and loves people. Putting these things together was the impetus to starting this special and quickly growing ministry.
John Stemberger is an AV Rated Orlando attorney who has been a conservative policy advocate for over 30 years. As a native Floridian, he attended Florida State University where he studied political science and philosophy before obtaining a Juris Doctorate of Law at the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. A sought-after speaker around the country, John Stemberger is also a member of the Council for National Policy and in a feature article on his work, the Miami Herald called him, “One of the most interesting and influential people you’ve never heard of.” In 2009, Orlando Magazine named him one of the top 50 most powerful people in Central Florida. In 2018, Florida Trend Magazine named him one of the top 500 most influential business leaders in Florida. In addition to the private practice of law, in 2004 Stemberger became the President of the Florida Family Policy Council (FFPC). Since starting the FFPC he served as Chairman of the campaign to amend Florida’s Constitution to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman which was adopted by 61.9% of Florida voters in 2008.
In 2009, Stemberger’s law firm received international media attention for representing Rifqa Bary, the Muslim teenager from Columbus, Ohio, who fled to Orlando, Florida after she was threatened to be killed by her father for not renouncing her faith after her conversion from Islam to Christianity was discovered. Rifqa’s book Hiding in the Light is a New York Times best seller. Most recently, as an Eagle Scout and former Scoutmaster, John was one of the primary founders and the Founding Chairman of the Board for Trail Life USA, a Christian scouting movement for boys which started in 2014 and now has around 30,000 members with over 900 troops chartered in all 50 states. Most importantly, he has been married to his wife Olivia for twenty-seven years and they have four children Joseph, Benjamin, Hannah, and Rachel.
Sarah Stonestreet is the co-host of The Strong Women Podcast for the Colson Center, a podcast that explores God’s design for women through women’s stories. Sarah delights in the wonder of learning. She particularly enjoys the stories of history, classic literature, global Christianity, and theology. Sarah is the Director of Community Outreach at Saint George’s Anglican Church the Colorado Springs Colson Fellows Cohort Director, though her main job in this season of life is to love and serve her family, which consists of her husband John and their four children.
Jody Token, a certified Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor and national girl-ministry influencer, intends to empower girls (age six and up) to overcome fear with faith and sneak in a few super-power ninja skills. The Great Flip empowers girls with online self-defense, safety and faith-filled resources. Girls learn simple self-defense skills at home, at school and after-school. Jody’s daughters inspired her to develop an online self-defense experience to gain a basic understanding of the martial arts, avoid the germy gym, and improve overall health and wellness. The Great Flip is a national program alliance for American Heritage Girls, a Christ-centered character and leadership development program for girls five to 18 years of age. Coach Jody intends to counter the culture by exposing the lies of girl power and proclaim the gospel of God’s power.
Kim Wigginton is a Christ follower. Married to Steve for over 35 years, they live blessed by their three grown daughters and son-in-law. With a heart for encouraging other moms and their girls, Kim is author of the Portraits Bible Study Series and founder of Heart of Womanhood Ministry. An uplifting writer and speaker, Kim enjoys creative arts and athletics, sunshine and smiles, God's Word and God's girls! She lives in Louisville, Kentucky and serves on staff with Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Heart of Womanhood, and Drawn to Him Chalk Ministries.
Faith Level Sponsor, Operation Christmas Child
Fun level Sponsor, HybridLight
AHGinspire's official Coffee Sponsor, Driven Coffee
