Featured Presenters at WFX

WFX is delighted to bring you some of the best and most experienced experts in the industry! Below is just a sampling of the presenters from whom you can learn during your time at the show. Please browse the conference sessions to view all of our skilled faculty members.

Doug Akers Church Ministry Analyst, LifeWay Church Architecture

Prior to joining LifeWay in February of 2003, Doug was the Minister of Administration and was the staff representative responsible for an $8 million relocation effort of this 2,500 member church. His position with LifeWay allows him to assist and consult with hundreds of churches (over 500 to date!) across the country who are considering new facilities, relocation, or capital stewardship programs. In addition, Doug provides ministry and church evaluations, geo-demographic and facility analysis, financial capability assistance, and long-range feasibility planning.

Dennis Choy Technical and Production Pastor, North Coast Church

Dennis Choy oversees the Technical and Production ministry for North Coast Church. Considered the Pioneers of Multi-site/Video Venues, North Coast launched their first Venue in 1998 and have grown to over 6500 in weekend attendance. Dennis has developed a team of over 50 technical volunteers serving eight different worship venues. His background in audio visual combined with his pastor’s heart created the Technical Ministry as it is today. He currently consults with churches across the country on technology, starting multi-site, and how to cut your costs in your AV systems.

Anthony Coppedge Owner, Anthony Coppedge Consulting

Anthony is a respected consultant who brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and practical know-how to today's fast-growing churches. By focusing on helping churches develop media and communications strategies and technology designs with clear upgrade paths, Anthony helps churches to be good stewards of their resources and personnel. Anthony has consulting for hunderds of churches and has been on staff at three different churches as Media Minister, Technical Director and Technical Coordinator. He is currently involved with the volunteer ministry at Gateway Church in Southlake, TX. Anthony has been consulting with churches, teaching at technology conferences, writing articles and reviewing products since 1995 and contributes to indusry magazines.

Craig Groeschel Founding and Senior Pastor, LifeChurch.tv

Craig Groeschel is the founding and senior pastor of LifeChurch.tv and is known for his creative and relevant Bible teaching. Craig, his wife, Amy, and their six children live in the Edmond, Oklahoma, area where LifeChurch.tv began in 1996. Craig and Amy’s passion - to lead people to become fully devoted followers of Christ - is the driving force behind his down-to-earth teaching that is touching thousands of people weekly. Craig’s creative leadership skills are changing the way church is done worldwide. His latest book, Going All the Way, is set to be released October 2007.

Jerry Halcomb Founder, HH Architects

Jerry Halcomb, AIA CSI, Founder and CEO of HH Architects, as worked with some of the largest and fastest growing churches in America. He has continued to be a leading pioneer in the planning and design of worship spaces and church facilities for over 36 years. Having worked with hundreds of churches across the country, Jerry has unique qualifications and experience and along with HH Architects, has always been on the cutting edge of planning for the next generation of church facilities that provide the right space at the right place at the right time.

Craig Janssen
Principal, Acoustic Dimensions

Chuck Swindoll once said that talking with Craig Janssen is like drinking out of a fire hydrant. A futurist in sacred space, Craig Janssen's expertise in using architecture and technology to create experience has impacted some of the most effective ministries on the planet. Fifteen years of interfacing with a broad range of geographies and denominational backgrounds have given him a unique front line perspective on trends in ministry in the US. Craig is highly regarded for his unique qualifications and insight and is considered an authoritative resource on church trends as it relates to campus planning and development.

Jerry Laweson
National Manager, ENERGY STAR Congregations Network, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Jerry Lawson is national manager for the ENERGY STAR Congregations program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. He has served on his church governing board in Fredericksburg, VA and is on the Care of Creation committee for his state religious denomination. Jerry was the first “energy person” hired at EPA in 1990 and was a developer of EPA's first non-regulatory pollution prevention program called Green Lights, the forerunner of ENERGY STAR. In 1996, Lawson was asked to adapt ENERGY STAR programming to serve the small business and faith communities with energy efficiency technical support.

M. Rex Miller Futurist and Author, The Millennium Matrix

Rex Miller is a futurist, theologian, author, communications expert, and a past WFX keynote presenter. Rx's latest book, The Millennium Matrix, addresses the fantastic impact of communications media on worship and spirituality throughout history and on today's emerging digital culture. He consults for business and non-profit organizations and is on the board of Lamar Boschman Ministries.

Bruce Smith
Co-Founder and Lead, Church Solutions Group

Bruce's vision to serve churches runs deep and is founded on his collective experiences as an executive leader and technical director for Willow Creek for 14 years. Bruce's design and project experience is extensive. He sets the pace and the bar for the team through an "anything-is-possible" attitude and deep love for the church, pastors and volunteers. He resides in Chicago with his family and is always on the go.

Andy Stanley Founding and Senior Pastor, North Point Community Church

Andy Stanley is the founder of North Point Ministries, a worldwide Christian organization, serving as senior pastor of North Point Community Church, Buckhead Church, and Browns Bridge Community Church. As one of five founders of North Point Community Church in 1996, Andy has been instrumental in the church’s growth to three campuses and helped plant eleven strategic partner churches around the nation through North Point Ministries. In 2006, he was voted the 13th most influential Christian. Andy lives in Alpharetta, Georgia with his wife, Sandra, and his three children: Andrew, Garrett, and Allison.

Bill Thrasher President/Principal Consultant, Thrasher Design Group, Inc.

Thrasher Design Group, Inc. (esp. 1986 by Bill Thrasher) is an acoustical consulting firm specializing in church AV systems design and live special event production design and mixing. Bil has been employed in recording studio mixing, live performance mixing, and AV systems design for over 35 years. Bill was involved with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Mr. Graham's Crusades and Missions from 1979 to 2005, and has been on staff at Walt Disney World and the First Baptist Church of Orlando, FL.

Chuck Walthall President, Walthall & Associates, inc.

Mr. Walthall began Walthall & Associates, Inc., a Florida-based corporation specializing in technical system training, design-consulting and system management, after having served with a nationwide integrator for more than 16 years. Mr. Walthall's passion to teach the end-user, and God's confirmation thereof, led to pioneer his calling. Mr. Walthall has served on the associate faculty staff at Okaloosa-Walton College/University of West Florida where he developed and instructed courses in acoustics and audio technology and facilitated on-line distance learning curricula.