WORKSHOP SESSIONS
GENERAL SESSIONS
KB
ARTIST/SPEAKER
From his electrifying performances on multiple Winter Jam arena tours and Dove Awards broadcasts to his extensive digital following, the music and impact of Kevin Burgess, (aka KB) extends far beyond the walls of the Christian hip-hop subculture. His direct message of social justice, personal examination, and his utter dependence on the divine, is core to his music and his listeners. With the mantra of “HGA” (His Glory Alone) KB continues to use art as an open door to the gospel through rap, clothing, podcasting, and the written word.
TORI COLLIER
SPEAKER
Toni Collier is the co-lead Pastor of Hillsong Atlanta and founder of an international women’s ministry called Broken Crayons Still Color that helps women process through brokenness and get to hope. She is a speaker, host, and consultant that has helped organizations with creative marketing, leadership, student ministry, and strategic planning. She’s had the opportunity to proudly stand on stages like North Point Community Church, Chick-Fil-A, Orange Conference, and MomCon. Toni kills illusions. She confronts the hard things. She takes her challenges head-on. Then she takes on your challenges! She doesn’t want you to just face your demons, she wants you to quash the illusion of your brokenness so you can live the most colorful life possible!
Tommy Kyllonen
PASTOR/SPEAKER
Tommy “Urban D.” Kyllonen is the lead pastor at Crossover Church where he has served for over 25 years. In addition to pastoring he is an author, Hip-Hop artist, consultant, and content creator. Tommy is very involved in his community as he created Love Our City and is the vice chair of the Uptown Innovation District advisory board. His unique skillset of artistry, creativity, and entrepreneurship keep him on the pulse of culture. He has a passion to help other leaders innovate and win. Tommy and his wife Lucy have two daughters and just celebrated 25 years of marriage.
SCOTT FREE
PASTOR/SPEAKER
Scott Free is an evangelist, pastor, and urban missionary in Atlanta, GA. He is the founder of the non-profit “City Takers,” which exists to “raise up urban missionaries who transform cities through hip-hop, love, and Jesus.” Scott is also a church planter and lead pastor of Crossover Church ATL, a multi-ethnic, socio-economically diverse church in the inner city. Scott can also be heard weekly on “The City Takers Radio Show,” a CHH radio program on Victory 91.5FM in Atlanta. Scott Free has over 15 years of experience in urban ministry and believes in discipling people to have servant hearts and be “The Church 24/7 wherever God has placed them.”
Dr. Eric Mason
PASTOR/SPEAKER
Dr. Eric Mason is founder and senior pastor of Epiphany Fellowship in Philadelphia, PA. He is also the founder and president of Thriving, an urban ministry organization committed to training leaders for ministry in cities locally, nationally, and internationally. Dr. Mason is also the author of Manhood Restored (Leadership Kit and Study Guide), Beat God to the Punch, Unleashed, Woke Church and Urban Apologetics. Dr. Mason has also contributed to multiple publications to serve the body of Christ. Dr. Mason considers himself a foodie, coffee snob and enjoys reading, writing, art, and shopping for style.
Michael Carrion
PASTOR/SPEAKER
Michael serves as the VP of Church Planting and Leadership Development for City to City, NYC. He oversees the NYC team prayerfully and discerningly recruiting, training and resourcing church planters called to plant healthy missional churches in the five boroughs of NYC. Michael has successfully planted several churches and charter schools across the South Bronx. He is a social justice activist and community organizer who has been nationally recognized for his work among the poor across the city.
CHURCH PLANTING TRACK
Friday Workshop 11am
Scott Free
Workshop: Church Remixed
Remixing the traditional planting model while embracing the new wineskin for the urban church.
Bio
Scott Free is an evangelist, pastor, and urban missionary in Atlanta, Ga. He is the founder of the non-profit “City Takers,” which exists to “raise up urban missionaries who transform cities through hip-hop, love, and Jesus.” Scott is also a church planter and lead pastor of Crossover Church ATL, a multi-ethnic, socio-economically diverse church in the inner city. Scott can also be heard weekly on “The City Takers Radio Show,” a CHH radio program on Victory 91.5FM in Atlanta. Scott Free has over 15 years of experience in urban ministry and believes in discipling people to have servant hearts and be “The Church 24/7 wherever God has placed them.”
Friday Workshop 1:30pm
Jerome Vierling
Don’t plant a church, plant yourself.
Jesus will build his church and planting a church is always about first building us. Come learn seven ways church planting has shaped my discipleship.
Bio
Jerome has been married for 16 years and has five kids. Jesus saved him 20 years ago from a life consumed with drugs and darkness. He led a music missionary non- profit called Soundsgood and wrote discipleship material called Get Rooted. Through his ministry, he’s produced five Gospel CD’s and given away 30,000 albums at ministry events. Then eventually, Jerome planted an inner city church in Lansing, MI called City Life Lansing. City Life Lansing is six years old and it is sanctification on steroids. Current favorite movie is Tenet and his favorite album is the soundtrack.
Saturday Workshop 11am
Michael Carrion
Workshop: Centering the Margins
Are you called to plant a church? Do you sense a pull toward planting the gospel in urban communities? Then this workshop is for you! Dr. Carrion VP of church planting with City to City will present a framework of how missional movement from the margins is key to reaching the city for Jesus.
Bio
Michael serves as the VP of Church Planting and Leadership Development for City to City, NYC. He oversees the NYC team prayerfully and discerningly recruiting, training and resourcing church planters called to plant healthy missional churches in the five boroughs of NYC. Michael has successfully planted several churches and charter schools across the South Bronx. He is a social justice activist and community organizer who has been nationally recognized for his work among the poor across the city.
YOUTH MINISTRY TRACK
sponsored by Urban Youth Workers Institute
Friday Workshop 11am Karmiña Meléndez-Phaire
Workshop: “Reboot Your Group”
So much has changed in the last year and a half, and you may have noticed that some of the things you do in your youth ministry have begun to lag, glitch, or don’t work like they used to. ‘Reboot Your Group’ will challenge you to evaluate your youth ministry as a whole and install the updates that will maximize your output and further impact the lives of your teens.
Bio
Karmiña is the Youth Pastor at Crossover Church. She began serving in youth ministry in 2003. In 2004 she co-founded T.I.B Tuesdays at Suncoast Cathedral Assembly of God. T.I.B. Tuesdays performing arts ministry was founded with a focus on taking back the arts and using them to glorify Christ. She coached the T.I.B. Hip Hop Dance team for 13 years, overseeing the Drama and Breakdance Ministry as well as sharing the Word weekly with dancers from all over the Tampa Bay area & Florida. Outside of the church, Karmiña has worked as a Prevention Specialist for an after school program, a caseworker with the Florida Department of Children and Families, a House Parent for a Teen Foster Girls Home and most recently a Violence Prevention Specialist at Pinellas Park Middle School in Pinellas Park, Fl.
Friday Workshop 1:30pm
William Cumby
Workshop: Put your whole digital footprint in it.
Strategies and techniques for reaching millennial youth during a pandemic- based on Joshua 1:3
Bio
William Cumby is the Minister of Youth for The Fountain of Praise in Houston, Texas and now serves as the National Fuel Network Coordinator for UYWI. He is a graduate of the DeVos Urban Leadership Initiative and a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Oral Roberts University. William has served in youth ministry for over 17 years and has led several youth focused initiatives in several countries and upon various stages and platforms during his time doing youth ministry. On February 20, 2018, William was awarded with a day dedicated to him in Houston, TX – The fourth-largest city in the United States—for the work he does in his community. William is married to Ebony Cumby and together they have three children: William II, Dylan, and Grace.
Saturday Workshop 11am
Tommy Carrington
Workshop: Seven Essential Ingredients for a Dynamic and Balanced Urban Youth Ministry.
This workshop will lay down Biblical principles for an effective youth ministry in the city. It will help you develop a foundation for a youth ministry that is culturally relevant and biblically solid. We will provide practical tools with which you will be able to build a team and implement a program that is effective in reaching young people with the Gospel, discipling them in their faith, and empowering them as leaders.
Bio
Tommy Carrington was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica. After moving to Florida, he obtained a bachelor’s degree from Trinity International University, and served as a Youth Evangelist with Miami Youth for Christ for 12 years. In 2002, he launched the Urban Training Network (now Impact 922 Ministries), to equip youth leaders for effective ministry. Tommy also earned a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Trinity International University, a Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and is completing a PhD at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. In addition to traveling and speaking, he currently serves as a Professor at Trinity International University, just outside Chicago, Illinois.
URBAN APOLOGETICS TRACK
Friday Workshop 11am
Vocab Malone
Workshop: The Rise of Hebrew Israelism: Understanding and Overcoming
The ideology of black Israelism has grown steadily the past decade. This theology has gained a surprising foothold amongst “the churched.” “Hebrew Israelite” leaders are relentless in their attack campaigns against the Christian church. What can be done? God’s people must understand, and then act! This workshop, led by a Christian apologist who is a well-known critic of Hebrew Israelism, will give you a foundation for both wisdom and action regarding this unbalanced doctrine.
Bio
VOCAB MALONE holds a Master’s from Phoenix Seminary and has engaged in post-grad work at both Talbot and Trinity. Vocab’s ministry focus is urban contextualized apologetics. He hosts a livestream show across various social media platforms, The Street Apologist. Vocab has participated in many public debates and dialogues with Muslims, atheists, Kemetics, the Eastern Orthodox, and especially “Hebrew Israelites.” He’s the author of a book on the history and beliefs of 1West Hebrew Israelism and a contributing author to “Our God is Triune: Essays in Biblical Theology”, and a freelance contributor for a few apologetics print publications. Vocab enjoys geek culture and Christian hip hop. He resides in downtown Phoenix, Arizona.
Friday Workshop 1:30pm
Da T.R.U.T.H.
Workshop: Is Christianity really for me?
There is a mass migration away from Christianity and organized religion. As the culture deconstructs, Christianity, which used to be seen as a solution, is now viewed as the problem. This workshop is intended to enter the conversation and answer the question that looms in the hearts of so many; is Christianity really for me?
Bio
Da Truth is a world-renowned artist, speaker and now lead Pastor of apologetics at Hillsong Atlanta. He is a graduate of Cairn University, The Institution for Jewish Studies and The Oxford Center for Christian Apologetics. Selling over a quarter of a million albums, Da’ Truth has toured approximately 20 times across every continent on the globe. His greatest passions are Jesus, family, music and apologetics.
Saturday Workshop 11am
Dr. Eric Mason
Workshop: Urban Apologetics
In this workshop we will discuss the defense of the Christian faith against Black objections and how Christianity meets the unique needs and answers the unique questions of Black people. Urban Apologetics is doing the work of sharing the gospel by giving an answer and a defense of Christianity to Black people in light of the intellectual, emotional, and ethnic identity concerns of minority communities.
Bio
DR. ERIC MASON is the founder and pastor of Epiphany Fellowship in Philadelphia, PA. He and his wife, Yvette, have four children. After more than two decades of gospel ministry, Dr. Mason has become known for his passion to see the glory of Jesus Christ robustly and relevantly engaged in broken cities with the comprehensive gospel. He helps coach and train families to plant churches locally, nationally, and internationally. He is the founder and president of Thriving, an urban resource organization committed to developing leaders for ministry in the urban context, and is the author of three books, Manhood Restored, Beat God to the Punch, and Unleashed. He is the recipient of multiple earned degrees, including a BS in Psychology from Bowie State University, a Master of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a Doctoral degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
MUSIC & BUSINESS TRACK
Friday Workshop 11am Trackstarz Ryan Moore
Workshop: “Staying On the Rails”: What to do when you feel like your business or career is getting off track.”
In 2014 Trackstarz attended our very first Flavor Fest conference. At the time, no one knew who we were. We were so unknown to the point that the only way we were able to make it backstage was by holding another media person’s camera and hauling all of his equipment for the weekend. Now fast forward to 2021, we’ve been syndicated to over 200 radio stations, won a Stellar Award, and have been nominated for numerous awards. Our team made the Top 200 of Music Podcast on iTunes several times, we were given a national television spot on Cable and Satellite TV, developed our own community called the Trackstarz Universe, and started our own distribution company. Now we’re recognized as one of the largest platforms for Urban Christian media and entertainment. We’ve grown, but there were many times where we felt like we were falling off the rails and wanted to throw in the towel. So how did we stay on track? What did God do for us that you want Him to do for you? We’ve put together a panel of artists and business owners that will dissect and reconstruct your way of thinking!
Bio
Ryan “Righteous” Moore serves as the Vice President of Trackstarz, a subsidiary of Jaidot Media, the multimedia brand owner of Trackstarz (2006) Nectar Distribution (2017) and Rendr TV (2019). Ryan has worked in the Radio industry for over 20 years now. His career stems from his early days as a college radio personality, to his internship and hire at Radio One-Atlanta (Urban One). Ryan holds a B.A. from Clark Atlanta University where he studied Radio Production. Ryan is the Co-founder of the Trackstarz, Nectar Distribution and Rendr TV brands.
These three entities aim to serve the Urban Christian community. Ryan is one of three co-hosts for the Radio, Television and Podcast show “Trackstarz Live”. Ryan is a native of Atlanta where he currently lives. He is a loving husband to his wife, Latoya Moore, and their four children.
Friday Workshop 1:30pm
Ruslan
Workshop: Disruptive Value for the Christian Creative
How to leverage media and technology to build a career as creative.
Bio
Ruslan is a refugee from Azerbaijan Baku. Relocating to San Diego as a child, positioned Ruslan to explore hip hop and media. He’s been married since 2008, has two kids and has been full time with music since 2015. Recently, he has become known for the content he posts on his Youtube channel (Ruslankd), where he tackles challenging issues of the day from a balanced Biblical view.
Saturday Workshop 11am Kevin Sparkman Syntax
Workshop: 5 Successful Release Strategy Pro-Tips
How’s your upcoming release strategy looking? Do you have one? How have your recent strategies/plans been working out for you? In this seminar, we’ll look at five tips for a successful marketing plan for your next release. Release, Rinse & Repeat!
Bio
As VP of Communications/Marketing, Sparkman was Syntax Creative’s first Nashville-based hire in the company’s 15 plus year history in 2019. After earning his degree in Commercial Music Performance/Music Business from Belmont University in 2002, Kevin was a full-time touring drummer for a variety of signed artists. After that he became Senior Agent at Nashville-based Verge Artist Agency (booking/management), and then General Manager for Beatmart Recordings in the mid-late 2000’s. In 2015, Sparkman became the Managing Editor of CCM Magazine, bringing the 35 plus year old legacy brand into the digital age with new media prominence. Kevin and wife Kim live in Spring Hill, TN.
ENTREPRENEUR TRACK
Friday Workshop 11am
Sam Sandusky
Workshop: Seminar on Entrepreneurship
You know the Lord has called you to bless the world with your voice, but how does the business of music really work? How does one get started in running a new music business, or any kind of business for that matter? If music isn’t your focus, but being independent and calling your own shots is, what will be your first steps? Maybe you’ve been in business for some time, but never seem to have enough money to pay the bills. Have you ever considered creating a long-term plan that will sustain you, your family, and your dreams, especially before you go broke!? This session will give you great tips on setting realistic goals to get started in your new business, no matter what it is. As a group we will be discussing ways for you to create a sustainable business now and well into the future.
Bio
Sam Sandusky is a Florida native. Having worked in the technology industry for over 30 years, he has built a stellar career. Sam founded Big Sur Technologies in 1999 and has built a powerhouse IT Network Support Team that serves small and medium sized businesses through central Florida. He has grown the business organically and through acquisition while keeping his company debt-free. He has mentored aspiring men and women in the tech business for many years and enjoys sharing his experience through speaking engagements and workshops. He has served our community through the United Way of Tampa Bay, the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, and led various ministries in the local church. Sam has a heart for spreading the Gospel and has extensive foreign missions experience. He’s also raised six beautiful children with his wife of 25 years, Lisa.
Friday Workshop 1:30pm
Henry Murphy
Workshop: Bootstrapping…Building your business from the ground up through consistency.
Henry has built several businesses. He built the Unapologetic Clothing brand from scratch to doing multiple six figures. In this workshop he’ll share his steps and how he has utilized several technology platforms to increase sales and build consistent customers.
Bio
Savannah native Henry C. Murphy is a serial entrepreneur, brand strategist, and goal executioner. Driven by creativity, the multi-hyphenated business owner recognizes that success isn’t defined by money, but by family, health, and longevity. His previous experience as a two time, high-grossing restaurant manager has prepared him for success as the CEO of Unapologetic Urban Gear, a premier faith-based clothing line for the young, fly, and fresh. Its motto is: We don’t dim our light to fit in. We have been set apart for a purpose. Unapologetic Urban Gear has quickly become a household name, as seen in magazines, on the backs of celebrities, and featured on world tours.
Saturday Workshop 11am
Betty Flores
Workshop: Branding and marketing for entrepreneurs
This workshop is designed to take you from vision to execution of brand identity. We cover the conception, design, and positioning of branding for new business owners. You’ll develop an entrepreneurial mindset and hone the skills you need to develop or expand your brand guidelines, tagline and positioning whether it’s a new business or a new idea. Plus, you’ll get the top three pitfalls to avoid in branding and marketing.
Bio
Betty Flores is a brand strategist to some of the major digital companies on the globe. Betty has been in the sales and marketing industry for over a decade and currently is a full time Business Strategist for major organizations worldwide.
CHURCH INNOVATION TRACK
WITH CROSSOVER
Friday Workshop 11am
Lucy Kyllonen
Workshop: What does Leadership look like in times of uncertainty?
There is one thing that the pandemic of 2020 made abundantly clear – the need for healthy leaders to navigate through uncertainty, change and disruption. This is certainly no easy task, but the time to adapt and innovate is now. Join Pastor Lucy in this workshop on Adaptive Leadership and the importance of emotional intelligence, discovering new strategies for the season you are in, and being proactive, not reactive, under stressful circumstances. Learn the art of mobilizing people to tackle tough challenges in order to thrive, flourish and innovate, even during a pandemic.
Bio
Lucy Kyllonen has been in urban ministry alongside her Pastor husband, Tommy Kyllonen for 25 years. She is an author and holds a BA in Psychology from Southeastern University, an MA in Mental Health Counseling from USF and is a Certified Life Coach. Lucy has served in a variety of positions from youth ministry to conference and retreat planning, Director of Chosen Women’s Ministry and now Life & Spiritual Development Coach. Even as a proud and natural born ambivert, her roles include teaching, speaking, leading and mentoring women by influencing them with Godly living, infusing truth and igniting hope in their lives.
Friday Workshop 1:30pm
Tommy Kyllonen
Workshop: Innovations that have helped our church grow during the pandemic
The past 18 months have been challenging for churches. With all the uncertainty it’s been hard to plan and create momentum. In the middle of a pandemic – Crossover Church has grown in several ways. This session will share several innovations that have helped us keep people connected and feel loved, reach and keep new families (50% of our in person
attendance is new in the past 12 months) and how we’ve grown our giving (2021 will be our largest financial year in our history).
Bio
Tommy “Urban D.” Kyllonen is the Lead Pastor at Crossover Church where he has served for over 25 years. In addition to pastoring, he is an author, Hip-Hop artist, consultant and content creator. He has a passion to help other leaders innovate and win. Tommy and his wife Lucy have two daughters and just celebrated 25 years of marriage.
Saturday Workshop 11am
Darnel Butler
Workshop: How Does Crossover Do It?
Crossover Church is driven by its creativity! From Broadway style Christmas productions to Flavor Fest to Sunday services and more. This workshop will talk about all the creativity that goes into making an epic experience come to life. We will look at the arts and the technical aspects of how we do it all.
Bio
Darnel M. Butler was born on December 19 in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He has been ministering to churches for over 25 years now.. He served over 15 years as Minister of Music and Director of Worship & Arts for Allen Chapel AME Church, Bethel AME Church, Rise Above It Family Church, Relevant Church, and Calvary NSB. He has been at Crossover for over 4 years as the Pastor of worship and arts. Darnel is an accomplished musician and songwriter. He has written and published over 100 praise and worship songs, some of which have been recorded and performed in different areas around the nation. His musical resume includes opening for and working with Tamela Mann, Kierra Sheard, Donnie McClurkin, Clint Brown, Martha Munizzi, LaRue Howard, Todd Galberth, and more.
PASTORS KIDS/MINISTRY LEADERS KIDS TRACK
Friday Workshop 11am
A.I. The Anomaly
Workshop: Through The Lens
The camera and the pen are our paintbrushes. We choose what we capture through our lens and through the choice of our words, we create a voice, our unique masterpiece. Students will take a journey through the magical world of photography and learn how to compose stories through photography. Through the hands-on use of digital cameras, iPads, and lighting equipment, students learn the basics of photography while applying the use of literary elements to create narratives based on their photos. Students develop skills within the following areas: photography, literary arts, organization, planning and goal implementation strategies.
Bio
Aitina Fareed-Cooke “A.I. The Anomaly” initially pursued creative expression in words, and later photography and music, as a means to address the trauma of her early life. She has since become an accomplished Christian hip-hop artist, award-winning photographer, and established her own creative media arts company, Get Fokus’d Productions. As the creative director and educator with various local nonprofits, she has dedicated herself to creatively capturing compelling stories through the lens, designing Arts & Education curriculums, and investing into the next generation of creatives through assisting them in claiming the power to rewrite their own stories through the arts.
Saturday Workshop 11am
Maddie Rey
Workshop: How to walk in your Identity and Purpose as a young person that has grown up in the church or the ministry.
Helping young people change their perspective of growing up in the ministry and navigating through the good, the bad, and the ugly to see the value of finding their purpose, identity and confidence in the church.
Bio
Maddie Rey is a Christian Recording Artist, Speaker, Evangelist, and Author with a heart to reach a young generation and to empower young people to live passionate lives for Jesus. At a young age Maddie Rey was able to launch Maddie Rey Ministries where she provides content to young people through her music, books, videos, merchandise and teaching.