Annual Gathering Speakers

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Keynote Speakers

David Zahl

David Zahl is an author, podcaster and preacher who has spent the last 25 years attempting to connect the freedom of the Gospel with the cares and concerns of everyday life. He is the founder and director of Mockingbird Ministries, editor-in-chief of the Mockingbird website, and co-host of both The Mockingcast and The Brothers Zahl podcasts. His books include Seculosity, Low Anthropology, and most recently, The Big Relief: The Urgency of Grace for a Worn-Out World. Zahl has a keen interest in translating the treasures of the Reformation into fresh language, with a particular passion for how the grace of God addresses those who, like him, find themselves worn out by the accelerating treadmills of contemporary life. He and his family live in Charlottesville, Virginia, where he also serves on the staff of Christ Episcopal Church. Even after all these years, Zahl is still mourning the end of Calvin and Hobbes. You can find him online at www.mbird.com.

Tara Beth Leach

Tara Beth Leach is a pastor, preacher of the Word, and writer. She speaks widely at conferences, retreats, and universities across the country on women in ministry, church leadership, and the call to be a radiant witness. She is the senior pastor at Good Shepherd Church in Naperville, IL, and previously served at Christ Church in Oakbrook, and as senior pastor of First Church of the Nazarene of Pasadena (”PazNaz”) in SoCal. She is a graduate of Olivet Nazarene University and Northern Theological Seminary and has authored four books, including Emboldened and The Great Morning Revolution. Tara Beth is the co-founder of Propel cohorts and is also the co-host of The Pastors Table podcast. She has two beautiful and rambunctious sons and has been married to the love of her life, Jeff, since 2006.

Mike Housholder

Mike Housholder has served as the senior pastor of Lutheran Church of Hope since its founding on All Saints’ Sunday in November 1994. What began as a small church plant has grown, by God’s grace, into a vibrant, multisite, multigenerational congregation reaching more than 20,000 people each weekend with the gospel of Jesus Christ. A creative communicator and visionary leader with a pastor’s heart, Mike also hosts the Pastor Mike Drop podcast, named a top show in Apple Podcasts’ religion and spirituality category. At his core, he remains a mission pastor—passionate about doing the work of an evangelist, making disciples, raising up leaders, and serving neighbors in need. Under his leadership, Hope gives up to half of its annual offerings to local and global mission partners. Mike is a graduate of Concordia College and Luther Seminary and a recipient of Concordia’s Alumni Achievement Award. He and his wife, Sally, have been married since 1987 and are grateful parents of three grown children and seven grandchildren.

Preachers

Nathan Anenson

Nathan Anenson is Senior Pastor of Lutheran Church of the Cross, in Altoona, IA. Nathan received a Master of Divinity degree with a concentration in Congregational Mission and Leadership from Luther Seminary. After serving a church in Cottage Grove, MN, Nathan has been the senior pastor of Church of the Cross for the last 14 years. During that time, Nathan has served as Iowa District President, developed and grown a local non-profit to serve neighbors in need, and coached and mentored 18 seminary students. Nathan loves seeing Jesus transform lives and is passionate about training leaders to be catalysts for the church, living into God’s mission in the 21st Century. Nathan is married to Lisa, and they have two boys (Luke and Levi) who keep them moving and laughing. He enjoys golfing, coaching sports, hanging out with friends, and going on adventures with his family.

Andrea Taphorn

Andrea Taphorn is an LCMC pastor, serving in rural North Central Ohio. Andrea graduated from Kairos University with an MDiv in 2023. Prior to being a pastor, she was a pastor's wife to Brodie Taphorn and served in Children's Ministry for a decade in Columbus, OH and then in San Diego, CA. Andrea is a child of God, marked with the cross of Christ forever. It is her joy to share this good news with those who gather each week, trusting that God meets us in our need with mercy and grace in Christ Jesus. Andrea has three adult children: Abby, Carolyn, and Silas. She loves to bake sourdough bread and to pretend like she knows what she's doing in the garden.

Bible Study Leader

Sarah Stenson

Through her work at Luther House of Study, Sarah trains students to be solid Lutheran pastors. That means she spends much of her time teaching about our evangelical understanding of Scripture. Before coming to Luther House of Study, Sarah practiced corporate law and later stepped away to raise her family. Through involvement in her local congregation–first in Bible studies and then teaching–she was called to begin seminary at LHOS in its earliest months. This eventually led to becoming a professor and the CEO of LHOS, along with being a pastor in LCMC. Sarah is driven by seeing people set free by the Gospel. She is passionate about forming pastors who can clearly proclaim Christ, rightly distinguish Law and Gospel, and care for congregations with the promise of forgiveness at the center. The LHOS website offers an extensive library of free digital resources including podcasts, a confirmation curriculum, and worship planning guides.