Abel Lopez is the lead pastor at The LEAD Church in Dallas, Texas. He also served as Awana’s US Latino Director, where in 3.5 years was instrumental in developing a discipleship structure for the Latino church, develop a team to lead it, and secured the largest grant in Awana’s 70-year history. He served as Youth and associate Pastor for 18 years at Mundo de Fe church in Dallas, Texas. He received a Masters degree in Leadership from Indiana Wesleyan University. He is also a graduate from Rehma Bible and attended Dallas Christian College from 2002-2005. He is the author of the 12 Fundamental Keys to developing an Effective Youth Ministry and The Leadership Bible, and coauthor of Somos padres... ¿y ahora quién podrá ayudarnos? along with Liderazgo vulnerable o intocable.  He is the founder and author of the CLAY Student Leadership program, a dynamic six-year leadership curriculum focused on reaching students and their parents in the public schools in the US and abroad. He also worked in corporate America where he was instrumental in working with over 450 employees and millions of dollars of inventories. His experience with the corporate world mixed with his ministry knowledge has allowed him to impact this generation. Abel has a passion for the teens of this nation and Latin America, and is a sought after speaker both in English and Spanish leadership training events. Abel resides in Dallas with his wife Mary, their kids and grandkids.

Rev. Dr. Andy Mangum is Regional Minister for the Christian Church in the Southwest (CCSW).  Along with his colleagues on the CCSW Regional Staff, he serves Disciples congregations in New Mexico, Texas, and the Panhandle of Oklahoma.  CCSW facilitates minister search and call, sets standards for ministerial standing, provides continuing education and leadership development, facilitates region-wide events for Disciples Men, Disciples Women and Disciples Youth—just to name a few.   Prior to becoming Regional Minister in 2017, Andy served in local congregations for over 25 years in Arlington, Irving, DeSoto, Weatherford, and Amarillo.  He is married to Lori, an educational diagnostician for Grand Prairie High School.  They have three children: Madison Coleman (married to Taylor Coleman) who teaches 8th Grade English in Amarillo, Andrew (married to Lauryn) works for West Texas A&M, and Joshua is a Freshman at West Texas A & M.   They are also grandparents to Annie and Ellie, twin four and half year-old girls. (don’t ask if you don’t want to seek pictures).