SPEAKERS
REV. BETHANY CARR
Bethany serves as the Executive Pastor at Teays Valley Church of the Nazarene, where she has faithfully served on staff for the past 18 years. She is married to Adam, and together they have two children, AnneMarie and Phinlee.
Bethany grew up as a pastor’s kid in the Church of the Nazarene and answered God’s call to ministry in 1999 at NYC in Toronto, Canada after a few years of wrestling with the call. She attended Trevecca Nazarene University and Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Since then, she has had a passion for serving the local church, her community, Christian education, and the broader Church of the Nazarene.
In addition to her role as Executive Pastor, Bethany serves as District Secretary for the West Virginia South District, Chairman of the School Board at Teays Valley Christian School, and a member of the Salvation Army Board. She is also very actively involved in her most important ministry outside the church—being a mom and keeping up with all the many “mom duties” that come with raising a family.
“My heart for holiness has only grown deeper over the past 13 years as a mom. Knowing that God doesn’t just want all of me, and to be clean and pure in my thoughts, actions, and life — but to then raise up the next generation to live a life that is worthy of His calling.”
Bethany is passionate about ministry, leadership, family, and serving wherever God opens the door.
WALT HEYER
Walt serves as Senior Fellow with Family Research Council. He is a husband, father, and former corporate executive who took hormones and underwent surgery at the age of 42 and identified as a woman for eight years. Through effective psychotherapy and faith in God, Walt was restored to his male identity and biological reality over 35 years ago. For the past 20 years, Walt has helped others who regret trying to live in a manner at odds with how God created them.
Walt advocates for protecting children and adults from these irreversible interventions (known as “gender affirming care”) and has testified to state and federal legislators in the US and other countries in support of policies and legislation that would protect children in this area.
Walt has appeared on Fox News, CNN, the BBC, and Russia’s Channel One; and has participated in hundreds of podcast, radio, and TV interviews. He has also contributed to dozens of documentaries. Walt has written eight books and over 65 articles for USA Today, The Federalist, Public Discourse, The Washington Stand, and The Daily Signal, among other outlets. His latest book, Embracing God’s Design, co-written with Jennifer Bauwens, Ph.D., equips believers to compassionately come alongside those questioning their gender identity. Walt’s previous book, Trans Life Survivors, offers the latest research and 30 stories from the thousands of people who have contacted him for help.
Walt tells his fascinating story in his memoir, A Transgender’s Faith. His advocacy work was honored by HazteOir.org (CitizenGO Spain) in 2023. He also received the Ruth Institute 2022 Witness of the Year award. Walt and his wife of over 29 years, Kaycee, work to share his story of redemption and message of hope around the world. At 85, Walt shows no signs of slowing down, working on his ninth book, speaking, and writing articles.
You can learn more about Walt at: https://waltheyer.com/
REV. MARK BANE
Mark is serving the Church in four distinct capacities:
1. Director of Evangelism & New Church Development for the USA/Canada region of the Church of the Nazarene.
2. Church Planter; An urban core church in Gainesville, FL.
3. Chaplain of Gainesville, FL, for Marketplace Ministries.
4. Church Health Consultant, working with the Prairie Lakes, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Sacramento California Districts. In this role, he leads Church Health Cohorts for over 100 churches within Church Health Systems.
Mark is also the author of the book, Reimagining the Great Commission: The Intentional Practice of Disciple Making (published by The Foundry Publishing, 2024). Mark and his wife, Cheryl, have been happily married for 44 years and reside in Gainesville, Florida. They have two adult children: Katie (Mike) Finn of Georgia, and Kelley (Chris) Green of Georgia, as well as three beautiful grandchildren.
His life mission is to "win as many people to Jesus as possible, then die, and join them for eternity!"
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DR. CHRIS BOUNDS
Rev. Chris Bounds, Ph.D. serves as Professor of Theology at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY. Prior to coming to Asbury, he served as the Dean of the School of Theology & Ministry and Professor of Systematic Theology at Indiana Wesleyan University. He presently serves on the board of directors of One Mission Society (OMS).
His most recent book is Holiness: A Biblical, Historical, and Systematic Theology (IVP Academic), co-authored with Matt Ayars and Caleb Friedeman.