Dr. Terry Zeitlow
Conference Coordinator and Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations at LeTourneau University
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Two years ago, I became a grandfather for the first time though I had four other precious ones who called me Papa Z. and my wife, Jiji. At that same time, I heard Larry Fowler speak for the first time; the only thing going through my mind was, “you have a huge responsibility to these children”. I had always wanted to lead into our annual LeTourneau University homecoming with some type of conference and after hearing Larry speak, I thought an intentional Christian Grandparents Conference could be a great initiative for an inaugural event.
I am completely humbled and honored to have such amazing talent presenting over these two days. Each of these folks has bought into this vision and sacrificed to participate and share from their vast and personal experience. They are content experts who live in these spaces that will help us understand ourselves and youth of today. If you are a grandparent or soon to be grandparent, you will not want to miss this!
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Registration
Registration is $75 per couple or $40 per individual, and includes a participant booklet and other conference materials
- Event Schedule
- Featured Presenters
Day 1 | Oct 2
Noon-5pm, Belcher Center, Campus of LeTourneau University
- Noon-1pm: Registration
- Larry Fowler
- LeTourneau University Singers
- Sarah Rose Summers
- Tech Time with LeTourneau Students
- Crawford Loritts
Day 2 | Oct 3
Part 1 | 8am-Noon, Belcher Center, Campus of LeTourneau University
- Dr. Kathy Koch
- Dr. Jim Taylor: leading hymns of the faith
- Dr. Jonathan Lett: Faith, Science and Technology
- Tech Time with LeTourneau Students
- LeTourneau University Psychology Faculty: Mental Health
- SQuire Rushnell and Louise DuArt Rushnell
Part 2 | Noon-5pm, First Baptist Church, Downtown Longview
- Breakout Sessions (1:30, 2:30, and 3:30)
- Dr. Kathy Koch: Child Development
- Larry Fowler: How to Start a Grandparents Ministry in your Church
- Jean Moize: How to Run a Grandparents Meeting
- LeTourneau Students: More Tech Time
- Tom Bevan: Legacy Giving, a Framework for Leaving Your Children and Grandchildren an Inheritance
- Dr. Larry and Annie Mercer and Michelle Charles: Maximizing Moments
- LeTourneau University Psychology Faculty: Mental Health
- Dr. Steven D. Mason: Why Choose a Christian College?
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Larry Fowler is the founder of Legacy Coalition, a national ministry focused on equipping Christian grandparents to fulfill their biblical role of impacting grandchildren. For 50 years, he has pursued his calling to children’s ministry, beginning as a youth pastor, then missionary, then international trainer (in 47 different countries), and senior executive with Awana Clubs International. He has years of experience writing children’s ministry curriculum. He is the author of the best-selling books, Rock Solid Kids and Raising a Modern-Day Joseph, as well as several other books on children’s ministry, parenting, and grandparenting. He has been featured in parenting videos by Focus on the Family and is a frequent main-stage and breakout speaker at conferences and seminars. His latest books are Overcoming Grandparenting Barriers and My Wish of All Wishes, a children’s book for grandparents to read. |
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Dr. Crawford Loritts has traveled throughout the US and much of the world, speaking in churches, evangelistic outreaches, conferences, colleges and seminaries. He has been the featured speaker at Super Bowls, NCAA Final Four Chapel and the Pentagon with senior military officers. He has been a church planter, served for 27 years on the staff of Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ) and served for 15 years as Sr. Pastor of Fellowship Bible Church, Roswell, Georgia. He and his wife, Karen, have been featured speakers at FamilyLife marriage conferences. Crawford is the author of 9 books including Your Marriage Today… and Tomorrow, co-authored with Karen. He is the host of two national radio programs, the weekend program Living a Legacy and the daily program Legacy Moments. |
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Dr. Kathy Koch (pronounced “cook”) is leading a charge to celebrate kids the way Jesus did and still does. Her ministry, Celebrate Kids, Inc., based in Fort Worth, TX, is dedicated to inspiring parents, grandparents, and those who work with children, teens, and young adults to nurture them to develop a convinced identity in Jesus Christ. Dr. Kathy’s influence is renowned, impacting parents, educators, and children of all ages through her compelling keynote addresses, workshops, and spiritual engagements. Well respected in Christian education and advocacy circles, Dr. Kathy actively contributes her expertise to schools, churches, and community initiatives, aligning with organizations like Care Net, Summit Ministries, the Colson Center, and Teach Them Diligently to amplify her message of faith and empowerment. Her insights have garnered recognition in documentary films, notably by Kirk Cameron, and her articulate discussions are frequently featured on platforms like Focus on the Family, Moody Radio, and the American Association of Christian Counselors, further solidifying recognition as a thought leader in child development and faith formation for kids. Dr. Kathy's literary contributions, including seven books published by Moody Publishers, delve into critical themes of cognitive development, digital engagement, and intentional parenting, showcasing her scholarly depth and practical approach to child rearing. |
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Sarah Rose Summers made history in 2018 as Nebraska's first Miss USA. However, she is no stranger to Texas - she graduated Cum Laude with two degrees from Texas Christian University, then completed her clinical rotations at OU Children's to become a Certified Child Life Specialist. Winning Miss USA changed the trajectory of her life, landing her in New York City with a career as a fulltime influencer working with dream brands like Saks Fifth Avenue and Kendra Scott to name two. Although she is no longer a practicing child life specialist, Sarah Rose utilizes her education as a volunteer and advocate for Smile Train, Shoreline City Church, and as the mother of her son who has medical complexities. Sarah Rose now lives in Dallas with her husband, Conner Combs, son, Caden, and their puppy, Bali the Bulldog. |
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SQuire Rushnell is a former TV executive with ABC who took the Good Morning America show to its #1 ranking. He is also the creative source and energy behind after school specials and programs like Schoolhouse Rock. Programs that he has been involved with have won an impressive 75 Emmy Awards. Louise DuArt may be best known as one of the world’s top comedic impressionists who co-starred on tour with Tim Conway and Harvey Korman for over a decade. SQuire introduced into the English language the term, “Godwink”. This idea that circumstances are not circumstances but they are God’s way of communicating with us. Together they have authored 12 bestsellers filled with uplifting Godwink Stories, produced five Hallmark Godwink movies and the huge Netflix success Rescued by Ruby. SQuire and Louise are also founders of Pray Together Stay Together™, a nonprofit that encourages stronger marriages through partnered prayer. They have a new TV series in development called the Pray Stay Challenge in which couples are challenged to revitalize their marriages by committing to 5 minutes of prayer for 40 days. |
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Guest Emcee: Mike Harper was born in a barn in Cincinnati sometime in the late 50s. He knows this to be true because of the thousands of times his mom told him he “must have been born in a barn.” He blames growing up in suburban southwest Ohio for his lack of southern drawl. Mike has been with the KVNE radio ministry for 35 years and part of what keeps him here is what a worthwhile endeavor it is to encourage people in Jesus 24/7. When he’s not on the radio, Mike likes to play drums, write, collect Beatles memorabilia and bust throw-down dance moves with his grandchildren who he adores. He and his lovely wife and life partner, Lois, reside in Forney, Texas, and attend the Gateway church in Southlake, where Mike once got lost in the crowd and wasn’t found for three days. |
