BUSINESS & MINISTRY CONFERENCE 2024
Speakers & Bios
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Tim Antkowiak
Tim is a video producer and director who is passionate about telling stories to educate, inspire, and motivate positive action. With over 20 years of experience in the Corporate world and 15 years directly in Ministry, Tim recently accepted the calling of shepherding Christ at Work, a non-profit that captures inspiring stories of Christian leaders who bring their faith into their workplace.
A Christian’s faith is not only for Sundays. It should be lived out fully in the workplace where people spend the majority of their time during the week. The workplace is a great opportunity to reach people. When Christian leaders engage and share their faith through strategies in the workplace, Christians can begin to bring about transformation and restoration to those they work with.
For the past 3 years, Tim and the team at Christ at Work have been gathering video testimonies from men and women who lead their companies in a way that reflects Christ. These leaders see themselves as “stewards” and participate in the Great Commission right where they are, in the workplace!
Having captured over 40 stories from businesses of all sizes and industries, Tim will introduce us to why Faith in the workplace is so important and show us strategies people are using to make a difference! Every one of us has an opportunity, and a responsibility, to make a kingdom difference for the people around us.
While attending the Business and Ministry event, you discover encouragement that God is doing amazing things. You will be inspired by stories of transformation and you will be challenged to explore the possibility of taking a first step or next step for yourselves!
Breakout Session 1
Don't be a Therapist, Provide a Lifeline! - Panelists
Bill Pharris
My name is Bill Pharris from Bowling Green, KY. My career has span 40 years in various businesses. This includes 30 years as mid-level management in manufacturing, 8 years as VP and COO in supply chain and logistics, and the past 2 years as COO of a company that owns a pharmacy, mobile healthcare, and assisted living facilities. My wife Kim and I have been married 36 years and attend Living Hope Baptist Church. I have always been involved in my local church and have served in many capacities from teaching, small group leader, and elder.
I have had the pleasure of working with MarketPlace Chaplains for the past 10 years in my business activities. Partnering with chaplains in the marketplace opened the door to ministry in ways that otherwise we would have missed. The chaplain’s engagement with our employees filled a void that is difficult to explain and we really did not know we had. I would encourage any business owner to investigate chaplaincy in their business as an asset for their employees, customers, and an arm of ministry to spread the gospel though caring.
Ron Henry
Since entering the marketplace, Ron has had continuous demonstrated success in the “People Business” specializing in advisory and executive search services and has enjoyed the past 8+ years supporting Marketplace Chaplains as their Executive Director of Expansion, bringing care to those frontline workers. He gives credit for his impact in the marketplace through active membership with several faith-based leader peer groups. In his career, he has directly and indirectly been responsible for the successful positioning of over 2000 leaders in all industries to include leadership roles and organizational consulting with global/national/regional faith-based marketplace organizations.
Ron received his MBA from The Wharton School, and BSME from the University of Rhode Island. Active ordained minister of reconciliation at Windows of Heaven Jesus’ Storehouse.
Ron is blessed with a wonderful wife of 44 years, daughter/son-in-law/2 grandkids, and son & daughter-in-law. In 2017, God relocated Ron & his wife to Franklin, TN after having been based in Southern California for over 40 years.
Beverly Eades
Beverly has been serving in women’s ministry for the past 25 years, serving along side her husband as Senior Pastor. She joined Marketplace Chaplains in 2021 providing care for several companies in the greater Louisville metro area. She has had a lot of success connecting with the employees, providing care for them and their families by coming alongside them during their hard times and helping them through life situations. Some of those situations have dealt with thoughts of suicide as well as tragic events that have occurred at their workplace. She makes herself available 24/7 whether phone, text or in person.
Todd Barton
Breaking Barriers: Developing a Kingdom Community
Bryan Proctor
Breakout Session 2
Making Faith Part of the Business
Cliff Hilton & Joel Gerdis
Cliff Hilton and Joel Gerdis form an exciting duo in the world of branding and strategy, serving up Brand & Strategy to clients they love at Crate Collective. Their partnership is a blend of creativity, strategic thinking, and a shared commitment to excellence.
Cliff, with his deep passion for design and entrepreneurship, founded Crate Collective, driven by the desire to create impactful brands. His work is characterized by innovative approaches and meticulous attention to detail. Through Crate Collective, Cliff aims to blend artistry with business acumen, creating brands that resonate with authenticity.
Joel Gerdis brings a strategic mindset and a keen understanding of market dynamics to the team. With a background in market research and trend analysis, Joel ensures that their brand strategies are not only creative but also rooted in market behaviors. Together with Cliff, he collaborates on projects that push boundaries and redefine brand experiences.
Their partnership at Crate Collective has led to the creation & growth of brands showcased around the United States. Whether it’s developing a new visual identity, crafting a comprehensive marketing plan, or reimagining brand narratives, Cliff and Joel pour their hearts into every project.
Beyond their professional endeavors, Cliff and Joel share a strong faith in the Lord and the saving grace of Jesus. This faith serves as a guiding light, inspiring them to use their talents for a greater purpose. They believe that creativity, strategy, and faith can intersect to create meaningful and impactful work.
You can connect with Cliff and Joel, and learn more about their work, on crate-collective.com and LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/cliffhilton/ & linkedin.com/in/joelgerdis/). Join them on their journey as they continue to create innovative brand strategies that captivate audiences and make a difference in the world.
Being Light in the Business Community - Panelists
Jenn Muller
Jen Muller, a Christian
wife & homeschooling mother of 7, started a Christian company, Redemption
Solar and Roofing, in 2022 with her husband, Mike, in order to serve their
clients and employees as ‘unto Christ.’
After working in the
service industry and in sales, Jen worked alongside her husband in 2017 in
sales and business strategy as he ventured into the roofing and solar industry.
Together they grew the vision that has become the company they own today with the
mission “To honor Christ by serving our clients…”
The Mullers hope to
further their support of the Christian business community by connecting their
teams with other Christian companies and encouraging other business owners to
operate in a more openly Christian manner.
Matt Mays
Matt Mays is a local entrepreneur with a passion to share the love of Jesus with others. He’s the founder of Kingdom Holdings, a parent company that provides leadership guidance to its five Christian subsidiaries, with each company either focused on evangelism or discipleship in the workplace. The subsidiaries provide services ranging from commercial cleaning to staffing services and from real estate management to financing.
Matt and his family attend First Baptist Church of Henryville (IN).
Robert Heinz
Robert grew up in the family business, H&H
Design-Build. After working 14 years in another
family’s business, he returned to work with his brothers for 20+ years, eventually
turning the family healthcare design and construction company it into an ESOP,
which serves large global clients with excellence. His discovery that we are
simply stewards of God’s provision kindled the desire to transform the business
from values-driven to faith- and fruits-driven.
Retiring as the company transitioned ownership in 2021,
Robert now serves other businesses as a TCA Coach and Facilitator—helping other
business owners and leaders take their next step with Jesus.
Tony Gray
Lucas Frazier
Lucas Frazier is the Executive Director of Business & Ministry Initiatives. Prior to his work with BMI, Frazier spent over 20 years at UPS, holding multiple leadership roles throughout the company. While at UPS, Frazier trained and mentored employees, preparing them for leadership and management roles within the company.
In addition to his work with BMI, Frazier is also the founder and President of Louisville Keep Your Fork, an advocacy group for Floyds Fork. He currently meets with, inspires, influences, and educates government officials, business owners, environmental advocates, and residents regarding the beauty, wildlife and recreation Floyds Forks offers to Metro Louisville.
Frazier is married with four children and is the Eastern High School cross country team’s FCA Character Coach. His passion is to walk in faith and help others to do the same.