As a child, Elias Chacour lived in a small Palestinian village in Galilee. The townspeople were proud of their ancient Christian heritage and lived at peace with their Jewish neighbors. But in 1948 and ’49 their idyllic lifestyle was swept away as tens of thousands of Palestinians were killed and nearly one million were forced into refugee camps. As an exile in his native land, Elias began a years-long struggle with his love for the Jewish people and the world’s misunderstanding of his own people, the Palestinians. He is convicted by the haunting words of the Man of Galilee: “Blessed are the Peacemakers”. Father Chacour has become an ambassador for non-violence. He has a vision and passion to build peace through education and is the founder of the Mar Elias Educational Institutions, open to all the children of Israel; Jewish, Christian and Muslim. He has received many international peace awards and been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize on three occasions. He is the author of Blood Brothers and We Belong to this Land. Father Chacour is the Archbishop of the Melkite Catholic Church in Haifa, Israel.

Ghanaian economist at American University, recognized authority on Africa and Economic Development, and author of the influential book Africa Unchained . He has coined the term “the Hippo and Cheetah generations” referring to the old and new African elites. He focuses on bottom-up economics through “Cheetah Enterprises” – projects starting at the grassroots level that enable Africans to improve their quality of life. He speaks passionately about empowering Africans to take back Africa.

A renowned speaker, Rich DeVos has appeared before hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. His recorded talk, “Selling America,” received the Alexander Hamilton Award for Economic Education from the Freedom’s Foundation. He has written four books: BELIEVE!, Compassionate Capitalism, Hope From My Heart: Ten Lessons for Life and most recently Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People. He is the Cofounder of Amway Corporation and chairman of the NBA Orlando Magic.

The Milton B. Engebretson Associate Professor of Church Growth & Evangelism at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL. He is the author of The Next Evangelicalism: Freeing the Church from Western Cultural Captivity (IVP, 2009). He served as the founding senior pastor of the Cambridge Community Fellowship Church, a multi-ethnic, urban, post-modern generation church in the Central Square neighborhood of Cambridge, MA. He currently serves on the boards of Sojourners and the Catalyst Leadership Center. He will be our speaker for Martin Luther King, Jr. day speaking on the vision for the multi-cultural church.

Founder of Wikipedia, one of the ten most visited web sites in the world. He is a U.S. Internet entrepreneur and wiki pioneer. Ranked 12th by Forbes Magazine in their first annual “Web Celeb 25” list and named one of TIME Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People”. In 2007 the World Economic Forum recognized Wales as one of its “Young Global Leaders.” Mr. Wales predicts that the Internet will democratize developing countries by making the world “flat”, opening markets, promoting cultural understanding, and giving developing nations the resources they need to compete in the 21st century.

Current member of Egyptian Parliament, Board Chairperson for the Association for the Protection of the Environment, Ms. Greiss works with the poor and marginalized Christian community of garbage collectors in Cairo. Her work focuses on environmental protection and the empowerment of women and children.

Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Congregational and Ministry Studies at Calvin College. He describes his work as “undertaken in the borderlands between philosophy, theology, ethics, aesthetics, science, and politics.” He is most interested in bringing critical thought to bear on the practices of the church and the church's witness to culture. Smith has written many books, and his presentation will be based on his most recent which was released in September 2009.

Prison Warden of the Louisiana State Penitentiary. His steadfast rejection of a “lock ‘em up and throw away the key” mentality can be seen in the progressive, compassionate programs and sound correctional procedures he has implemented. The hallmark of his remarkable administration is his relentless efforts to help each inmate discover value and purpose in his life, to experience true freedom of the soul. His story is a story of hope and transformation in America’s bloodiest prison. He is the subject of the book Cain’s Redemption.

An independent consultant on US/Asian relations, North Korea, and nuclear arms, known and highly respected by business and government leaders throughout Asia and the U.S. He serves as Asian advisor to New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson. He has traveled to North Korea nearly thirty times and for this presentation he will use his experience of dealing with North Korea over the past twenty years to reflect on current situations. Namkung is a 1967 Calvin alum.

Founder and senior pastor of Citadel of Faith Covenant Church, a congregation of 800 in Detroit, Michigan. Located in one of the poorest zip codes in America, Citadel of faith is committed to providing real solutions for people and communities in distress. Pastor Carey serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Central Detroit Christian Community Development Corporation, a non-profit providing social services, housing, and enrichment activities for youth and children. Pastor Carey, who grew up in the projects of southside Chicago, is an exceptional communicator, widely known for his ability to communicate the transforming truth of God's Word.