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Extravaganza Speakers & Presenters

There are six general sessions throughout the Extravaganza designed for you, those working with children, youth, and families in congregations across the country. Get ready for transformative worship, cutting-edge teaching from our carefully selected speakers, and make meaningful connections that will equip you with exactly what you need for ministry today. Leave inspired, challenged and renewed for your ministry ahead.

More speakers and presenters will be announced soon, check back for updates.  

 Event Theologian

Rev. Joseph Yoo 
Episcopal Priest
Joseph Yoo is an Episcopal priest and reluctant adult. He serves as the vicar of Mosaic Episcopal Church in a suburb of Houston, TX, where he’s trying to help build a community of authentic faith, humble questions, and good neighbors. He blogs at josephyoo.com, and is the author of When the Saints Go Flying In.
Joseph believes people come before institutions and that grace trumps theology—every time. He’s passionate about creating space for those who’ve felt on the outside of faith, especially those hurt or burned out by the church. His approach to ministry leans on vulnerability, humor, and not pretending to have it all figured out.
He lives with his wife Rahel, their son Nathanael, and a sense of disbelief that anyone trusts him with a microphone. He tries to stay out of trouble, but trouble keeps finding him—usually right after he’s said something into that microphone.You can follow his work at JosephYoo.com or at @JOSEPH.YOO.

Event Emcee

Anna Skates 
Advocate
Anna Skates is a children and family advocate working to help the world see children as full people. A former children’s librarian, children's pastor, and entrepreneur, Anna blends heartfelt advocacy with playful creativity—whether she’s leading kid book clubs, hosting events and workshops, or filming content that helps kids feel seen, heard, and valued.
Her mission in life is to shift the social narrative, encouraging adults to listen more deeply, see more clearly, and reimagine what it means to care for children well. Her work champions storytelling, emotional growth, and creating spaces where kids can truly be themselves.
She currently lives in Franklin, TN with her husband, two stepkids, and cat, Pixel. You can follow her work on Instagram @anna_skates or at annaskates.co.

General Session Speakers & Musicians

Dr. Niki Elliott
Speaker, Director of CEEN

Niki Elliott, PhD serves as director for CEEN, the Center for Embodied Equity and
Neurodiversity at University of San Diego’s School of Leadership and Education
Sciences. In this role, she leads the development of research projects and professional
certificates for PK-12 educators, school counselors, and college faculty. Prior to this
appointment, she served for 7 years as the founding director of the Center for Neurodiversity, Learning and Wellness at the University of La Verne. Her mission is to galvanize an education workforce that establishes trauma- informed, neuroinclusive learning communities where all students and educators thrive.

As a high-energy, spirited, and inspiring teacher educator, with over 30 years experience, Niki is a sought-after keynote speaker, retreat facilitator, curriculum developer and trainer. Her unique approach to integrating applied educational neuroscience with mind-body nervous system wellness has supported thousands of administrators, educators, and counselors around the world.

You can follow her work on Instagram @iam_drniki.

Tim Foreman
Musician

Tim Foreman is the bass player and co‑founder of the Grammy‑winning American alternative rock band Switchfoot. With nearly three decades at the heart of the band’s rhythm section, Tim’s melodic bass lines have shaped hits like “Dare You to Move” and “Meant to Live.” Beyond the stage, he’s co-written many of the group’s defining songs and contributed backup vocals.
Marking a bold new chapter in his career, he has just released his first solo album under the moniker Bongo Chico. The self‑titled full‑length dropped on May 30, 2025, with lead singles “When You Walked Away” and “1995” introducing a warm, fuzzy indie-pop/alternative rock sound infused with relaxed surf vibes and nostalgic melodies.
Bongo Chico is now available on major streaming platforms.
You can follow his work on Instagram @bongochicoland.

Flamy Grant
Musician

Shame-slaying, hip-swaying, chart-topping performer Flamy Grant is a powerhouse vocalist and award-winning songwriter based in Asheville, NC. With over 1.2 million streams on digital platforms and an IFMA nomination for 2025 Artist of the Year (alongside Allison Russell, Crys Matthews, Sarah Jarosz, and more), Flamy blends country, folk, gospel, and roots music to deliver a theatrical, therapeutic, and wholly original experience of intrepid storytelling, all shared through the evocative art of drag.

It’s no accident that Flamy’s drag name is an homage to Amy Grant, the undisputed queen of Christian music and 90s chart-topping pop artist. Much of Flamy’s music centers on the queer spiritual journey, telling stories of resilience and recovery from religious trauma in a world where LGBTQ+ people are frequently ignored by, harmed in, or ejected from religious spaces. With a bold lip, a big lash, and a blistering voice, Flamy drags audiences to a soulful, uplifting church of her own making.

You can follow her work at flamygrant.com and on all the social media platforms.

Dr. Andy Root
Author and Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary

Andrew Root, PhD is the Carrie Olson Baalson Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary. He is most recently the author of Evangelism in an Age of Despair and the six volume Ministry in a Secular Age series (including Churches and the Crisis of Decline, The Congregation in a Secular Age, The Pastor in a Secular Age, The Church After Innovation, The Church in a Age of Secular Mysticism and Faith Formation in a Secular Age). He is also the author of The End of Youth Ministry? and many more.

Andy also serves as theologian in residence at Youthfront. He has worked in congregations, parachurch ministries, and social service programs. He lives in St. Paul with his wife Kara, two children, Owen and Maisy, and their dog. When not reading, writing, or teaching, Andy spends far too much time watching TV and movies. You can follow his work at @rootandrew.