God designed your family for joy, connection, and purpose—and the Elevate Family Conference is here to help you live that out. With guidance from nationally renowned coaches, you’ll gain practical tools to strengthen your relationships and build a thriving family life.
Married and engaged couples will discover fresh strategies for navigating the ups and downs of marriage, growing in trust and intimacy, and becoming a stronger team. At the same time, Kids will be encouraged to pursue their God-given purpose, while Teens will be challenged to live authentically in a world full of filters and false messages.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity. Bring your family and friends for a dynamic weekend of insight, laughter, and growth as we Elevate our families!
Evangelist
Director of Student Ministries
Christ Church
Teens Director
Christ Church
Children’s Director
Christ Church
Guest Artist
Saturday, October 18
Friday, October 17
Christ Church is proud to be the main sponsor of the Elevate Family Conference! It is our prayer that through this conference you will experience a more powerful understanding of your role as a child, teen, or loving spouse.
Family Healing Center in West Orange is the brainchild of Malik Carey and Bill Powell. Bill Powell has 50 plus years’ experience as a licensed clinical therapist and has helped many married and committed couples to rebuild their relationships. Bill and Malik saw that solo practices usually offered limited therapeutic resources. They had a vision to open a mental health center that would change the lives of families by providing a full complement of services. And so Family Healing Center was established and staffed with highly qualified therapists.
Where compassion fosters healing, and growth is our priority. We believe that with the right support and tools, every individual has the potential to thrive. Our mission is to create a safe, inclusive space where you feel valued, understood, and empowered to take control of your mental wellness journey.
Pillar College is rooted in and committed to Christian faith and love, and fosters intellectual, spiritual, and social development among its diverse student population at various instructional sites throughout the world. Providing an array of practical majors and concentrations, Pillar College prepares students for future job success.
Are you or do you represent an organization or business that is looking to serve families? Becoming a sponsor at Elevate can expose your organization to hundreds of them in just two days. Best of all, sponsorship is easy, affordable, and currently available!
Founding pastors of Christ Church, the Irelands have been married since 1984 and are the proud parents of two adult daughters—Danielle and Jessica. Having counseled hundreds of couples in their 30-plus years of pastoral ministry, the Irelands enjoy using their graduate school education in the area of marriage and family to help couples achieve emotionally healthy marriages.
They are frequent guest teachers at regional and national marriage seminars, couples retreats, and other venues designed to enrich marriages. Through David Ireland’s former radio program IMPACT, tens of thousands of marriages were strengthened as he taught on such topics as: How to Fight Fair; Building a Healthy Marriage; and Love for a Lifetime.
Anthony and Barbara Franklin are associate pastors of Christ Church, serving as pastoral leaders of the church’s successful marriage ministry. Married since 1981, they are the proud parents of two adult daughters and four grandchildren. Together, they have used their almost 30 years of pastoral experience to restore and strengthen countless marriages by mentoring and counseling couples through workshops, retreats, and one-on-one sessions.
Anthony is a graduate of Alliance Theological Seminary, and Barbara earned a degree in elementary education from Nyack College and is a developmental interventionist for the New Jersey Early Intervention System. Both are Certified Prepare-Enrich Marriage Assessment Facilitators. They are devoted to helping couples lay a foundation for strong, godly marriages and they also lead the Christ Church pre-marital preparation program.
Lionel and Stephanie King were married right here at Christ Church. Lionel is the Teaching Pastor and serves at our Montclair Campus. Stephanie serves as a leader in the Women’s Ministry.
Lionel has been privileged to speak as an invited guest at prisons, schools, political functions, NFL/NCAA chapels, national conferences, and churches throughout the country. Stephanie is an educator, writer, editor, and poet. Together they enjoy the arts, concerts, and Broadway shows. The happy couple have two young children.
Dr. Dan Baugess is a licensed psychologist and professional counselor who provides counseling services to people throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He earned a Bachelor's of Religious Education at God's Bible School in Cincinnati, Ohio. He returned to his studies to earn his master's degree for Arts in Psychology in 1995 and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Human Development in 2002 at Marywood College. He holds numerous seminars, workshops, and training sessions to help those who struggle with marital, family, and behavioral issues.
Since 2010, he has been the proud owner of Baugess Psychological and Counseling Services, LLC where he specializes in psychology and clinical social work.
Pastor Ryan and Kristyn Faison serve side by side at Christ Church, where Ryan leads as the Clifton Campus Pastor and Digital Content Pastor. Happily married since October 10, 2010, they share a heart for helping people grow, encouraging others to flourish in their calling, and strengthening communities with hope and faith. Together they bring a unique blend of ministry and educational experience. Ryan is a graduate of Seton Hall University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Nyack Alliance Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity in Theological Studies. Kristyn earned her degree in elementary education from Messiah University and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Administration from Walden University. Beyond her work in education, Kristyn is also a gifted worship leader who partners with Ryan in leading people into deeper encounters with God’s presence. Their journey has taken them from local neighborhoods to national and global platforms, where they joyfully lead worship, invest in leaders, and work together to build thriving families and communities anchored in hope.
Rev. Mitchell Torres is founder and lead pastor of Harvest Fields Community Church in the Bronx. Born and raised in the inner city, Mitchell’s passion has always been to empower and engage those who have been marginalized by society. In 2000, he and his wife Sharlotte decided to leave their comfort zone and embark on a God-driven mission to reveal God, reach people, and restore lives. In a little under 19 years, Harvest Fields Community Church has grown to approximately 800 people and reached many throughout the Bronx and the world.
Mitchell, who received his Doctorate of Ministry from Alliance Theological Seminary in May 2018, uses the creative arts in his sermons to enhance and proclaim the gospel message to those who are churched and unchurched. His desire is to allow the Holy Spirit to use his various illustrations to make the message stick and radically change lives. He and Sharlotte have been married for 36 years.
