MAX LUCADO Minister of Writing and Preaching at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio. He is the husband of Denalyn and father of Jenna, Andrea, and Sara. Max is America’s leading inspirational author. He has authored multiple bestsellers and his books have sold nearly 60 million copies. On a good week he reads a good book, has a few dinners with his wife, and breaks 90 on the golf course. He usually settles for the first two.

KEN BLANCHARD is the chief spiritual officer of The Ken Blanchard Companies, a worldwide human resource development company. He is also cofounder of the Center for Faithwalk Leadership, a nonprofit ministry dedicated to inspiring and equipping people to Lead Like Jesus at work, home and the community.

Few people have made a more positive and lasting impact on the Day-to-day management of people and companies as Ken Blanchard. He is the author of several best-selling books, including the blockbuster international bestseller The One Minute Manager and the giant business best sellers Raving Fans, Gung Ho! And Whale Done! His coauthored books about Jesus as the ultimate leadership role model (Leadership by the Book and The servant Leader) have ignited a Lead like Jesus movement.

James A. Francis originally shared the story of One Solitary Life at the First Baptist Church of Los Angeles in a sermon, Arise, Sir Knight. It was delivered on July 11, 1926 to the National Baptist Young Peoples Union. Later, Dr. Francis included it as the last sermon in his book, The Real Jesus And Other Sermons published by Judson Press in 1926. Rev. Francis died at age 64 on June 30, 1928.

PAULA FOX describes herself as a lifetime student whose passion is to continue learning and applying Godly wisdom in her life so that she can share it with others. Her desire is to inspire and motivate others to live a life of purpose and significance. She is a teacher at heart with a degree in special education and 35 years experience teaching and leading all ages from preschool through adult.

She and her husband, Larry, have three grown children and she is now able to devote more of her time to writing. Besides being a teacher and leader in her own church, she is founder and leader of L’dor (Ladies’ day of renewal), a home-based Bible study for women, which has been active now for 25 years. Paula loves researching and writing her own Bible study lessons as well as writing poetry and prose. She also enjoys speaking to women’s groups and retreats.

KEN JENKINS is a nationally known natural history photographer, writer, lecturer, and outdoor adventurer. For more than 30 years his photographs and articles have appeared in publications from National Geographic to Southern Living. Galleries across the country have exhibited his work including the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and the Sarasota Arts Center in Florida.

His books include Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a coffee table book, Reflections of Wolves, Reflections of the Black Bear, Reflections of Grizzlies, and a series of children’s books titled Wilderness World of …Bears…Of River Otters…of White-tailed Deer, and of Raccoons. His most recent book, Expert Lifemanship, a partnership with Dr. Warren Wiersbe features his 20 years of work with eagles as an illustration of life from a biblical perspective.

After many years of teaching workshops and leading adventure travel trips in North and South America, Ken spends a majority of his time photographing for contract accounts and developing publishing projects. He is actively involved in speaking engagements around the country. In 1990 he developed the concept of Wilderness Wildlife Week in his Smoky Mountain homeland. Each year the event draws over 20,000 participants from around the country and many foreign countries to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. It has received the Pinnacle Award for the country's best educational event.

LANCE WUBBELS is presently the vice president of literary development at Koechel Peterson & Associates, Inc., in Minneapolis, Minnesota. For the previous eighteen years, Wubbels worked as the managing editor of Bethany House Publishers as well as a teacher at Bethany College of Missions in Bloomington, Minnesota.

He is the author of Dance while you can and If Only I knew with Hallmark books and Bible Nobodies Who Became Somebodies with Destiny Image. He has published seven fiction books with Bethany House Publishers and won an Angel Award for his novel, One Small Miracle. He has also compiled and edited twenty-five Christian Living Classic books published by Emerald books. His daily devotional, In His Presence, won the 1999 Gold Medallion Award, and his gift book with Mac Anderson, To a Child LOVE is Spelled TIME, also won an award in 2005.

MARK GILROY is a veteran publishing executive who has created a wide array of books that have sold hundreds of thousands and even millions of copies. The father of six is naturally well acquainted with all the joys—and busyness—of Christmas. Mark resides with his wife in Brentwood, Tennessee.

MAC ANDERSON is the founder of Simple Truths, and Successories, Inc., the leader in designing and marketing products for motivation and recognition. These companies, however, are not the first success stories for Mac. He was also the founder and CEO of McCord Travel, the largest travel company in the Midwest, and part owner/VP of sales for Orval Kent Food Company, the country’s largest manufacturer of prepared salads. Mac’s accomplishments in these unrelated industries provide some insight into his passion and leadership skills.

Mac brings the same passion to his speaking and writing. He speaks to many corporate audiences on a variety of topics, including leadership, motivation, and team building. He has authored or co-authored 12 books including: You Can’t Send a Duck to Eagle School, Customer Love, The Nature of Success, The Power of Attitude, Charging the Human Battery, Motivational Quotes, The Essence of Leadership, To a Child Love is Spelled T-I-M-E, The Dash, Change is Good…You Go First, 212° The Extra Degree and Learning to Dance in the Rain.