YOUR emcees
Gian Gamboa
Gian Gamboa is a Catholic speaker and musician who helps young people develop a personal relationship with Jesus so they can experience the fullness of the Catholic faith. His life’s mission is to empower youth to become who God made them to be. He wants all people to encounter Christ and fall in love with Him so that “they may have life and have it abundantly!” (John 10:10) Gian has given more than 1,000 talks in over 300 venues across the country. He loves to eat giant burgers, play basketball, and watch 90’s movies. Born in the Philippines, raised in California, but a Texan at heart -- Gian lives in Austin, TX with his wife and two kids.
Sister Elfie Del Rosario, FMA
Sister Elfie Del Rosario, FMA, is known to many as “The Happy Nun.” Sr. Elfie was born in Nigeria and raised in the Philippines, where she attended college. Sr. Elfie eventually moved to New Jersey and applied her psychology degree to teaching children with special needs. She entered the Salesian Sisters in 2009 and currently serves as the vocations director for the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco, in the eastern province of the United States. Sr. Elfie takes her ministry seriously, even when it involves a dunk tank! Visit the Salesian Sisters online at www.happynun.com.
FEATURED ARTIST
For King & Country
Thursday Evening
For King & Country is one of the music industry’s most respected and decorated duos. Brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone have won four GRAMMY Awards, 10 GMA Dove Awards, a Billboard Music Award, 13 K-LOVE Fan Awards, and their nine No. 1 songs have produced an astonishing accumulation of over one billion on-demand streams.
The RIAA Platinum-selling act’s live show has been hailed as a must-see concert event that continues to wow sold-out crowds whether in the USA, Australia, Germany, Netherlands, or New Zealand.
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Dr. Ansel Augustine
Dr. Ansel Augustine is an Emmy-nominated producer (Black Faith Matters) and award-winning author (Leveling the Praying Field: Can the Church We Love Love Us Back?). He is presently the Assistant Director of African American Affairs for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Previously, he served as the director of the Office of Black Catholic Ministries for the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Ansel is a faculty member at the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana, Graduate Theological Foundation, and Loyola University New Orleans’ Institute for Ministry. He began his ministry more than 25 years ago when he became the youth minister at his home parish of St. Peter Claver in New Orleans, which he helped rebuild following Hurricane Katrina. Ansel is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the Knights of Columbus, the Knights of Peter Claver, and has masked with the Wild Tchoupitoulas (Black Masking) Mardi Gras Indians.
Aires Patulot
Aires Patulot is a Catholic author, speaker, educator, musician, and minister. With a degree in theology and a master’s degree in pastoral studies, he has served around the world, sharing the good news and using his gifts to build the Kingdom of God. He has led retreats for political leaders, lived in a leper colony, ministered to the dying in hospitals, and even taught in high school! His writing can be found in Liturgical Training Publications, as well as in US Catholic, Northwest Catholic, and other publications. His ultimate goal is to inspire people to remember that they are “called to rise with Christ.”
Cynthia Psencik
Cynthia Psencik was born and raised in New York City. Her parents are from the Dominican Republic. In 2004, Cynthia began working for the Archdiocese of New York in the Hispanic Ministry Office. Through her ministry with youth in retreat centers and especially through her involvement in the First Encuentro on Hispanic Youth and Young Adult Ministry, she fell in love with youth ministry and pursued a master’s degree in pastoral ministry with a concentration in Hispanic ministry from Fordham University. She then became the Associate Director for Youth Ministry and served as the Director for the Office of Youth Ministry for 4 years before joining GIVEN staff. She is married to her husband Evan and lives in Austin.
House Collective
Belen Rodriguez
Belen Rodriguez is a passionate, home-grown worship leader from Arizona. Her love for God is exemplified through her passion for Charismatic Spanish and English music. Her experience ranges from diocesan ministries like the 3MoreBand to singing alongside Jesse Manibusan, Chris Muglia, Tom Booth, Josh Blakesley and more. She marvels at how the Lord moves through music and only wishes to be a vessel of His love and compassion through her song.
Thomas Muglia
Thomas is a singer/songwriter from Arizona, inspired by the story of humanity, God’s redemption, and the ability to create. Through campus ministry in college, Thomas discovered a passion for worship and community. Filled with fresh conviction and a heart for mission, he’s quickly gaining influence in Catholic music.
