Victory for Life: The Battle Belongs to The Lord
Kurt Dillinger, MSW, DSL
In this session, Dr. Kurt Dillinger brings the Church face-to-face with one of the most unseen and overlooked people groups in the world: the people of the womb. Drawing from his recent case statement, “The People of the Womb and the Great Commission,” he will challenge ministry leaders to see the preborn not as a side issue or focus, but as central to the Great Commission mandate.
Teresa Cooper Ward, JD
Alexandra Snyder, JD
Peter Breen, JD
Kevin Therio, JD
The abortion industry’s most aggressive strategies are coming from the states themselves, from compelled speech laws, invasive interrogatory subpoenas, to current efforts targeting APR advertising and branding centers as “fake clinics.” This session will highlight latest cases, why they matter nationwide, and what lessons centers can apply in their own states.
Allan Parker, JD
Joseph Kohm III, JD
Michael Sylvester, JD
Jeanneane Maxon, JD
John Stemberger, JD
Andrew Wood
James Dundas, MDiv
Frank Pavone
Belinda Ford
Ryan Holloway
The Church was never meant to sit on the sidelines of life and family ministry. In this session, Andrew Wood and a panel of ministers and executive directors will explore how pregnancy centers and local churches can move from parallel efforts to powerful partnerships, transforming compassion into collaboration, and support into shared mission.
Joel Brind, PhD
The scientific evidence for the Abortion-Breast cancer link and the mainstream efforts to cover it up, in a format suitable for both lay and professional audiences: What every abortion counsellor should know.
Eva Ortiz, RDMS
Malena Wilson, RDMS
Anne Catherine Barrett Belanger
Matt Werner, MD
Susan Null, RN
Andrew Wood
James Dundas, MDiv
Frank Pavone
Belinda Ford
Ryan Holloway
The Church was never meant to sit on the sidelines of life and family ministry. In this session, Andrew Wood and a panel of ministers and executive directors will explore how pregnancy centers and local churches can move from parallel efforts to powerful partnerships, transforming compassion into collaboration, and support into shared mission.
Byron Calhoun, MD; Matt Werner, MD; Matt Philips, MD; Ms. Teresa Cooper Ward, JD
Dial-in on Abortion Pill Reversal (a.k.a Pregnancy Support Therapy) Monday afternoon. This year’s Medical Intensive offers 3 hours of focused time with NIFLA’s Dr. Byron C. Calhoun, Dr. Matt Werner, and attorney Teresa Cooper Ward with guest Dr. Matt Phillips.
This preconference will cover the safety and ethicality of APR, building a medically sound and compassionate protocol, an understanding of medical abortion, the legal risks involved in offering and advertising APR, and how to deal with opposition from the state.
Thomas Glessner received his Bachelor of Arts in 1974 at the University of Washington in Seattle, majoring in Political Science and his Juris Doctor degree at the University of Washington School of Law in 1977. He is the founder and CEO of the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA), with headquarters in Virginia. NIFLA serves 1,800 pregnancy resource centers in all 50 states, of which over 1,500 operate on a medical model.
Teresa is licensed in the state of Florida and is currently Of Counsel to a prominent law firm in Tallahassee, Florida. Teresa has served as Senior Attorney for the Civil Justice Subcommittee and as Deputy General Counsel to the Florida House of Representatives. She also served, including a term as chair, for 10 years on the board of directors of the Florida Pregnancy Care Network, Inc., a statewide alliance of pregnancy center organizations.
Dr. Byron C. Calhoun, MD, FACOG, FACS, FASAM, MBA is a 1979 Distinguished Graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and graduated from the University of Iowa Medical School with an MD in 1983. Dr. Calhoun completed his residency in OB/GYN at the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1987 and finished a Fellowship in Maternal-Fetal Medicine at the Oregon Health Sciences University in 1989. Dr. Calhoun is a diplomat of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology with board certification in general Obstetrics and Gynecology and in the sub-specialty of Maternal-Fetal Medicine. He also is also board certified in Addictions Medicine.
He has authored 80 peer review articles in the obstetric and gynecologic literature, presented over 100 scientific papers, participated in over 40 research projects, and has published numerous articles on medical aspects of obstetrics and gynecology.
Dr. Calhoun serves as Professor and Vice-Chair in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the West Virginia University-Charleston and is directly involved in resident and medical student education. He is licensed in several states and continues to actively practice maternal-fetal medicine, perform diagnostic obstetrical ultrasound, participate in prenatal diagnosis counseling, and provide education to residents and medical students.
Jim pastors a church in Delaware and is the founder and president of Hope National, a Biblical counseling pregnancy center ministry. Jim earned a BA in Biblical Literature and MDiv from Westminster Theological Seminary, along with additional graduate education in Counseling Psychology. Jim was ordained in 1986 and served as an active-duty Navy Chaplain for six years. As well as founding and directing a pregnancy center, he’s been a board member of two pregnancy medical clinics and served as chairman. We have found his experience in these roles to be invaluable. We are so grateful to have Jim on our team, and we value his counsel and spiritual insight
Over two decades of law practice, Breen has shown himself equally comfortable arguing in a federal courtroom, debating on the floor of a legislature, and explaining complex points of constitutional law in front of a television camera. Throughout, he has been in the thick of some of the nation’s most significant legal and public policy battles. Breen served two terms in the Illinois House of Representatives, where he rose to become the Republican Floor Leader. He holds a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering from Vanderbilt University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Notre Dame.
Andrew Wood is a speaker, author, and pastor-hearted leader with nearly two decades of ministry and non-profit experience. He has served as a kids pastor, led a large life-affirming organization, and held senior leadership roles in state and national pro-life networks. As the Founder and President of AHW Ministry Advisors, Andrew equips churches and ministries to lead with clarity and conviction. He is also the author of Hero, Ghost, Villain: A Guide for Imperfect Dads Who Want to Grow, Lead, and Love Well. Andrew and his wife, Erin, live in Tennessee with their six children.
The Practicum Physician for NIFLA, Dr. Matt Werner leans into this calling by serving as Medical Director for Choices Women’s Center, Fredericksburg; Medical Director and member of the Board of Directors for Pregnancy Service Center, Farmville; and Ultrasound reader for Choices Women’s Center, Pregnancy Service Center, and Pregnancy Help Center of Chesterfield.
Retired from Obstetrical and Gynecological practice after 35 years: US Air Force, private practice, Intermountain Healthcare (Utah), and Kaiser Permanente (Maryland and Virginia)
David Bereit is an internationally respected pro-life leader, inspiring communicator, and trusted advisor to high-impact leaders, organizations, and philanthropists worldwide.
He serves as Executive Director of the Life Leadership Conference, a strategic alliance uniting, equipping, and mobilizing the pro-life movement for maximum collective life-saving impact.
David is best known as the founder and former CEO of 40 Days for Life, which he led through its first decade—mobilizing 750,000 volunteers across 700 cities in all 50 states and dozens of nations. Together, their efforts helped save 14,643 children, bring 177 abortion workers out of the industry, and close 96 abortion facilities.
A sought-after keynote speaker, David has addressed more than 1,000 audiences and over one million people worldwide. His work has been featured in nearly every major media outlet, and he has helped raise over $100 million for pro-life and faith-based causes.
David lives in Fredericksburg, Virginia, with his wife of 33 years and best friend, Margaret. The Bereits have two adult children.
Joel Brind is a basic medical scientist who graduated Yale College in 1971, earned his doctorate from New York University in 1981, and has been, since 1986, a professor of human biology and endocrinology at Baruch College of the City University of New York.
Since coming across the link between abortion and breast cancer in1992, Dr. Brind has been known mostly for his research effort in studying and promoting awareness of what has come to be known as the “ABC link”, compiling and publishing critical reviews on the subject in 1996 and 2005 in peer-reviewed medical journals. In 1999, Dr. Brind co-founded the nonprofit Breast Cancer Prevention Institute, now headquartered in Somerville, New Jersey (www.bcpinstitute.org). From 2003–2006, he served as a member of the Federal government’s CDC advisory committee on the early detection and control of breast and cervical cancer.
Dr. Brind continues to analyze studies on the ABC link, as studies evidencing the link continue to emerge, mostly from China and South Asia. He was also lead author of a 2015 systematic review and meta-analysis on the link between the injectable contraceptive DMPA and increased risk of acquiring HIV. In 2010 Dr. Brind founded Natural Food Science, LLC, which makes and markets the supplement sweetamine (www.sweetamine.com), based on his research showing the amino acid glycine to be the body’s most important regulator of inflammation.
Alexandra Snyder is the Chief Executive Officer of Life Legal, a national nonprofit law firm dedicated to defending human life from conception to natural death. A practicing attorney, she leads Life Legal’s litigation, education, and public advocacy to protect the vulnerable—especially unborn children—and those who cannot speak for themselves.
Before joining Life Legal, Alexandra served in the U.S. House of Representatives as legislative counsel to a member of Congress, focusing on pro-life and international human rights issues. She is also a former pregnancy center director and has worked with organizations providing safe housing and legal assistance to women rescued from human trafficking and abuse.
Alexandra writes and speaks nationally on the defense of life, the moral challenges of modern bioethics, and the Christian call to live with integrity and courage in the public square. Her work reflects a deep conviction that every human being is created in the image of God and possesses inherent dignity and worth.
Josh serves as Legal Counsel for the Founding Freedoms Law Center, the legal division of The Family Foundation of Virginia – one of the nation’s largest and leading family policy councils. In his role, he represents clients across Virginia on matters involving religious freedom, speech, parental rights, and life. He also works on public policy solutions at the state and local levels that help promote the values of family, faith, and freedom.
Kurt has been involved in ministry for over 40 years and is the Founder and President of LIFE International. In 1997, while serving as Executive Director for the Pregnancy Resource Center in Grand Rapids, the Lord impressed upon Kurt’s heart a vision to reach beyond our nation with the message of life. Kurt has traveled the world extensively, speaking at conferences and networking with others who share his zeal for global evangelism facilitated through life-giving ministries. Kurt and his wife, Gail, have been married for 48 years and have three adult children and seven beautiful grandchildren.
Missionaries of the Gospel of Life, National Director; National Pro-Life Religious Council, President; Rachel’s Vineyard, Pastoral Director; Silent No More, Pastoral Director
Frank A. Pavone is one of the most prominent pro-life leaders in the world. Originally from New York, he was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 1988 by Cardinal John O’Connor and has dedicated his entire life and ministry to ending abortion.
Carolyn Doyle, serves as President of Life Matters Worldwide in Grand Rapids, MI. Carolyn is an inspirational teacher, speaker, and leader who has dedicated the past twenty-five years to championing the truth that all human life is precious to God and should be to all of us.
Her passion for this cause is deeply rooted in years of experience at a West Michigan pregnancy center, where she served in various capacities, including nine years as Executive Director. This experience ignited a desire within her to see pregnancy center teams flourish spiritually, professionally, and relationally, enabling them to better serve the families who come to them.
Driven by this same passion, Carolyn and the Life Matters board were instrumental in the formation of the Michigan Coalition for Pregnancy Wellness and most recently have launched the Coalition Leadership Network (a network designed to support, strengthen, and connect pregnancy center coalition leaders across our nation). Additionally, Carolyn contributes her expertise by serving in advisory roles on 3 non profit boards.
Outside of her professional commitments, Carolyn is single and enjoys traveling. She cherishes spending quality time with her family, friends, and neighbors and resides in Holland, MI.
Joseph Kohm serves as Director of Public Policy at Family Policy Alliance (FPA), where he leads FPA’s policy strategy, provides policy and legislative expertise, and drafts and advocates for pro-family legislation at the state and federal levels. He has worked extensively on FPA’s Help Not Harm, After Roe, Let Parents Parent, and Save Girls Sports campaigns, collaborating with legislators and state and national allies to enact policies that protect women’s safety and opportunities, vulnerable children and families, parental rights, and born and unborn children. He also regularly hosts FPA’s podcast, the SoConReport Podcast, to inform and generate action amongst thousands of listeners and viewers.
Joseph is a U.S. Army veteran of the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), where he served as an officer in First Brigade Combat Team. His previous legal experiences are in commander-directed Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) investigations within the armed forces as well as anti-trafficking in persons (human trafficking) legal efforts, both in foreign and domestic jurisdictions and states.
Joseph earned his J.D. from Regent University School of Law and holds a B.A. in English Literature from Virginia Military Institute, Class of 2014. He is licensed to practice law in Washington, D.C. and New York. He resides in Virginia Beach, VA, where he attends and serves Wave Church’s Great Neck Campus.
A former Congressman with a track record of advancing pro-life initiatives, Mr. Renzi was an original co-sponsor of life-affirming legislation known as the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003 – the first direct national restriction on any method of abortion since Roe v. Wade. Mr. Renzi is our keynote speaker for the 10th annual Celebration of Life Dinner!
He also authored a bill that significantly increased benefits for our military personnel, including more than tripling the death benefit for military personnel killed in the line of duty. As the patriotic son of a 2-star general, Mr. Renzi was honored to be a part of this legislation and was nationally recognized by President Bush. While working on the House Intelligence Committee, Mr. Renzi also sponsored an amendment disallowing NSA’s surveillance of American citizens who do not present “a national security threat and imminent danger,” narrowing the previous language that allowed sweeping use of government surveillance activities in violation of citizens’ rights.
Prior to winning his seat in Congress Mr. Renzi worked on Capitol Hill and received his Juris Doctorate from Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law with a specialty in Law and Public Policy.
Anne C. Belanger is a Fertility Educator and Teacher-Trainer in the Billings Ovulation Method® with over 30 years of experience. She has been an accredited instructor since 1995. She has represented WOOMB International at the United Nations, presenting on women’s health and economic empowerment during the Commission on the Status of Women and other global forums.
Anne is the Director of the Fertility Business Initiatives Institute, a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit promoting the Billings Ovulation Method® worldwide. She serves on the Board of the Natural Family Planning Association of Ontario and is a Teaching Member of BOMA-USA.
Anne and her husband have been married for 37 years and have homeschooled their nine children since 1995.
With almost 10 years of executive level non-profit leadership, Jeanneane Maxon is an attorney and nationally recognized speaker and human rights advocate. In 2015, she was unexpectedly diagnosed with brain cancer, inspiring the #TeamJeanneane social media campaign. From 2012 through 2015, she served as Vice President of External Affairs and Corporate Counsel for Americans United for Life (AUL), the legal architects of the pro-life movement and the first national pro-life organization in the United States. In this role, she oversaw the communications, development, operations, and coalition departments of AUL. From 2008 through 2011, Jeanneane served as the General Counsel of Care Net, a non-profit pregnancy help affiliation network with over 1200 pregnancy center members. In this role, she oversaw the legal education and advocacy program for the largest network of pregnancy centers in the nation, successfully leading pregnancy center through numerous advocacy battles. Jeanneane has lectured in workshops in numerous national conferences hosted by a range of non-profit organizations. Jeanneane co-authored a 600+ page manual entitled Legal Solutions: A Legal Resource for Life-Affirming Pregnancy Help Organizations. Prior to joining AUL, Jeanneane interned for Justice Robert Cordy of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and for Justice Duane Benton then of the Supreme Court of Missouri. She has a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and History from Westminster College, graduating summa cum laude and co-valedictorian, and a law degree from Boston University School of Law, graduating cum laude.