Darryl Smith
Darryl Lamar Smith was born and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He graduated from Kirkman High School in 1983 and served in the US Army for three years. God saved him in 1991; he was licensed to preach in 1992 and ordained in 1994. He has been on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ since 1994, working with high school students at Howard High School in Chattanooga. For six years, he served as Chattanooga’s City Director, and as the Southeast Regional Director for three years. In the summer of 2006, Campus Crusade chose Darryl as the new National Director for Student Venture, their high school ministry. Darryl and his family moved to Campus Crusade’s headquarters in Orlando in May, 2007. Darryl speaks to high school students, college students, and adults across the country. Darryl is married to Gwen, and has three children.
Dennis & Barbara Rainey
Dennis Rainey is president, CEO and cofounder of FamilyLife, a division of Campus Crusade
for Christ. He has written and co-written more than a dozen books including Staying Close,
which was selected in 1990 as the outstanding book on marriage and family. A powerful and
effective communicator, Dennis can be heard daily as co-host of the nationally syndicated
radio program FamilyLife Today™.
Barbara Rainey is a speaker and best-selling author. As a wife, mother of six, and grandmother
of twelve, she communicates intuitive wisdom and grace, acquired through years in the trenches,
to women and families in every stage of life. Throughout their marriage of 35 years, Barbara
and Dennis have been strong advocates for families everywhere. They live near Little Rock,
Arkansas.
Ed Herr
Ed Herr grew up in the snack food business and aspired early on to dedicate his professional career to advancing Herr Foods. As company President and spokesman, Ed’s responsibilities include general administration of the $200 million family business, management of fleet, farms and properties, and oversight of the company’s charitable giving and community and corporate relations. Ed serves on the boards of the Navigators Church Discipleship Ministry, and New York City Relief, respectively. A life-long resident of Nottingham, Pennsylvania, Ed has raised seven children, and is the proud grandfather of four.
Rick James
Upon graduating from Syracuse University, Rick worked as a writer and art director at the advertising agency Young & Rubicam, NY. For the past 20 years, Rick James has been on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ using his artistic gifts to serve the ministry. He is currently the publisher of CruPress which produces ministry resources for the Campus Ministry. He has written several books, most recently Jesus Without Religion (IVP, 2007) and coauthor of Porn Nation (Moody, 2008). He has a Master of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Rick has been married for 23 years to wife Katie, and has three children: Avery, Whitney and Will. He currently lives in West Chester, Pennsylvania.
Brenton Brown
Brenton Brown grew up in Cape Town, South Africa. He was the recipient of the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship and attended Oxford University in the UK. He is the author of many popular worship songs such as Everlasting God, Lord Reign in Me, and Your Love is Amazing. Brenton will be helping with the RADIATE worship seminar and leading us in a time of worship.
Vicky Beeching
Vicky Beeching is a fourth generation worship leader, music prodigy and Oxford-educated songwriter. She has spent many years digging into God’s word, building a foundation that shines through in her lyrics and gives her maturity beyond her years. Vicky believes that worship is “inextricably linked to mission, justice, and social action.” She will also be joining us for our RADIATE worship seminar and leading worship the evening of the 29th.
The Bridge Band
The Bridge Band is back for another year of fantastic worship. This Philadelphia based band will rock out at RADIATE08 from start to finish, including the New Year’s Eve bash. They have two albums out: More Like You (2004) and Love (2007), both of which are available on iTunes. Their hit song, ”Light up the Darkness“, is the featured song on the RADIATE08 promo video. The Bridge Band is comprised of Steve Henricks, Brian Mcintire, and Greg Lusby (sorry ladies, they are all taken!). They are excited to be back again at RADIATE08, and we are super pumped to have them! If you have never seen them perform live, you won't want to miss this!
Shelby Abbott
As a self-proclaimed lover of beautiful smelling shower products, sound effects while story telling, and handsome leather chairs, Shelby Abbott also has a deep passion for teaching and entertaining college students. He has been our conference emcee for the last 8 years and will no doubt make this year’s RADIATE a more interesting place to be. After graduating from Virginia Tech, he spent the first 7 years of his ministry at James Madison University and is currently working on a traveling comedy tour that will begin this spring. He and his wife, Rachael, have zero children, zero pets and one house plant named “Fort Henry”.
Jonathan Lee
Jonathan Lee has written for many of today’s leading artists in worship. You’ve heard his music on Jeff Deyo’s albums with the songs “Jesus I Surrender”, “Unveiled”, “Nothing Less Than All Of Me”, and the song “Revolution” featured on the Promise Keepers’ CD, Uprising. He is launching his debut album, Let Them Hear, with a beautiful yet edgy and bold collection of praise and worship songs. The first place in the country you will be able to get it: RADIATE08!