Sarah Swafford is the founder of Emotional Virtue Ministries. She speaks internationally on a variety of topics including faith, relationships, and interior confidence. Engaging audiences of all ages, Sarah shares her message at school assemblies, retreats, rallies, parishes, and conferences around the world, including FOCUS’ SEEK conference and Steubenville conferences in the United States and Canada. She is the co-author of Gift and Grit: How Heroic Virtue Can Change Your Life and Relationships and author of Emotional Virtue: A Guide to Drama-Free Relationships. She is co-host of Ascension’s What We Believe: The Beauty of the Catholic Faith, filmed at over thirty holy sites in Rome, as well as EWTN’s At the Heart of Relationships. Sarah is also a contributor to Ascension’s Chosen. She resides in Atchison, Kansas with her wonderful husband, Dr. Andrew Swafford, and their children: Thomas, Fulton, Cate, Kolbe, John Paul, and Avila. You can find more information and connect with Sarah at
theswaffords.com.

Sean Ferguson came face-to-face with death when he was struck by lightning: a moment that should have ended his life but instead became a living testimony to God’s miracles, grace, and presence. His story reveals how the Lord orchestrated every detail to save him and awaken a deeper faith. Today, he serves as a Development Officer for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, where he builds meaningful relationships with donors, pastors and parish leaders, helping them connect their passions to opportunities that strengthen the Church. He previously spent six years at the Dynamic Catholic Institute, where he helped grow its donor base while equipping parishes and schools with transformative resources. Sean, originally from Pittsburgh, lives in Northern Kentucky with his wife and daughter.

Nathan Crankfield is a graduate of Mount St. Mary's University who went on to serve as an active duty US Army Infantry Officer for four years. After his time in the military, Nathan has worked in parish and young adult ministry for the Dynamic Catholic Institute and Benedictine College. He now serves as a Sales Lead for Hallow and the host of the Seeking Excellence Podcast. Nathan lives in Denver with his wife, Emily, and their two children.

Emily Crankfield is from Denver, Colorado, graduated from Benedictine College, and is a former Culture Project missionary. She now spends her days as a stay-at-home mom to her two beautiful children, finding joy in family life and sharing the beauty of the Catholic faith through her Instagram account @emily.marie.crankfield. Emily has a heart for women’s ministry and loves sharing the Gospel alongside her husband, Nathan Crankfield.

Father Jonathan Paul Meyer was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis in 2003. After his ordination, he served as the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for five years. He has served at several parishes and currently serves as the pastor of the four parishes in Dearborn County IN.  

He maintains a presence on the internet with weekly homilies and other teachings. He has written and published two children’s plays and wrote a chapter for Dynamic Catholic’s book, Beautiful Hope.   

Fr. Meyer has also been engaged in coaching Track and Cross Country since 2009; coaching at public schools; at Jennings County High School for 4 years and most currently at East Central High School.  

Father Bolek was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Peoria in 2015. Fr. Bolek served his first 3 years at a parish in Peoria where he ran their Youth Ministry Program. Since then he has worked with youth all around his diocese including 5 years as the Chaplain for the Diocese of Peoria youth ministry retreat Abide in Me—a Eucharistic centered retreat much like Intense. Fr. Bolek currently serves a parish in Germantown Hills, IL, St. Mary of Lourdes.

Rev. John J. Hollowell is a priest of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and pastor in solidum in Dearborn County.  He is internationally known for his social media ministry and through his blog, "On This Rock," and his public testimony regarding his battle with brain cancer. Raised in a large Catholic family (the oldest of 11 children), he is the brother of Fr. Anthony Hollowell, also an archdiocesan priest.  He has served as a pastor, teacher, coach and college Chaplin with FOCUS.   In 2019, Fr. Hollowell was diagnosed with a brain tumor (oligodendroglioma). He famously publicly offered his suffering for the victims of clerical sexual abuse.  After undergoing surgeries and chemotherapy, a 2022 MRI showed the tumor had regrown and spread. However, following a pilgrimage to the Marian Shrine at Lourdes in June 2022, subsequent MRIs in early 2023 showed that the tumor was gone.