Speaker Request

Karen Smith has served as the Dean of Women at the New York campus of Word of Life Bible Institute since 2009. She is a 1979 graduate of WOLBI and has served in various roles at Word of Life Fellowship. In 2018, she completed her biblical counseling certification through Association of Certified Biblical Counselors. Her role at the Bible Institute encompasses discipleship, counseling, teaching, training and administration for the female students.

Karen met her husband, Kevin, while attending the Bible Institute. Through various trials during marriage and in subsequent years after Kevin’s death due to suicide, God shaped and deepened her relationship with Him.  She has three wonderful sons, three beautiful daughters-in-law and six of the most amazing grandchildren.

She loves digging in the rich soil of God’s Word to offer hope to women living out Christ where He has planted them.

Areas of Speaking
Biblical Womanhood / Depend On and Be Occupied with Christ / Discipleship / Knowing Him by Name: The Names of God / Passionately Pursuing God: Growing in Spiritual Disciplines / Psalms for the Seasons of Life / Resting in Him / Speaker / the Great I AM / Through the Storm: Walking Through the Hard Seasons of Life in the Comfort of our Father

Tommy Sewall is an avid adventurer and action sports enthusiast who spent most of his middle school and high school years either on a mountain, at the skatepark, or behind a ski boat. Tommy also developed a passion for youth ministry in high school which led him to spend a year studying at Word of Life Bible Institute, after which he finished his degree in youth ministry at Clarks Summit University. The combination of his love for adrenaline and ministry have given Tommy some fun and unique illustrations over the years, which have allowed him to connect with students in an incredible way. Now serving as the director for Word of Life Island and Snowcamp, Tommy works year-round on reaching the next generation and helping them grow closer to God.

Areas of Speaking
Speaker / Teen Conferences and Meetings / Young Adult Conferences and Meetings / Youth Culture and Gen Z

John Collins has been in youth work for over 35 years, serving with Word of Life in Southern California for 11 years, Northeast PA for 16 years, and since 2014 he has served as the Director for Word of Life Local Church Ministry. He has traveled to numerous countries and spoken in conferences and churches. John is committed to two goals in Word of Life Local Church Ministries: every student everywhere hearing the Gospel from a friend, and every student everywhere growing in their walk with Christ. He is passionate about mobilizing the next generation to reach their generation with the gospel.

John and his wife Pam have three children: Tyler (married to Michelle), Brandon (married to Megan), and Janelle. John enjoys sports, yard work, woodworking, and spending time with his children and five grandchildren.

Areas of Speaking
Camps / Motivational / Speaker / Youth Retreats

Brian is the Vice President of the New York Bible Institute and camps for Word of Life. He is passionate about preaching, teaching, and training up the next generation of leaders. Brian speaks frequently at churches, youth camps, conferences, and events all over the country and around the world. He is a graduate of Word of Life Bible Institute and has his Master of Divinity from Carolina University. Brian and his wife Lynn have three children: Courtney (married to Zach), Allison, and Corbin.

Areas of Speaking
Bible Conferences / Camps / Evangelism / Family / Local Churches / Men’s Retreats / Speaker / Student Ministry / Youth Leader Training

Kris Stout graduated from Word of Life Bible Institute, after attending both the New York and Argentina campuses. He and his wife Debbie began the Word of Life ministry in France in 1999, where they served for over 10 years before being asked to return to the United States to serve in the home office. Kris now serves as Executive Vice President of International and Local Church Ministries. In this role, he oversees more than 1,500 missionaries in 80 countries. Married for 24 years, Kris and Debbie have three children: Natalia, Mickaël, and Luc. They currently reside in Hudson, Florida.

Areas of Speaking
Christian Life / Discipleship / Evangelism / Leadership / Missions / Mobilization / Speaker / Student Ministry

Rich Andrews serves as the Vice President of Word of Life Florida Ministries. Rich is a graduate of the first and second-year programs of Word of Life Bible Institute (92’-95’) and he has a B.S. in Business Management and Ethics from Trinity College of Florida. In 1994, Rich married his wife, Lynn. In 1995, Rich and Lynn became full-time staff with Word of Life in New York and served on the Ranch, Island and in Gospel Productions. In the fall of 2000, Rich and Lynn became part of the staff at Word of Life Florida where they currently serve in Camp, at the Conference Center, and at the Bible Institute.

Areas of Speaking
Dedication Services / Evangelism / Missions / Speaker / Spiritual Emphasis Week at Christian School

Don Lough, Jr. serves as the President and CEO of Word of Life Fellowship, Inc. He graduated from the Word of Life Bible Institute (1984), Cedarville University (1987) and earned a Master of Theology (Th.M.) degree from Dallas Theological Seminary (1992). He has been honored with two Doctor of Divinity degrees (D.D.) and is presently completing a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degree in strategic leadership from Capital Seminary.

Don’s personal ministry journey began with his family’s involvement in their local church. As a young man, he played the piano for church and camp meetings, he enjoyed summers in Word of Life camp kitchens, and eventually directed the camp counselors on Word of Life Island. Unique ministry and leadership opportunities surfaced during Don’s years in seminary, including assisting Drs. Howard Hendricks and Mark Bailey, serving as Program Administrator for the Hendricks Center for Christian Leadership, and taking on the Manager of Prospect Research role for DTS. After returning to Word of Life in 1992, Don became the Vice President of the International Division. In 2011, he was named Executive Director of the worldwide organization. He is a contributing author for multiple books and magazines and is privileged to be a member of the Board of Trustees at Cedarville University.

Don and his amazing wife, Darla, have been married for over 30 years and rejoice in being the parents of four adult children who are preparing for and engaged in ministry.

Don never dreamed he would be leading Word of Life Fellowship. However, he remembers well Dr. Hendrick’s wise advice: “Lie low, Exalt Christ”. These words have become Don’s motto for life and ministry. He often says, “My identity is in Christ, not in what I do”.

Areas of Speaking
Camps / College Campuses / Conferences / Evangelism / Expository Preaching of the Word / Family / Leadership / Local Churches / Missions / Speaker

Kyle has been serving with Word of Life and preaching the Word for over 20 years, and he has a passion to see revival happen in the lives of young people. Kyle’s calling is to ignite excellence in others through preaching God’s Word and discipleship, and he has put this calling into practice as he serves as the Camp Director of The Coast, Pursuit Camp, and as a Regional Coordinator with Local Church Ministries. Kyle is a graduate of the Word of Life Bible Institute and Tennessee Temple University. Kyle, his wife Nicola, and their four children live in Hudson, Florida.

Areas of Speaking
Christian Life / Dedication Services / Evangelism / Motivational / Speaker / Spiritual Emphasis Week at Christian School / Student Ministry / Youth Leader Training