Our Speakers
Irwan Ngadisastra
Session 1: Discover
Irwan is the VP of IFGF Region 1 & Senior Pastor of IFGF Seattle, and is also a business owner whose passion is to mentor others in sharing the gospel in the marketplace and college campuses. Irwan and his wife, Kelsie, together with their 3 sons, Conner, Casey and Cayden, reside in Kirkland WA, USA.
Jeremy Petty
Session 2: Embrace | Session 3: Pursue
Jeremy and Katerina, lead pastors and church planters, founded The Journey in Seattle. With over 20 years in ministry and 13 years in the Navy, Jeremy has an undergrad in business and a theology graduate degree. Passionate about demystifying spirituality, he communicates the Word's relevance and applicability, emphasizing powerful relationships with God. In his free time, Jeremy enjoys dates with Katerina, playing with 3-year-old Asher, spending time with friends, and exploring the ocean on his kayak.
Workshop 1A: Embracing the Learning Curve: Learning & Unlearning in Pursuit of God’s Calling
John Mendez
John is the Discipleship Pastor at IFGF Los Angeles and oversees the church’s discipleship programs with his wife, Michelle. He is also an Adjunct Professor at Biola University and teaches biblical languages and literature. He graduated with a master’s degree in New Testament theology and is now working on a second master’s degree in Old Testament theology. He is passionate about God’s word and loves to help people grow in their relationship with Christ.
Workshop 1B: The Call to Make Disciples in Your Community
Daniel Hanafi
Dramatically converted by the power of God’s eternal word in 1981, winning souls for Jesus is my greatest passion, and I travel far and near to preach the good news. I get excited when having an opportunity to preach; I’ve spoken in many countries, planted churches in many cities, trekked many jungles, and experienced miracles in many villages. Moreover, I’m a mentor for many young leaders; my hobby is to “dream God’s dream for them and help them fulfill it.”
In 1993 I left my business that I started when I was a 19 years old new immigrant in the United States, to devote all my time and energy for missions, evangelism and church planting. I am the Co-Founder and currently the Vice Chairman of WorldHarvest, a vibrant mission agency I helped start in 1989 with projects varying from Adopt A Child, Church Planting, Bible School, Community Development to Radio Broadcast (Focus on the Family Indonesia). I am also Senior Pastor at IFGF Los Angeles, member of the IFGF Apostolic team, and founder of IFGF Global Missions.
Workshop 1C: As You Are: The Call to Authenticity & Vulnerability in Prayer
Stephanus Elia
Stef is the Lead Pastor of IFGF Los Angeles. He was born and raised in Indonesia, went to college in Hawaii and spent a few years in the Bay area before relocating to Los Angeles in 2001. Before joining IFGF Los Angeles’ staff in 2013, Stef served for 11 years in different areas of ministry within the church.
Stef and his wife Ellen have been married for 18 years. Together, they have two children, Zachary and Audrianna. Stef is into basketball and his guilty pleasure is binge-watching Netflix. He is passionate about helping people in their journey with Jesus. He also inspires his congregation members to pursue and fulfill their God-given calling.
Workshop 2A: Culture Shock: Engaging Gen Z in Today’s Culture
Ruth Tjakra
A worship leader and Youth Ministry Director at IFGF Los Angeles, Ruth Tjakra is excited and honored to head the 2024 IFGF NextGen Conference - North America. Ruth graduated from Azusa Pacific University with a Bachelor’s in Music & Worship, and a Master’s in Pastoral Studies, and is deeply passionate in the areas of family psychology and NextGen ministries. Her ministry calling is characterized by bridging the generational gap between parents and children, as well as challenging and empowering students, ages 10-18, to explore questions about faith, identity, and culture. Through her ministry, she hopes to foster an environment in which the NextGen can find both the inspiration and the tools to navigate their spiritual journey in this day and age.
Workshop 2B: Social Media & Mental Health
Mindy Crowder
B.A. Texas Tech University, M.A. Counseling, Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine. Over 40 years of pastoral ministry experience in numerous roles. As a pastor, life-coach, therapist, and mentor, Mindy comes alongside individuals to help them find direction for a healthier soul, deeper relationships, and empowerment to be their true selves. She and Patrick have had the privilege of caring for pastors and leaders in the Pacific Southwest District of Foursquare Churches and beyond including a deep involvement in caring for female leaders who serve in various vocational ministry roles. She and Patrick became the lead therapists at Marble Retreat in 2021 after studying under and being supervised by the prior lead therapists Drs. Michael and Kari MacKenzie.
Workshop 2B: Social Media & Mental Health
Patrick Crowder
B.B.A. Angelo State University; M.Div. and M.A. Journalism from Regent University, D.Min. Pastor Care, A.B.D. at Lincoln Christian University. Full-time ministry for over 40 years including personally planting churches twice and launching others. His roles have often bridged between pastoring and training pastors. He served stints as the Dean of Students at both Life Pacific University and Life East Bible College (now Life Pacific University - Virginia). He has designed and taught pastoral counseling, spiritual formation and many other ministry and Bible related college courses for twenty years. His calling is to be "a Barnabas to leaders." He serves as the lead coach for the annual WIML (Women in Ministry Leadership) Cohorts that began in 2016, and serves with Mindy to care for church planters as part of the Foursquare Multiply team. He and Mindy became the lead therapists at Marble Retreat in 2021 after studying under and being supervised by the prior lead therapists Drs. Michael and Kari MacKenzie.
Workshop 2C: Redeeming Worship & Tech Ministry
Kāheaokaleolani Subiono
Hailing from Honolulu, HI and rooted in Southern California, Kāhea Subiono is a singer/songwriter and worship artist with a passion to craft music that moves people. Kāhea graduated from Azusa Pacific University with her Bachelor’s in Music and Worship and is now pursuing ministry as the Worship Director at IFGF Los Angeles. She is passionate about vibrant artistry, storytelling, and most of all - cultivating an environment in which people can authentically encounter the Holy Spirit and meet with God.