Mike White has been singing and playing his guitar for most of his life.  His new CD, Songs From the Heart, speaks volumes about the depth of his song-writing and singing style.  Mike, his brother Mark, and their families live in northern Ohio.  They bring a range of music from country ballad to praise and worship.  Their informal style will move our 2007 National Conference with their soul-searching lyrics and their uplifting worship and praise.

Tex Sample is an ordained United Methodist pastor, writer, speaker, consultant, and workshop leader. He is sought out by many for his wit and wisdom.  He is coordinator of the Network for the Study of U.S. Lifestyles, and he now lives in Goodyear, Arizona.

Bishop Hoyt is the past president of the National Council of Churches. He has preached, taught, and written on many subjects.  His office is in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Saturday Night Worship and Concert
Tuskegee "Golden Voices" Concert Choir

The famous Tuskegee Choir is world-renowned for its rich choral traditions.  Founder Booker T. Washington started a legacy that has continued for more than a century of rich African American spirituals.  Current director, Dr. Wayne Barr, continues that tradition with a powerful collection of hymns and other pieces.

Sunday Morning Preacher
The Rev. Rosemary Brown

The Rev. Rosemary Brown serves as a United Methodist pastor for the Monroe Street and Jordania Churches in the Tennessee Conference.  She served as a director of the General Board of Global Ministries. We look forward to her storytelling and heart for ministry.

Carl Hurley's appearances range from standup country comedy to convention speaking, from university lectureships and teacher in-service days, to seminars and workshops for business and industry. Carl Hurley's topics are equally diverse - from "The Nature of Human Nature" and "Success is a Process" to "Serving up Possum on the Half-Shell" and "Cornbread, Fried Taters and Collard Greens."

Whether doing country humor or delivering a keynote motivational message, Carl Hurley is known for his infectious laugh, twinkling of eye and wide grin and the use of humor as a carrier for his message. "I try to encourage people to look for the humor in life," Hurley says, "to take life seriously, but not too seriously. Humor brightens the load, makes life more interesting and more enjoyable. "The best compliment I can receive is someone coming up to me after a speech and saying, 'That was real funny and there was a good message there also.'"

Michael Brandwein is one of the top experts on camp, recreation, and education. He has made presentations in all fifty states and on six continents. He currently serves on the national board of directors of the American Camping Association. He is the author of three of the best-selling books in the camp field, and he wrote and presented three Emmy® award-winning television programs on working with children. Based in the Chicago area, Michael is the father of two campers. His wife Donna is a professional sign language interpreter.

The Reverend Dr. William H. Willimon was elected in July 2004 as Bishop of The United Methodist Church in the North Alabama Conference.  For twenty years, he was Dean of the Chapel and Professor of Christian Ministry at Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. He has authored more than 60 books and has taught and spoken around the world.

UMC. Photo by Ben Williams.