Think Like Christ Ministries is inviting you to come join us for an awesome men's conference. No extra fluff. Just some good food and great challenging preaching from God's Word. We are excited to have Aaron Telecky with Strategic Renewal and Kevin Smith as our keynote speakers this year.
This year's breakout session speakers will be: Aaron Telecky - Strategic Renewal, Joel Willoughby - Brains & Bibles, Matt Slippy - Calvary Baptist Church (Cedar Rapids), Dennis Day, and Don McDill.
Whether you are an ardent follower of Jesus or have a passing interest in religion; you will be challenged, strengthened and encouraged. And if that does not appeal to you, come for the Feast of Meats and Chili Cook-Off. No men's conference can be complete without a giant pile of meat for lunch.
The conference starts at 9AM and ends at 4PM and is intended for men and high school aged young men. If you want to come early, we will be providing breakfast at 8AM. The Feast of Meats will be for lunch and will also be included. Along with the Feast of Meats we will also be having a Chili Cook-Off. If you want to participate in the Chili Cook-Off, check the box on the registration form so we know how many to expect.
What better way can you spend a Saturday then worshiping, growing, and eating meat? Early-bird registration is only $20 a person or $200 for a church and includes both meals and all sessions so bring all your friends, men's groups, older sons, and anyone else who needs to come.
Early-Bird Registration (Register by January 31st) $20 and $200 for a church/ministry
Register after January 31st - 25$ and $250 for a church/ministry
** We will be announcing our speakers over the next few weeks**
Warrior for Christ, Leader of Men, Defender of Faith
Some are called to serve their country. Some are called to serve the Kingdom. Kevin has answered both calls.
For over 27 years, Kevin stood at the forefront of military operations, serving
with distinction in the Iowa National Guard, the regular Army and Special Operations Groups. Whether as a Combat Medic, Aviator, Intelligence Analyst, or Operations Officer, his role was clear: protect, lead, and bring order to chaos. His expertise took him to elite assignments—missions so critical that Joint Forces Command would call his team by name to lead efforts in the war on terrorism.
But even the most disciplined warrior learns that battle doesn’t just exist on
foreign soil—it’s fought in the hearts of men, in their struggles, their doubts, and
their search for purpose. Christ called Kevin from a life of defending nations
to a life of defending faith.
Today, as Co-Director of the Stone Church, Ministry to Men in Manchester, Iowa, Board Member for Iowa’s Man In The Mirror Ministry, Iowa Edge Venture Leadership, Focal Point Ministries – Iron Sharpens Iron Men’s Conferences, Kevin’s mission is clear: lead men toward Christ with conviction, truth, and strength. He has spent over 20 years walking alongside men who are searching for direction, wrestling with doubt, or struggling to break
free from complacency. To him, faith isn’t passive—it requires action, discipline, and full surrender to God’s will.
Outside the ministry, Kevin is a devoted husband to Kim, celebrating 30 years of marriage and a family that continues to grow—three daughters, one son-in-law, a future son-in-law and one hopeful, and three grandchildren.
He challenges men with a simple but direct question: “How’s that workin’ out for ya so far?”
Because Kevin knows—when a man walks half-heartedly in faith, he isn’t justfailing himself. He’s failing his family, his community, his God. To follow Christ is to live boldly, to lead without hesitation, and to fight for truth—even when the world resists it. That is the mission Kevin has embraced.
Aaron grew up in Mount Vernon where his family was part of the group that planted Community Bible Church. He graduated from Emmaus Bible College in Dubuque which is where he met his wife, Beth. They have been married for 32 years and have 6 kids and 5 grandkids. For 25 years, Aaron pastored Maranatha Bible Church in Cedar Rapids. He now serves as Director of Implementation for The 6:4 Fellowship, working with pastors around the country to develop the prayer culture of the churches they serve.
Matt “Puma” Slippy has been married to my wife Mindy for 36 years. They have 8 children and one grandson, two dogs and a couple of chickens. He serve as an Associate Pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Cedar Rapids, IA. Matt's main area of responsibilities are youth and young adults. Has has been in vocational youth ministry since 1990, serving at Calvary since 1996. Matt is a graduate of Grace Theological Seminary, with a MA in Youth & Family Ministry and a DMin in Pastoral Leadership.
A wise man once told Matt “it does no good to save someone else’s marriage and kids
and lose your own.” Balancing family responsibilities and ministry expectations can
tricky. In this breakout session, we will explore God’s wisdom for the family, look to
Jesus as our example, and encourage one another to be faithful disciple makers at
home, work, and play.
Don is a father of three and grandfather of three. His youngest son, Max attends Cedar Valley Christian School where Don also serves on the board. Don's wife Chelsey is CEO at Bridgehaven Pregnancy Support Center where they both have been serving for eleven years. Don volunteers there in many ways including mentoring and teaching Biblical manhood classes to the male clients. Don and Chelsey lead a connection group at their church, Veritas, in Cedar Rapids. Don is also a mentor in the Gospel Pathway program at Veritas. Don's passion is men's ministry and he actively mentors and meets with various men weekly throughout the year. He loves his men's group of 10 brothers at his work at Collins Aerospace where they meet weekly and support each other in prayer and encouragement. Don is a program manager and just celebrated 25 years at Collins and looks forward to a life after Collins where he can serve the Lord full time in ministry...wherever the Lord calls him. Don is excited for the Lord and desires for other men to experience his passion!
Joel Willoughby is the executive director of Brains and Bibles, a ministry he founded in 2020 and committed to full-time in 2022. He lives in Ankeny, Iowa, with his wife, Beth, and their family of five children (Roger, Isaiah, Valerie, Hannah, and John) on earth and one in heaven (August). Joel holds a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies from Faith Baptist Theological Seminary. He has loved all the ministry experience God has given, such as teaching high school and middle school Bible classes, pastoral internships, faith-based counseling, and Christian radio.
Through Brains and Bibles, Joel strengthens churches by helping better equip them for evangelism, discipleship, and Bible study through training, speaking, podcasting, and writing. He hosts the “Brains, Bibles, and Beyond!” podcast with Nate Day, available on YouTube and every podcast platform.