The Gathering

Speakers

Kennan Burch - President, Dreambuilders Network

Kennan Burch is the founder of Brand Catalyst Partners, LLC, a marketing consulting firm based in Winter Garden, Florida focused on “bringing to life brands that change the world.” He has now developed the brand strategy for over 30 organizations in numerous categories including: restaurants, logistics, beverages, financial services, schools, legal, entertainment, motivational speakers, ministries, media campaigns, non-profits, publishers, and film production. His clients have also sought his services to be their interim Chief Marketing Officer.

One of the brands that Kennan is particularly passionate about the Dream Builders Network. The vision of this brand is to “unleash Godʼs dreams from the hearts of men” by training men to be “free, full, and fearless.” His leadership in developing this brand and organization has led to hundreds of dreams come true, some of them with global impact. The men in his network have blazed new paths in numerous areas including: movie making and distribution, new businesses, adoptions, building of orphanages, book publishing, new technologies, new churches, events, monuments, media campaigns, arena events, bowl games, leadership seminars, marriage seminars, partnerships, business consulting, mission trips, entrepreneurial endeavors, rescue operations, expansion of non-profits, and pastor appreciation golf tournaments to name a few.

Currently, the Dream Builders Network consists of groups of men in the Orlando area. Plans are being developed to expand to other cities around the world. The dream is to have 1000 DB groups of men in cities all across the world by the year 2020.

Prior to starting his own consulting practice Kennan spent 20 years at Darden Restaurants where he progressed through the marketing ranks to lead the National Promotions & Advertising team at Red Lobster. During his tenure he was involved in over $1 Billion in marketing initiatives. He was also the recipient of two notable honors including the prestigious Darden Leadership Award and the Darden Brilliance Award. For his work in the community Kennan was also awarded the Emerging Leader of the Year of Central Florida in 2002.

Ron Smith - Senior Pastor, 1st Presbyterian Church of Maitland

Ron is an innovative leader with three decades of experience in telling people about Jesus and being a representative of Jesus. An exceptional communicator and teacher of the Scriptures, he is warm, engaging and personable.

Ron and his wife, Cheryl, have been married since 1975. They have been blessed with two children, David Ashley Smith and Marion Elizabeth Smith.

He enjoys traveling to third and fourth world countries to teach; days at the beach; perspiring in the fitness center; reading; watching NCIS; being with his family.

A decorated veteran, Ron served in Vietnam as an Artillery Officer with the 9th Infantry Division and also with the 173rd Airborne Brigade.

He earned degrees from the University of South Carolina, Columbia International University, Dallas Theological Seminary, Columbia Theological Seminary and Princeton Theological Seminary.

Kent Sterchi - Director of LIFE Community, 1st Presbyterian Church of Orlando

Jeff Jakes - Senior Pastor, Orangewood Presbyterian Church

Reverend Jeff Jakes; Orangewood Presbyterian Church; Maitland, Florida. Jeff is the senior preaching pastor and a visionary leader with a passion for equipping God’s people to transform community by advancing Christ’s Kingdom. Jeff was born and raised in upstate New York and first came to Central Florida to attend college and play baseball at Florida Southern. It was during college that he met his wife, Katie. Upon graduation, Jeff and Katie married and moved to New York City as Jeff pursed a professional career in the business world. In 1989 they moved back to Maitland, FL and soon after Jeff received a call into the ministry. Jeff attended Reformed Theological Seminary, receiving a Master’s of Divinity. Jeff and Katie are blessed with four children: Jessie, JP, Caleb and Allie.