Michigan native Butch Hartman knew from kindergarten that he wanted to create cartoons. His teacher’s praise for a simple drawing sparked a lifelong passion that led him to become one of Nickelodeon’s most successful creators. Over two decades at the network, Hartman developed four hit series — The Fairly OddParents, Danny Phantom, T.U.F.F. Puppy, and Bunsen Is a Beast. The Fairly OddParents became Nickelodeon’s third longest-running show behind SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer, earning multiple Emmy and BMI awards for its writing and music. His other creations, including Danny Phantom and T.U.F.F. Puppy, cemented his reputation for crafting clever, character-driven comedies that resonated with kids and families alike.

After leaving Nickelodeon, Hartman continued innovating in digital entertainment. Partnering with Pocketwatch, he launched Hobby Kids Adventures on YouTube in 2019, where episodes routinely topped a million views within days. Beyond animation, Hartman has built a strong online presence with millions of followers across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, where his channels “Butch Hartman” and “Speech Bubble” reach fans with creative insights, art, and interviews. His books, Mad Hustle and Christian Creativity, draw from nearly four decades in the industry to guide aspiring creators in developing and pitching original ideas while staying true to their values.

Today, Hartman and his wife produce new faith-based children’s programming, including The Garden Cartoon, which teaches biblical lessons through the adventures of Lenny Lion and Lucy Lamb and streams worldwide. He also serves as executive producer for The Big Blue Book, a series that helps kids solve problems through creativity and storytelling. Hartman recently illustrated The Garden Children’s Bible for HarperCollins, featuring the same beloved characters — extending his mission to inspire imagination, joy, and purpose through animation and storytelling.

A voice actress and ADR director, best known for the role of Winry Rockbell in the Fullmetal Alchemist franchise, Caitlin has been working in the anime industry since 2004. Caitlin was the ADR director for the English dub of the fan-favorite, Ouran High School Host Club, as well as the voice of Haruhi Fujioka. Caitlin is currently the ADR director for the hit series Solo Leveling.

Right now you can hear Caitlin as Mina Ashido in My Hero Academia, and Damian Desmond in Spy X Family. Other well-known anime roles include Vados in Dragon Ball Super, Vivi in One Piece, Evergreen in Fairy Tail, Petra in Attack on Titan, Diancie in Pokémon, Kirigiri in Danganronpa: The Animation, Machi in Fruits Basket (2019), Willow Schnee in RWBY, Haumea in Fire Force, Maki in Love Live! School Idol Project, Lilia in Yuri!!! on Ice, Hannah in Black Butler II, Miria in Baccano, Kimi in Tokyo Ghoul, Satellizer in Freezing, Miho Amakata in Free!, Kim in Soul Eater, Kyoko in Skip Beat!, Hitomi in Escaflowne (2017) and Saki in Zombie Land SAGA.

In video games, Caitlin also lends her voice to Ember in Borderlands 3, “Clever” In Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, Mathilda in Fire Emblem Echoes, Rose in Tales of Zestiria, Alexandra Von Sonne in Tales of Luminaria, Elma in Xenoblade Chronicles X, Thorn in Battleborn, and, most notably, Cammy White & Decapre in Street Fighter IV, V, and 6.

Some of Caitlin’s directing credits include Fruits Basket (2019), Appare Ranman, Astra: Lost in Space, Cardcaptor Sakura Clear Card, Fairy gone, Free!! (season three and all movies), Fuuka, Horimiya, Island, Lord Marksman and Vanadis, Love Live! Sunshine!!, Noragami Aragoto, Prince of Stride: Alternative, Radiant, Ranking of Kings, Riddle Story of Devil, The Saint’s Magic Power is Omnipotent, Sakura Quest, Shadows House, Shonen Maid, Shoot! Goal to the Future, Show by Rock, Sing a Bit of Harmony, Sing Yesterday for Me, Suzuka, Takt op. Destiny, Tomo-chan is a Girl, the animated Garo series, One Piece, and Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, all as an ADR Director for Crunchyroll (formerly Funimation). She has also lent her adaptive writing skills to Bang Zoom! Entertainment for such titles as Love Live! School Idol Project, Durarara x2, Yuki Yuna is a Hero, A Lull in the Sea and The Asterisk War.

For a complete list of her work, check out www.animenewsnetwork.com
You can follow Caitlin on Twitter and Instagram: @caitlinsvoice.

Chris Skaggs is the founder and Chief Operations Officer of Soma Games and its ministry arm, Soma SoulWorks. He began his professional life in web development before feeling called to merge his love of technology and storytelling with his faith. In 2005, that calling led to the creation of Soma Games — a studio built on the belief that video games can carry deep meaning and inspire players toward wonder and hope. Chris envisioned a space where creativity and craftsmanship would flourish without sacrificing purpose. His early commitment to excellence and authenticity set the tone for a team culture that values imagination, collaboration, and spiritual curiosity. Over time, he helped define Soma Games not just as a developer, but as a community of artists and thinkers guided by a greater story.

Under Chris’s leadership, Soma Games has gained a reputation as “the C. S. Lewis of video games,” crafting high-quality experiences that explore moral and spiritual depth through engaging gameplay and rich world-building. One of the studio’s most acclaimed projects, The Lost Legends of Redwall, brought Brian Jacques’s beloved literary world to life in a way that honored its themes of courage, loyalty, and redemption. The success of that franchise allowed the company to grow from a small collective into a full-scale studio with a dedicated, multidisciplinary team. Chris has continually pushed the boundaries of what independent studios can achieve, focusing on strong narrative design and emotional resonance. His approach prioritizes both the human heart and the player experience, blending artistry with intentionality. Through this, Soma Games has become a touchstone for what spiritually aware entertainment can look like in a mainstream context.

Beyond his work as a studio leader, Chris Skaggs is an award-winning developer, mentor, and respected voice within the global game-development community. As an Intel Black Belt recipient, he has been recognized for his technical expertise and leadership in emerging technology spaces. He frequently speaks at industry events such as GDC, CGDC, and Casual Connect, where he challenges fellow creators to think deeply about the cultural and ethical impact of their work. Through Soma SoulWorks, he invests in the next generation of creative professionals, teaching them how to integrate faith, integrity, and craftsmanship in their careers. His mentorship extends beyond game design, inspiring artists and entrepreneurs to tell stories that bring light into dark places. In every arena, Chris continues to embody his mission — to make meaningful art that speaks to the soul while shaping the future of interactive storytelling.

Brannon Hollingsworth began his creative life not in a studio but at the intersection of story and faith. As an author, speaker, and game-designer turned visual storyteller, he discovered early on that the tools of narrative could be wielded not just for entertainment but for something deeper: formation, wonder, and hope. He co-founded Brainy Pixel Productions with a vision of building a studio where excellence in craft and rootedness in purpose co-exist—where 2D and 3D animation, comics, and visual media become vessels for timeless truths rather than merely trendy content. Under his leadership, the company embraced technology and artistry with the same fervor, casting off the notion that Christian-centered media must compromise on production value. He fostered a culture of curiosity, where young animators and storytellers are encouraged to ask not just “how” but “why”—so that every frame advances the mission as much as the storyline.

At Brainy Pixel, Brannon has steered more than just projects—he’s steered displacement of an expectation: that faith-based studios must lean into a niche look or feel. Instead, he insists on world-class craftsmanship in service of Christian storytelling, collaborating with ministries, educators, and streaming platforms alike to deliver content that resonates across ages and cultures. Whether developing a comic series for young adults or overseeing an animated pilot built using real-time rendering pipelines, his approach remains consistent: story first, soul second, and spectacle never at the expense of substance. He believes that kids and families deserve more than placeholders; they deserve media that trusts their intelligence and treats their hearts with respect. In doing so he’s galvanized a virtual team of artists, writers, and technologists—many of whom are distributed across the country—and turned a small Alabama-based studio into a global creative hub.

Beyond the studio walls, Brannon stands out as a mentor, strategist, and culture-shaper. He doesn’t just hire talent—he cultivates it, offering guidance to creators who want to sit at the table of both faith and craft. He often speaks on the subject of how media shapes worldview, and he’s unapologetically Christian in his ambition: the goal isn’t simply to “make something good” but to make something that matters. He continues to publish novels, lead workshops, and build pipelines for storytelling that will outlast momentary trends. In every new venture, the driving question for him is: “Will this point some audience to wonder, to truth, to transformation?” In answering that question intentionally, he ensures that Brainy Pixel doesn’t just tell stories—but helps shape the storytellers of tomorrow.

Jamie Harris is the founder and Executive Director of Satellite Gaming, a nonprofit ministry that harnesses the cultural power of video games and esports to form meaningful connections with youth. Originally working as a youth pastor, Jamie saw an opportunity to meet students in the environments where they already spent time—gaming and online communities—and he transitioned that insight into a full-blown ministry. What began as a small outreach in Keizer, Oregon quickly grew as students found belonging and mentorship through gaming events built on shared passion and faith. Jamie’s vision was simple yet profound: create spaces where gamers could be known, loved, and challenged to grow in character. His ability to blend digital culture with discipleship has made Satellite Gaming one of the most innovative youth ministry models in the U.S., drawing attention from pastors and educators alike.

Under Jamie’s leadership, Satellite Gaming has grown into a movement that offers in-school gaming clubs, after-school programs, and online events with a clear Christian foundation. The organization’s stated mission is “pointing students to the person of Jesus Christ by building relationships through video games,” a strategy Jamie champions by forging trust and presence in places where mainstream youth culture often overlooks faith-based engagement. He has cultivated a dedicated team of volunteers, coaches, and student leaders who carry that mission into their schools and communities. Through tournaments, livestreams, and mentorship programs, Satellite Gaming models what it looks like to engage culture without compromise. Jamie frequently speaks at conferences and churches about using technology and play as tools for authentic connection, reshaping how ministry leaders think about outreach in the digital age.

Jamie is committed to scaling this ministry globally, recognizing that there are over 3 billion gamers worldwide and that this demographic often lacks positive, faith-aware community spaces. Through his work, he not only builds sustainable programs for students and churches but also mentors other gaming-ministry leaders internationally, positioning Satellite Gaming as a bridge between nerd culture and Christian discipleship. His heart for young people extends beyond the screen, emphasizing real-world transformation and long-term spiritual growth. Jamie’s leadership reflects both pastoral care and entrepreneurial grit, driving the organization toward lasting impact in a rapidly changing cultural landscape. As gaming continues to evolve, Jamie remains focused on equipping the next generation of believers to bring light to every corner of digital culture—one player, one match, and one relationship at a time.

Jon Crawford serves as Recruiting Specialist on the Central Team of Reliant Missions (formerly Reliant .org), where he focuses on mobilizing, assessing, and equipping missionaries and ministry partners for gospel work globally. He resides in Indianapolis with his wife Marissa and their three children—Atticus, Eliza and Emmy—while engaging both domestic church contexts and international mission initiatives that align with Reliant’s vision. His prior experience as a church-planter and strategic pastor gives him a grounded understanding of what it takes to raise, recruit, launch, and sustain mission teams.

In his role, Jon navigates the full lifecycle of missionary recruitment: from the early “call” conversations through formal application, training, support-raising, and field deployment. He works closely with sending churches and prospective missionaries to clarify roles, set expectations, and build partnership networks. Jon’s passion for recruitment doesn’t come from a transactional mindset; rather, he frames it as cultivating sustainable mission ecosystems—communities whose roots run deep and whose reach is long.

What distinguishes Jon’s approach is his emphasis on relational momentum over mere numbers: he invests in alignments where a person’s gifting, calling, and context all converge. He champions training moments that help new missionaries ask the hard questions—“How will I live my calling?” “Who will sustain me when I’m far from home?”—and then walks with them as those answers unfold. For organizations or churches looking to partner with Reliant or mobilize their own teams, Jon Crawford is the go-to central person who bridges vision, vetting and vital-support structure in one coherent mission journey.

Kenny Jahng is a frontrunner in the intersection of artificial intelligence, ministry, and strategic communications. As Editor-in-Chief of ChurchTechToday and founder of AI for Church Leaders, he has built his career helping faith-based organizations navigate the fast-moving realm of AI with clarity and purpose. Grounded in both theological sensitivity and technological understanding, Kenny brings an uncommon voice: one that never separates the tools from the mission.

His work zeroes in on how ministries and nonprofits can move beyond surface-level adoption of AI—simply using tools like ChatGPT—to building frameworks that align technology with vision, values, and human flourishing. In his talks and writing, he often reframes the conversation around the essential question: Does this tool help us cooperate more closely with the Spirit, or displace what only humans can do? He bridges practical training, such as teaching leaders how to leverage AI-powered creative workflows, with deeper discussions about ethics, disruption, and long-term ministry resilience.

What sets Kenny apart is his dual focus: the strategic (systems, tools, ROI) and the pastoral (identity, community, ethics). Whether he’s facilitating learning communities of ministry leaders or speaking on the global stage, he thrives on translating cutting-edge AI concepts into actionable frameworks for real-world ministry. For organizations working at the crossroads of culture, technology, and faith, Kenny’s model serves as a map—demonstrating how to stay ahead in innovation while remaining rooted in mission.

Denver Moore, known online as That Denver Guy, is a former high-school teacher turned digital-strategy expert and YouTube creator who built his channel to over one million subscribers before pivoting to help other creators achieve the same. What began as a personal creative outlet quickly evolved into a full-scale exploration of what makes online content succeed. His educational background shapes how he communicates—every insight is broken down like a lesson plan: clear, repeatable, and rooted in data-driven experimentation. Denver’s approachable teaching style and analytical mindset have made him a go-to strategist for creators and brands navigating YouTube’s ever-changing landscape.

At the core of Denver’s work is his mastery of thumbnail design, packaging strategy, and growth loops—the engine that fuels tens of millions of views each month. He teaches that a thumbnail must communicate one clear emotion or action, use contrast over clutter, and complement rather than duplicate the video title. For him, packaging is the art of making a promise the video actually keeps: titles and thumbnails must form a partnership that intrigues viewers while satisfying the algorithm’s demand for engagement. Denver routinely iterates on thumbnails post-launch, A/B testing visuals, titles, and even upload timing to maximize click-through rates and retention. His “growth loop” model ties it all together, focusing on early view velocity, storytelling clarity, and series consistency to keep audiences coming back.

Beyond the metrics, Denver remains deeply passionate about empowering creators to build sustainable careers, not just viral moments. He frequently shares his insights through workshops, online mentorship, and collaborations with other major creators, emphasizing that success on YouTube is a learnable system, not a mystery. As a thought leader, he pushes the conversation toward creative longevity, integrity, and community—reminding others that digital platforms are not just algorithms to game but ecosystems to serve. Whether consulting a Fortune 500 brand or a small creator with a dream, Denver Moore continues to redefine what’s possible when strategy, creativity, and education meet in the creator economy.

Justin Stuart, known online as @MoreJStu, is a YouTube creator and digital storyteller with an audience of more than 8.62 million subscribers on the platform, reflecting both his reach and his understanding of what makes content connect. Through a style that is approachable, engaging, and platform-savvy, he has built a strong reputation as a YouTube expert who knows how to pair personality with strategy in a way that keeps audiences coming back. Whether creating videos, growing community, or helping others better understand the craft behind successful online media, Justin brings a practical, experience-driven perspective shaped by years of building content that resonates at scale.

Dylan Walter — known to his community as DeadlyDill — is a pastor-turned-streamer and one of the most recognizable voices in Christian gaming online. Cultivating one of the fastest-growing faith-based gaming communities on the internet, Dylan built the DeadlyDill Fam Discord into the biggest Christian gaming community on Discord in the world — a hub where gamers connect through Bible studies, small groups, and a wide variety of games and genres, from MMOs to cozy games and everything in between. What began as a simple desire for friendship has grown into a thriving, Christ-centered community where gamers find connection, accountability, and the love of Jesus. Dylan is also active across social platforms including Twitch, TikTok, and YouTube, where he continues to invite gamers into genuine community.

At NCMS, DeadlyDill will present “Building Lasting Community Online.” Real community — the kind marked by loyal, covenant love and genuine belonging — doesn’t happen by accident, even on the internet. Drawing from his experience building one of the largest Christian gaming communities in the world, Dylan will share practical principles for creating online spaces where people don’t just show up to play, but stay to grow, belong, and be transformed.