Speaker Bios

Larry Walkemeyer is Strategic Catalyst for Multiplication for Free Methodist USA encouraging the multiplication of disciples, leaders and churches nationally. Larry also is Director of Equipping and Spiritual Engagement for Exponential. He is also Global Pastor for Light & Life Church, a multiplying, multi-ethnic church he and his wife Deb led for 31 years. He holds a Doctorate of Ministry, has served as an adjunct professor at Asbury Seminary, is vice-chair of Azusa Pacific University Trustees, has authored multiple books and speaks frequently across the nation.

Dr. Daniel Spaite is an Emergency Physician, a tenured Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, and holds the Virginia Piper Distinguished Research Chair there. He has published over 200 scientific research articles and has brought in nearly $30 million in research grants.  In ministry, Dr. Spaite is on the Preaching Team at Renovation Church of the Nazarene in Phoenix and serves the with his wife, Dana, who is the Children’s Pastor and the Pastor to Public Schools. Dr. Spaite wrote the book, Timebomb in the Church: Defusing Pastoral Burnout, and has spoken on bringing balance, health, and wholeness to life and ministry to thousands of pastors at nearly 100 retreats and conferences in the US, Canada, and South America. As an Evangelist, he has spoken at many Camp Meetings, Family Camps, Revivals, Lay Retreats, and Men’s Retreats.

Carson D. Castleman, Ph.D., was unanimously elected the 8th president of Mount Vernon Nazarene University on Aug. 11, 2023, and officially started his tenure on Oct. 1, 2023.

He grew up within the nurturing community of Covington Central Church of the Nazarene on the Eastern Kentucky District. He is a fourth generation Nazarene and has been a steadfast and dedicated member of the Church of the Nazarene his entire life. This unique connection makes him the first president to emerge from the region.

His remarkable career in Christian higher education spans over 26 years and includes expertise with both traditional and non-traditional student enrollment and engagement. He began his career in the MVNU Admissions Office as an admissions counselor and later as Associate Director of Admissions. He then was hired as the Director of University Advancement. After serving as the Chief Enrollment Officer at Nazarene Theological Seminary, he moved on to Indiana Wesleyan University where he has spent the last 20 years in progressive roles where he was instrumental in developing innovative partnerships that have resulted in incredible enrollment growth.

Dr. Carson Castleman graduated from Northern Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication/English. He earned a Master of Science in Human Resource Management from Indiana Wesleyan University and a Master of Arts in Religion and Counseling from Liberty University. He completed his Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership and Administration from Capella University.

His wife, Dr. Angela Castleman, is a 2000 alumna of MVNU. She has served over 24 years in the field of education including roles as a classroom teacher, building administrator, and university professor. She was also a member of the MVNU Board of Trustees for over five years. They have two children, Claire (Neven) Perry and Carter.

Selena Freeman currently serves as the Church Multiplication Catalyst for the USA/Canada Region of the Church of the Nazarene. She is one of the founding pastors of The Well Church, where she served for 10 years, following 18 years in youth ministry. Selena is passionate about fostering a culture of calling within the local church, inspiring leaders to embrace their God-given assignments. Her greatest ministry, however, is to her family—especially her six grandchildren.

Brad Thompson is the Lead Pastor of Be Hope Church, a quickly growing multi-campus church based in Beavercreek, Ohio. Over the past three years, he has led the church through significant growth and transition while staying focused on its mission: to be someone’s first church. Brad is committed to creating space where people can encounter the hope of Jesus, discover their purpose, and live with intention. He lives in Beavercreek with his wife, Janelle, and their two sons, Carter and Miles.

Andy was elected to the role of District Superintendent in June 2023. His focus is resourcing and inspiring local churches to build up leaders who will plant, revitalize and create all kinds of churches to reach all kinds of people. 

Andy began preparing for pastoral ministry in 1996, enrolling at Nazarene Bible College and completing a BA in Pastoral Ministry degree in May 2003. He was ordained in 2004. Before he answered the call to pastoral ministry, Andy worked twelve and a half years for an Industrial Manufacturer, primarily in Technical Sales & Marketing. He also served 12 years in the Army National Guard, ending that chapter as a Platoon Sergeant in an M1 tank company. 

Prior to becoming the District Superintendent, Andy and his family were part of the launch team of The Valley Church when it was planted in 1994, a church that grew to three campuses and over 1200 people. Andy joined the staff full-time in 2001 and served at the various pastoral roles, most recently as Lead Pastor from 2012 to 2023. 

Andy is a certified Master Assessment Director for Church Planting Assessment Centers and helped form a six-district regional church planting assessment center centered in NWO which is the largest assessment center in the US. He is certified to teach Evangelism and Multiplication Training (EMT) and Churches Planting Churches classes (CPC). 

Andy’s greatest passion is helping people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ, developing them as leaders to make an impact in our world for Jesus, and then sending them out to start new churches that reach unchurched people. His greatest joys are the changed lives he’s gotten to be part of and the leaders he’s been able to develop and send out. 

Andy & his wife Paula have three children: Kristen (Ryne) Davis, Daniel & Nathan (Kelsey), and five grandchildren, Olivia, Carter, Luke, Emma, and Ben.