Here's a list of speakers and bands that will appear On Stage at LIFE 2007.
Francis Chan
Francis Chan is the pastor of Cornerstone Church and the president of Eternity Bible College in Simi Valley. In addition to being a pastor, Francis speaks to thousands of youth throughout the U.S., challenging them to deeper commitment. He can be heard on his radio program “Truth Be Known.” Francis has a great sense of humor, a genuine love for Christ and a commitment to teach straight from the Word of God. Francis and his wife Lisa have been married for 11 years and have three daughters and one son: Rachel, Mercy, Eliana and Ezekiel. He is a graduate of the Master’s College and Seminary.
Steve Fitzhugh
Steve Fitzhugh speaks to thousands of youth each year throughout the country and abroad. Steve’s talks help young people make a positive choice in life. His messages challenge students on critical issues: from dropping out to academic leadership, from peer pressure to positive values, from alcohol abuse to freedom from the chemical culture, and encouraging those students who have made positive choices. His style is fresh and humourous as he tells about his stories in the NFL (Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns) and his own personal experiences. Located in D.C., Steve serves nationally and abroad as the executive director of PowerMoves, leading students into success and significance. He is also the national spokesperson for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes “One Way 2 Play Drug Free” program. Check Steve out at powermoves.org.
Kent Julian
Kent speaks and trains all around the country and has been the National Director of Alliance Youth (the organization co-hosting the LIFE Conference) for the past five years, so more than likely you’ve heard all his promo stuff. So how about some personal info? As an avid exerciser who runs, swims and does strength training, you’ll regularly find Kent enjoying a good workout with a couple of neighborhood buddies. He’s crazy in love with his wife, Kathy, and their three incredible children. His favorite pastimes include coaching his neighborhood swim team, attending anything associated with Georgia Tech athletics, eating sushi, reading and sipping dark-roasted Ethiopian coffee. And believe it or not, he’s not only comfortable with his bald head … he actually likes it.
Brennan Manning 
Brennan Manning is an author, monk, priest, contemplative and speaker. Born and raised in Depression-era Brooklyn, Brennan finished high school and enlisted in the Marine Corps, where he fought in the Korean War. Upon his return he enrolled at St. Francis Seminary and was ordained to the Franciscan priesthood. Manning then joined the Little Brothers of Jesus of Charles de Foucald, an order committed to an uncloistered, contemplative life among the poor. He spent his days transporting water to rural villages via donkey, shoveling mud and straw in Spain, dishwashing in France, and even as a voluntary prisoner in a Swiss jail. He also spent two to three days at a time in a cave in the Zaragoza desert. During his retreat in the cave, Brennan was convicted by the Lord with these words, “I came to you who ran from me, who fled me, who did not want to hear my name. For love of you I was covered with spit, punched and beaten, and fixed to the wood of the cross.” Brennan returned to the U.S. continuing with odd jobs including working on a Shrimp boat, and finally ending in Ft.Lauderdale working at Broward Community College in campus ministry. He soon fell into alcoholism and after six months of treatment he was on the road to recovery. It was then that Brennan began to write with earnest. Today, Brennan travels widely as he continues to write and preach, encouraging men and women everywhere to accept and embrace the good news of God’s unconditional love in Jesus Christ.
Jason Ostrander
Jason Ostrander served as Director of Student Ministries for the past six years at Moses Lake Alliance Church in Washington State. Last year he and his wife Calu and their two-year-old son Liam moved to Vancouver B.C. to pursue a Master’s degree in Film and Theology at Regent College. Jason is currently a volunteer youth pastor at a Taiwanese EFC church in East Vancouver. Jason is a nationwide conference speaker and film documentarian.
Dave Powers
Dave and Tara started Worship and the Word Movement in July 2006. Dave is a part-time Worship Associate Pastor at Northern Hills in Brighton, Colorado. Right now, they are on their “Come-Expecting Tour”. Their son, Hunter, is traveling with them; making the people go, “Ahhhhh”!
Dan Seaman
Dan Seaman is a passionate and authentic communicator who is driven by the glory of Christ and love for students He has been the Youth Pastor for ten years at North Ridge Church in Raleigh NC, and a frequent speaker to youth around the country. “All I really am,” Dan says, “is rescued. I’m a product of God’s mercy and kindness.” He’s also devoted fan of Penn State football, quality ice cream and the students at North Ridge, and he adores his wife Amy, two sons Lucas and Nathanael, and their new baby girl, Eliana Hope.
The Skit Guys
Tommy Woodard and Eddie James are The Skit Guys. They have been best friends since high school, and have been communicating God’s Word and impacting lives through comedy, drama, and teaching for over 15 years. They recently released a book through Zondervan on improvisation called Instant Skits, and are slated to have their new book, Skits That Teach, released later this year. They have also produced other plays, skits, and videos covering a wide variety of topics. Check them out at skitguys.com.
Trace Bundy
Trace Bundy must not only be heard, but seen. Listening is one thing, but seeing the fan-dubbed “acoustic ninja” play live, it becomes quite confusing how one man can do that with just two hands and ten fingers — harmonics, right-hand tapping, slapping, percussive, looping, multiple capos, lightning fast picking … you name it. Since Trace hit the road as a full-time touring musician, the exponential growth of his fanbase resulted in sold-out shows with standing ovations at venues across the country and around the world (much of the US and 9 countries). Video clips of his playing have quickly circulated across the globe, with views of nearly 200,000 on YouTube. Don’t take our word for it, go to his website and watch the videos. After all, Trace Bundy must not only be heard, but seen.
eleventyseven
Eleventyseven is a pop-punk trio from South Carolina. They formed in the summer of 2002 and have been wreaking havoc on the East Coast ever since. Matthew Langston (lead vocalist) says he is fed up with all the talk of pain, sorrow, and agony he hears every day on the radio. Over the past year, the music industry has been swept under an avalanche of self-pity and grief by recent trends in popular rock music. Though many of these types of bands have connected with today’s youth, Langston feels it’s time to focus his musical energy on something a bit more uplifting. And he’s sure he’s not alone in his sentiments. Although these band mates are barely old enough to vote they are certainly resolved about their purpose. They want to laugh whenever possible. They want to make light of themselves and their experiences. And they want the healing power of joy to infect everyone around them. Though this lighthearted mentality is similar to many bands in the pop/punk genre, it is the heart of eleventyseven that sets them apart; beneath the laughter lies a sincere passion to affect lasting change in the lives of kids. Check them out at eleventysevenrock.com.
Bradley Hathaway
If poets travel and perform they tend to stick to audiences expecting to hear poetry at a poetry event, coffee shop open mic, seminar, or what have you. But Bradley Hathaway is no such poet. For the past two plus years he has made his name known by acting more as a band than speaker by frequently touring clubs, venues, churches, or even houses nearly always accompanied by bands. Blindside, Mewithout You, The Chariot, As Cities Burn, and numerous others are just a few of the bands he has toured with. In August of 2005 Relevant Books saw it fit to release his first book and CD of poetry “All the Hits So Far” as well as feature him “Relevant Nation”, a book looking at 40 revolutionaries under the age of forty. This February Zambooie.com has released the “Happy Fun Tour DVD” documenting a recent 8 week tour of his across the United States. With nearly 200 shows a year plus three international tours under his belt, Bradley is showing no signs of slowing down with a new book and CD to be released this summer. Check him out on MySpace or at thebradley.net.
The Swift
We welcome back the critically-acclaimed pop/rock foursome that brought the words “original” and “piano-driven” back to Christian music. Founded as a worship band in North Carolina in 1998, piano man/vocalist Britt Edwards and bassist/vocalist Mike Simons still form the core of The Swift, which followed up its 2002 self-titled debut with 2004’s Today. Performing in front of thousands at camps and conferences each year as well as opening tours for Mercy Me and Audio Adrenaline, The Swift brings an active and devoted fan base to its new label home, Rocketown. Piano-driven and vertically focused, Singing Back to You unveils the band’s deepening maturity and dynamic musicianship with stylistic leanings reminiscent of Keane and Ben Folds. Check them out at the-swift.com.
Telecast
It’s a rare feat indeed for an artist of any association to seamlessly combine innovative expressions with a message that permeates the very core of someone’s soul. Not only does Telecast conquer both categories on its deftly executed new album “Eternity Is Now”, but its underlying sense of hopefulness translates well beyond the trenches of this earth and into the supernatural spectrum. With an expansive creative palette, firm faith footing and no holds barred exposure of the issues plaguing members’ psyche, Telecast’s sophomore outing raises the bar of its already established effectiveness and propels the band into the future with piercing power. Check them out on MySpace.