Activate + Speakers Throughout Network Conference
Doug Clay, general superintendent of The General Council of the Assemblies of God, Springfield, Missouri, will be guest speaker for the Ordination Service at Network Conference
Clay was elected at the 57th General Council in August, 2017. As general superintendent of the Assemblies of God, USA, part of the largest Pentecostal denomination in the world, he is a member of the denomination’s Executive Leadership Team and Executive Presbytery. The church has more than 13,000 congregations in the United States with over three million adherents. The U.S. Assemblies of God is part of a larger World Assemblies of God Fellowship with a membership of over 68 million. Prior to his present position, Clay served the church as its general treasurer for nine years. He was superintendent of the Ohio District from 2004-2008, and pastored Calvary Assembly of God in Toledo, Ohio, from 1997-2004. Clay has also served as the Assemblies of God national youth director (1995-1997), Ohio District youth director (1989-1995) and as a youth pastor in Ohio and Iowa. He is a 1985 graduate of Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. Clay has a passionate love for the local church; he is a church health enthusiast and he effectively equips leaders to grow in their calling. Clay is the author of Ordered Steps and Dreaming in 3D.
He and his wife, Gail, have two grown daughters and seven grandchildren.
Clay was elected at the 57th General Council in August, 2017. As general superintendent of the Assemblies of God, USA, part of the largest Pentecostal denomination in the world, he is a member of the denomination’s Executive Leadership Team and Executive Presbytery. The church has more than 13,000 congregations in the United States with over three million adherents. The U.S. Assemblies of God is part of a larger World Assemblies of God Fellowship with a membership of over 68 million. Prior to his present position, Clay served the church as its general treasurer for nine years. He was superintendent of the Ohio District from 2004-2008, and pastored Calvary Assembly of God in Toledo, Ohio, from 1997-2004. Clay has also served as the Assemblies of God national youth director (1995-1997), Ohio District youth director (1989-1995) and as a youth pastor in Ohio and Iowa. He is a 1985 graduate of Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. Clay has a passionate love for the local church; he is a church health enthusiast and he effectively equips leaders to grow in their calling. Clay is the author of Ordered Steps and Dreaming in 3D.
He and his wife, Gail, have two grown daughters and seven grandchildren.
Rich Guerra, SoCal Network Superintendent
In May 2010, Rich was elected to serve as the 12th SoCal Network Superintendent. Rich continues to champion church planting and moving the SoCal Network forward with the vision of empowering healthy churches that are making an impact in their Southern California communities. Rich earned a B.A. in Biblical Studies at Southern California College in 1978, and a M.A. in Church Leadership at
Southern California College in 1987, now known as Vanguard University. He has served on Vanguard’s Board of Trustees for over 20 years. In 2021, he was elected as an AG General Council Executive Presbyter in representation of the Southwest Region of the United States.
Rich and his wife, Coni, have been married since 1978 and have three children, Ryan, Andrew, and Lindsay,
and seven incredible grandchildren.
In May 2010, Rich was elected to serve as the 12th SoCal Network Superintendent. Rich continues to champion church planting and moving the SoCal Network forward with the vision of empowering healthy churches that are making an impact in their Southern California communities. Rich earned a B.A. in Biblical Studies at Southern California College in 1978, and a M.A. in Church Leadership at
Southern California College in 1987, now known as Vanguard University. He has served on Vanguard’s Board of Trustees for over 20 years. In 2021, he was elected as an AG General Council Executive Presbyter in representation of the Southwest Region of the United States.
Rich and his wife, Coni, have been married since 1978 and have three children, Ryan, Andrew, and Lindsay,
and seven incredible grandchildren.
Dishan Wickramaratne, Lead Pastor of the People's Church, Assembly of God in Colombo, Sri Lanka
Dishan Wickramaratne is Lead Pastor of the People’s Church for the past 24 years. People's Church (PCAG) is a vibrant Purpose Driven Church that ministers to over 13,000 people weekly through their Adult, Youth and Children’s Services. The backbone of PCAG is there 1000 Small Groups for adults and Kidz Klubz for children. In a nation where not even 1% have a personal relationship with Jesus, Pastor Dishan’s burning desire is to provide a means for every individual to hear the Good News of Jesus at least once, in his lifetime.
Dishan and Jayani are blessed with two daughters, Shyara and Dilani, and a son, Rajeev. Shyara and her husband Sash have given them their first grand daughters, Tehani and Kaia, who are the love of their lives.
Dishan Wickramaratne is Lead Pastor of the People’s Church for the past 24 years. People's Church (PCAG) is a vibrant Purpose Driven Church that ministers to over 13,000 people weekly through their Adult, Youth and Children’s Services. The backbone of PCAG is there 1000 Small Groups for adults and Kidz Klubz for children. In a nation where not even 1% have a personal relationship with Jesus, Pastor Dishan’s burning desire is to provide a means for every individual to hear the Good News of Jesus at least once, in his lifetime.
Dishan and Jayani are blessed with two daughters, Shyara and Dilani, and a son, Rajeev. Shyara and her husband Sash have given them their first grand daughters, Tehani and Kaia, who are the love of their lives.
Melissa Alfaro, General Executive Presbyter Ordained Female Ministers
Dr. Melissa Alfaro and her husband of 20 years are Senior Pastors of The Tabernacle (known as Tab Church) in Houston,Texas. She is an ordained minister with the Texas Louisiana Hispanic Network of the Assemblies of God. She is the Executive Presbyter representing ordained female ministers for the Assemblies of God and the National Leader of the Assemblies of God Network of Women Ministers. Prior to that, she served as the Ordained Under 40 Executive Presbyter (2017-2023). She is a preacher, educator, writer, and blogger and has had the privilege of collaborating with the Influence Magazine, My Healthy Church, and the AG Network of Women Ministers. She loves to chronicle her personal journey on her blog, Melissa’s Memoirs. It is her desire to help individuals have an intimate relationship with God, become rooted in His Word, and enjoy their journey as they live out their God-given purpose. Her greatest assignment and delight is being “mommy” to her beautiful children, J. David III, and Jalissa Jael.
Dr. Melissa Alfaro and her husband of 20 years are Senior Pastors of The Tabernacle (known as Tab Church) in Houston,Texas. She is an ordained minister with the Texas Louisiana Hispanic Network of the Assemblies of God. She is the Executive Presbyter representing ordained female ministers for the Assemblies of God and the National Leader of the Assemblies of God Network of Women Ministers. Prior to that, she served as the Ordained Under 40 Executive Presbyter (2017-2023). She is a preacher, educator, writer, and blogger and has had the privilege of collaborating with the Influence Magazine, My Healthy Church, and the AG Network of Women Ministers. She loves to chronicle her personal journey on her blog, Melissa’s Memoirs. It is her desire to help individuals have an intimate relationship with God, become rooted in His Word, and enjoy their journey as they live out their God-given purpose. Her greatest assignment and delight is being “mommy” to her beautiful children, J. David III, and Jalissa Jael.
Mark Batterson, Author, Lead Pastor of national Community Church, Washington, D.C.
Mark Batterson is the lead pastor of National Community Church (NCC) in Washington, D.C. One church in multiple locations, NCC owns and operates Ebenezers Coffeehouse, the Miracle Theatre, the DC Dream Center, and the Capital Turnaround. Mark holds a doctor of ministry degree from Regent University and is the New York Times bestselling author of 24 books. His newest books include A Million Little Miracles and The Best Worst Day Ever, the third children’s book he’s written with his daughter, Summer. He and his wife reside in Washington, D.C.
Mark Batterson is the lead pastor of National Community Church (NCC) in Washington, D.C. One church in multiple locations, NCC owns and operates Ebenezers Coffeehouse, the Miracle Theatre, the DC Dream Center, and the Capital Turnaround. Mark holds a doctor of ministry degree from Regent University and is the New York Times bestselling author of 24 books. His newest books include A Million Little Miracles and The Best Worst Day Ever, the third children’s book he’s written with his daughter, Summer. He and his wife reside in Washington, D.C.
Sam Chand, Leadrship Architect and Change Strategist
Who would have thought, when in 1973 “student” Sam Chand was serving his college as janitor, cook and dishwasher that he would return in 1989 as “President” of the same college? Now as a leadership consultant, he serves leaders all over the world as they seek personal and
organizational growth and change. He has authored 38 books on the subject of leadership, is the publisher of the AVAIL Journal,
has been named to the top-30 Global Leadership Gurus list, and founded the Sam Chand Leadership Institute which trains leaders worldwide inboth English and Spanish through a pay-what-you-can tuition model. He has been married to his wife, Brenda, since 1979 and together, they launched Dream Releaser Coaching in 2010 to train and certify professional coaches. Their vision is to help others succeed.
Who would have thought, when in 1973 “student” Sam Chand was serving his college as janitor, cook and dishwasher that he would return in 1989 as “President” of the same college? Now as a leadership consultant, he serves leaders all over the world as they seek personal and
organizational growth and change. He has authored 38 books on the subject of leadership, is the publisher of the AVAIL Journal,
has been named to the top-30 Global Leadership Gurus list, and founded the Sam Chand Leadership Institute which trains leaders worldwide inboth English and Spanish through a pay-what-you-can tuition model. He has been married to his wife, Brenda, since 1979 and together, they launched Dream Releaser Coaching in 2010 to train and certify professional coaches. Their vision is to help others succeed.
Herbert Cooper, Founding Pastor of People’s Church, Oklahoma City
Herbert Cooper is the founding pastor People’s Church in Oklahoma City, a church known as life-giving, multi-ethnic, and multi-generational. After college on a football scholarship, Herbert preached in revivals and youth events across America.In 2002, Herbert began People’s Church. He has a deep passion to see people’s lives changed by the power of God.
Herbert Cooper is the founding pastor People’s Church in Oklahoma City, a church known as life-giving, multi-ethnic, and multi-generational. After college on a football scholarship, Herbert preached in revivals and youth events across America.In 2002, Herbert began People’s Church. He has a deep passion to see people’s lives changed by the power of God.
Ed Stetzer, Dean, Talbot School of Theology, Professor of Leadership and Christian Mission
Ed Stetzer serves as Distinguish Visiting Scholar at Wycliffe Hall at Oxford University, where he teaches twice a year. Stetzer has planted, revitalized, and pastored churches; trained pastors and church planters on six continents; earned two master's degrees and two doctorates; and he has written hundreds of articles and a dozen books. He is Regional Director for Lausanne North America, is the Editor-in-Chief of Outreach Magazine, and regularly writes for news outlets such as USA Today and CNN. His national radio show, Ed Stetzer Live, airs Saturdays on Moody Radio and affiliates. Stetzer serves his local church, Mariners Church, as Scholar in Residence & Teaching Pastor.
Ed Stetzer serves as Distinguish Visiting Scholar at Wycliffe Hall at Oxford University, where he teaches twice a year. Stetzer has planted, revitalized, and pastored churches; trained pastors and church planters on six continents; earned two master's degrees and two doctorates; and he has written hundreds of articles and a dozen books. He is Regional Director for Lausanne North America, is the Editor-in-Chief of Outreach Magazine, and regularly writes for news outlets such as USA Today and CNN. His national radio show, Ed Stetzer Live, airs Saturdays on Moody Radio and affiliates. Stetzer serves his local church, Mariners Church, as Scholar in Residence & Teaching Pastor.