Challenge is excited to share fantastic speakers who love students and God's Word. You may recognize a few returning speakers and see a few new faces. Get to know them a little better.

Get to know Eric

Dr. Eric Rivera is the lead pastor at The Brook (EFCA), a multiethnic church in Chicago that he and his team planted in 2013. Eric is passionate for mobilizing the church in an urban context and preaching the Word of God. He earned his PhD from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School where he also serves as affiliate professor of pastoral theology. He is the author of Christ is Yours (Lexham 2019) and Unexpected Jesus (Lexham 2022). Eric has been married to his best friend Erikah since 2003. Together, they speak for FamilyLife’s Weekend to Remember marriage getaways and are joyful parents to Keziah, Lukas and Levi. 

Get to know Carlton

Carlton Harris is the acting president of the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA). He started ministry in 1981 as a pastoral intern at First Evangelical Free Church (EFCA) in Wichita, Kansas, and has spent 40 years in church leadership. He began his role at the EFCA national office leading the ReachNational division in September 2021 and was named acting president of the EFCA in April 2024. He and his wife, Carol, are members at New Hope Church (EFCA) in New Hope, Minnesota.

Get to know Darin

Darin McWatters is the lead shepherd at Fullerton Free Church (EFCA) in Fullerton, California. Prior to his current role, Darin served as pastor of teaching and mission at Arbor Road Church in Long Beach, California, teaching and campus pastor at Rockharbor Church in Costa Mesa, California, program director and founder of the Joshua Wilderness Institute at Hume Lake Christian Camps, and lead singer of the Christian band Everybodyduck. 

Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, Darin and his wife Shannon have been married for 23 years and have four children, Jack, Hank, Lily and William. In addition to his role at EvFree, Darin has been a chaplain with the Los Angeles County Sherriff’s Department and the LA Galaxy Soccer Club, and he speaks at colleges, conferences and retreats throughout the year when no one else is available.

Get to know Ricky

Ricky Jenkins is the senior pastor of Wellspring Church (EFCA) in Indian Wells, California. Wellspring is a thriving community of believers compelled by its vision to be a gospel-centered, multiethnic, intergenerational church that LOVES discipleship!

From his beginnings in Pearl, Mississippi, to Oakland, Memphis and Chicago, Ricky has preached the gospel for more than 20 years. Fueled by Acts 20:28, Ricky is called to pursue God passionately and pursue God’s people compassionately for the glory and honor of Jesus Christ. With a shepherd’s heart, Ricky’s preaching weaves together biblical exposition, vivid illustration, heartfelt application and an extra helping of humor to convey the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ.

Ricky is married to the joy of his heart, April Jenkins. Together, they have three beautiful children—Camden, Grand and Andi. Ricky is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree with a focus on Wellspring Church’s new pastoral residency program. The Jenkins family has been serving in the Coachella Valley since January 2018. They enjoy opening their home to create safe spaces where the gospel can flourish and memories can be made.

Get to know Trillia

Trillia Newbell is the author of several books including: 52 Weeks in the Word, A Great Cloud of Witnesses, Sacred Endurance, If God Is For Us, Fear and Faith, and the children’s books, Creative God, Colorful Us and God’s Very Good Idea. When she isn’t writing, she’s encouraging and supporting other writers as the acquisitions director at Moody Publishers. Trillia is married to her best friend, Thern, and they reside with their two children near Nashville. You can find her at trillianewbell.com and follow her on Instagram at @trillianewbell. 

Get to know Taylor

Taylor Walling is the lead minister of Waves Church, a church plant on Pepperdine University’s campus in Malibu, California. Before planting Waves Church, Taylor served as teaching minister at The Hills Church, a multi-site church in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Taylor loves to point people to Jesus through story, insight and inspiration. Taylor is passionate about communication, having coached teens and young adults in the craft of preaching for more than a decade. He lives in southern California with his wife Courtney and their two children. 

Get to know Daniel

Daniel Olson is the pastor of worship and leadership development at Pleasant Valley Church (EFCA) in Winona, Minnesota. Daniel is also the prayer director for Challenge.