Extravaganza Speakers & Presenters

There are six general sessions throughout the Extravaganza. These carefully selected speakers will inspire, challenge and equip you for the ministry ahead. Additional speakers will be added so be sure to check back for updates. 

 Event Theologian

Prairie Rose Seminole 
Educator, Culture Bearer, Storyteller and Street Theologian
Prairie Rose Seminole - Northern Cheyenne, Arikara and Dakota. Seminole is an educator, culture bearer, storyteller and street theologian. She currently manages grants at the Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College and is a with the Northern Plains National Heritage Area. Seminole serves on the Olamina Advisory Board, the Midwest Innocence Project Board, Gender Justice US and Humanities ND. Formerly serving the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America as the Program Director for American Indian Alaska Native Ministries. She has been a part of efforts, institutions, and organizations that have seeded, supported, and strengthened public history, cultural heritage, civic education, and community engagement on local, state, and national levels. Prairie Rose grew up in North Dakota and is an enrolled member of the Three Affiliated Tribes of ND on the Fort Berthold Reservation. She lives with her 7 dogs and 10 horses in White Shield, North Dakota. 

Event Emcee

Catherine Slabaugh 
Catherine Slabaugh is a northern California native with a passion for storytelling, community-building, and cultivating joy for young people in the church and beyond. Slabaugh is a graduate of California Lutheran University with a degree in Public Relations and a degree in Theology and Christian Leadership. Slabaugh served as the Director of Communications with the Sierra Pacific Synod for two years, led the Western States Youth Gathering communications team for the last two cycles, served as the social media team lead for the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering, and currently serves as the Director of Communications and Community Engagement at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sacramento, California.

General Session Speakers & Musicians

Executive Director, Fuller Youth Institute
Kara Powell, PhD, is the Executive Director of the Fuller Youth Institute (FYI),  the founder of the TENx10 Collaboration, and the Chief of Leadership Formation at Fuller Theological Seminary. Named by Christianity Today as one of “50 Women to Watch”, Kara speaks regularly at national parenting and leadership conferences and is the author or co-author of a number of books including Faith Beyond Youth Group, 3 Big Questions that Change Every Teenager, Growing With, Growing Young, and Sticky Faith. Dr. Kara Powell will be speaking in General Sessions 3 & 4.

Jennifer Knapp 
Singer-songwriter, Author, Speaker & Advocate

Jennifer Knapp a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, author, speaker, and advocate, has made a significant impact on the music industry over two decades. Her first three albums, including the Gold-certified "Kansas," collectively sold over one million copies, earning her four Dove Awards and two Grammy nominations. Known for her poignant exploration of the human experience and spirituality, Knapp is also a trailblazer in advocacy, notably discussing LGBTQ+ identity. She founded the non-profit Inside Out Faith in 2012, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights within faith communities. Recently completing a master’s degree in theological studies, Knapp remains dedicated to advancing social justice through music and discourse. Her multifaceted talents and unwavering commitment to advocacy inspire audiences worldwide with her message of inclusivity and acceptance. Jennifer Knapp will be sharing in General Session 5.