PASTOR OF STRATEGIC ADVANCEMENT

In 2004, Chris left a successful career in the financial services industry and joined the staff of Saddleback Church as the Pastor of Financial Stewardship. Saddleback has over 23,500 attendees across several campuses.

Over the past 18 years, Chris has started and led Saddleback’s ministries focusing on discipling people in biblical financial stewardship, including the Financial Freedom Workshop, Estate Planning, Financial Coaching, Compass, Financial Peace University, and all other financial workshops and curriculum.

Now, Chris is focusing his efforts on discipling those to whom God has given a surplus and have the spiritual gift of giving. He runs the Estate Planning Ministry and Kingdom Builders and loves to talk with people about growing in generosity.

Chris is also passionate about helping other churches start and build healthy stewardship ministries and serves as the Chairman of the Christian Stewardship Network, a network of Stewardship Pastors and leaders who serve in congregations around the world.

EXECUTIVE PASTOR

Jeff serves as an Executive Pastor at Christ’s Church of the Valley, a 32,000 member, multi-site church in Arizona. Jeff stewards the Leadership Institute, staff leadership development, talent & culture development, stewardship/generosity and strategic planning.

He holds a BSE in Electrical Engineering from Arizona State University and has held CEO and senior executive leadership roles for public and private companies in healthcare, consulting, technology, outsourcing and aerospace industries.

Jeff is passionate about leadership, culture, generosity, marriages and the intersection of business leadership and faith.

PROFESSOR & CHAIRED PROFESSOR, TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY FOR CHARITABLE FINANCIAL PLANNING

Russell James, J.D., Ph.D., CFP® is a chaired professor at Texas Tech University where he directs the on-campus and online graduate program in Charitable Financial Planning (planned giving). He graduated from the University of Missouri School of Law where he was a member of the Missouri Law Review and received the United Missouri Bank Award for Most Outstanding Work in Gift and Estate Taxation and Planning. He also holds a Ph.D. in consumer economics from the University of Missouri, where his dissertation was on charitable giving.

Prior to his career as an academic researcher, Dr. James worked as the Director of Planned Giving for Central Christian College in Moberly, Missouri for 6 years and later served as president of the college for more than 5 years. During his presidency the college successfully completed two major capital campaigns, built several new debt-free buildings, and more than tripled enrollment.

Dr. James has published research in more than 75 peer-reviewed scientific journal and law review articles and he has authored several books on philanthropy. He has been quoted on charitable and financial issues in a variety of news sources including The Economist, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, ABC News, U.S. News & World Report, USA Today, the Associated Press, Bloomberg News and the Chronicle of Philanthropy and his financial neuroimaging research was profiled in The Wall Street Journal’s Smart Money Magazine.

Dr. James has spoken over 400 times at regional, national, and international conferences on fundraising, financial planning, and estate planning. His teaching awards include the University of Georgia Outstanding Teacher of the Year (department level and college level), Texas Tech University Instructor of the Year (department level and school level), and the CASE “Stellar Speaker” designation. He is a member of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners “Hall of Fame.”

SENIOR GIFT PLANNING STRATEGIST

As one of the foremost leaders in Philanthropic Planning in the country, Gregory Schupra has educated and assisted thousands of high-net worth individuals, families and advisors in creating legacies leaving more than $1 billion of wealth to charity.

Known for his innovation as a “National Philanthropic Entrepreneur,” Mr. Schupra brings an uncommon and practical perspective to his work as a gift-planning professional by ensuring that donor philanthropic values, visions, and goals align with their giving methods.

This expertise lends itself nicely in assisting business owners with their philanthropic planning incorporated in business sale transactions as he has done for many years.

Mr. Schupra has extensive business and prudent investor experience through creating, managing and growing a $1.2 billion charitable trust company within one of the top 30 financial institutions in the U.S. He is also a founder and officer of several for-profit and nonprofit companies and charitable foundations.

Mr. Schupra authored the highly-acclaimed book, “An Unexpected Legacy: Strategies of Generosity,” which is considered by many as one of the premier, hands-on textbooks in Philanthropy and Charitable giving and organizational principles.

DIRECTOR OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

For over 35 years, Tim Deatrick has served as Senior Pastor in churches located in St. Louis, MO, Ft. Worth, TX, Bentonville, AR, and Des Moines, IA. He now brings his experience in generosity ministry, planned giving, and non-cash gifts to MortarStone, where he serves as Senior Generosity Strategist.

In his last position, he led the development of a donor fund for current and future ministry needs. Under Tim's leadership, he was able to take a small group of donors and their modest six figure investment and grow it well over 400% in 7 years. During that time the congregations per capita giving also grew 12% to over $38. Additionally, 22% of total revenue was given to missions and partnerships beyond the walls.

Tim is a graduate of Hannibal LaGrange College (Th.B) and Southwestern Seminary (MDivBL; D.Min). He has also earned the Certified Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) designation through the American College of Financial Services.