On July 30, Stacey Huneck will share how we, as disciples of Jesus, live in the tension of authentically sharing the Gospel with people who may not know Jesus personally. Many young adults experience the challenge of having friends and family members who do not share our Christian faith. How can we walk with those we love in authentic friendship, and yet be unafraid to share with them the Good News of Jesus Christ with them in both confidence and humility?

Bio: Stacey Huneck has served as the youth and young adult ministry coordinator at St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church for over a decade. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and Teaching Certificate from the University of Saint Francis and a Master of Arts degree in Theology from the University of Notre Dame. She is a member of the inaugural Mathis Liturgical Leadership Cohort at the McGrath Institute developing resources to cultivate deeper Eucharistic cultures. She is a core team member for Springs in the Desert, a ministry offering spiritual accompaniment to those on the path of infertility. Stacey and her family are natives to the Fort Wayne area and love calling this place home. 

On July 23, Father Mark Hellinger will share what it looks like for disciples of Jesus to live as citizens of Heaven and citizens of earth’s particular societies. The paradox for Christians is to find the balance between being concerned with the good of our fellow man on earth by working for a more just society through active citizenship (such as voting), and also recognizing that we cannot expect to form a perfect society here on earth because the true Kingdom and homeland for us is Heaven. How do we live in this tension in imitation of Christ?

Bio: Fr. Mark Hellinger was born and raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He is the youngest and only son of his family, with three older sisters and many nieces and nephews. After graduating from Bishop Luers High School, he entered seminary. He finished his philosophy studies at Marian University and Bishop Simon Bruté Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana and completed his STB in Sacred Theology at the Gregorian University in Rome in 2021. He was ordained a priest in 2022 and completed his STL in Dogmatic and Sacramental Theology at the Pontifical Atheneum of St. Anselm in Rome in 2023. He is currently the Parochial Vicar of St. John the Baptist, Ft. Wayne and is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Saint Francis for the Fall semester of 2024. He is passionate about theology and teaching and enjoys reading, cooking, sewing vestments, and hanging out with friends.

On July 16, Nathaniel Binversie will share what it means to be waiting on the Lord and actively serving Him in our present season of life. The paradox for Christians is between the reality of our freedom to choose, which is a gift from God, and knowing that God has a purpose for each of our lives. How do we wait in hope and expect God to make His will known to us without becoming complacent or afraid to act?

Bio: Joyfully married to his wife Sherry, Nathaniel and Sherry are grateful to be on mission together with their three children: Lucia, Annie, and Catherine. As the former Director of Mission for Exodus 90, Nathaniel is best known for taking Exodus from an attractive three month ministry tool, to an effective three year formation platform rooted in the timelessness of spiritual tradition. With a zeal for souls Nathaniel also offers what he has learned to others through speaking engagements and mission consulting. Today, Nathaniel is working on a formative content series to aid men in starting effective and lasting men’s groups at their local parishes as well as producing ongoing discipleship style formation content for young adults. 

On July 9, Marie Heimann will share how both joy and sorrow are intertwined in the Christian life. The paradox between joy and sorrow is often misunderstood: when faced with great sorrow are we to put on a brave face and act like everything is fine? Or are we called to enter in more deeply somehow? This talk will delve into a more authentic understanding of what joy is and how joy and sorrow are not opposed and can exist simultaneously, as well as how we are called as Christians to respond to the experience of suffering when we are in the midst of it ourselves. 

Bio: Marie Heimann is a Fort Wayne artist and shop owner of Fawnly. She works the local YLNI farmer’s market and is on Etsy. Her work merges her passion for her faith, mental health, parenthood, and all the messiness and beauty within them. She is a mother of five boys ages 11 to 1 and also two children in heaven. Marie is married to Cory Heimann who is a creative director and together they are working to raise a family of wildly creative minds!