Church and school secretaries, administrative assistants, and business managers are invited to the 2026 Office Personnel Conference!
This year’s theme, “Sharing Our Hope” (Romans 12:12), reminds us of the strength we find in Christ and the joy we share as we serve together in His mission. Join us for uplifting worship, engaging workshops, meaningful connections, and the world-famous Frankenmuth chicken and buttered noodles.
We look forward to seeing you there—let’s share our hope together!
When & Where
Frankenmuth
April 26 - April 28
Bavarian Inn Lodge1 Covered Bridge Lane
Frankenmuth, MI, 48734
Presenters
Keynote Speaker & Entertainment
Janice Henriquez
Janice is the podcast host of Journey with Janice and Author of Slayin’ Singlehood; Come Away With Me; Just Be; Happy, Holy & Hilarious; and several smaller devotionals. She is a Christian comedian, speaker, and mentor to many. She is a joyful, laughter-loving girl with a passion for living a faith-filled life. Her heart is to collide humor with the truth of God’s Word to inspire others to fall more in love with Him.
Keynote Speaker / Breakout Speaker
Ashley Paavola
Ashley Paavola is the Youth and Family Ministry Director at St. Mark, Battle Creek. She is passionate about helping people see Jesus through racial reconciliation, trauma-informed care, and ministry with people of all abilities. She has served in every area of ministry to families. Ashley and her husband Chris have a multicultural family of seven built through adoption and foster care.
Entertainment
Brad Brown
Brad got his start in magic as a child, when he found a box of magic apparatus in his grandmother’s attic. After becoming a Christian in the 7th grade, he became involved with the Fellowship of Christian Magicians and started presenting the Gospel through his magic performances. He performs regularly near the Ark Encounter in Northern Kentucky. He also continues to travel, using his comedy and magic to share the love of Jesus across the country and around the world.
Speaker
Deaconess Christie Hansard, RN, P.N., C.M.
Deaconess Christie Hansard, RN, P.N., C.M. has a BSN from Oakland University, an M.A. in Deaconess Studies from Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Ind., and a Post Graduate Certification in Bioethics from Concordia University Wisconsin. As a Deaconess Parish Nurse, she serves Faith, Grand Blanc while also serving as the Michigan District Parish Nurse Representative. Part of her responsibility is being an RN Case Manager for Mental Health resources for Commissioned and Ordained Church Workers. Christie currently serves as the chair of the LCMS Parish Nurse Council and on the LCMS MC2 (Commission for Church Worker Care).
Breakout Speaker
Julie Bellamy
Julie Bellamy is the founder and President of Sequelle HR Suite, a business that helps organizations be more effective by focusing on the basics such as solid planning and execution, leadership development, organizational structure and culture, communication, and talent management.
Breakout Speaker
Rev. Ed Doerner
Ed Doerner is the Senior Pastor of Messiah, Midland and Executive Director of Elevate Community Ministries and Gateway Healthcare. A graduate of Concordia University and Concordia Seminary, he has served in ministry since 1991, including time abroad in Guatemala, Korea, and Canada. Since moving to Midland in 2008, Ed has helped launch several nonprofit ministries addressing critical community needs such as food, transportation, childcare, employment, recovery, housing, and healthcare.
Breakout Speaker
Lyndsay Smokovitz
Lyndsay Smokovitz serves as the Director of Communications for Messiah Lutheran Church, Elevate Community Ministries, and Gateway Healthcare in Midland. A 2019 graduate of Grand Valley State University, she began her career in Human Resources and Recruiting before being called to Midland, where she now invests her skills in the mission and ministry of God through Messiah. For the past four years, Lyndsay has led communications across these ministries and also volunteers her time with a local ministry serving young adults.
Breakout Speaker
Travis Grulke
Travis is the Superintendent of Schools for the Michigan District, LCMS. But his more important titles are the husband of Lori and the dad to three crazy and lovable girls. The four ladies in his life are by far his most absolute favorite blessing!
Breakout Speaker
Shawn Smith
Shawn Smith is the secretary and ministry support for all ministries at Holy Cross, Jenison. Since 2018, she has been a certified Revelation Wellness Ministry fitness instructor. She considers it a blessing to combine her love of Christ and healthy movement together.
Breakout Speaker
Chad Woltemath
Chad R. Woltemath is the Vice President of Finance for the Michigan District, LCMS, where he has served for over 25 years. He is responsible for the District’s business and property affairs, and consults with congregations, treasurers, and church workers on various tax and finance issues. Chad presents at Treasurer conferences and other professional conferences around the District.
Breakout Speaker
Nancy Young
Nancy Young has been supporting communications at Immanuel, St. Clair for 20 years. She helps organize and share information across newsletters, flyers, and social media. She’s creative, tech-savvy, and always working to make things easier to read and use. Nancy enjoys creating content that’s welcoming, accurate, and useful for the church and school community.
Breakout Speaker
Holly Zuidema
Holly has been the communications coordinator at Holy Cross Lutheran Church since 2021. Thanks to ADHD and faulty executive functioning, she has a wide variety of interests and a random collection of skills including web design, photography, social media management, and instructional design.
Worship Team
Brooke Orozco
Brooke Orozco has been playing guitar since she was 16 and singing since she was a little girl. She graduated from Concordia University Ann Arbor in 1997 with a Music Performance Major. She has served the Lutheran Church for 26 years in the areas of Worship and Music, with additional years serving as a speaker and/or music contributor to various events. She currently works as the Director of Music and Worship at NewLife Community in Swartz Creek.
Worship Team
Daniel Bennett
Daniel Bennett is 22 years old, was baptized at 21 and has been playing piano since he was 7. He attends church at NewLife Community with Brooke and serves regularly on the Worship Team. He lives in Ann Arbor and is pursuing a career in Music Ministry and Production.
Wellness Opportunity - Counselor
Cheryl Spaulding
Cheryl Spaulding, LMSW (Licensed Masters Social Worker) has an MA in Counseling and certification in Spiritual Direction under Newway Ministries. She provides individual and marriage counseling through Morning Star Ministries. She also leads day retreats for women, an annual weekend women’s retreat, and facilitates support and discipleship groups. She has been in private practice for over 25 years. Prior to her private practice, Cheryl worked in the area of crisis intervention and was on staff as Director of Counseling Ministries at Faith, Troy. She has over 40 years of experience in the field of counseling and spiritual direction. Cheryl and her husband Robin are passionate about small group and marriage ministry and have been leading in-house groups for over 30 years.
Wellness Opportunity - Chair Massage
Trent Bellamy
Trent Bellamy is a skilled massage therapist with a deep passion for sports massage therapy. His expertise in techniques such as deep tissue massage, stretching, and myofascial release allows him to effectively alleviate muscle tension, improve flexibility, and enhance performance. Trent is presently a graduate student instructor on the path to becoming a licensed massage therapy educator.
Wellness Opportunity - Chair Massage
Kerri Gallenbeck
Kerri Gallenbeck is a seasoned licensed massage therapist with six years of expertise in the field. Her journey began with a deep passion for holistic wellness, driving her to help individuals achieve optimal health and well-being. With a diverse skill set and a compassionate approach to healing, Kerri continues to positively impact the lives of her clients. Kerri has spent the past five years instructing at the prestigious Flint School of Therapeutic Massage.
Registration
Registration is now open.
Deadline to register is March 26, 2026.
Registration Costs:
- $400 Single Occupancy
- $300 Double Occupancy
- $250 Triple Occupancy
- $200 Quad Occupancy
- $100 Commuter
The above rates include lodging and meals (Monday - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Tuesday Breakfast) with the exception of the commuter rate which includes meals only.
Also available during the conference are counseling sessions and chair massages - these require sign-up prior to the conference. Please see the sign-up in the Additional Information section of this event page.
Registration
$Various
Pricing based on housing options.
Compassion Ministry
In support of the Michigan District Critical Targets, specifically Great Compassion Ministry, the Office Personnel Conference 2026 will be collecting items for personal care kits for Lutheran World Relief.
Items such as bath towels, toothbrushes, nail clippers, comb, and bath soap bars are needed.
We will sign up for what we are bringing here: SignUp Genius
Specific guidelines can be found here.
Get your congregation in on the fun! Share this widescreen slide to let them know what you are collecting and bring the donations to the OPC!
Additional Information
Counseling Opportunity
Cheryl Spaulding will once again be available. Please sign up here: Sign Up Genius.
Chair Massage Opportunity
We will have chair massages available. Please sign up here: Sign Up Genius
Sponsors
Premier Sponsor – Church Extension Fund