Gian Gamboa
Speaker
Gian Gamboa is a Youth Conference MC + Keynote Speaker who helps young people overcome doubt & fear so they can follow Jesus, pursue their BIG DREAM. His life’s mission is to help young people encounter Christ and develop a personal relationship with Him so they can experience the fullness of the Catholic faith and become who God meant them to be.
Gian has given more than 1,000 talks in over 300 venues across the country. He loves to eat giant burgers, play basketball, and watch 90’s movies. Born in the Philippines, raised in California, but a Texan at heart -- Gian lives in Austin, TX with his wife and two kids.
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Instagram
Speaker
Gian Gamboa is a Youth Conference MC + Keynote Speaker who helps young people overcome doubt & fear so they can follow Jesus, pursue their BIG DREAM. His life’s mission is to help young people encounter Christ and develop a personal relationship with Him so they can experience the fullness of the Catholic faith and become who God meant them to be.
Gian has given more than 1,000 talks in over 300 venues across the country. He loves to eat giant burgers, play basketball, and watch 90’s movies. Born in the Philippines, raised in California, but a Texan at heart -- Gian lives in Austin, TX with his wife and two kids.
Website
Katie Prejean McGrady
Speaker
Katie Prejean McGrady is a wife, mom, award-winning author, international speaker, youth minister, podcaster & daily radio show host.
Katie is the author of four books with Ave Maria Press and helped create a digital and audio content for Ave Explores, a multi-media project digging into various Catholic topics relevant to people who want to learn more and live their faith in a real, practical way.
Katie is a consultant for the USCCB working group on youth and young adult ministry. In March of 2021, Katie began hosting The Katie McGrady Show, a daily radio program on The Catholic Channel on Sirius XM 129 that talks about pop culture, current events, Catholic news, how to live a life of abundant joy, and introduces listeners to a variety of engaging, dynamic, and profoundly
Website
Instagram
Speaker
Katie Prejean McGrady is a wife, mom, award-winning author, international speaker, youth minister, podcaster & daily radio show host.
Katie is the author of four books with Ave Maria Press and helped create a digital and audio content for Ave Explores, a multi-media project digging into various Catholic topics relevant to people who want to learn more and live their faith in a real, practical way.
Katie is a consultant for the USCCB working group on youth and young adult ministry. In March of 2021, Katie began hosting The Katie McGrady Show, a daily radio program on The Catholic Channel on Sirius XM 129 that talks about pop culture, current events, Catholic news, how to live a life of abundant joy, and introduces listeners to a variety of engaging, dynamic, and profoundly
Website
Sr. Nicole Trahan, FMI
St. Mary University
Director of Marianist Initiatives and Special Projects
Sr. Nicole Trahan, FMI, is a member of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate (Marianists). Sr. Nicole has a background in teaching theology/religion on the secondary level, collegiate and secondary campus ministry, retreat design and leadership, and spiritual accompaniment. She has a passion for faith formation and leadership development, especially of young people. This passion is equally matched by her dedication to seeking justice.
Sr. Nicole currently serves as the Director of Marianist Initiatives and Special Projects at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio. Sr. Nicole serves her congregation as a member of the provincial leadership team and vocations director. In addition, she is the Board Chair of the National Religious Vocations Conference.
Sr. Nicole holds a Doctorate in Education from Gonzaga University as well as Masters Degrees in Catholic School Leadership and Pastoral Ministry,
St. Mary University
Director of Marianist Initiatives and Special Projects
Sr. Nicole Trahan, FMI, is a member of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate (Marianists). Sr. Nicole has a background in teaching theology/religion on the secondary level, collegiate and secondary campus ministry, retreat design and leadership, and spiritual accompaniment. She has a passion for faith formation and leadership development, especially of young people. This passion is equally matched by her dedication to seeking justice.
Sr. Nicole currently serves as the Director of Marianist Initiatives and Special Projects at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio. Sr. Nicole serves her congregation as a member of the provincial leadership team and vocations director. In addition, she is the Board Chair of the National Religious Vocations Conference.
Sr. Nicole holds a Doctorate in Education from Gonzaga University as well as Masters Degrees in Catholic School Leadership and Pastoral Ministry,
Abraham Salas
Life & Lens Media
Musician
For the past 6 years, Abraham has been serving the Church as a Worship Leader, Speaker, & Christian Pop Artist. His passion is to help create an experience where people can encounter God through prayer while having some fun along the way. He moved to Dallas, Texas, in 2021 where he now lives with his wife, pursuing a life of holiness. He also owns a media company called Life & Lens Media, which seeks to help Bands and Individuals share captivating stories with their audiences.
Website
Instagram
YouTube
Life & Lens Media
Musician
For the past 6 years, Abraham has been serving the Church as a Worship Leader, Speaker, & Christian Pop Artist. His passion is to help create an experience where people can encounter God through prayer while having some fun along the way. He moved to Dallas, Texas, in 2021 where he now lives with his wife, pursuing a life of holiness. He also owns a media company called Life & Lens Media, which seeks to help Bands and Individuals share captivating stories with their audiences.
Website
YouTube
Fr J Serrato
Holy Family - Galveston and Bolivar
Parochial Vicar
Fr. J was born in Mexico and at a young age moved to the states. He come from a prolific couple, to say the least. At the age of 9, he became an altar server which sparked his “curiosity” for the priesthood. Oblivious to the nature of the priesthood, he began to tell himself that one day he would be a priest. Eventually, the parish priest became his role model. Consequently, he began to attend retreats asking the Lord for guidance in his discernment. Soon after that, by the grace of God, he reached the conclusion that God was calling him to the priesthood. However, like every healthy young adult, he wanted to create and live in my own continent and began to repress God’s will. He attended public schools most of his life, where he played different sports. He told God many times what he wanted to do with his life. Right after High School, he moved around the state trying different hats and running away from God, until it was evident that priesthood was my “thing.” The watershed in my life was the moment he approached God with a different question: I already told you what “I wanted to do” with my life, but it’s not working. Now, what “do you want me to do” with my life? Be a priest! That was His answer. As the saying goes: “Be careful what you pray for.” Once he was accepted as a seminarian by the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, he was sent to St. Joseph Seminary in Covington, Louisiana, where he studied philosophy. After graduating from St. Joseph’s, he moved back to St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston to finish his theological studies. By the grace of God, he was ordained a priest by Cardinal Daniel DiNardo on June 3rd of 2023. Currently, he previously served Sacred Heart - Manvel. Fr. J currently serves as Parochial Vicar at Holy Family in Galveston and Bolivar, TX.
Holy Family - Galveston and Bolivar
Parochial Vicar
Fr. J was born in Mexico and at a young age moved to the states. He come from a prolific couple, to say the least. At the age of 9, he became an altar server which sparked his “curiosity” for the priesthood. Oblivious to the nature of the priesthood, he began to tell himself that one day he would be a priest. Eventually, the parish priest became his role model. Consequently, he began to attend retreats asking the Lord for guidance in his discernment. Soon after that, by the grace of God, he reached the conclusion that God was calling him to the priesthood. However, like every healthy young adult, he wanted to create and live in my own continent and began to repress God’s will. He attended public schools most of his life, where he played different sports. He told God many times what he wanted to do with his life. Right after High School, he moved around the state trying different hats and running away from God, until it was evident that priesthood was my “thing.” The watershed in my life was the moment he approached God with a different question: I already told you what “I wanted to do” with my life, but it’s not working. Now, what “do you want me to do” with my life? Be a priest! That was His answer. As the saying goes: “Be careful what you pray for.” Once he was accepted as a seminarian by the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, he was sent to St. Joseph Seminary in Covington, Louisiana, where he studied philosophy. After graduating from St. Joseph’s, he moved back to St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston to finish his theological studies. By the grace of God, he was ordained a priest by Cardinal Daniel DiNardo on June 3rd of 2023. Currently, he previously served Sacred Heart - Manvel. Fr. J currently serves as Parochial Vicar at Holy Family in Galveston and Bolivar, TX.
Alex Gotay
Prince of Peace Catholic Church
Alex Gotay is a Christ follower, Husband of 24 years, Father of four Boys, National Teen and Young Adult Speaker, Retreat Leader, Evangelizer, Missioner, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Blackbelt and full-time Youth Minister, who has been there and is now living it REAL for Christ! His intense approach and real style captures audiences!
Alex's passion for Christ and his experiences in life allows him to address the culture’s many ailments from a unique perspective with all the answers being found in Christ! His childhood and teenage years consisted of many troubles. Growing up the way he did led him to despair. In his early twenties Alex met a youth minister who helped him form his relationship with Christ. He became heavily involved in multicultural youth ministry right after and has been involved and doing it ever since! His powerful messages help connect with teens and young adults, from all backgrounds, because his electric discussions are in a language that they understand and are made relevant!
Website
Instagram
Prince of Peace Catholic Church
Alex Gotay is a Christ follower, Husband of 24 years, Father of four Boys, National Teen and Young Adult Speaker, Retreat Leader, Evangelizer, Missioner, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Blackbelt and full-time Youth Minister, who has been there and is now living it REAL for Christ! His intense approach and real style captures audiences!
Alex's passion for Christ and his experiences in life allows him to address the culture’s many ailments from a unique perspective with all the answers being found in Christ! His childhood and teenage years consisted of many troubles. Growing up the way he did led him to despair. In his early twenties Alex met a youth minister who helped him form his relationship with Christ. He became heavily involved in multicultural youth ministry right after and has been involved and doing it ever since! His powerful messages help connect with teens and young adults, from all backgrounds, because his electric discussions are in a language that they understand and are made relevant!
Website
Becca Paredez
Holy Rosary Catholic Church - Rosenburg
Coordinator of FF and Youth Minister
Becca has been involved in Youth Ministries since she was in high school. She continued into college and beyond and has accumulated 25+ years of active and passionate participation in Youth Ministries, including Praise Leader, Choir Cantor, Retreat Director, and Retreat and Conference Speaker, traveling throughout Texas, as well as beyond, extending to Michigan and even New York! She truly believes this is the passion and calling God has given her, to share the Good News of God’s love through Praise and Worship and passionate testimonies to the young and young-at-heart! She has lived all over the world with her (now retired) Army parents (who now live in Corpus Christi) and now calls her home Katy where she lives with her 3 amazing teenage boys, her husband Mike, their 4 cats, and 2 dogs! She is currently the Youth Minister and Coordinator of Faith Formation at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Rosenberg, Texas.
Holy Rosary Catholic Church - Rosenburg
Coordinator of FF and Youth Minister
Becca has been involved in Youth Ministries since she was in high school. She continued into college and beyond and has accumulated 25+ years of active and passionate participation in Youth Ministries, including Praise Leader, Choir Cantor, Retreat Director, and Retreat and Conference Speaker, traveling throughout Texas, as well as beyond, extending to Michigan and even New York! She truly believes this is the passion and calling God has given her, to share the Good News of God’s love through Praise and Worship and passionate testimonies to the young and young-at-heart! She has lived all over the world with her (now retired) Army parents (who now live in Corpus Christi) and now calls her home Katy where she lives with her 3 amazing teenage boys, her husband Mike, their 4 cats, and 2 dogs! She is currently the Youth Minister and Coordinator of Faith Formation at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Rosenberg, Texas.