2023 Conference

June 15-18, 2023

2023 Conference
Strength Beyond My Own

June 15-18, 2023
Salt Lake City, Utah

Sheraton Salt Lake City Hotel
150 W 500 S, Salt Lake City, UT, 84101

 

President's Message
Leadership
Keynote Addresses
Conference Program

President’s Message

My friends in North Star,

On behalf of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee, it is with great joy and excitement that I extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you to the 2023 Annual North Star Conference! As incoming president, it is an honor to spend the next couple of days with you as we seek to find ‘Strength Beyond Our Own.’

This conference serves as a testament to our collective dedication in fostering a community where all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, can find solace, understanding, and spiritual growth. We firmly believe in the inherent worth of every soul and embrace the differences that enrich our lives and strengthen our faith.

Over the course of the next few days, we have curated a program that promises to enlighten, inspire, and empower. Our speakers, hailing from various backgrounds and experiences, will share their wisdom, knowledge, and insights on the intersection of SSA/LGBT experience and the teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Together, we will explore the power of compassion, acceptance, and love, as we strive to live true to the covenants we have made.

This conference is not just an opportunity for learning; it is a time for connection and fellowship. I encourage you to engage with one another, to share your stories, and to find support and understanding in the company of like-minded individuals who share aspects of your unique journey. Let us celebrate the strength and resilience that resides within each of us, as we forge lifelong connections and build a network of love and support.

To each one of you, both familiar faces and new friends, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for your presence. Your commitment to both your faith and your personal experiences serves as an inspiration to us all. By coming together in this sacred space, we affirm the divine worth of every person and affirm that love knows no bounds.

May this conference be a transformative experience, a wellspring of hope, and a catalyst for positive change in our lives and in our world. Together, let us find ‘Strength Beyond Our Own’ guided by the principles of love of God and neighbor and the eternal teachings of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Welcome to our annual conference!

Warmest regards,

Brent Ebmeyer

President, North Star International

Leadership

Board of Directors

  • Jeff Bennion, Board Chairman
  • Blake Smith, Treasurer
  • Michelle Treadwell, Secretary
  • Michael Goodman, Member
  • Sarrah Hurst Groves, Member
  • Rosa Chacon Lauper, Member
  • Ty Mansfield, Member
  • Monica Phillips, Member
  • Lana Garfield, Member
  • Brigit Adams, Member
(Current List of Board Members)

Executive Committee

  • Brent Ebmeyer, President
  • Vaughn Armstrong, Senior Vice President
  • Heidi Applegarth, VP, Marketing & Communications
  • Dana Hudrlik, VP, IT & Web Development
  • Rebecca Silva, Co-VP, Online Communities
  • Jennyfer Gaede, VP, Online Communities
  • Aaron & Emily Carter, Co-VP, Community Events
  • Keven Harris, Director, Branding & Design
  • Myrna Moll, Director, Women’s Community
(Current List of Executive Committee Members)

Conference Committee

  • Brent Ebmeyer, Conference Co-Chair
  • Courtney Ebmeyer, conference Co-Chair & Program Lead
  • Becky Mackintosh, Youth Track Chair
  • Brigit Adams, Logistics Lead
  • Denise Smith, Registration Lead
  • Vaughn Armstrong, Socials Lead
  • Kathi Hacking, Volunteers Lead
  • Debby & Robert Jackson, Bookstore Leads
  • Stephen Forsyth, Mentor Leads

Conference Program

Keynote Speakers

Jenet Erickson

Friday Morning

more info

Preston & Cheri Jenkins

Friday Afternoon

more info

Reyna Aburto

Saturday Morning

more info

Bonner Family

Saturday Afternoon

more info

Friday

7:30am - 8:45am Registration/Munch & Mingle Breakfast
9:00am - 10:15am Opening Session

Conducting: Spencer Thompson
Hymn: All Creatures of Our God and King, #62
Musical Number: Dallyn Vail Bayles
Keynote Speaker: [Presentation] Jenet Erickson

10:30am - 12:00pm Breakout Session 1
12:15pm - 1:15pm Lunch
1:30pm - 2:30pm Breakout Session 2
2:45pm - 3:45pm Breakout Session 3
4:00pm - 5:45pm General Session

Conducting: Jeff Bennion
President’s Address: [Presentation] Brent Ebmeyer, President, North Star International
Keynote Speakers: [Presentation] Preston Jenkins & Cheri Jenkins
Musical Number: I’ll Go Where You Want Me To Go, Johnny Bowers
Hymn: Where Can I Turn for Peace, #129

Saturday

7:30am - 8:45am Registration/Meet & Greet
9:00am - 10:15am General Session

Conducting: Brent Ebmeyer
Hymn: I Know That My Redeemer Lives, #136
Musical Number: Lord, I Would Follow Thee, by The North Star Conference Choir, conducted by Vaughn Armstrong, acc. by Spencer Stevens
Keynote Speaker: [Presentation] Reyna Aburto

10:30am - 12:00pm Breakout Session 4
12:15pm - 1:15pm Lunch
1:30pm - 2:30pm Breakout Session 5
2:45pm - 3:45pm Breakout Session 6
4:00pm - 6:00pm Closing Session

Conducting: Rosa Lauper-Chacon
Keynote Musical Performer: The Bonner Family
Hymn: Press Forward Saints, #81

Sunday

9:00am - 11:30am Experience Sharing Session

Conducting: Erick Hacking
Opening Hymn: Did You Think to Pray, #140
Closing Hymn: I Need Thee Every Hour, #98