Rev. John Manley is no stranger to Youth Challenge, as he has served on the YC Board for the past couple years. He graduated from Union Bible College in Westfield, Indiana, and has lived a life dedicated to God’s work! He’s been married to Janelle for 29 years; they have four children [Cale (married to Kirsten), Clarissa, Camden, and Clarke] and their first grandchild on the way! He is currently the lead pastor of Wesleyan Evangelistic Church in Dayton, Ohio. Besides the YC Board, John Manley also serves on the Executive Board of the Heartland Bible Methodist Conference. If you happen to find him in his spare time, he may be completing homework for his graduate degree at God’s Bible School & College or (on the rare occasion) riding a unicycle!

We are excited to welcome Rev. John Manley as one of our speakers for this year’s convention! His straightforward, sincere way of sharing truth is sure to touch your heart. We can’t wait to see how God uses him this year at Youth Challenge!

Rev. Marc Sankey brings to Youth Challenge a heart devoted to ministry and the wisdom that accompanies those ministry experiences. Currently the President of Oasis Ministries, he travels the country as an evangelist and missionary pastor. His dear wife, Melodie, travels with him and is a great support and addition to his ministry. Before founding Oasis Ministries, Marc Sankey was a pastor and missionary for the Bible Methodist Connection of Churches. He has also worked for God’s Bible School & College (his alma mater) and Evangelistic Faith Missions and has one stint as an interim pastor, as well. Furthermore, Marc and Melodie’s music ministry holds a timeless voice and place for all who’ve heard them, and they have recorded several albums over the years! While on the mission field in Mexico, he survived an attack that nearly took his life. His story is one of miraculous healing and hope, and he has impacted thousands through his retelling of that experience.

His three children are all involved in ministry, and they bring him much joy! If you see him out and about, you’ll probably catch him in a hat he’s collected from one of the many places he’s visited…

We know God has a plan for Rev. Marc Sankey’s ministry at this year’s convention — come with your heart open & ready to hear God’s voice!

Benjamin grew up knowing that God had a mission for his life, but never quite knowing where he fit in. As a teenager, he fully surrendered his life to Christ and that decision forever changed his trajectory.

He earned a degree in Intercultural Studies & World Missions from GBS and has served in youth ministry for more than a decade alongside his wife, Brenda. Since 2020, they have served with Hope International Missions, discipling and mentoring Hispanic young people in the U.S. He serves as the Director of Mobilization & Recruitment at HIM, helping young people discover and pursue their calling to the nations and take the next step on their journey toward their mission field.

He and Brenda are the proud parents of four children—Sofia (6), Clara (4), Ivan (1), and newborn Olivia. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball, riding e-bikes, and exploring new parts of the country with his family in their campervan.

His passion is to pass on the message of holiness to the next generation and see young people established in their faith and sent into the harvest field. His life motto is captured in these words: “Only one life, ’twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.”

Youth Challenge is excited to have Rev. Benjamin Smith as one of our speakers this year! Although he claims that he is not an “official” reverend, he spends his life living and sharing the Word.