Speakers

2026 CONFERENCE SPEAKERS

Father Jeffrey Kirby (Celebrant)

Jeffrey Francis Kirby is a Catholic priest, moral theologian, and Papal Missionary of Mercy. He serves as the Pastor of Our Lady of Grace Parish in Indian Land, South Carolina and is an Adjunct Professor of Theology at Belmont Abbey College. He has author several books and digital programs on the moral and spiritual traditions of the Catholic Church.

Kirby holds a doctorate in moral theology from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome and is a 2016 recipient of the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest civilian honor.

Kirby is known for his previous vocations work in which he actively used contemporary social media, web design, and videography in recruitment efforts for the Catholic priesthood and sisterhood.

Kirby is sought out as a conference speaker and retreat leader throughout the United States.

Sam Nunnally

Sam Nunnally is the creator of It’s Okay to Be Catholic.

Sam serves as the Director of Campus Ministry at Florida State University where he has the privilege of walking with students as they deepen their relationship with Christ. Previously, Sam was a regional executive for a financial group. Prior to that, Sam pastored non-denominational and Methodist churches ranging from 300 to 1300 members.

Sam began to feel God calling him to the Catholic faith over twenty years ago while he was still a Protestant minister. After years of discernment, he made it official. Sam is a certified mental health coach and is known for his straightforward style and authentic listening skills. Whether someone is a lifelong Catholic, a convert like him, or just curious, his goal is to encourage others to confidently live out their faith and see the beauty of the Church Christ founded.

Michael Hichborn

Michael Hichborn, founder and president of the Lepanto Institute, is a well-known public figure in the pro-life movement.

Michael spent seven and a half years as American Life League’s Director of the Defend the Faith project. In this capacity, Michael has researched and produced an annual report on organizations receiving grant money from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. This annual report, exposing dozens of grantees that are promoting abortion, birth control, homosexuality and Marxism, has led to a nation-wide review of the CCHD and a tightening of its guidelines.

Michael has also conducted research on Catholic hospital systems that are involved in the performance of abortions and sterilizations; he wrote a detailed report on abortion and contraception-providing organizations receiving money from Catholic Relief Services; and produced a detailed report on Obamacare and its danger to women, preborn babies and the elderly.

Edwin Molina

Edwin Molina is a cradle Catholic whose deep love for the Church has shaped his life and mission from a young age. At just 17, he began serving in a young adult group, dedicating six years to leadership, formation, and building community among his peers. His passion for the faith led him to teach catechesis and later serve as the communications coordinator for the Pastoral Juvenil Hispana of the Archdiocese of Miami.

In 2019, Edwin expanded his mission to a wider audience by evangelizing on social media—particularly through YouTube—where he reaches the Hispanic community with bold, orthodox Catholic teaching rooted in Scripture and Tradition. His content focuses on guiding souls toward truth, conversion, and a deeper relationship with Christ.

Alongside his wife, he co-founded Catholit Ministry LLC, a platform dedicated to the salvation of souls—the supreme law of the Church (salus animarum suprema lex). Through conferences and workshops, they minister to Catholics in all stages of life, from singles discerning their vocation to couples navigating relationships, courtship, and marriage.

Steve Simeone

Steve Simeone’s family friendly high energy storytelling style of comedy was developed as a child, competing for laughs around his family dinner table. He made his Comedy Central debut on Gabriel Iglesias’s “Stand Up Revolution” and has been featured multiple times on the network’s “This Is Not Happening” show. His number one Comedy Albums “What’s Up Nerds?” and “Jabba” can be heard on SiriusXM radio and tours internationally.

www.awesomesteve.com/Giving back to the community is important to Steve. He coordinates The Comedy Store’s “Comedian Assistance Fund” and founded HelpSteveHelp to help families with sick children. His weekly podcast “Good Times” reminds listeners to celebrate everyday by practicing kindness, compassion and gratitude.

John Edwards (Master of Ceremonies)

John Edwards was born in Birmingham, Alabama in 1962. He went on to enlist in the United States Marine Corps, where he deployed twice to the Mediterranean Sea. Upon completion of his military service, John served as a police officer in Birmingham and was awarded Officer of the Year in 1993. John and his wife Coni pioneered a non-denominational church in their living room and expanded to an 18-acre, 536-seat sanctuary before converting to Catholicism in 2013. He has been married for 41 years, with three children and two grandchildren.