Keynote speaking
One engaging, biblically grounded session that fits the larger gathering and creates a memorable point of reflection.
Christian youth gathering speaker · Denver · Nationwide
Gospel-centered speaking.
Youth-ready engagement.
For middle school and high school retreats, district gatherings, camp events, and youth conferences. Honest biblical teaching, creative visuals, participation, and real conversations beyond the stage.
Discuss your event ↗The kind of experience
More than a message from a microphone.
Young people are navigating questions about identity, performance, belonging, and trust. AJ makes space for those questions with gospel-centered teaching, humor, memorable illustrations, and participation—without expecting students to manufacture an emotional response.
Event partners can plan a keynote, multi-session retreat, or weekend gathering. AJ collaborates with the planning team so the teaching fits the event theme, age range, worship rhythm, and room setup.
Ways to partner
Find the format that serves your students.
Retreat or gathering weekend
Connected talks with a coherent narrative arc, visual through-line, and space for honest reflection across sessions.
Emcee and event facilitation
A collaborative stage presence that helps transitions feel purposeful, connects people with the program, and supports the event team.
Experience that travels
Large-stage energy. Relational follow-through.
AJ has worked with national, district, regional, and smaller youth gatherings. His speaker materials document his role on the 2019 LCMS Youth Gathering emcee and mass-event team before an audience of approximately 22,000, as well as events in Nebraska, Missouri, and New England.
Organizers have consistently valued his clarity, interaction, and approachability—especially his willingness to engage with students beyond stage sessions.
Featured youth experience
Unfiltered: whose voice gets to tell you who you are?
Built around John 14:6, Unfiltered explores shame, hiding, approval, and identity through honest storytelling and a developing canvas illustration. It can be adapted to a keynote or multi-session format.
Explore Unfiltered →Planning details
What youth event teams can expect.
Plan the message together
AJ learns your theme, student age range, desired takeaways, and schedule before finalizing session direction.
Interaction with purpose
Visuals, props, audience response, and accessible teaching are chosen to help students participate meaningfully.
Approachable presence
Where event logistics allow, AJ values conversations with students and youth leaders beyond the main presentation.
Clear scope and travel
Typical published youth guidance is $600–$900 for a local or regional single session, or $1,300–$1,800 for weekend/multi-session programs, plus travel as applicable. Final scope and fee are discussed with the event team.
Frequently asked questions
Good questions. Clear answers.
Does AJ speak to both middle school and high school students?
Yes. AJ adapts language, examples, pacing, and participation to middle school, high school, or a mixed-age gathering.
Can we book AJ for one session rather than a full weekend?
Yes. A keynote, a multi-session retreat, or a larger gathering can be discussed. Exact format depends on your schedule and goals.
What does AJ teach about?
AJ teaches Gospel-centered messages on identity, grace, shame, prayer, hope, community, and everyday discipleship. Unfiltered is a featured program, and talks can be adapted to your theme.
Is there a youth speaker fee range?
AJ’s published youth-event guidance is $600–$900 for a single local/regional session with little or no travel and $1,300–$1,800 for a weekend or multi-session event, with travel costs when applicable. Those are starting ranges, not a binding quote.
Can AJ help with emceeing and event transitions?
Yes. AJ has emcee and mass-event team experience, including the 2019 LCMS Youth Gathering. Event roles and session responsibilities are clarified during planning.
How do we start planning?
Use the speaking inquiry form to share tentative dates, location, student ages, audience size, and the desired format. Submitting a form is not a confirmed booking.
Bring the right message to your room.
Tell AJ what you're planning, who will be there, and what you want people to carry home.