Speakers
David Whited is the Chaplain for Trinity International University and a member of the faculty of Trinity College. He earned a Certificate of Practical Theology from Christ for the Nations Institute, the Bachelor of Arts degree in music from Ouachita Baptist University and the Master of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
Whited came to Trinity after five years of youth ministry in Hot Springs, Arkansas. As the director of a network of youth workers, he gave leadership to an annual statewide youth conference designed to train students to put their faith into action through evangelistic endeavors and acts of service. Before his time in youth ministry, Whited traveled widely as a vocalist, leading worship in churches across North America and Europe.
Whited has experience in helping local church worship leaders and programmers to thoughtfully examine historical and contemporary worship movements in light of a biblical theology of worship. He has developed and conducted workshops to train emerging worship planners in the programming of biblically faithful worship in a postmodern context. Whited has also conducted research on the ecumenical prayer services of the Taizé community in France.
Whited resides in Wheeling, Illinois, where he enjoys reading theology and poetry, watching independent films, and running in the local forest preserve.
Wendy L. Martin is professor of Business and Business Department Chair. She earned her Bachelor of Science at the University of Colorado and her MBA at the University of Michigan. She is currently a PhD candidate (ABD) at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Before beginning her career in teaching, Professor Martin enjoyed a career in consumer goods marketing management at Proctor & Gamble and Schering-Plough Healthcare Products. She joined Trinity after teaching for twelve years at Judson College. Her primary research interest focuses on marketing for ministries, while her additional research efforts on intergenerational family businesses yielded a best-paper award. She is a member of the American Marketing Association, the Religious Research Association, and the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion.
Jana Sundene is associate professor of Christian Ministries and chair of the Christian Ministries Department at Trinity International University's Trinity College. Before assuming her position at Trinity in 1990, Professor Sundene was associate director of youth at Willow Creek Community Church. She also held a variety of Christian Education positions in the surrounding area.
Professor Sundene's areas of expertise include interpersonal communication, small groups, women in youth ministry, leadership training, effective speaking, and youth ministry. She has written several publications, including contributions to the Christian Education Journal, How to Have a Real Conversation with Your Teen, The Complete Book of Youth Ministry, and Reaching a Generation for Christ. She also does training seminars for local church ministries.
Greg Leeper serves as Associate Dean of Students for Trinity College. His duties include overseeing leadership development, residence life, career services and orientation, college activities, the restorative discipline program, retention initiatives, and special projects.
Originally from Des Moines, Iowa, Greg graduated from Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri, with degrees in Theological Studies and Pastoral Ministries. Greg, with his wife Hillary, came to Trinity in 2002 to pursue graduate education after working in sales for Alltel Communications, also in Springfield. He received the MA in Communication and Culture from Trinity Graduate School in 2004 and is completing the MA in Christian Thought from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
The past four years Greg has dedicated himself to the personal formation of Trinity College students through mentoring relationships and his work in a variety of roles within Student Affairs. In the Athletic Department, he served as a baseball coach for two years, including one as interim head coach. He spent the past two years as residence director of Owens Hall and Quad 3, while also working last year in the Student Ministries Office as mission coordinator and the staff advisor for Acting on AIDS.
Greg is passionate about spiritual formation and mentoring, social justice, cultural engagement, and global missions. He also enjoys reading, traveling, weightlifting, hiking, and watching Iowa Hawkeye football, basketball, and wrestling.
Student Leaders:
In addition to the speakers above, you will also hear from Trinity International University’s Emerging Student Leaders. Check back for their profiles!