Speakers2026 | KC Reg Single Adults

Speakers and Workshop Presenters

KC Regional Single Adult Conference 2026 - Lead Kindly Light

Updated 4/25/2026

Stephen Lassen, PhD

Keynote Speaker

Stephen Lassen is a licensed clinical psychologist and Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Kansas Medical Center. He completed a residency in Clinical Child Psychology and Pediatric Psychology at Harvard Medical School and a fellowship in Pediatric Psychology at the University of Washington School of Medicine. He frequently speaks to a variety of professional and lay audiences on a range of topics related to mental health and has served in leadership roles in various medical and mental health organizations.

Brother Lassen is also the author of The Healer’s Art, a guide to spiritual and emotional healing through Jesus Christ.

In his spare time, Brother Lassen enjoys writing and playing music, backpacking, and running. He and his wife grew up in the Pacific Northwest and never imagined living anywhere else. They and their four children have come to love the people and beauty of the Midwest over the past 26 years (and counting!).

President Bruce F. Priday

What is a testimony and how do I gain one?

First Counselor, Kansas City MO Temple Presidency

President Bruce F. Priday is First Counselor of the Kansas City Missouri Temple Presidency. He served as Mission President of the Brazil Brasilia Mission, counselor of the Missouri Independence Mission Presidency, stake president of the Lenexa Kansas Stake, high councilor, Bishop, Elders Quorum president, seminary teacher, and missionary in the Brazil Rio de Janeiro Mission. He worked as a Marketing Research Manager at Hallmark Cards. He graduated with a MBA from the Marriott School of Management at Brigham Young University and a BA in Business Communications from Brigham Young University. He was born in American Fork, Utah. President Priday was sealed in the Temple to Sister Diane Priday. They are the parents of three children and they have three grandchildren.

Bill Tervort

Using the Grace of Christ to Prepare for the Second Coming.

Brother Tervort lives in Liberty, Missouri with his wife Terri. They were sealed in The Ogden Utah Temple. They were blessed to raise 5 boys! They currently have 6 grandchildren.

He grew up in Ogden, Utah and graduated from Weber State College with a BA in French and Political Science. He also holds a Master of International Management degree from Baylor University in Waco, Texas.

He has had many Church callings and is currently a Sealer in The Kansas City Temple, as well as Ward Mission Leader for The Rush Creek Ward, Liberty Stake.

Professionally he was part of The Church Educational System. He recently retired after 40 years of service.

In his spare time, Brother Tervort enjoys reading, woodworking, and doing home improvement projects. He is an avid fan of whatever activity his grandchildren are involved in.

Martin and Susan Cooper

My Family Tree is Broken

Sister Susan Cooper was born in Mesa, Arizona and is the 6th of 9 children. She met her husband at BYU and soon after their marriage they moved to Arizona. Family and education needs brought them to Springfield, MO, then to Clinton, MO and eventually to Blue Springs, MO, where they have lived for the past 28 years with their four children, and now fourteen grandchildren.

She received a Bachelor’s of Science in Ed with an emphasis in Speech/Communication and English and a Master’s Degree in Curriculum Design. With these she taught theatre at Blue Springs South High School for twenty years. While at Blue Springs South she was involved in over 80 different productions and numerous community events.

A highlight for her was being involved in the Youth Cultural Celebration that was held just prior to the dedication of the Kansas City Temple in May of 2012. Those were ‘never-to-be-forgotten’ days and hold significant memories for her.

She has served in numerous Primary and Young Women presidencies and as nursery leader three separate times. One highlight is having been to girls camp, either as a youth or leader over 22 times. She loves girl’s camp. Of all her accomplishments and interests being wife, mother, grandma, sister and friend are her greatest endeavors.

President Martin Cooper was born in Alhambra, California and is the 2nd of 6 children. After his father graduated USC dental school the family moved to Fresno and then Clovis, California. He served a mission in the Eastern Atlantic States Mission, attended college and time in the military. He eventually came to BYU where on a fateful Friday night he met Susan, and the rest, they say, is history.

They have lived in Arizona and Missouri while pursuing further education and employment opportunities. President Cooper received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. He worked for Talus Solutions as Vice President of Strategic Relations in their Cyber Security division, with a focus on healthcare.

While in Missouri President Cooper was able to help steer the Missouri State Capital Project in 1998, and work with the VIP guests for the St. Louis and the Kansas City Open Houses. He has been served as a counselor in numerous presidencies and bishoprics and as a Branch President, High Counselor, Stake President 1st Counselor and Temple President 2nd Counselor. He will tell you that his greatest accomplishment was getting Sister Cooper to say ‘yes’.

Chance Cooper

Putting on the whole Armor of God

Chance Cooper serves as the Chief Operating Officer of MEDIK LLC, where he helps lead the development of Apollo, a situational-awareness platform used by first responders and security teams to protect lives during emergencies and major events. He brings a background in law enforcement, SWAT leadership, High Risk Critical incident management, and has helped develop specialized programs such as the Metro Counter-Terrorism Response Course for law enforcement. His work also takes him across the country alongside elite tactical and public-safety teams, supporting those who serve on the front lines of crisis and protection.

Beyond his professional work, Chance is a devoted husband, father, and a man of faith who believes deeply in service, stewardship, and preaching about the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ to God’s children—both physically and spiritually. He has spent much of his life teaching, mentoring, and building teams, whether in law enforcement, church service, or community leadership.

Chance’s work today focuses on helping organizations prepare for and respond to moments of crisis, but his deeper foundation is found in the Armor of God. Through years of serving in high-risk environments, he has learned that true strength does not come from equipment, training, or position alone, but from faith, righteousness, peace, and trust in Jesus Christ. The lessons Christ has taught him—about humility, courage, and standing firm in truth—have shaped not only how he leads, but how he serves, protects, and loves others. He is grateful for the opportunity to share how the gospel has guided his professional journey and sustained him in both calm and crisis.

Tony John

BCharity: the Pre-Modern Solution for our Post-Modern Problems

Tony John is an east coaster loving life in Kansas. He was a bishop for 6+ years and upon his release 3 years ago he began his current calling on the high council in the Lenexa Kansas stake. After serving a mission in Helsinki Finland, Tony earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology at BYU and a master’s degree in industrial/organizational psychology. Tony’s career highlights include being the color commentator for his high school basketball team, teaching at the MTC, and currently working as a psychometrician (an expert in creating valid multiple-choice tests). Tony is married to his best friend and partner Carrie. They have 4 beautiful children who look like their mom ranging from 16 to 6. His hobbies include watching Boston and BYU sports, using his authentic Finnish sauna, making smashburgers, and studying history and psychology (after all he is middle-aged). Don’t worry. Even though his job sounds boring, he is not a terrible speaker.

Kreig and Sherry Smith

Hearing and Answering Prayer, Improving the Quality of Prayer.

Sherry and Kreig were married in the Oakland Temple on August 14, 1981. They are the parents of four married children and are grandparents to thirteen grandchildren. They have served two missions: Brazil, Santa Maria Mission and the Salt Lake Member and Leader Support Mission as mentors to Senior Couples.

They currently serve as ministers, Stake Patriarch Scribe and Patriarch for the Olathe Kansas Stake, and as Adult Education Instructors for the Olathe, Overland Park and Lenexa Kansas Stakes. They both have served in numerous callings in the wards, stakes of Zion and the Temple. They love God’s children and have a passion for teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. They both have Master’s Degrees from Brigham Young University.

Shirlene Tonks PLMFT

Topic: Building Secure Attachment with Christ’s Divine Love: Healing Anxious and Avoidant Patterns

Shirlene Tonks, PLMFT, specializes in helping individuals, couples and families mend broken patterns to build stronger, more resilient futures. Shirlene utilizes attachment-based and evidence-based therapy models: Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Solution Focused Therapy (SFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Somatic Experiencing (SE) Therapy interventions as well.

Shirlene’s journey into the field was inspired by her own life experience, raising four sons across six states and coping with the loss of her husband. Shirlene’s profound personal history informs her practice, allowing her to pull from both clinical expertise and personal experience to support her clients.

Shirlene is currently practicing at Fortis Therapy (Liberty, MO) and Psychiatric Services-Excelsior Springs Hospital. Shirlene is passionate about helping her clients regain their focus by cultivating lasting, supportive, and joyful connections- secure connections.

Ellen Dokos

Let Your Light Shine

Ellen was born in the small town of Paola, Kansas. She grew up in the rural area of Fontana, Kansas. She served in the Louisville Kentucky Mission and enJOYed training many other sister missionaries. She currently serves in the Kansas City Missouri Temple as an Ordinance Worker. She enJOY’s serving every week. Family and friends, both old and new, bring JOY to her life.

Kathy Rowe

Family History Consultant

(Thursday Volunteer)

Kathy Rowe is currently a Family Search Consultant in the Hickory Hills Ward of the Lenexa Kansas Stake.
She grew up in Idaho Falls, Idaho and met her late husband Chad Rowe at BYU. They moved to the Kansas City area in 1973 where they raised their eight children. She and her husband served a mission together in the Kansas Missouri Mission and also served as temple workers. Of her many callings over the years, genealogy and giving service in the newly refurbished Family Search Center in the Overland Park Hadley building is one of her favorites. She says, "I love helping others with their family history work. I have such a strong testimony that not only are our hearts turned to our fathers, but they are turned to us. Our ancestors know us, love us, and are ready and willing to help us with our temple and family history work."

Mark Slamin

Seeking Jesus

Mark Slamin was born in Kansas City, has lived in this area his whole life and wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. He is the father of six teenagers and young adults. He served a mission in the Mexico City East Mission and attended the University of Kansas earning a Bachelor’s degrees in Business and Political Science. Mark always wanted to be an entrepreneur, and after starting companies in publishing and retail distribution, now owns a successful software company.

Callings in the church have included teaching seminary (for seven years), gospel doctrine, Sunday School, and Elder’s Quorum. Mark has served as a counselor in the bishopric, as an Elder’s Quorum President and as a YM leader (mainly with the wonderful Deacons).

Passions include spending time with his kids doing anything and everything. Family camping (and camping with those Deacons) is always a blast. Game nights with family and friends are always fun. Travel that includes anywhere in, on, or near the water is the best. Trying new restaurants, especially when traveling, is great too. If you ask him what he’s currently reading, he’ll probably mention more than one book.

Mark loves teaching the gospel and worshipping in the House of the Lord. He tries to live his life by revelation, with varying success, but is fully committed to living his covenants and being a servant of the Lord.

Cris Erekson

Symbolism of the Good Samaritan

and Far West Tour Guide

Cris has held many church callings ranging from being involved in Young Men’s 7 different times, serving in a Bishopric, High Council, and 2 years as a Seminary Instructor.

He is an avid Church history buff, and has close family ties to both the Community of Christ historical dept and the LDS church history department.

He has already presented during this conference as the tour guide for the Far West Temple Site and has graciously volunteered to present a workshop as well.

Cris was married once for 22 years but is mainly present at this conference as a single adult participant.

In his career, he spent more than 25 years as a business consultant that was brought in to save businesses that were on the verge of failing where he spent time in 17 different states.

Schedule of Workshops (PDF)