RALPH MARTIN, Michigan
Ralph is the president of Renewal Ministries, an organization devoted to Catholic renewal and evangelization. Renewal Ministries sponsors "The Choices We Face", a weekly, widely distributed, Catholic television and radio program. He is also Director of Graduate Theology Programs in Evangelization at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. A leader in the development of the charismatic renewal movement in the Catholic Church, he was the founding editor of New Covenant Magazine and founding director of the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Office. Ralph has also authored a number of books. In December 2011, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Ralph to a five-year term as a Consultor to the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization.
JAMES "BUTCH" MURPHY, Michigan
Jim Murphy surrendered his life to Christ in high school. He received a degree in social work, but other jobs have included prospecting, playing in a band, auto repair, salvage diver, boat operator, truck driver, and construction! Jim has been involved in youth ministry from the parish level all the way to international levels. He is the founder and president of Vera Cruz Communications, a ministry committed to proclaiming the message of God's love. Jim is the former Chair of, and currently a consultant to, the National Service Committee for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and has held other positions of leadership serving the Renewal. Jim is also widely known for carrying a six foot cross in a pilgrimage of prayer and evangelization 4,200 miles across America in 1992, a journey which took 18 months...and 14 pairs of shoes!
SR. LINDA KOONTZ, Texas
Sr. Linda has been serving the Lord in the Charismatic Renewal for over 30 years. She is used mightily to exhort and evangelize within the Charismatic Renewal. Anointed strongly in the Charismatic gifts of the Spirit, she ministers frequently at regional, national and international conferences. Sister Linda has a heart for the poorest of the poor. She founded Spirit of the Lord International Mission, based in El Paso, Texas, out of which she ministers to the poor in Juarez, Mexico, building houses for the needy.
MR. RICHARD LANE, Missouri
A full-time Lay Catholic evangelist and a convert to Catholicism, Richard was led to begin proclaiming the Gospel as a street corner evangelist, sharing the Word of God, passing out bibles, crosses, and other religious items. Since then, he has become a dynamic and sought after preacher, evangelist, and revivalist. He brings the fire of the Holy Spirit into his talks and ministry. He is featured in the national media on "Catholic Answers Live", EWTN'S "Journey Home", the National Catholic Reporter, and other national publications and programs. Richard's dynamic ministry is based upon three principles: Faith, Hope, and Love-integrating these with the Sacraments, ministering to those who are searching for something greater than themselves—Jesus Christ!
JESSE ROMERO, Sylmar
Jesse Romero used to channel his competitive fire in boxing, martial arts and contact sports until a fellow officer challenged him to use faith instead of force as a way to find escape from the pressures of police life. That event changed his life. In the Bible, Jesse rediscovered his Catholic roots. Now he is committed to keeping faith alive in our Church. Jesse makes the sometimes-complex teachings of the Faith understandable with his straight talk, Christ-centered, spirit-filled, evangelical approach. He specializes in evangelization, youth events, apologetics seminars, conferences and bible studies. Host of weekly English and Spanish Catholic radio programs, and of a weekly Catholic Spanish TV program, he also started On Fire Evangelization, a nationwide preaching ministry.
DEACON BILL BRENNAN, Stockton
Bill ministers in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, including prophecy, teaching and exhortation at seminars, parish missions, retreats, and conferences. He has been active in the Charismatic Renewal since 1974, and has served it in leadership roles ever since. Bill serves as the Bishop's Liaison for the Charismatic Renewal for the Stockton Diocese. He is the Chairman of the NCRC, a member of the National Service Committee of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, and serves on the Steering Committee of the Association of Diocesan Liaisons of the US and Canada. In proclaiming the amazing grace of Pentecost in his energetic style, Bill balances the declaration of the Scriptures with the wisdom of Church teaching.
FR. PAUL GAWLOWSKI, OFM,Conv., San Francisco
Fr. Paul became a Franciscan Friar in 1991 and ministered as a schoolteacher, a chaplain at St. Anthony's Foundation and at St. Mary's Hospital, and served in parish ministry. Since his ordination in 1999, he has served at St. Paul of the Shipwreck Parish in San Francisco where he is currently the pastor. He has been involved in starting a food panty and has worked in community organizing projects helping to secure funding for homeless programs. He directs after school athletic programs, is involved in coaching and teaching our youth, and participates in street ministries to promote peace in troubled neighborhoods.
MSGR. JAMES TARANTINO, San Francisco
Msgr. Tarantino, former liaison for the Archbishop for the Charismatic Renewal in the Archdiocese of San Francisco, has been a member of both the NCRC and the Steering Committee of the National Association of Diocesan Liaisons for the Charismatic Renewal. A dynamic speaker, he is used frequently by the Lord in the gifts of preaching and exhortation at retreats, conferences, and seminars. An accomplished musician and singer, the Lord uses him to inspire praise and worship within the Body of Christ. Monsignor has been the Dean of the southern Marin Deanery, Chair of the Archdiocesan Stewardship Council, member of the Priest Council, and member of the Priest Personnel Board. He currently serves in full time ministry for the Archdiocese as Vicar for Administration and Moderator of the Curia.
FR. RAYMUND REYES, San Francisco
Fr. Ray served as vice rector at the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines for almost 23 years after his ordination in December 1988. In 2005, he was incardinated to the Archdiocese of San Francisco by Cardinal William Levada, where he has served as the Parochial Vicar of St. Patrick's Church and St. Isabella Church. Currently, Fr. Ray is pastor of St. Anne of the Sunset in San Francisco and serves as the Archbishop's Liaison for the Catholic Charismatic Communities of the Archdiocese of San Francisco.
ROBERT CANTON, Stockton
After receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, Bro. Bob became a servant leader for the Children of God Prayer Community, which started a monthly Mass and Healing Service, and he later became the National Coordinator of the Alliance of Filipino Catholic Charismatic Prayer Communities in North America. In 2006, he was elected as a Council Member of the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services (ICCRS) to represent the English speaking countries in North and Central America. A member of the Association of Christian Therapists and of the Filipino Pastoral Council of the Stockton Diocese, the Lord has used Bro. Bob to minister in conferences, retreats, seminars, Days of Renewal, Healing Rallies and Crusades in 40 countries.
FR. DAN NASCIMENTO San Francisco
Born in a little Portuguese territory near Hong Kong, Fr. Dan moved to San Francisco when he was 11 years old. He grew up in the Catholic faith; however, as he was influenced by his college studies, he became an atheist. Through a co-worker who invited him to an Assembly of God Church, he returned to the Christian faith. Through the Charismatic Renewal in the Catholic Church, the Lord led him back home to the Catholic faith. Ordained in 1998, Fr. Dan is currently the pastor of St. Brendan in San Francisco. Grateful for God's friendship that has seen him through the different challenges in his life, he is amazed and blessed that God has found him worthy to serve as His minister to His people.
