20th Annual Conference, Evergreen International

In 1987, John Paulk began his journey out of homosexuality in response to his new relationship with Jesus Christ. His quest led him to Exodus International where John was discipled and learned the root causes of his homosexual struggle. Over time, he healed from the wounds of his past and met and fell in love with Anne, who was also overcoming homosexuality. John and Anne married in 1992.

Together, John and Anne have shared their remarkable stories of overcoming homosexuality to audiences world-wide and extensively in the national media. Both John and Anne have served on the Exodus board of directors and in 1998, John went on staff with Focus on the Family and founded the Love Won Out ministry and conference which toured the country speaking to audiences for 11 years.

Throughout their ministry, the Paulk’s have appeared on such programs as Oprah, ABC, NBC, and CBS News, and had their story printed in hundreds of magazines and newspapers like People, Time, and the cover of Newsweek magazine in 1998. John is the author of two books, including he and Anne’s testimony entitled, Love Won Out.

In 2003, John left full time ministry and moved back to his home in Portland, Oregon, where he is the owner and executive chef of Mezzaluna, his thriving catering company. John and Anne have recently celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary and are the parents of three incredible sons.

Joseph Fielding McConkie has taught the gospel for over forty years, including twenty-eight years as a professor of ancient scripture at Brigham Young University. Before joining the faculty at BYU, he taught seminary and served as director of the Institute of Religion at the University of Washington in Seattle. He served as a missionary in the Scotland Edinburgh Mission and later returned to preside over the mission as president from 1989 to 1992.

 A prolific writer, he is the author or co-author of numerous works, including Valiant in the Testimony of Christ, Here We Stand, The Bruce R. McConkie Story, and a four volume commentary on the Book of Mormon. He has his wife, Brenda Kempton McConkie are the parents of nine children and several grandchildren. The family resides in Orem, Utah.

Vickey is a songwriter/producer, vocalist, and professional speaker, and has performed and/or taught in numerous venues. Her compositions include the theme songs for the Special Olympics program (state by state selection), the Make A Wish Foundation, the Especially For Youth program of the Church, and the Families In Focus program. She is a Billboard award winning songwriter, with hundreds of songs to her credit.

She has enjoyed participation in the Church Education System’s youth and family programs for more than two decades, having taught for Know Your Religion, Campus Education Week at BYU-Provo, BYU-Hawaii, and BYU- Idaho, Especially for Youth, Best of Especially for Youth, and BYU Conferences and Workshops.

Studying musical theater at BYU, she has used that learning experience in the music field as a way of enhancing the teaching of correct principles. Among her gospel works are the collaborative projects "Women at the Well" with Kenneth Cope and "My Beloved Christ" with Randy Kartchner. Vickey has contributed to numerous EFY albums over the years and as a chapter contributor for many yearly EFY books; as well as contributor the best selling LDS compilation, Sunshine for the Latter Day Saint Teenage Soul, and Fabulous Family Home Evenings.

She authored the book K.I.S.S.: Gospel Guidelines for Better Relationships for Bookcraft Publishing Company, and Apron Strings: Tender Ties Between Mothers and Daughters. For two years she was editor and columnist for "Gems for Youth" on the web at LDSWorld.com, formerly the Church’s electronic arm. For six years, she has written a bi-weekly column for online Meridian Magazine.

She holds a masters degree in interpersonal communications and currently resides in Salt Lake City, Utah, with her husband, Dean Taylor. Together, they have eight children and four grandchildren.

She most loves laughter, cooking Italian, studying the gospel, traveling to coastal areas with her husband, hanging out with her kids, and eating Tootsie Rolls. Vickey has begun a website called NowGrandma.com, and a Non-Profit company Goodness Matters. Feel free to contact Vickey directly at Vickey@goodnessmatters.com