STEVE BACKLUND Igniting Hope Co-Director
Steve Backlund is a prolific encourager, catalytic author, joy activator, and revivalist teacher. He brings transformational levels of hope to churches and organizations around the world. He is uniquely gifted to release hope, joy, and healthy leadership everywhere he goes.

WENDY BACKLUND Igniting Hope Co-Director
Wendy is a revelatory author and speaker with a passion for setting people free from their past. She equips people to walk into the fullness of their true identity in Christ and empowers them to see from a supernatural perspective. She loves to lead the Body of Christ into life-changing encounters with God.

ASH ANDERSON Igniting Hope Project Manager
Ash has been with Igniting Hope Ministries for over 3 years. She is passionate about hope, emotional victory, and radical mind renewal. She is a prophetic powerhouse with a fiery heart of worship. Ash loves to see others walk in the freedom Jesus bought.

DR. PHIL BACKLUND Professor of Communication Studies
For over 42 years, Dr. Phil Backlund taught communication studies at universities around the world, from Alaska to New York, Washington, Hong Kong, Macau, Tanzania, South Sudan, Pakistan, and beyond.

A lover of teaching, Phil believes one of the most important gifts he can give his students is the ability to communicate effectively in public, small group, interpersonal, and intercultural contexts.

Phil and his wife Judy currently call Ellensburg, Washington home. They value family and enjoy spending time with their three children & six grandchildren.

CONNIE JONES Leadership Development Director & PA to Steve Backlund
Connie Jones is a radical encourager with a passion to see the Body of Christ rise up into her magnificent place of identity and authority.

She has been blessed to serve the church during the past 25 + years as a youth pastor, associate pastor, senior leader, and itinerate minister.

She is a graduate of BSSM and Rhema Bible College and now works for Igniting Hope Ministries. She and her husband, Aaron live in Redding CA with their greatest treasures, their three sons: Joran, Braden, & Jesse.