Circle A

03/26/2026

Melody Farrell is the founder of the Pioneer Circle and director of Circle A Summit, ministries focused on resourcing young teens to live well through the changing of an age. She is a wife, mother, musician, podcaster, entrepreneur, speaker, and runner, and she recently released her first book, The Forest Before the Field. She serves on the leadership teams for several ministries in Tampa, FL including Element Church Tampa and Grow Into You Foundation. Her Circle A experience spans her entire lifetime, as she is daughter to Skip and Susan Ross, the original Founders of Circle A. She is proud to carry on the family legacy of sharing God’s Agape love through summer camp experiences!

03/24/2026

Tim Hebert is the managing partner of Sage Benefit Advisors and manages employee benefits for companies and individuals. He is the State President for his association which includes legislative work in Colorado and Washington DC. He also serves as the head cross country coach at Kinard Middle School in Fort Collins, Colorado. His teams have won the State Championship each of the past two years. He also coaches wrestling, track, and helps to run FCA at the school, while also working to consistently improve his own running times. He holds a Guiness World Record for the fastest 5-man marathon! Tim met his wife Gretchen at Circle A and has invested many years as an LT and mentor. We are honored to welcome back his expertise in both athletics and coaching to our Summit Mentor Team!

03/22/2026

Bridget Hughes is a ceramic artist and teacher from Media, PA. She has been involved with Circle A for 44 years as a camper, staff member, Leadership Team member, staff trainer, parent, speaker, mentor, and Adult Summit Director. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and she invested several years as a full-time social worker and part time staff at church. When she left the work force to raise three children, she discovered a love of pottery and eventually turned that love into a business. She currently teaches classes and sells at art fairs around the mid-Atlantic area and in galleries both locally and nationally. She receives a lot of joy from helping people bring functional art into their lives, and we always learn so much from Bridget at the Summit!

03/20/2026

Matt Buman has a Ph.D. in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology and did his postdoctoral fellowship at the Stanford School of Medicine. He is the Associate Dean of Research for the School of Technology for Public Health at Arizona State University. He is also a Professor and Director of Precision Health Research. His Circle A experience spans seven years as a camper, six as an LT, and three as a mentor LT. He met his wife, Christen, at Circle A, and the two have now been happily married for 22 years. When he isn't busy being a proud father to two teenagers, Matt enjoys his passion of brewing espresso. As a trained barista and self-proclaimed coffee snob, he approaches his morning brew with the same rigor he applies to his research. We can’t wait to learn from him at the Summit!

03/18/2026

Here's our next featured speaker for this year's Summit! Erin NeSmith is the Founder and Lead Coach/Mentor of Grow Into You Foundation which serves youth and young adults who have survived childhood trauma. She is also a high school educator and is studying at the University of South Florida to obtain a Master of Social Work degree. She is happily married to her husband of 22 years and is the mother of three incredible teenagers. Her family serves the vulnerable of Tampa Bay by offering housing to young women who have aged out of foster care. In her spare time, she loves to read, spend time with those she loves, and learn more about her faith. She is committed to gaining additional understanding regarding mental health care initiatives in her community. Erin has served as a Mentor at Circle A for 4 years and brings a unique and essential perspective to our team!

03/17/2026

Register today at www.circleacamp.com!

03/16/2026

Introducing our Summit Speakers! Gabe Hartfield is a church planter and pastor from Grand Rapids, Michigan. He currently serves as the Pastor of Visible Church. Gabe holds a Master of Divinity degree from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary and previously spent several years serving as a Campus Pastor with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Gabe’s Circle A experience includes one year as a camper and more than ten years serving on the Leadership Team. This will be his fourth year serving as a Mentor at the Summit, where he will also be sharing his gifts of teaching and connection. Gabe and his wife, Montanna, recently welcomed their first child, Hudson Zachary. We are grateful for the insight and encouragement he brings to our Summit community!

03/15/2026

03/14/2026

Introducing our speakers for the 2026 Circle A Summit! Kevin L. Hughes is Professor of Historical Theology and Chair of Theology & Religious Studies at Villanova University. His interests as a teacher and scholar are in Christian theology and spirituality, art and poetry, mystical theology, and contemplative practice. He is the author or editor of four books, along with articles appearing in publications such as Modern Theology, Theological Studies, Commonweal, and Church Life Journal. He is a nationally known retreat leader, writer, and speaker on Christian faith, history, and spirituality. He has three adult daughters, and he lives in Media, PA with his wife Bridget, a ceramic artist. Kevin has served as a mentor, speaker, and Adult Summit Director at Circle A for several years, and we are thrilled to welcome him for our 2026 Summit!