Religious Educators Conference

Rory C. Bigelow is an Associate Administrator for Seminaries and Institutes of Religion, where he has worked for 28 years in various teaching and administrative roles. He holds degrees from the University of Utah and Brigham Young University. He has served in several leadership positions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including as a mission president in the Brazil Recife Mission, twice as Bishop and is now serving for the second time as a Stake President. He is married to Tammy Kershaw Bigelow, and they have three children and three grandchildren.

Kevin Brown is an Associate administrator for Seminaries and Institutes with responsibility for Africa and Europe. He is Jamaican and has been living in Utah for about one year. Kevin and his wife Nadine and have been married for 25 years and have five children.

Dustin Coleman has a master’s in education specializing in curriculum and instruction. He began his journey in education as a seminary teacher in 2000. In addition to teaching, Dustin also reviews and recommends media for use in seminary and institute curriculums, leveraging his expertise to enhance student learning experiences.

Aaron Coombs grew up in the booming metropolis of Fountain Green where there are more sheep than people. He received an associates of science degree from Snow College and then a bachelor’s degree from BYU in Marriage Family Human Development. Aaron married the amazing Sharon Tidwell, and they have four daughters. After becoming a seminary teacher Aaron has obtained an MPP and Demography Certificate from the University of Utah and is currently finishing his PhD in Political Theory and American Politics from the University of Utah. Sharon has told Aaron he is not allowed to get any more degrees, so Aaron looks forward to even more time to hang out with his family, run, play the guitar, boat, and fix cars.

Sean Dixon is the Director of the Utah Valley Institute Region and has worked in various assignments in Seminaries and Institutes for the past 30 years. He and his wife M’Shelle presided over the California Redlands Mission from 2016-2019. He is the co-host of the Preach My Gospel Podcast which focuses on missionary preparation and helping returned missionaries continue their lifelong discipleship. He has a bachelor’s degree in Family Science and a master’s in education: Curriculum and Instruction. He currently serves as a Stake President in Spanish Fork, Utah. He and his wife M’Shelle are the parents of 5 children and 3 grandchildren.

R. Kelly Haws is assistant to the commissioner of Church Education and secretary to the Boardof Trustees of the Church Educational System. He received an associate’s degree from SnowCollege, a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University, and a master’s degree from Utah State University. He completed his doctoral degree in education from George Mason University. Dr. Haws has worked for Seminaries and Institutes since 1984; he taught in Utah for 10 years, serving as area director for the eastern United States and Canada for 13 years, and served as assistant and associate administrator to the commissioner of Church Education for 9 years. He has held his current position for the past 5 years. Dr. Haws married Connie Thornwall in the Salt Lake Temple, and they are the parents of three children.

Justin Lether has a bachelor’s degree in broadcast communications and a master’s degree of education. He and his wife Barbara Savage live in Kaysville, Utah and have six children. Justin taught seminary and institute for 10 years and for the last 15 years he has worked on inspirational and educational videos, apps, and on classroom innovation. His major projects have been the Bible videos and the Book of Mormon videos. He manages two portfolios for the Church: Scriptures Media and Broadcasts and Events like the Friend to Friend for Primary children and the Worldwide broadcasts for Youth, and the recent Relief Society Devotional. He chairs the Church’s augmented and virtual reality working group. He was recently released from the High Council to serve as a Bishop.

Clint B. Mortensen was born and raised in Springville, Utah. He met his wife, Natilee Bird in high school when they were both asked to speak in sacrament meeting together. After his mission to Neuquén, Argentina, they were married in the Salt Lake temple in 1994. They are the parents of four children and four grandchildren (both three boys and one girl). He has held various callings in the Church including serving twice as bishop and is currently serving as stake president of the Springville Utah Stake (the same stake where Natilee and Clint met). Brother Mortensen an Associate Administrator for Seminaries and Institutes of Religion.

Lover of truth and all things Jesus Christ; awesome aunt of 18; Institute teacher; sun and beach lover; mediocre pickleball player; connoisseur of chocolate milk; jv all-star; lover of people; DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST!!!

Jennifer earned her doctoral degree from Arizona State University in Life-span Developmental Psychology, focusing on female identity formation through ritual practices. Her current research interests focus on pedagogy and learning models that help develop discipleship. Prior to joining the Religious Education faculty at Brigham Young University–Idaho, she worked as an instructional designer for the Church, taught in the department of Ancient Scripture at BYU as well as seminary in Gilbert, Arizona and the Institute of Religion adjacent to Arizona State University. She and her husband Jed have two children.

Matthew O. Richardson is a professor of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University. The Richardsons served as the mission leaders of the Minnesota Minneapolis Mission from 2020-2023. Prior in their mission, Brother Richardson was a Vice President at Brigham Young University from 2014-2020 and served as the second counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency from 2009-2014. Before joining the faculty at BYU in 1996, Brother Richardson completed his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees at Brigham Young University. Brother Richardson served a full-time mission in Copenhagen, Denmark. Matthew and his wife, Lisa, have four children and seven grandchildren.

Chad H Webb was born in Rexburg, Idaho to Larry George Webb and Paige Webb. He grew up in southeastern Idaho, and married Kristi Ann Bronson in the Logan Utah Temple. They live in Layton, Utah, and have six children.
Brother Webb graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and a master’s degree in educational leadership and foundations. He taught released-time seminary in Salt Lake City and institute in Virginia and Utah. He coordinated institute programs in Washington, D.C. and supervised training and selection of seminary teachers. He has served as an administrator of Seminaries and Institutes of Religion since 2008.
Brother Webb was released as Layton Utah Valley View Stake president shortly before his call as First Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency. He served as a full-time missionary in Veracruz, Mexico. Previous callings include bishop, high councilor and elders quorum president.