Julia Royall Johnson

Julia Royall Johnson grew up at Centenary United Methodist Church in Smithfield, North Carolina, where she was confirmed in the seventh grade. From a young age, she was deeply engaged in the life of the church, actively participating in youth leadership both at her local congregation and at the conference level. As a youth, she was highly involved in conference youth ministry, laying the foundation for a lifelong passion for service and discipleship.

In her early twenties, Julia reconnected with conference youth ministries as a volunteer and began serving with the youth group at Wrightsville United Methodist Church. She later joined the staff at Ann Street United Methodist Church as the Director of Youth and Children’s Ministries. Over the years, Julia has held several leadership roles within the North Carolina Conference, including Harbor District Youth Coordinator, Sound District Youth Coordinator, and Co-Chair of the Conference Council on Youth Ministries (CCYM). Her continued involvement reflects a deep commitment to nurturing young people in their faith

Julia currently serves on the full-time team at Don Lee Camp and Retreat Center, a United Methodist-affiliated camp located on the coast of North Carolina. Her journey with Camp Don Lee and in youth ministry spans decades—beginning as a camper in elementary school, continuing through her years on summer staff, and now in her professional role. With over 20 years of experience in youth ministry at the local, district, and conference levels, Julia brings a deep well of passion, experience and a servant’s heart to everything she does in service to the youth in this conference.

Julia will serve as the keynote speaker on Friday.

Mark Oestreicher

Mark Oestreicher (Marko) has been involved in church ministry for over 40 years, particularly with teenagers and youth workers. Marko has had a broad experience working in churches in roles ranging from Junior High Pastor to Executive Pastor.

For 11 years, Marko was at Youth Specialties in San Diego, an organization that trains and equips church youth workers—the last 8 of those years as president.

Marko has authored or contributed to more than 80 books, and is the founding partner at The Youth Cartel, providing coaching for church youth workers.

Marko has been married to Jeannie for 39 years, and has two young adult kids, Riley and Max. X: @markosbeard

Marko will serve as the keynote speaker on Saturday.

Ismael Ruiz-Millán

Ismael knows what it’s like to live in the in-between—between cultures, between questions, and between one season of life and the next. Originally from the border town of San Luis Río Colorado, Sonora, México, he brings a deep love for God and people shaped by stories of resilience, hope, and new beginnings.

As the Executive Director of Connectional Ministries in the North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church, Ismael works to support churches and leaders as they live into God’s mission. Before this role, he served as the District Superintendent of the Heritage District and directed the Hispanic House of Studies at Duke Divinity School, where he accompanied and mentored leaders for ministry in diverse communities.

This year at Pilgrimage, Ismael is honored to walk alongside youth asking the same question many of us carry: “What’s next?” Scripture is full of people who asked that very question—Thomas in the upper room wrestling with doubt, Paul on the road to Damascus encountering unexpected transformation, Jesus pausing to pray before making big decisions. And then there’s the Samaritan woman at the well—a person carrying deep questions and brokenness, who meets Jesus and, in that encounter, discovers her true identity and purpose.

Ismael believes God meets us right in the middle of our questions and transitions. Whether you feel certain or uncertain, hopeful or heavy-hearted, you are not alone. The Holy Spirit is already moving in your story. What’s next may not be clear—but you are deeply loved, you already belong, and God wants you to experience a fully alive kind of life.

Ismael will serve as the keynote speaker on Sunday.