Rhonda Rhea- - Emcee

Rhonda Rhea is a pastor’s wife and mother of five living near the St. Louis area. She is a radio personality and a humor columnist for publications in the U.S., Canada and South Africa. She has written the books Amusing Grace (Cook, 2003), Turkey Soup for the Soul—Tastes Just Like Chicken (Cook, 2004) and Who Put the Cat in the Fridge (Cook, 2005). Her new Christmas book, I’m Dreaming of Some White Chocolate (Baker, 2006), will be released just in time for the holidays. Watch for High Heels in High Places coming in 2007.

Bonnie Keen -- Special Music

Tricia Goyer

Shirley Rose

Karen O Connor - Emcee

When Karen speaks, men and women—especially seniors––listen and laugh! They know what she's talking about when she asks, "Where would life be without the cordless phone ringing faintly from where we left it in the fridge?! Or the time we looked across the table at our best friend and forgot her name! Or the special moments we shared with a grandchild, or the day we drove into the driveway, panicky when we didn't see our car parked in its usual place––only to remember that we're IN it!

Karen O'Connor, award-winning author of more than 50 books, and a popular speaker at conferences, retreats, banquets, and seniors' groups, brings hope, humility, and plenty of humor everywhere she speaks.

Teresa Griggs - Worship

With a warm smile and an encouraging word, Teresa Griggs bears a true testimony of how the Lord will bring His comfort and peace as you seek Him through the storms of your life. Learning to depend on the Lord's strength and wisdom through the tragic and sudden loss of her nine-year-old daughter, Mallory, Teresa gives all the "Praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." 1 Corinthians 1:3-4. It is her earnest desire to bring comfort to others by pointing them to the one true source of love and compassion, our heavenly Father.
Having been raised in a Christian home, Teresa's knowledge and thirst for the Word of God began at a very early age. She has taught ladies Bible studies for many years. She is a trained Precept Bible Study leader, has served in Bible Study Fellowship leadership. She is a member of AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Assoc.) and a graduate of CLASS (Christian Leaders, Authors, and Speakers Seminar). She feels God has called her to tell others about His wonderful, amazing peace which truly does transcend all understanding.

Carol Kent -- Keynote

Carol Kent is a best-selling author and a popular international public speaker who is known for being dynamic, humorous, encouraging, and biblical. She is a former radio show co-host and has often been a guest on Focus on the Family and a featured speaker at Time Out for Women and Heritage Keepers arena events; she has also spoken at The Praise Gathering for Believers and at Vision New England’s Congress. Her testimony was recently aired on the Billy Graham Prime Time TV Special and she frequently speaks at Women of Faith arena events and Extraordinary Women events.. Carol has spoken internationally events around the world. She regularly appears on a wide variety of nationally syndicated radio and television broadcasts.

Cindy Secrest McDowell - Intros

Lucinda Secrest McDowell has been a storyteller all her life! Her greatest joy is to make God's faithfulness visible and real through practical illustrations of biblical truth in ordinary life. The seven books she authored include Role of a Lifetime, Spa for the Soul, Quilts from Heaven and Amazed by Grace. She is also a contributing author to 20 other books and has published in more than 50 magazines, earning Mt. Hermon's "Writer of the Year" award. Cindy holds degrees from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Furman University, and also studied at the Wheaton Graduate School of Communication. Through her ministry, "Encouraging Words that Transform," Cindy brings enthusiastic wit and wisdom as an international conference speaker and seminar teacher. In addition to reading, watching and sharing stories, Cindy enjoys tea parties, letters on fine stationery, cozy quilts, massage, good books, country music, bright colors and laughing friends. A southerner from birth, she has spent the past sixteen years living in a New England village with her husband and four children. www.EncouragingWords.net

Nancy Stafford

Linda Evans Shepherd - Welcome & Media Panel

If you want to laugh and draw closer to God--and each other-you will love Linda Evans Shepherd! She is an award-winning storyteller with a dramatic testimony. Linda has faced and overcome many challenges in life by getting to know God on a deeper level. She has written 12 books, as the AWSA founder as well as the founder of Right to the Heart of Women. See also www.sheppro.com

Allison Bottke

Vonda Skelton

Vonda Skelton is an entertaining speaker with a heart for women and their families. Her first women’s book, Seeing Through the Lies: Unmasking the Myths Women Believe, “takes women on a hilarious journey through all things female as we search for truth in a counterfeit world.” Her three-book Bitsy Burroughs Mysteries series is loved by kids 8-14 years old. Vonda’s articles frequently appear in magazines such as HomeLife, Christian Single, and Focus on the Family publications. She is also a playwright, lyricist, and dramatist and is a frequent instructor at writer’s conferences.

Martha Bolton - Parodies

Martha Bolton was a staff writer for Bob Hope for over fifteen years and is the author of 46 books. She has received both an Emmy nomination and a Dove nomination, and has been awarded three Angel awards. She's written for Phyllis Diller, Ann Jillian, Wayne Newton, Jeff Allen, Mark Lowry, and writes the popular Cafeteria Lady column for BRIO magazine. See www.marthabolton.com.

Susan Titus Osborn - Editors Panel

Suzie Larson

Gail Hayes - Keynote

When looking for a speaker who ignites your spirit and creates an atmosphere of inspiration and contagious enthusiasm, you have but to look directly at Dr. Gail Hayes. Her up front, in your face, in your heart style helps others discover their identity, grasp their purpose, and fulfill their destiny!

Leslie Vernick - Panel on Counseling

Leslie Vernick, DCSW, LCSW, is a licensed counselor in private practice with more than twenty-five years experience. She is a guest lecturer at Westminster and Biblical Seminaries in the Philadelphia area and is one of the featured speakers on several of the American Association of Christian Counselors Video Teaching Series.

Leslie is the author of How to Live Right When Your Life Goes Wrong (formerly The TRUTH Principle), How to Act Right When Your Spouse Acts Wrong and How to Find Selfless Joy in a Me-First World. She has also written numerous articles and has contributed to The Soul Care Bible, Competent Christian Counseling, Silver and Gold, Praying Through Life's Problems, and Intimate Moments with God.

Leslie and her husband, Howard, are active members in their local church and have two grown children.

Kathi Macis

Stacy Hawkins Adams

Carmen Leal

As her husband's caregiver for twelve years, Carmen Leal knows first hand the stresses and the joys of caregiving. Out of her experiences God birthed a ministry to caregiving families and the churches who support them through SomeOne Cares  Christian Caregiver conferences. She is the author of nine books including The Twenty-Third for Caregivers, The Twenty-Third Psalm for Those Who Grieve, Faces of Huntington's, and Portraits of Huntington's. A storyteller with a dramatic testimony, she is a popular presenter at women's retreats, church groups, conventions and conferences. Her wit, humor, and poignant personal observations, coupled with her down-to-earth style and common sense approach to dealing with life, inspire her audiences. Carmen lives with her family on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.

Deanna Allen

Deanna has been referred to as a "light, a spark plug, extremely dynamic, powerful, riveting, and a breath of fresh air." "A motivational speaker/author who will inspire, encourage, and challenge you to be all God created you to be." She is a voice for the hurting, broken and those
desiring to get to their next level. Deanna is the National Director of Daughters of Destiny, the fastest growing women's prison ministry in the country. Speaking abroad helping others overcome barriers that hold them
back is one of Deanna's passions. Her greatest joy is her marriage to her husband, Mitch, and the five children ages 18 to 2 they are raising in Northern California.

Carla Williams

Catherine Hart Weber, Ph.D. is a licensed marriage and family therapist and coach. Catherine writes and speaks on life transforming and practical Christian living topics related to marriage, family and relationship enrichment, personal development and spiritual formation. Some of her publications include: Secrets of Eve: Understanding the Mystery of Female Sexuality, A Woman’s Guide to Overcoming Depression, Is your Teen Stressed or Depressed? For more information, visit Catherine.heartweber@verizon.net

Georgia Shaffer is an author, licensed Psychologist and a Communications and Life Coach. Her articles have appeared in Focus on the Family, Christian marriage Partnership, and Living Solo. Georgia’s video projects include AACC’s series on Christian Coaching I & II, Fresh Start, and Caring for Teens God’s Way. Her latest book, How Not to Date a Loser will be released in January 2009. For more information visit www.GeorgiaShaffer.com

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