Keynote SpeakerS
Jen Wilkin
Jen Wilkin is an author and Bible teacher from Dallas, Texas. She has organized and led studies for women in home, church, and parachurch contexts. An advocate for Bible literacy, her passion is to see others become articulate and committed followers of Christ, with a clear understanding of why they believe what they believe, grounded in the Word of God. You can find her at JenWilkin.net.
Trillia Newbell
Trillia Newbell is the author of several books including A Great Cloud of Witnesses, Sacred Endurance, If God is For Us, Fear and Faith and the children's books, Creative God, Colorful Us and God's Very Good Idea. When she isn't writing, she's encouraging and supporting other writers as an Acquisitions Editor at Moody Publishers. Trillia is married to her best friend, Thern, they reside with their two children near Nashville, TN.
Jamell Meeks
Jamell Meeks is Director of Women’s Ministries at Salem Baptist Church in Chicago, serving over 4,000 women. She serves as National Chair for First Ladies Health Initiative and leads a national pastor’s wives prayer group. Jamell developed the nationally recognized A.R.I.S.E Entrepreneur Program in 2004 which has helped over 1100 people start and increase their small businesses. Her mission is to inspire women of all ages to live a life grounded by faith, guided by purpose, and motivated by infinite possibilities. She is mother of four children, proud grandmother of five, and resides in Chicago, with her husband, Rev. James T. Meeks.
Pamela MacRae
Dr. Pam MacRae has been involved in ministry to women in both church and parachurch settings for over 20 years. She frequently speaks at conferences and retreats and currently teaches at Moody Bible Institute, where she is the program head for Ministry to Women and Ministry to Victims of Sexual Exploitation. Pam earned her MAMin from Moody Theological Seminary and her DMin from Bethel Seminary. Pam and her husband, Bob, who is also a professor at Moody, have two married daughters and six grandchildren.
Worship Leader
Hannah Thompson
Hannah Thompson graduated from Moody Bible Institute in May 2019 after completing a degree in Biblical Studies and Music Composition. She has a deep passion for encouraging and equipping the Bride of Christ to love and serve him wholeheartedly, and a heart to exhort the Church towards truly surrendered lives - specifically through music and discipleship ministries. Hannah is the current Director of Young Adults & Internships Ministries for OneWay Ministries in Aurora, IL. She also works as the Worship Director at Grace for Life Bible Church, and continues to lead corporate worship for local churches, ministries, conferences, and events.
Workshop Speakers
Sylvia Amador
Sylvia Amador was raised in Madrid Spain. She received a BA in theology from Moody Bible Institute where she met her husband Paco. For the past 17 years, they have lived in Little Village, a Mexican immigrant neighborhood in Chicago where they are involved in church planting at New Life Community Church. Sylvia was a GED and ESL teacher before things got busy raising their 8 children.
Hannah Bloomquist
Hannah Bloomquist holds degrees from Moody Bible Institute in Women’s Ministry and Theology, from Wheaton College in Christian Formation and Higher Education, and currently is pursuing a Masters of Biblical and Theological Studies at Covenant Seminary. She has ministered to college students at Moody Bible Institute, Wheaton College, and Covenant College. Hannah currently is a Resident Director at Covenant College in Lookout Mt, GA where she mentors and disciples students and plans campus wide programing for men and women regarding topics of sexuality and discipleship. Hannah is passionate about students growing in their relationship with God and others and learning how to connect their theology with the practical.
Holly Bosier
Holly Bosier has taught as an adjunct professor at Moody Bible Institute over the past 16 years, working with students in Human Services and Pre-Counseling, Youth Ministry, Women’s Ministry, and Ministry to Victims of Sexual Exploitation. A licensed clinical professional counselor and a spiritual director, Holly is passionate about serving as a companion for those who have experienced trauma, loss, and emotional pain. She finds her greatest fulfillment in guiding others in their spiritual formation to experience deeper intimacy with Jesus.
Emmanuella Carter
Emmanuella Carter became a follower of Christ at age 17 after a teacher shared the gospel with her. Since then, her passion to equip and train women in the Gospel has led her to pursue a career in Christian Education. Currently studying for her Masters of Divinity at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Theology from Moody Bible Institute where she also serves as adjunct professor. Emmanuella is the Women's Ministry Director of Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago and lives with her wonderful husband Chelten Carter on the Southside in Chicago.
Judy Dunagan
Judy Dunagan served as a women’s ministry leader before joining Moody Publishers as the acquiring editor for the women’s line of books and Bible studies. A wonder seeker of God and His Word, Judy is passionate about discipling women and making God’s Word come alive in everyday life. She and her husband, Rick, live in Colorado and love being new grandparents. Subscribe to Judy’s blog for free prayer resources at judydunagan.com.
Gloria Grell
Dr. Gloria Grell has led Ministry to Women teams on a local, district, and national level within her denomination. She loves to teach women God’s Word and equip them to fulfill God’s purposes. Gloria earned her Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. She is an adjunct professor at Moody and she leads a new equipping initiative for women in ministry leadership in her denomination.
Deb Gorton
Dr. Deb Gorton earned both her MA in Psychology and PhD in Clinical Psychology from Fuller Graduate School of Psychology in Pasadena, CA. Additionally, she holds an MA in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. She serves as the Gary Chapman Chair for Marriage, Family Ministry, and Counseling at Moody Theological Seminary and Program Director for Moody’s Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. Dr. Gorton recently published her first book Embracing Uncomfortable: Facing our Fears While Pursuing our Purpose and co-hosts, Becoming Well, a podcast that explores the intersection of faith and mental health.
Simone Halpin
Simone Halpin is the Executive Director and co-founder of Naomi’s House, a residential home for women who have suffered from commercial sexual exploitation. She has served on the staff of The Moody Church since 2010 and holds a MS in Biblical Studies from Moody Theological Seminary. Simone and her husband Anthony reside in Wheaton with their four children.
Kristin Jacobsen
Kristin Jacobsen serves as the women's ministry director at Bethel Church in Crown Point, Indiana. She earned her BA in Ministry to Women from Moody Bible Institute in 2009. Her passion is to teach and disciple women as they grow in their knowledge of God, love him more deeply, and serve him more faithfully. She is wife to Dan and mother to three beautiful (and busy) children.
Roslyn Jordan
Roslyn Jordan is a licensed professional counselor, previous adjunct professor and creative who believes God's Word is the foundation and answer for all of life. She blends the truths of Scripture with her skills, interests, and life experiences to help others. Roslyn's mission is to encourage others to experience healing and wholeness through the use of prayer, counseling, education, and the arts.
Krista Ophus
Krista Ophus was born in La Paz, Bolivia. After she moved to the United States, she met and married her high school sweetheart. Krista and her husband served as missionaries in Querétaro, Mexico, and for the past 15 years have served in church planting in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago. Currently, Krista and her husband lead the New Life Little Village Karlov campus of New Life Community Church. Krista has worked for over 18 years as a Chicago Public School teacher. She loves spending her time investing in the children in her community as well as empowering women of her community as they become disciple makers.
Cathie Ostapchuk
Cathie Ostapchuk's work as a global leadership catalyst, communicator, consultant and coach has led her to work in non-profit organizations such as World Vision and Compassion. An alumna of Moody, Cathie is Founder and Lead Catalyst of Gather, a movement to connect, equip and mobilize women in Canada for leadership influence. She is author of Brave Women, Bold Moves, Choosing Courage in a Culture of Conformity, awarded Best Christian Living book from The Word Guild. Cathie co-hosts HerInfluence Podcast and is a speaker for Leader Impact. Cathie is focused on developing women leaders so the church can flourish. Find her at cathieostapchuk.com, and on social @cathieostapchuk and @gatherwomen
Laurie Norris
Dr. Laurie Norris is an associate professor of Pastoral Studies at Moody Bible Institute. She holds a PhD in Biblical Theology (New Testament) from Wheaton College, and a ThM from Dallas Theological Seminary. In addition to teaching, speaking, and writing, Laurie is a fellow with the Center for Pastor Theologians, an organization that seeks to bridge theology and the local church. Laurie and her husband Bob live in the western suburbs of Chicago.
Olivia Rhul
Olivia Ruhl lives in rural New Hampshire where her days are spent serving alongside her husband in church ministry and caring for their family. She is also involved in Small Town Summits, an organization whose purpose is to provide training and connection for those ministering in the small places of New England. Oliva received her B.A. from Moody Bible Institute and her M.A. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
Christy Spader
Christy Spader serves as the Team Leader with Cru at Ohio University in Southeast Ohio, where she gives direction to the movement for 16 staff and over 400 students. She earned her BA from Moody in Ministry to Women and her MA from Wheaton College. Christy is passionate about seeing women empowered for ministry, and raising up disciple-makers to fulfill the Great Commission.
April Warfield
April Warfield serves as director of multicultural ministries with the EFCA. Her heart for disciple making has led to years of developing strategic partnerships with churches, urban nonprofits, and community-based organizations, effectively training and discipling others(students) into deeper relationships with Jesus. She also provides insight and expertise on racial diversity, urban and student ministry, and women in leadership.
Valencia Wiggins
Dr. Valencia Wiggins, L.P.C. an Assistant Professor, Clinical Training Director, and Field Chair of Counseling at Moody Theological Seminary for the Master’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program in Chicago, IL. She is a clinical psychologist, and Licensed Professional Counselor. Valencia completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Walden University and MA in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton Graduate School.