Teaching Staff

Lysa TerKeurst is the New York Times bestselling author of “Made to Crave” and “Unglued” as well as 14 other titles. As president of Proverbs 31 Ministries, Lysa and her team saw over 4,000 women make a personal commitment to Jesus in 2012. They reach nearly 700,000 women daily through their on-line devotion, “Encouragement for Today,” and thousands more through the Proverbs 31 Ministries radio program, playing on 1200 radio outlets daily. Lysa is honored to be part of the Catalyst and Women of Faith conferences this year. She lives in North Carolina with her husband, Art, their 5 kids, three dogs and a mouse that refuses to leave her kitchen. Visit her at www.lysaterkeurst.com.

Renee Swope is Executive Director of Strategy and Development and co-host of the Proverbs 31 Ministries radio show that airs on over 1500 outlets worldwide. She’s also the award-winning author of her best-selling book, “A Confident Heart.” For the past 18 years, Renee has served on the leadership team that grew Proverbs 31 Ministries from a small newsletter to one of the leading women’s ministries in America. Ministering from the trenches of everyday life as a wife of twenty years and as a mom of two teens and a toddler with special needs, Renee speaks at women’s conferences and parenting events across the country each month, fulfilling her passion to help other’s live in and rely on the power of God’s promises. Find out more about her family, her ministry and connect with Renee at www.ReneeSwope.com.

Glynnis Whitwer is the Executive Director of Communication at Proverbs 31 Ministries, overseeing the monthly magazine, speaker team, and providing editorial direction for “Encouragement for Today,” the Proverbs 31 ministries online devotions, reaching over 700,000 daily readers. She is an author and co-author of seven books. Glynnis, her husband Tod, and their five children (ranging from 15 to 21) live in Glendale, Arizona. Learn more at www.glynniswhitwer.com.

Karen Ehman has been described as profoundly practical, engagingly funny and downright real. Her passion is to help women live their priorities and love their lives. She is the Director of Speaker Team Development for Proverbs 31 Ministries and a national speaker for women’s events and Hearts at Home Moms Conferences. Karen is the author of five books including the recent best-selling LET. IT. GO. How to Stop Running the Show & Start Walking in Faith which also includes a dvd small group curriculum. Married to her college sweetheart, they are raising three sometimes quarrelsome but mostly charming children in the boondocks of central Michigan. Connect with her at her encouraging and practical site www.KarenEhman.com.

Chris Adams is Senior Lead Women’s Ministry Specialist at LifeWay Christian Resources, Nashville, Tennessee. Prior to her employment at LifeWay in December 1994, Chris was the special ministries coordinator at Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas coordinating women’s ministry and missions education. She is an ongoing guest teacher at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary’s Women’s Certificate Program, where she received her undergraduate degree in Christian Ministry from the seminary’s Leavell College. Chris has been a consultant, speaker and conference leader in a variety of church and denominational roles. She is a contributor and guest editor of Journey, and compiled Women Reaching Women: Beginning and Building a Growing Women’s Ministry and Transformed Lives: Taking Women’s Ministry to the Next Level. In 2008, Chris received the Career of Excellence award at LifeWay. She is a wife, mother of twin daughters, and grandmother of 7. She also loves reading, good coffee, reading and chocolate! Visit her blog at http://lifeway.com/womenreachingwomen.

Lisa Allen has a passion for seeing people reach their fullest potential and live their best life and uses this passion as a the Executive Director of Ministry Training for Proverbs 31 Ministries. As a Board Certified Christian Life Coach, Certified Speaker and Ministry Consultant, Lisa’s best day involves speaking, team building, equipping and training ministry teams and non-profit organizations. She works with individuals and teams to harvest their passions, identify their unique wiring and helps them create a strategy to bring dreams and vision into reality. She is the developer of “What you VALUE is VALU-able” which is an assessment tool that shows how our values impact our behaviors. She lives in Charlotte, NC with her husband and has two children. Visit www.ljallencoaching.com for more on Lisa.

For 23 years Kim Bangs has served in the Christian publishing industry. Beginning as an editor in the Children’s Curriculum Department at Gospel Light, she currently is the Contracts/Author Relations Manager for Regal (the book division of Gospel Light) and also serves as a part of the acquisitions team. In 2012 Kim was awarded Editor of the Year by AWSA. She also can be found at several writer’s conferences throughout the year doing all she can to inspire and encourage writers to write their passion and keep pressing on. She enjoys baking, gardening, Disneyland and sports…but loves Jesus and His Church.

Amy Bayliss is a marketing strategist, online ministry advocate, and teacher of all things internet. Her experience in the online missionary field began seven years ago when she started her first blog. Since then she has pioneered movements in online women’s ministry, been featured on some of today’s most popular blogs, newscasts, magazines, and radio, and she has become a sought after consultant for authors, speakers and non-profits. Amy has worked with NY Times best selling authors and helped others develop platforms that influence. Amy is the author of “Pursuit of Proverbs 31,” founder and executive director of A Woman Inspired Conferences, and resident personality at AmyBayliss.com. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Amy, her husband Ryan and their four boys live deep in Cajun Country.

Wendy Blight is a wife, mother, author, speaker and Bible teacher. Her passion is to help women gain confidence that they can tackle any problem life presents through God’s Word. Through Bible study, she equips a woman how to 1) identify Scriptures that address pressing issues in her life, 2) understand how those Scriptures apply, and 3) personalize and pray those Scriptures to bring restoration and transformation to her life. Learn more at www.wendyblight.com.

Lisa Boyd is the Web Director for Proverbs 31 Ministries. She is frequently accused of having an affair with her laptop and speaks with a charming Southern drawl. She’s been online since the days of AOL being the “whole world,” and she’s been blogging off and on since 2000. Loving WordPress and all things techie, she spends her days and most nights living in code. Lisa lives in Durham, North Carolina with her husband, one daughter (her mini-me), two dogs, one cat and a bird. When she’s not on her computer or smart phone, she can be found on a softball field. She occasionally blogs at simply His.org.

Micca Campbell helps women Fear Less and Live More. As the author of, “An Untroubled Heart,” endorsed by Kay Arthur, Co-President of Precept Ministries, Micca explores the anxieties of every woman’s heart. She encourages you to lay down your fear, trust in your heavenly Father, and receive a life marked by peace and freedom. Micca is a national speaker with Proverb 31 Ministries. She has touched and transformed the lives of thousands across the US. The mainspring of Micca’s life is devotion to Christ alone – a devotion that is contagious to others. Learn more at www.miccacampbell.com.

Whitney Capps is a wife and mom-in-the-trenches to four loud, wild and wonderful boys ages 7, 6, 4 and 1. She joined the Proverbs 31 speaker team in 2007. Leaning on her love of theology and honest in her struggles with sin, Whitney’s messages are funny, engaging and solid. Whitney is a regular gal with too-bushy eyebrows, rarely shaven legs and horribly pale cellulite. When not traveling speaking, she serves as a BSF group leader. Whitney loves to shop, read and nap. She also works for the corporate office of Chick-fil-A.

Amy Carroll is a very ordinary woman made extraordinary only by a desire to know God and to apply Scripture in her everyday life. She loves connecting women to God’s Word and each other, and her knack for cutting God’s big truths into small, practical bites makes her messages appealing to a variety of audiences. She helped develop a mentoring ministry, served as women’s director for three years and currently teaches a women’s Sunday school class encompassing the generations. Amy also serves women in speaking ministry as the director of Next Step Speaker Services, an equipping arm of Proverbs 31 Ministries. Amy writes for Proverbs 31 Ministries, her local paper and is a contributing author for “The Reason We Speak.” Learn more at www.amycarroll.org.

Stephanie Clayton is a counselor with a passion for integrating Bible teaching with professional counseling. She has a Master’s Degree in Counseling and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She serves with the Proverbs 31 Ministries Online Bible Studies Team in the areas of professional counseling advisory, teaching, planning, and development. Stephanie also works as a counselor with homeless children and families. She has experience and training in the areas of poverty, substance abuse, anxiety, depression, dialectical behavioral therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Stephanie, her husband Kevin, and their two children live in Amarillo, Texas. You can find out more about Stephanie by visiting her blog at www.stephanieclayton.org.

As speaker and author with Proverbs 31 Ministries, Lynn Cowell helps moms to become wise and raise wiser daughters. Through her speaking and books, she empowers girls and their moms to create confidence leading to higher self-esteem by discovering Christ’s life-altering love. She has been married for over 25 years and has a grown son and two daughters in high school. Her two books “His Revolutionary Love” and “Devotions for a Revolutionary Year” fill the love gap in a young woman’s heart leading her to make wise choices. Her favorite things include the mountains, well-worn sweatshirts and anything that combines chocolate and peanut butter. Learn more at www.LynnCowell.com.

Alice Crider began her career in book publishing in 1998 at Cook Communications in Colorado Springs. In 2001, she went to work at Alive Communications Literary Agency for three years before joining the editorial team at WaterBrook Press, a division of Random House Publishing, Inc. She joined the agent team at WordServe Literary in September 2012. Her passion is to empower authors to realize their publishing dreams and live a life that thrills them. She represents fiction and nonfiction, primarily in the Christian market.

She talked too much in class, so she grew up and turned it into a career. For the last twenty years, Carol Davis has been putting on headphones and communicating over the airwaves. For the last ten years, she’s served at The Light, a ministry of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. She is currently the Director of Programming and Promotions and host of the midday show, where she tells crazy stories about her single mom life.

Tom Davis is the president and CEO of Children’s HopeChest, a global orphan advocacy organization serving orphans and widows around the world. Tom travels worldwide encouraging individuals, families, and churches to fulfill the Biblical mandate to love and care for the orphan. Tom is the author of five books; “Fields of the Fatherless,” “Red Letters,” “Confessions of a Good Christian Guy,” “Scared,” and his newest novel “Priceless.” He is also the author of the blog “Red Letters: Living the Words of Jesus” at www.cthomasdavis.com. Tom currently is a DMin candidate and adjunct professor at George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon. Tom and his wife, Emily, have seven children, including two adopted daughters from Russia. The Davis family lives in Colorado.

Leah DiPascal is a speaker, author, and inspirational Bible teacher. Her mission is to help women engage, understand, and apply God’s Word to their over-committed and hectic lives. With 19+ years of experience in women’s ministry, Leah has created programs and trained women within a variety of settings such as church plants, mega churches, and community outreach venues. She’s also served in leadership roles through Moms In Prayer International, Stonecroft Ministries, Community Bible Study International, and Proverbs 31 Ministries. Leah holds a Bachelor of Theology Degree and a Master of Divinity Degree from Tabernacle Bible College and Seminary. Her greatest ministry is wife to her husband Keith and mom to their two sons, Brody and Carson. You can connect with Leah through Facebook, Twitter, and her personal blog www.LeahDiPascal.com.

Andrea Doering is an executive editor with Revell Books, an imprint of Baker Publishing Group, acquiring titles such as Choosing to SEE by Mary Beth Chapman, and A Confident Heart by Renee Swope. She is the former editor-in-chief of Crossings Book Club. Her experiences also include academic publishing, book packaging, and a stint in public affairs at Focus on the Family. She holds an M.A. in English/Creative Writing from the University of Maine, and has published several children’s books and short stories.

Suzanne Eller (Suzie) leads women in a new direction. She shares with women how to live their best life in the areas of family, feelings, and faith in spite of a painful past. Suzie is the author of six books. She has spoken to groups of all sizes around the globe. She is a popular guest on radio and TV, and has been featured on Focus on the Family, Harvest Show, MidDay Connection, Aspiring Women, and hundreds of others. She is the author of more than 1000 articles, and is a mentor with the Jerry Jenkins Christian Writers’ Guild, and speaks at writers conferences nationwide. She finds joy in following Christ and coming alongside women as they discover the woman, the mom, the believer they were always meant to be. www.tsuzanneeller.com

Emily P. Freeman is the author of the blog Chatting at the Sky where she combines photos and stories to create space for souls to breathe. Her writing and speaking will always somehow say to the listener, Me too, and There’s hope.

After attending She Speaks in 2009, her blog opened the door for her to publish two books: Grace for the Good Girl: Letting Go of the Try-Hard Life (2011) and Graceful {For Young Women} (2012), both with Revell. Her third book will release in November 2013. She is also a regular contributor for (in)courage by DaySpring. Emily lives in North Carolina with her husband and three young children.

Holley Gerth is a best-selling author, life coach, and speaker. Her most recent book is You’re Made for a God-sized Dream. She’s cofounder of (in)courage, a popular web site that received almost one million pages views in its first six months. Holley is passionate about partnering with women like you who have God-sized dreams too. Holley would love to hang out with you online at www.holleygerth.com.

Sharon Glasgow is passionate about speaking and compelling audiences to live the higher calling through Christ Jesus. She is an international speaker and has been on the Proverbs 31 Ministries speaking team for 10 years. She is a contributing author for “NIV Real Life Devotional Bible for Women,” “The Reason We Speak,” “God’s Purpose for Every Woman” and has been featured in “P31 Woman” magazine. Sharon and her husband have five daughters, three son-in-laws and two grandchildren. They live on a working farm, milking goats, gathering eggs, gardening and living healthy. She blogs weekly about living The Empowered Life @ www.sharonglasgow.com.

Donna Jones is a nationally sought after conference speaker, pastor’s wife, women’s ministry leader and author who’s passionate about helping women find and follow God in their real, everyday lives. Donna is the author of three books; her latest book, “SEEK: A Woman’s Guide to Meeting God,” has been used by churches all over the United States as an entry point for women new to the Bible. A southern California girl, she is wife to JP, and mom to Taylor, Kylie and Ashton. Donna loves a clean house, a good cup of coffee and really cute shoes. In a perfect world she would keep her garage clean enough to park in. You can connect with Donna at www.donnajones.org.

Kathleen Kerr is a senior editor with Harvest House Publishers. She acquires fiction and nonfiction titles and is always on the lookout for fresh new voices and exciting ideas. She is passionate about helping writers hone their craft and discover their true vocation. She has many years’ experience working with books, and was an acquisitions editor at Zondervan prior to working at Harvest House. Kathleen makes her home in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband, with whom she can often be found hiking, reading, and creating chaos in the kitchen.

Pat Layton is wife of 37 years, mom of three, mother-in-“love” of two beautiful young women and “G” (grandmother) of five (3 boys and 2 girls). She and her husband Mike have been a part of Grace Family Church for over 18 years. Pat is founder and president of “Life Impact Network”, a Christ-centered ministry, which includes a crisis pregnancy intervention, an international post-abortion recovery program and a Christian adoption agency. Pat is also an author, speaker and founder of a national woman’s conference called “Imagine Me…Redeemed, Restored, Renewed…Set Free.” Pat’s latest book was released in January 2013 and is called “A Surrendered Life.” You can join her in the adventure of faith at www.patlayton.net.

Tracie Miles is a national speaker and author with Proverbs 31 Ministries. She speaks God’s truths to women around the country to empower and motivate them to depend on Christ in their everyday lives, discover their value in Christ, and lead them to a place of peace and purpose. Tracie is the author of Stressed-Less Living: Finding God’s Peace In Your Chaotic World. She lives in North Carolina with her husband of 23 years and her three teenagers. Tracie enjoys spending time with her family, playing tennis, shopping, lounging on the beach, and working as a Corporate Trainer in her spare time. Visit Tracie at www.traciemiles.com and www.stressedlessliving.com.

Wendy Pope is a wife and mother, and a woman who loves a good bargain from her favorite place to shop … Good Will. She’s the author of “Out of the Mouths of Babes,” contributing author to “God’s Purpose for Every Woman,” “The Reason We Speak” and the “NIV Real Life Devotional Bible for Women.” You can read Wendy’s devotions in “Encouragement for Today” online devotions. She leads thousands of women to life change through the power of God’s Word each day in her online Bible Studies. Visit Wendy at www.wendypope.org.

Luann Prater is the host on the weekly radio show, Encouragement Cafe with Luann & Friends. She owns Bee Sweet, Inc., is a REALTOR with Keller Williams Realty and contributing author to “God’s Purpose For Every Woman” and “The Reason We Speak.” She has been writing and speaking with Proverbs 31 Ministries for over a decade. She motivates the immovable, ignites the smoldering and encourages the brokenhearted. God uses her life struggles and pain to portray a picture of hope and encouragement to others. Learn more at www.LuannPrater.com.

As a mom of five blessings, Jen Schmidt has learned to balance and embrace both the beauty and bedlam of every day life. As a motivational speaker, worship leader and writer, Jen shares with humor and authenticity on a myriad of topics, many which fall under her passion for understanding “It’s the little things, that are the big things.” She attempts to balance her full-time role as family manager, along with her heart to encourage women both through speaking, writing her lifestyle blog, Balancing Beauty and Bedlam and sharing her passion for bringing families around the dinner table at her new food blog, 10 Minute Dinners. Jen’s desire to bring her on-line, practical topics to “real life” has served her speaking platform well as she co-launched her own women’s conference, Becoming in 2009.

Melissa Taylor is a leader and encourager who relates with women because she’s not afraid to talk about real issues honestly. She has been speaking and writing for Proverbs 31 Ministries for 11 years. Melissa is a contributing author to “God’s Purpose for Every Woman” and “The Reason We Speak.” Her writing is also featured in the “P31 Woman” magazine and “Encouragement for Today” daily devotions. Melissa is the Online Bible Studies Coordinator for Proverbs 31 Ministries. In 2011, Melissa began Online Bible Studies on her blog because she wanted to provide a venue of study for women who aren’t in a Bible study group. In a little over a two years, Melissa has lead over 70,000 people in online studies. Melissa lives in Charlotte, NC, with her husband, Jeff; four children, Blake, Hayden, Dylan, and Hayley Grace; and her sweet dogs Princess and Maggie. Connect with Melissa and her Online Bible Studies at www.melissataylor.org, Facebook, and on Twitter.

Sandy Vander Zicht has more than 35 years of experience in Christian publishing, the past twenty-seven of those at Zondervan, where she serves as Associate Publisher & Executive Editor. Sandy has worked with many authors, including Ann Spangler, Henry Cloud, John Townsend, Christine Caine, Karen Ehman, Anne Graham Lotz, Lysa TerKeurst, Jerry Sittser, and Ann Voskamp. She has also served as an associate editor of a weekly denominational magazine and as a curriculum editor for Christian Schools International. Sandy loves meeting new people and encouraging them in their dreams. Her passion is to find that next best-selling author or book for Zondervan and to help all authors create the best book possible.

Rachel Wojnarowski is a wife, mom to 7, blogger, writer and speaker. She and her husband, Matt, enjoy caring for their busy family, whose ages span 22 months to 21 years and includes a special needs daughter. Rachel leads community ladies’ Bible studies in central Ohio (Gather & Grow Leader with Proverbs 31 Ministries) and serves as an event planner. In her “free time” she crochets, knits, and sews handmade clothing. Ok, not really. She enjoys running and she’s a tech geek at heart. Rachel teaches social media and blogging classes in her local community and also speaks at conferences on the topic, Faith Hub: Where God and Technology Connect. You can find Rachel on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest, and of course, RachelWojo.com.