Speakers
Lysa TerKeurst
is President and Chief Visionary Officer of Proverbs 31 Ministries and the author of six New York Times bestsellers, including Good Boundaries and Goodbyes, Forgiving What You Can’t Forget, and It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way. Her new book, I Want to Trust You, but I Don’t, will be released this October. Lysa has a passion for equipping women to share their stories for God’s glory through Proverbs 31 Ministries’ annual She Speaks Conference and her writers training program called COMPEL. Connect with Lysa on social media @lysaterkeurst or at lysaterkeurst.com.
SESSION: Opening She Speaks on Friday!
Lysa will kick off the She Speaks Conference on Friday morning!
SESSION: Exclusive Q&A
Tamra Andress
is a six-time No. 1 bestselling author; a passionate top 1% global podcaster (The F.I.T. in Faith Podcast, Girls Gone Holy Podcast and The Founder Collective Podcast); and international speaker, Kingdom messenger and experience creator with retreats and events. She’s the founder of F.I.T. In Faith Media & Press a Christian publishing house. And she serves as the President of The Founder Collective, a nonprofit with a mobilized church for entrepreneurs, birthing an academy of marketplace ministers. All of her initiatives are centralized to catalyze faith-filled leaders into messengers with movements so that they can broadcast Truth and advance the Kingdom — first by obliterating shame and then activating purpose. She’s been called a human sparkler, a colorful joy-bomb and an entrepreneurial rabbi, but she most loves to be called Abba’s child, wife, mama and sis!
SESSION: “Building a Biblical Business Ecosystem”
This interactive session will educate you spiritually and unlock you mentally to understand how to become an effective messenger in today’s market. Drawing from biblical Truth, we will strategize your unique “businesstry” plan, tapping into your aligned heart’s desires, passions and pain points so that you can effectively design your platform without diminishing your gifts and talents.
Jordan Lee Dooley
is a two-time national bestselling author of Own Your Everyday and Embrace Your Almost, the host of the top-rated SHE Podcast, and the founder of two companies: Own It Academy and SoulScripts. Her trajectory began with a small Etsy shop in college, which quickly grew into so much more. With her books, programs, podcast and other resources, her mission is to help women walk out their calling while prioritizing grace-based holistic living. She has been featured in Forbes Magazine, USA Today, SUCCESS magazine’s 30-Under-30 List, and more. Jordan and her husband, Matt, are biological and adoptive parents to two boys and reside in Indiana. Learn more at jordanleedooley.com.
SESSION: “Finding Clarity and Confidence in Your Calling”
Do you believe God has given you a calling but feel a little unsure of exactly what that’s supposed to look like or where to even start? How can you fulfill the calling on your life if the details feel a little … confusing? In this practical workshop, Jordan Dooley, a national bestselling author, top-rated podcast host and entrepreneur, will help you:
• Overcome the fear of making the wrong decision or pursuing the “wrong thing.”
• Take action steps in the right direction even before you see the whole plan.
• Navigate when things don’t go according to plan or you get off track.
• Discern what God has for YOU and what’s just a distraction.
Dr. Alicia Britt Chole
has often been compared to a velvet-wrapped sword: Her voice is soothing, and her messages are piercing. She loves to study and teach less-than-trendy themes, like what grows in barren seasons, the discipline of decrease, the use and abuse of spiritual authority, doubt as a growing pain of faith, and habits of a truly healthy soul. Alicia is a skillful mentor, an award-winning writer, and an international speaker. Men and women across ethnically diverse groups agree: In a culture obsessed with all things new, Alicia brings ancient truth to life. Alicia holds a doctorate in leadership and spiritual formation from George Fox Seminary and serves as the founding director and lead mentor of Leadership Investment Intensives, a nonprofit devoted to providing customized soul care for leaders in business and ministry. Along with her husband, Dr. Barry Jay Chole, and their three amazing children (all Choles through the miracle of adoption), Alicia lives in the Ozark countryside and enjoys thunderstorms, jalapenos, #LOTR, thorny questions, wild woods and pianos in empty rooms.
SESSION: “Writing in the Night”
Offerings aren’t awaiting oases. Whereas fast faith isolates pain, slow faith integrates pain. And it is the integration of pain that brings weight to our words. In this session, Dr. Alicia Britt Chole will share on the duet between pen and pain.
Grace Wabuke Klein
is a speaker and the author of Flourish: Finding Purpose in the Unknown and Unexpected Seasons of Life. Her passion is to encourage others to draw close to the heart of God and to live in their purpose. Grace and her husband lead focus412, a ministry that helps churches across the country grow stronger. For over 15 years, Grace was on the pastoral leadership team at Faith Church. She has been a guest on numerous media outlets, including LIFE Today, TBN, Bustle, Live Original with Sadie Robertson, The Writing Room with Bob Goff and Kimberly Stuart, Victory TV Network, Faith Broadcasting Network, The Nicole Crank Show, Crosswalk.com, COMPEL Writers Training, Propel Women, and many others. Grace received her bachelor’s from UC Berkeley and her master’s from Fuller Theological Seminary. Her greatest joy is spending time with her husband and their new grandson. Connect with her at gracewabukeklein.com.
SESSION: “Flourishing in Your Writing and Speaking Journey”
This session will give you practical tools to help you flourish in your writing and speaking journey. In this session, Grace will help you:
- Maximize the waiting season as you trust God for growth, opportunities and open doors.
- Create strategies to keep moving forward when you don’t feel seen or heard.
- Walk with confidence when you feel discouraged or feel like quitting.
- Identify and utilize tools that will empower you to go farther and stay the course.
Dr. Joel Muddamalle
holds a Ph.D. in theology and serves as the Director of Theological Research at Proverbs 31 Ministries. He is a co-host of the Therapy & Theology podcast with Lysa TerKeurst and licensed counselor Jim Cress. Joel serves on the preaching team at Transformation Church in Indian Land, South Carolina, and is a frequent speaker for conferences and events. He just released his first book, The Hidden Peace: Finding True Security, Strength, and Confidence Through Humility. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Joel and his wife enjoy a full house with their four children and two dogs. If he doesn’t have a theology book in hand, you can be sure he’s coaching one of his kids in a sport or doing his best to keep up his hoops game on the basketball court. You can connect with Joel on his website to learn more about his book projects, research, writing and Bible teachings.
SESSION: “Humble Theology: Learning How To Communicate the Beauty of the Scriptures Through the Power of Humility”
If we want to make an eternal impact, we need to learn how to communicate eternal truths effectively and efficiently. This task can feel daunting. What if we feel unqualified? What if we make mistakes? And then there is always the danger of being overconfident. In this session, Dr. Joel Muddamalle will unpack the unexpected but necessary gift God has given us for protection, prevention and preservation — the gift of humility. You will learn how humility is central to how we read, understand and communicate the eternal truths of the Bible.
Tara Sun
is the author of Surrender Your Story and the host of the popular podcast Truth Talks with Tara. She is dedicated to helping women live out the gospel in their daily lives and empowering them to know, love and live God’s Word. She lives and serves the Lord in Oregon with her high school sweetheart and husband, Michael, and their son. Tara loves baking sourdough, going on walks with her boys, and grabbing coffee with her girlfriends to talk about Jesus. Find out more at tarasunministries.com.
SESSION: “How To Trust God With Your Dreams and Plans”
We all have dreams, plans and desires for our lives and ministries. But often, those dreams and plans are met with resistance, disappointment and frustration when they don’t go our way or in our ideal time frame. Is God really good? Can He really be trusted? Where is He taking me? are all questions we’re afraid to ask.
Join Tara Sun for an honest conversation about how we can practically trust God with every piece of our stories — the ups, the downs, the joys and the setbacks. This session will encourage you to see the beauty in surrendering your story to God in exchange for the wonderful plans He has for your life. You’ll walk away with practical tools to repurpose life’s setbacks for God’s glory and move forward in faith as you pursue the dreams He’s placed in your heart.
Claire Foxx
serves as Associate Editor at Proverbs 31 Ministries and works closely with First 5 writers and the Encouragement for Today devotions team to develop beautiful biblical teachings that draw readers to Jesus. She has also been a contributing writer for First 5 study guides, including Praying Through the Psalms: 30 Days To Uncomplicate How You Talk to God and Proverbs: Everyday Guidance for Making Everyday Decisions. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing and a master’s degree in English Literature and lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her cat, Story. (Yes, even her cat has a literary name!) Local coffee shop staff know her on a first-name basis, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
SESSION: “Words Matter: How Language Has Changed and Why We Should Care”
Join us for a lively conversation about changes in American English in the past decade and why it matters for a Christian communicator to be well-informed.
Andrea Doering
serves as the Editorial Director of Revell Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group. With more than 30 years of publishing experience, she has held positions in academic, children’s and trade publishing, and she has had the pleasure of working with authors such as Annie F. Downs, Lisa Bevere, Emily P. Freeman, Ted Dekker, Lynette Eason, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Susan May Warren, Jane Kirkpatrick, Laura Frantz and Shelley Shepard Gray. Twice awarded ACFW’s Editor of the Year, Andrea holds a master’s in English/Creative Writing from the University of Maine and lives in New York.
SESSION: “Words Matter: How Language Has Changed and Why We Should Care”
Join us for a lively conversation about changes in American English in the past decade and why it matters for a Christian communicator to be well-informed.
Rachel G. Scott
is a wife, mother and Ohio native. She is a graduate of Kansas State University and the University of Mary, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Master of Business Administration (MBA). As an author, Bible teacher and podcast host, Rachel has shared on platforms such as Moody Radio, Jesus Listens, Family Life, Propel Sophia, Chris Fabry Live and more. She is the Founder of the I Can’t Come Down Movement and a regular YouVersion partner and contributor. Her first traditionally published book, Taking the 5 Leaps, released on March 5, 2024, with Moody Publishers. Rachel is deeply devoted to serving God, loving and honoring her husband, and raising her children in a godly home where they experience authenticity and learn to embrace their imperfections. Learn more about Rachel at RachelGScott.com.
SESSION: A Night of Worship and Closing Session
Jennifer Cisney Ellers
is a Christian counselor, professional life coach, crisis responder, trainer and author. She has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University and a master’s degree in Counseling from Wake Forest University. She is Senior Director of Advancement, Special Projects and Church Engagement with the American Association of Christian Counselors and serves as Acquisitions Editor for AACC Publishing. She provides training, consulting and care for issues of grief, crisis, trauma and suicide. She is an approved instructor and faculty with the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation and co-author of several CISM courses, including “Understanding Suicide: Tools for Prevention, Intervention and Survivor Support.” She also authored a course on youth suicide and is instructor of AACC’s Hope-Focused 3-R Suicide programs. She is co-author of two books, including The First 48 Hours: Spiritual Caregivers as First Responders. She and her husband, Kevin, live in Hampshire, Illinois.
SESSION: “Words Matter: How Language Has Changed and Why We Should Care”
Join us for a lively conversation about changes in American English in the past decade and why it matters for a Christian communicator to be well-informed.
SESSION with Jennifer Cisney Ellers, The American Association of Christian Counselors
She Speaks Late Night:
An Evening of Networking, Laughter and Letting Our Guard Down with Pastors’ Wives Tell All
Jessica Taylor, Jenna Allen, and Stephanie Gilbert
are cohosts of the Pastors’ Wives Tell All podcast and coauthors of Pastors’ Wives Tell All: Navigating Real Church Life with Honesty and Humor.
Jessica is a speaker, pastor’s wife, and founder of Come Away Missions, a nonprofit serving the people of Rwanda. Jenna is a creative, photographer, tech wiz, business owner, speaker, and discipleship/worship pastor’s wife who brings beauty and a clear message into every project she touches. Stephanie is a blogger, speaker, and youth minister’s wife who has made it her life’s mission to seek out joy amid the junk of everyday life.
Collectively, through their Pastors’ Wives Tell All ministry, they are breaking down walls within the church and crushing pastor wifey stereotypes with a little bit of ministry therapy and a whole lot of Jesus… plus epic belly laughs! Follow along with them on their website and Instagram.
Worship Leaders
Kyle and Lauren Smith
are worship leaders and songwriters from Colorado Springs. Formerly with Vertical Worship, they’ve written songs, recorded and traveled while leading worship for the past 10 years. They released their own worship album in November 2022 and recently released several songs with New Life Worship’s new album, God Is.
Kyle and Lauren are passionate worshippers of Jesus, and that bleeds into the lyrics they write and the music they compose. You may have seen them on the road with Lysa on one of her book tours over the last few years, and they are so excited to join the Proverbs 31 Ministries team again for She Speaks 2024.