Speakers
Laura Avery lives life in Bloomington, IL as a child of God, a wife to Dale, and a mother to Megan and Jenna. After 14 years of working for a large corporation she was fortunate to have the support of her husband in quitting to be at home with their children. It was at this point in her life that she immersed herself in women's ministry serving as both a small group leader and in various levels of leadership coordination. Wearing many ministry hats has proved to be a valuable experience and also an opportunity to learn many life lessons. Her time as a ministry leader has strengthened her prayer life and walk with Christ. Laura is always glad to share her experiences in the hopes that others can learn from the path her life has followed.
When not leading and mentoring Laura loves making a home for her family, and volunteering at her church and her daughters' school.
Connie Beard is a wife, mother and grandmother blessed with a life full of challenges and roles that are both bountiful and varied. She has traveled the world gaining experience as a teacher, radio personality and business woman. She has worked as a licensed Realtor for the last 17 years. Her current ministry work includes serving with Stonecroft Ministries as a speaker across the mid-west. She also is the director of Vale Community Players, a drama ministry of Vale Community Church in Bloomington where she leads a vibrant program of large outreach events, training and writing. She also enjoys the challenge of homeschooling her teenage daughter. She directs a theatre group for area home schooled teens, as well. Her overriding mission in all she does is to share God’s love and grace, win souls for Christ and reach the goal of Colossians 3:17.
Brenda Garrison is an author and speaker who empowers women with the confidence to live their calling. Whether you’re a mom, working woman, single, or married, Brenda will help you:
- Bypass excuses and take the next step toward your calling.
- Break the urge to constantly please others.
- Enjoy drama-free, satisfying friendships.
- Regain order and peace in your home.
- Experience peace and confidence knowing you have God’s undivided attention.
Brenda and her husband, Gene, have three daughters, ages 24, 21, and 16. They are a totally red-headed family including their golden retriever, Riley. They live near Metamora, IL.
 Kim Goad holds a B.S. in Marketing from Indiana University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology, with a focus on counseling adolescents. Her passion for helping young people come to know God and the hope to which He has called them led her to co-author One Girl Can Change the World and its companion journal and leader guide (Standard Publishing, 2009). She has been an invited speaker at events such as the North American Christian Convention, the Children’s Pastors’ Conference, the American Heritage Girls 15th Anniversary Conference, and various retreats. She has published articles for Women in the Outdoors, Indiana Alumni Magazine, MD News, Business Network and ChristianBook.com. |
 Addison Ahrendts is a student at Lutheran High School in Indianapolis , Indiana . A communicator at heart, she loves to connect with people through writing, speaking, creating video devotionals, and helping friends sort out their problems. She is actively involved in her youth group and would like to become a youth minister. Currently she co-leads girl's conference sessions on dealing with hurt and brokenness with her mentor Kim Goad. |
Claudia Mitchell attended Lincoln Christian College and is a graduate of Indiana University. Claudia has her Masters in Marriage and Family Counseling. She taught first grade for ten years and earned "The Golden Apple Teaching Award", and worked as Children's Minister at Ellettsville Christian Church for ten years, receiving the All Star VBS Award in 1994. Currently she is the Director of Women's Ministries and Director of Involvement at Sherwood Oaks Christian Church. She has spoken on various topics at public education workshops and church retreats. Her writings have been published in Hoosier Gadabout and Hoosier Outdoors. Claudia recently co-authored and published a book titled, One Girl Can Change the World.
Claudia has been married over 30 years to Ken, a high school science teacher, and has two married sons, John, married to Risha and Darren, married to Cindy. Claudia has two grandchildren, London and Reece.
Rachel West Kramer is a Christian music artist and speaker with Hands of Love Ministry - a Central Illinois-based non-profit evangelistic outreach organization founded in 1998. Along with her active singing and speaking schedule, Rachel provides administrative support for much of the ministry’s behind-the-scenes tasks. She also acts as programming coordinator and host for the ministry’s popular RiverLife Gospel Music Cruises aboard “The Spirit of Peoria” Riverboat.Rachel sings and speaks throughout the Midwest and beyond for various concerts, retreats, women’s conferences, prayer breakfasts and banquets. She also leads worship along with her husband at their home church, Grace Presbyterian, in Peoria, IL.
Julie Ryan, Director of Women’s Ministry and Missions at Evangelical Free Church in Bloomington-Normal IL, is a mentor to many in the area of leadership development and ministry to women. After over 23 years of ministry to women of all ages, Julie has discovered important “nuggets” of effective leadership. Julie speaks passionately to various groups and also coaches many one-on-one.
She and her husband, Tim, live in central Illinois, where they have raised their three daughters.
Jeralyn Thielen has been involved with women’s ministry leadership for over 20 years. She has a passion for outreach and women’s ministry and enjoys helping women in leadership positions love what they do despite the challenges that come with the territory. Jeralyn’s own experiences with hurt, disappointment and many obstacles through the years lead her to launch a women in leadership conference called Stop Running On Empty…Refueling Your Passion To Lead. Jeralyn loves to challenge and encourage women to persevere and not give up when difficulties and hurdles arise but instead to hold on to Galatians 6:9 trusting that at the proper time they can and will reap a harvest.
Jeralyn and her husband, Brian, have been married for 25 years and have two teenage daughters.
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