ABIDE Guests
Ann White
Ann White is a well known author, speaker and Bible teacher and founder of the global ministry Courage for Life. Ann has recently published the Courage For Life Bible which includes Bible studies and stories of women of faith.
Anne’s authenticity and openness about her spiritual journey and God’s restoration to her life and marriage will bless you. Her passion to empower individuals with God’s Word and help them live lives of courage and abundance will inspire you.
Ann will be our keynote speaker for the ABIDE Conference.
Sharon Irving
Sharon Irving is a singer/songwriter, worship leader, spoken word artist, actress. You will remember Sharon from our 2018 Arise & Shine Conference. Sharon’s great talent came to the attention of the nation on Season 10 of “America’s Got Talent” where she earned the rare Golden Buzzer. She’s known for her strong, soulful voice that makes an impact.
Sharon served on staff as a worship leader at Willow Creek Community Church in Barrington, IL for over a decade – a significant part of her ministry journey. Currently, Sharon leads worship at various churches in the Chicagoland area.
Sharon is an anointed worship leader and will lead us in praise and worship during the ABIDE Conference.
Laura Story
Laura Story is a Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove Award and Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter. Among her many credits, Laura received a Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Song in 2012 for “Blessings,” and penned a 30-day devotional on this best-selling song, in addition to three other books about her life and faith and what she has learned. She is also known for hit songs including “Indescribable”, “Mighty to Save”, and “Awake My Soul (1000 Tongues)”.
Laura will be our musical guest on Friday evening of the ABIDE Conference.
Selah
You will know Selah as the well-loved, award-winning Christian vocal trio, featuring Allan Hall, Amy Perry and Todd Smith. Their music is powerful and has wide-ranging appeal, crossing generations. Selah has won 11 Dove Awards, sold more than 4 million albums and had more than a half-billion streams of their songs. You will recognize their hits including “You Raise Me Up”, “Bless the Broken Road”, and “Wonderful, Merciful Savior”.
Selah will be our musical guest for Saturday evening of the ABIDE Conference.
Sheena Marquis
Sheena Marquis is a survivor, speaker, and songwriting worship leader. Sheena is the product of the holistic ministry of The Salvation Army, from shelter resident as a child to a full participant in work and worship as an adult and leader in the local corps. God has transformed Sheena’s testimony into a calling to serve others as a former Salvation Army officer, and now as a practicing social worker and counselor.
Sheena leads worship, assists with Singing Company, and serves the young adult ministry at her home corps in Lewisville, TX. She currently resides in Flower Mound, TX with her husband Jeff, three children, and fur-babies Goldendoodle Cortado and American White Shepherd Payton.
Sheena will be a musical guest and will be teaching a workshop entitled “Parenting and Working with Children with Special Needs”.
Becky Thompson
Becky Thompson is a USA Today national best-selling author and the founder of the Midnight Mom Devotional community. The Midnight Mom Community has over 2 million moms joining together in nightly prayer making this one of the largest nightly prayer movements in the America. Becky also co-hosts the Revived Motherhood Podcast with her mother, Susan K. Pitts. Becky lives in NW Oklahoma with her husband, Jared, and their three children.
Becky will be teaching a workshop entitled “Peace: Practical Hope & Healing for the Anxious Momma’s Heart”.
Oh, Anxious Momma, let’s talk about the way modern motherhood affects your mental health. In our session, we will discuss both practical and spiritual strategies to increase peace in our everyday lives.
While the forest of fear can be one of the loneliest places for a momma’s heart, our session will reveal that we aren’t alone on our journey toward peace. This session is sure to be a lifeline for the Christian mom desperate for solid advice about the promise of peace in Scripture and the reality of raising children in 2024.
Robin Smith
Robin Smith is the owner of RS Focus Consulting, a company that invests in individuals with a focus on women who lead non-profit organizations. With over 37 years of experience in non-profit leadership, Robin provides one-on-one coaching for personal, spiritual, and professional development, staff and board development, and online leadership cohorts. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Development and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Management from Spring Arbor University in Michigan.
Robin is also a gifted speaker at women’s conferences and part of the teaching and speaking team of Ignite Life, a non-profit organization that focuses on equipping, empowering, and mobilizing women throughout the Las Vegas Valley.
Throughout her career, Robin has held various positions such as Executive Director, Program Director, Director of Retention, and Pastor. In each position, she has always prioritized helping others realize their potential and overcome obstacles.
Currently, Robin resides in Henderson, NV with her husband and enjoys exploring God’s creation through hiking, walking, and sitting in the sun with a good book.
Robin will be teaching a workshop entitled “Sacred Work – Don’t Check Jesus at the Door”.
Jessica Sanders
Jessica Sanders is a passionate lover of Jesus with an amazing testimony of freedom in her own life. She serves in full time ministry as the Team Director for ConnectUp Prayer Ministry Team. She is a strong leader with a heart and passion to connect people to Jesus. Her focus is bringing healing to the broken hearted, missions, and equipping the body of Christ.
Jessica was radically saved, healed, and delivered from a 15 year drug addiction. She has been dedicated to following, loving, and growing in her relationship with Jesus ever since. Jessica spent years in Kansas City, Missouri learning and laying a firm foundation in faith based recovery. During this time she learned about personal and emotional growth In Jesus and sponsored many women along the way with a deepening passion for healing ministry.
Jessica will be teaching a workshop at ABIDE entitled “Freedom From Negative Thoughts”. She wholeheartedly believes Jesus desires all to be saved, healed, delivered, and set free from the pain and trauma experienced in life.
You will also find Jessica leading guided prayer times by appointment with the Connect Up Prayer team throughout the ABIDE Conference.
Major Debra Pascoe
Major Debra Pascoe is the Secretary for Spiritual Life Development for the Central Territory. Major Deb regularly hosts many different opportunities for deepening your walk with the Lord including day retreats and gatherings for small group discussion and prayer amongst employees at Territorial Headquarters. She is a Christ-like, humble leader. You will love her sweet spirit and warm personality.
Major Deb will be leading a workshop at ABIDE entitled “Spiritual Disciplines”.
Peggy McGee
Peggy is the Assistant Territorial Youth Secretary for the Central Territory. A life-long Salvationist, she is the daughter of Majors Bob and Ruth Fay and mom to daughter Ava.
At ABIDE, Peggy will be teaching a workshop entitled “Renewing Strength: Trauma-Informed Practices for Every Woman”. In this workshop, you will explore the essential principles of psychological first aid (PFA) to support for ourselves and others in times of stress or crisis. Whether you are a caregiver, leader, or simply seeking to deepen your understanding of supportive practices, you will discover God’s transformative power found in connection and self-care.
Major Beth Desplancke
Major Beth Desplancke is the Territorial Women’s Ministries Program Secretary for the Western Territory.
Major Beth will be teaching a workshop entitled “Looking for Treasure – Digging Deep into God’s Word.” This workshop will discuss the importance and benefits of treasuring God’s Word, the challenges that get in our way, and present a Bible study method to help you dig deeper into God’s Word.
“God’s Word is a treasure chest full of jewels for us to mine, but often we only skim the surface and never dig deep to find even more treasure. Psalm 119 is an example of a life lived treasuring God’ s Word.”
Captain Jessica Martinez
Captain Jessica is the Divisional Secretary for Hispanic Ministries for the North and Central Illinois Division of the Central Territory.
Captain Jessica will be teaching a workshop entitled “Seeking the Lord in All Walks of Life”. This workshop will be offered in both English and Spanish.
“In the midst of life’s unforeseen twists and turns, it’s important to continue seeking the presence of the Lord. This workshop extends a warm invitation to women in all stages of life—whether they are single, married, or widowed—encouraging those who have unwavering faith in the Lord as well as those who are in the process of learning to trust the Lord through every circumstance and challenge.”
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