Lisa Bevere
Main Session Speaker

Lisa is an internationally known speaker and the bestselling author of Fight Like a Girl, Kissed the Girls and Made Them Cry, Out of Control and Loving It!, Be Angry But Don’t Blow It! and her newest book Nurture! (Give and get what you need to flourish). Her books have helped thousands of women of all ages find purity and restoration through Jesus Christ.

She challenges others to embrace fearless living and find freedom. She has empowered and released women to experience wholeness and to realize both their destiny and legacy. When she is not out “fighting like a girl,” she makes her home in Colorado Springs with her amazing husband, John, and four sons. 

Check out Messenger International for more information!

Anita Renfroe

Comedienne

It's been a wild decade going from stay-at-home-mom to YouTube comedic "Phe-mom-enon" but Anita doesn't mind. With her unique brand of estrogen flavored musical comedy and blend of sass, edge and slightly offbeat takes on All Things Female audiences at her comedy concert tours, viewers of Good Morning America appearances and the YouTube masses (who enjoyed her William Tell version of everything a Mom says) would say that Anita just tells it like it is. Some would say she just says what everyone else is thinking, but won't say out loud. 

Anita is the author of several books and DVDs including: The Purse-Driven Life, If It’s Not One Thing, It’s Your Mother, Total Momsense, Songs in the Key of Solomon, and her newest release It’s Probably Just My Thyroid.  She and her husband, John, make their home in Atlanta with their children: Calvin, Austin and Elyse.

Rev. Connie Boltinghouse
Leadership Development Speaker

Connie is a vice-president of Regis Corporation and an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God.  She specializes in leadership development, communication and team building in both corporate and church settings, but also speaks on a wide variety of topics.  She is proficient in helping people learn to understand each other and how to walk through change.  She relishes the opportunity to use her skills to revitalize and train church leadership for the glory of God.  Connie is the favorite Auntie of many nieces and nephews.

God Still Works In Plan B

The principles of leadership we learn and put into practice will benefit us throughout life – whether we are fulfilling our highest dreams or seem to putter around in “plan B.”  As long as we understand who God has called us to be and are obedient, He will lead us where we need to go.

Kristi Brooks Olson

Networking Dinner Speaker

Kristi has a bachelor's degree in Education/ Psychology and is a certified Life Purpose Coach with Life Purpose Coaching Center's International.®  Her professional career includes working in marketing and business development for both corporate and non-profit business environments.  She also has over ten years of experience working with women as Director of Women's Ministries in the local church, as well as working with ministries for abused women.

Step into His Presence, Stand up to His Call.

We are all leaders, either in our church, our homes, or the workplace, and each of us was uniquely designed by God for a purpose.  Networking together to support each other and building relationships for His kingdom is key to accomplishing our collective purpose, but sometimes we get so stuck in the "doing" that we forget the importance of just "being" before the Lord. As women who are called to minister to others in a variety of ways, and through different seasons of life, we will take a look at how we sometimes need to take a step back into His Presence before we are able to recognize His voice inviting us to Stand up to His Call.

Elaine Swenson
Marketplace Luncheon Speaker

For over twenty-seven years, Elaine has been producing top quality results and innovative management solutions within the property management real estate industry.  She is a Certified Property Manager (CPM) and has all other related industry certifications.  Having grown companies from the ground up, she has served in the most humble of tasks to the most valiant, including President and CEO.  A master gardener, she lives in Burnsville, is married to Don, and they have two children: Brandon and Holly.

God Is At Work

During our white linen Market Place Luncheon, Elaine will encourage and inspire us about living out our convictions at work.  God can prosper us, our work and our care for others as we lean on His wisdom and aid, exceeding our own expectations while we share His support with those around us.

Rev. Sheila Ford

Sheila Ford is an international speaker, author, visionary and intercessor.   She is founder and CEO of Mission to Mobilization and OneKingdomview.org “Your Network for Christian Resources”.  Sheila also authored Kingdom Compass: Do You Know Where You Are Going?  Most recently, Sheila served as Minnesota Global Day of Prayer Coordinator and Christian Community Fair Advocate.   She is married to Bruce and they live in Woodbury. 

Track 1: Leading Others

Creating the Vision

This process can be one of the most exciting or frustrating times in your life.  This session will help you to differentiate between confirmation and maturation of your God given vision.  We will uncover traps that sabotage development and discover tools that build confidence in your preparation for vision activation.

Activating the Vision

Are you positioned to transition?  Let’s go to work! This focus on strategic implementation is by far one of the most inspirational yet challenging approaches to encounter.  Natural and spiritual insight will prepare you with a format to replicate for future mission and goal attainment.  “Creating the Vision” as a prerequisite is suggested by not required.

Rev. Jolene Cassellius

Track 2: Leading Organizations

Jolene grew up in the warm climate of Mexico as the daughter of missionaries.  After graduating from North Central University, she served as a staff pastor at a Minneapolis church plant for three years.  Jolene currently works as the Dean of Community Life at North Central University and serves as prayer advisor for Bridging the Gap.  She recently finished her graduate program at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, enjoys traveling and reading and has a passion for teaching and mentoring young leaders.

Roles on a Team

Each individual plays a vital part in the function of the team.  Personalities, strengths and attitudes contribute to the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of the whole.  In this session we will explore keys to understanding individual roles and collaborating to develop a team that is healthy, functional and fun!     

Expectations of a Team:

Misunderstanding and frustration often result from disappointed expectations and can quickly drain the life and passion of a team.  This session will discuss the necessity and process of establishing clear team expectations that can foster trust and accountability resulting in a strong, effective team!

Rev. Sue Lennartson

Track 3: Leading Yourself

Through her company, Lennartson Consulting, Sue has spoken to audiences nationwide.  A graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College and as a former teacher and coach, she has authored several Christian Education books for teachers and volunteers and also contributed to many “Faith and Family” books.  She loves music and missions, and has traveled to many countries to lead a variety of creative faith-filled projects.  Sue is currently the Pastor of Women’s Ministries at Eagle Brook Church in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and is a wife, mother, grandmother of twin boys and a baby girl.

Understanding Your Strengths

Be ready to dig into some “ins and outs” of who you are and how God created you.   You’re a wonder - filled with talent and strength. So what does all of this have to do with leadership, servanthood and growing the Kingdom of God?  A lot! This is a journey sisters…let’s explore!

Identifying Essential Practices and Disciplines

What is a definition of leadership? For this session we will use the word "influence."  All of us are walking billboards with a message of some sort. Even the most introverted person influences thousands of people in their lifetime. What kind of an influencer are you?  We will discuss some practices and disciplines to greatly help and enhance your walk as an authentic follower of Jesus.

Leadership Breakouts:  Benefits wherever you lead: business, ministry, family, small group, etc.

Susie Larson

Susie has spoken to thousands of women locally, nationally, and internationally. Susie is the author of several books and works as a freelance writer for Focus on the Family. She has been interviewed on radio stations across the country and is a frequent guest on KTIS. Susie partners with national recording artist Sara Groves as co-chair for International Justice Mission's annual fundraising banquet in Minnesota. IJM is a powerful organization that among other things, rescues young girls from the horrific life of human trafficking. Susie and her husband, Kevin, have been married twenty-three years and have three almost-grown sons.

Balance That Works
Most of us feel as though we are at the mercy of our schedules. Life moves fast and it seems all we can do is to respond to the next thing begging for our attention. How are we supposed to nourish our souls, care for our health, keep perspective, and know for sure that we’re doing what God wants us to do, when we barely have time to think a complete thought?

In order to last long, finish strong, and accomplish all God has called us to, we need to keep the main things, the main things. Join us for a time of challenge, encouragement, and practical application. When we are at our best, others around us are blessed!

Rev. Sue Lennartson

Through her company, Lennartson Consulting, Sue has spoken to audiences nationwide.  A graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College and as a former teacher and coach, she has authored several Christian Education books for teachers and volunteers and also contributed to many “Faith and Family” books.  She loves music and missions, and has traveled to many countries to lead a variety of creative faith-filled projects.  Sue is currently the Pastor of Women’s Ministries at Eagle Brook Church in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and is a wife, mother, grandmother of twin boys and a baby girl.

Coached For Life

Have you ever had someone say to you that they are going to invest in you? It is a gift to have someone’s time, currency and energy…their commodity - given towards enhancing your life. The coach's role is one that is very popular in society today, filled with direction and encouragement. This session is about investing in others; Jesus taught us this lesson through example. You will be coached to then go out and coach others!

Rev. Becky Patton

Becky is a gifted, sought-after teacher, speaker and radio contributor. She is known for her unique ability to integrate spiritual truth with cutting-edge research and real-life experience—and she speaks first-hand of finding powerful, practical, personal hope in seemingly hopeless circumstances, including the debilitating pain of sexual abuse and the hollow ache of low points in marriage. A wife of twenty-seven years and mother of two grown daughters, Becky has spent many years ministering to and mentoring women, whether as pastor, speaker, or personal encourager.

Sexuality and the Church

Sexuality is more than just sex.  It is masterfully woven into our very being from the beginning of time, and it impacts every relationship we have, most importantly our relationship with God.  Statistics prove that we can not ignore the effects of the world’s view of sexuality.  How do we as pastors and leaders care for those in our congregations that are wrestling with sexual issues?  We will never be able to help others, if we don’t first look at how we foundationally view our own sexuality.  I invite you into a divine partnership between you and your creator, as you venture beyond the limited views of sexuality and into new expanses of possibility.  True joy and deep riches await.

Susie Larson

Susie has spoken to thousands of women locally, nationally, and internationally. Susie is the author of several books and works as a freelance writer for Focus on the Family. She has been interviewed on radio stations across the country and is a frequent guest on KTIS. Susie partners with national recording artist Sara Groves as co-chair for International Justice Mission's annual fundraising banquet in Minnesota. IJM is a powerful organization that among other things, rescues young girls from the horrific life of human trafficking. Susie and her husband, Kevin, have been married twenty-three years and have three almost-grown sons.

Alone in Marriage

Even the strongest Christian marriages endure one-sided seasons, but there’s good news: you can thrive amidst such times! No circumstance can keep you from being all God wants you to be. You were called to be holy and confident, secure and fruitful, and no matter where life finds you, these things are possible for you.

Analia Grams and Sherry Grams

Analia: Desde muy pequeña ha sentido carga  y un fuerte llamado de Dios a servirle. Se ha preparado en el seminario Bíblico Rió de la Plata en Buenos Aires donde ha recibido su bachillerato en Teología con especialización en Misiones. Junto a su esposo Nathan Grams se dedica al ministerio pastoreando una congregación de Latinos en Minneapolis y también se dedica a su hijo de dos años, Santiago.  Quien la conoce percibe inmediatamente una profunda pasión por Dios, por Su pueblo, y por aquellos que todavía no conocen al Señor.

Sherry Grams y su esposo, Rocky, han servido como misioneros en la Argentina desde 1979 y han visto una respuesta dinámica al Evangelio.  Su ministerio se centra primordialmente en el Instituto Bíblico Río de la Plata, un centro de preparación ministerial con 453 estudiantes en residencia.  Sherry sirve en Instituto como maestra y consejera.  También enseña en varios contextos diversos especialmente sobre el tema del matrimonio y las relaciones familiares.

Plenitud en Tus Relaciones Interpersonales

Mucho de la calidad de la vida se compone de nuestras relaciones interpersonales.

Desafortunadamente, luchamos con la tendencia de aprender a los tanteos cómo llevarnos bien con los demás, especialmente con nuestro conyuge y nuestros hijos.  Este taller te proveerá herramientas bíblicas, comprobadas y prácticas para que tus relaciones lleguen a la plenitud que Dios siempre quiso.

Mari Tollefson-Boyd, MA, LMFT

Mari received her Masters in Marriage & Family Therapy from Bethel Theological Seminary and is a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist at Bachmann & Associates Christian Counseling Services in Lake Elmo, Minnesota.  While Mari enjoys her work with individuals, couples and families, there is a tender place in her spirit for helping teenagers and their parents walk through the difficult season of adolescence.  Mari lives in Woodbury with her husband of twenty-nine years, Ken.  With their twenty-two-year-old son off to college, they have happily completed their own “help, we are raising a teenager” season and now are enjoying the “empty nest” period of their life!  

Fighting the Grip: Cutting

“Cut it out!” The cry of teens…The plea of parents….

In this country alone, there are roughly 1.9 million cutters, or people who intentionally harm themselves. Unfortunately, the majority of these cutters are teenagers and this behavior is terrifying parents!  Why are our children hurting themselves?  How can I best help my child? Does this mean my child wants to kill him/herself? Cutting is often the outward evidence of deep inner pain.  In this workshop we will be exploring the reasons teens cut, hidden symptoms, as well as hopeful information to help those we love who are locked in the grip of cutting.

Rev. Heather Wochnick

Heather currently serves as the Discipleship Pastor at Mt. Olivet Assembly of God Church in Apple Valley, Minnesota.  She has been a Bible teacher and speaker for over twenty years, and has a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology and has spent the past ten years counseling and helping others find healing through Jesus Christ for emotional, psychological and spiritual issues such as: depression, sexual abuse and assault, addiction and eating disorders.

Fighting the Grip: Eating Disorders

As a teenager, Heather battled with anorexia and bulimia, depression and alcohol abuse.  At age eighteen, she committed her life to Jesus Christ and began to experience His life-changing love and power.  She understands first-hand the powerful freedom that comes through Jesus Christ and has a passion to share that hope and truth with others.

Jennifer Cords, Sheri Pederson and Kristine Mogollon

Jennifer Cords, CFP, FIC is a Financial Consultant with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans in Minneapolis.   She is a Certified Financial Planner and has obtained her Series 7, 62, and 66 licenses.  She is a graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College.   Jen and her husband Matt have two children and attend Grace Lutheran Church in Apple Valley.

Sheri Pederson, FIC is a Financial Consultant with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans in Golden Valley.  She has obtained her Series 7, 62, and 66 licenses and is currently taking courses towards an advanced industry designation.  She has a BA in English and Political Science from St. Olaf College and a Masters in Education from the University of Minnesota.

Kristine Mogollon, CFA works with Thrivent Financial as a Sr. Investment Product Manager.   She is a Chartered Financial Analyst and has a both a BSB and an MBA from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.   She is also licensed as a General Securities Representative, holding the FINRA Series 7, 63, and 66 licenses.   Kristine and her husband David reside in Champlin and attend Hope Christian Church in Shoreview.

Fiscally Free

Money is such an integral part of life, whether we like it or not.  In this session, we will review different ways that women can find financial independence: including stewardship, identifying your values, communicating about money, setting goals, managing credit and debt, finding money to save, budgeting and calculating net worth.

Nohemi Weekley

Nohemi viene con un trasfondo en Recursos Humanos y licenciatura en psicología. Nohemi es una maestra y líder. Nohemi también forma parte del Ministerio de Mujeres, Recuperación, y Educación Cristiana en su iglesia, Centro Emmanuel Cristiano y asiste como consejera para personas de habla Español.  ¡Bilingüe en los dos lenguajes Ingles y español, su perspectiva es diversa y revelante mientras ella provee crecimiento ministerial a través de sesiones que cambia vidas!  Nohemi reside en Albertville, MN con su esposo Scott, su hija Jessica, y su hijo Nicholas.

Herramientas Para la Libertad

El estar afuera de una celda no significa que eres libre si todavía estas en la prisión. Puedes intentar obtener tu libertad e ir a grandes extremos  solo para darte cuenta que has terminado en la celda de arriba, abajo o enseguida de la tuya. Desilusión, falta de esperanza, temor, y la fatiga pueden ser los barrotes de la prisión que te están deteniendo de ser libre. Ven y descubre las herramientas que Dios da para que tú puedas vivir y ser una mujer verdaderamente libre.

Rev. Becky Patton

Becky is a gifted, sought-after teacher, speaker and radio contributor. She is known for her unique ability to integrate spiritual truth with cutting-edge research and real-life experience—and she speaks first-hand of finding powerful, practical, personal hope in seemingly hopeless circumstances, including the debilitating pain of sexual abuse and the hollow ache of low points in marriage. A wife of twenty-seven years and mother of two grown daughters, Becky has spent many years ministering to and mentoring women, whether as pastor, speaker, or personal encourager.

Liberating Sexuality

God’s fingerprints are in our design – physically, emotionally and spiritually.  Sexuality is both beautiful and dangerous – yet it is a part of God’s intentional plan for our physical being. Understanding that sexuality is a part of us and His intentional design invites us into a deeper freedom of intimacy with God and our body.

Noelle Haseltine and Barb Hunn

Noelle grew up working with her parents and grandmother in their families’ restaurants – Key’s Café and Bakery. After college and her recent marriage, Noelle is now a third generation restaurant manager – the first of the grandchildren to follow the footsteps of the family business.

Barb Hunn is the founder of a family legacy in the Twin Cities since 1973 – Keys Café and Bakery.  Together with her four children and their spouses, Keys continues to provide wonderful homemade recipes for the clientele at their seven locations in the Twin Cities and one in Hudson, Wisconsin. 

Optional Dishing

In families around the world, food has a way of bringing generations and cultures together!  Sharing homespun recipes from the family storehouse that are enjoyed all over town, Barb and Noelle will share a focus (and samples!) of succulent soups and breads.  Come glean from the best!

Betsy Lee and Mary Beth Carlson

Betsy is president of Prayer Ventures, a ministry that offers teaching, training and resources to help people grow in prayer.  She is also a popular speaker and author of six books including The Healing Moment and Prayer Is a Welcome Place.  Her greatest joy is communicating the love of God in fresh and creative ways.  She lives in Bloomington with her husband Larry.  They have two daughters: Brenna, 27, and Carrie, 23.

Mary Beth, a former Teacher of the Year, is a speaker, composer, and recording artist having produced eighteen albums of piano orchestral music. She has written and performed music for the International Special Olympics, Arc, Children's Cancer Research Fund, the Alzheimer's Association, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, and Joni Eareckson Tada's ministries. Much of her original music has been composed in honor of her daughter, Jody, who was born with cerebral palsy and autism. She and her husband, Kent, have three daughters, two grandchildren, and make their home in Eden Prairie.

Prayer: A Heart Set Free

Do you long to experience more joy in life?  More freedom?  Join us for an incredible workshop of worship and inspiration, warmth and humor.  Discover how prayer can renew you day by day, help you break free from hurts of the past and enjoy a freer, more joyful life than you ever dreamed possible.

Lauren Bohn

Lauren was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and home-schooled till her freshman year of high school, when she entered Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado.  On April 20, 1999 her world was forever changed when two gunmen entered the high school and started shooting.  Since that day, Lauren’s passion for life and inspiring message have riveted thousands and her unique message of hope challenges her audiences to live each day with purpose.  Lauren and her husband Brent are youth pastors in Waupaca, Wisconsin and proud parents of Felicity Joy.

Safeguard Your Children

Lauren will be giving her testimony of what happened at Columbine High School and sharing the valuable lessons she has learned since that day.  As a youth pastor’s wife and mother, God has used her experience at Columbine to give her wisdom in dealing with teen issues of today.  She will give four keys that can help safeguard your child.

BTG View: Discussion Panel - Why Do We Believe What We Believe?

Holly Beers, Sara Wilhelm with Moderator Maria French

Holly is passionate about the church as the people of God and what it means for us to live out that vocation in the twenty-first century. She is a Ph.D. candidate in New Testament at London School of Theology, specializing in the book of Acts and the way that the first Christians responded to Jesus. She has taught as an adjunct faculty member at North Central University in Minneapolis, and Bethel Seminary in St. Paul. In her free time she enjoys reading, eating chocolate and french fries, spending time with friends and family and snuggling her cat, Karys.

Sara is passionate about life transformation and believes that our Theology of God affects the way we live, how we understand the world, and the people we are. She has served in leadership at local churches, speaks frequently at campus ministries, and is a current Master of Divinity Student at Bethel Seminary where she also serves as the Associate Director of Admissions and Recruitment.  In her free time, Sara loves being with friends and family, running, hiking, eating at unique local restaurants, cooking, and being outside.

Maria has served many young women in the areas of teaching, discipleship and mentoring and has a passion for sharing the story of God, showing others their place in that same story and what it means for us today.  Maria graduated from North Central University in Minneapolis with a major in Pastoral Studies and is currently working on her Master’s of Arts in Theology at Bethel Seminary in St. Paul.  She loves to spend time with her newlywed husband, Matt.

Why Do We Believe What We Believe 

Faith is intricate in our discovery of who we are and our purpose in life. What we believe is at the core of our faith – God didn’t ask us to set our logic aside and to believe just because He said to.  There are foundational principles making up the Christian faith that, when understood correctly, can give us insights that fuel our passion for Christ and His cause.

BTG View: Discussion Panel - Human Trafficking In Our Time

Patricia Fenrick, Richard Wexler and Holly Leslie with Moderator - Tokunbo Okanla

Patricia is the Executive Director of World Relief Minnesota (WR).  WR is an international Christian relief agency that domestically works with persecuted people from around the world who have come to America as refugees, and works to partner with churches, empowering them to restore the lives of refugee families and embrace them with God’s Shalom.  We work nationally with trafficking victims after they have been rescued and the Minnesota office has been engaged in helping to raise awareness about the need to end this horrible form of slavery.  Patricia has a Master’s Degree in Intercultural Studies from Asbury Theological Seminary and a Graduate Certificate in nonprofit management from Hamline University.  She is the chair of the Twin Cities Refugee Consortium, and lives in Minneapolis with her husband, David, who is a professor at Northwestern College.   

Richard and his wife live in Minneapolis, have been married for 39 years, have three children and four grandchildren, and attend North Heights Lutheran Church.  He has worked in the state government for 37 years, first in the Attorney General's Office and more recently as the in-house attorney for the Minnesota Department of Health. Over the last year, God has led him into a wide and diverse call regarding human trafficking that includes leading the North Heights anti-human trafficking group, Servants of Mercy and serving as the Minnesota State Director of the Not for Sale Campaign.

Holly is an instructor at Bethel College teaching courses in Linguistics, at Metro State teaching Academic English and at the Hubbs Center teaching ESL for refugees and immigrants.  She has a degree in ESL Education with a Cross-Cultural Ministries minor from Northwestern College in St. Paul and has done Graduate Studies in Linguistics at the University of North Dakota.  She is a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis and is involved in the All Nations Fellowship International Ministry and a member of the Global Diaconate Task Force as their anti-trafficking committee leader. 

Tokunbo works for the Minnesota Department of Human Rights and has served on staff at Emmanuel Christian Center working with International Ministries. She has a passion to bring Christ to the nations and justice to people who have been disenfranchised in all facets of life. Tokunbo is a member of Justice North, an organization that focuses on finding ways to bring awareness to the church and community about the existence of human trafficking within the state of Minnesota. Tokunbo has spent time studying overseas and has lived in Nigeria (her native country), Mexico, Guatemala, and Argentina.  She has a background in International Law and is currently working on learning her fourth language.

Human Trafficking In Our Time

Do you want to know: Who is involved; What it is; When it occurs; and Where it is happening? Come and join us as we have an open forum that will grant a better insight into an issue that is becoming a rapidly growing concern in our society today. Did you know that Minnesota is one of the states ranking highest in involvement with human trafficking? Well, if you want to know more and want to hear about how God has called His people to address this issue, please join us and let's have a candid discussion from different points of view.