Speakers: Jennifer Rettele Thomas & Jen Vellenga from Voice First World

Breakout Summary: Confidence is situational. When you know who you are, what you believe, and who your audience is, you’ll speak with presence, not perfection, in all the situations where your voice is needed. In this session, Jen V. will train on the Presence Paradigm™, her communication formula that helps individuals trust their instincts, build stronger relationships, and make decisions to influence change.

Company/Speaker Bio: Voice First World® is a communication and leadership training company that applies the acting techniques seen on stage and screen to workplace scenarios. While we won’t make you play silly games or demonstrate perfect posture, diction, or grammar, we will help you tell stories and communicate confidently. You’ll learn how to speak up when needed, with words that are direct, and you’ll know when it’s time to listen. Jen V. served as a professor, stage director, and leader in higher education before launching Voice First World with JRT. Over the last 25 years, she has empowered Emmy® and Tony® Award-winning actors and writers to embrace their authentic selves and speak confidently. JRT served as the Associate Vice President for a university foundation for 15 years. Throughout her career, she realized the importance of owning her seat at the table with effective communication, relationship building, and storytelling. Her leadership background propelled her to launch Voice First World with Jen V. Check out Jen V. & JRT on the Speak with Presence™, on all platforms. 

Speaker: Lisa Wilt

Breakout Summary: If you’ve ever felt like you’re not good enough, pretty enough, brave enough, smart enough or talented enough, you’ve found a friend in me. But I’m learning from The Feeding of 5,000 that when I come to Jesus, He feeds me by asking me to give Him what I have. He wants my ordinary five-crouton-and-two-goldfish-cracker talent, time, and treasure. In Jesus’ hands broken becomes beloved and ordinary becomes extraordinary.

Speaker Bio: Lisa Wilt is an inspirational speaker, podcaster, radio personality and author of 6 books. Her 1-minute WOW Words air daily on the Life 88.5 to lighten the load for those on the go. You can visit her at LisaWilt.com. For over 34 years Lisa has worked full-time as an award-winning pharmacist in community pharmacy and the pharmaceutical industry. She and her husband, Dave, have two grown children who have followed in their medical footpaths. Of all her accomplishments, the title that most defines her is CHILD OF GOD. As her family will tell you, Lisa’s singing is dreadful but her banana bread is delightful. 

Speaker: Lori Wildenberg

Breakout Summary: Today’s world has become chaotic and contentious. We can make a difference when we embrace and extend kindness. Discover common kindness killers and three kindness boosters to positively impact your precious relationships. This workshop is for those who seek to repair, improve, or strengthen their friendships, marriage, or family relationships. 

Speaker Bio: Helping families build connections that last a lifetime is Lori Wildenberg’s passion. As a national speaker and licensed family and parent educator, Lori is the award winning author of six parenting books.  Messy Hope: Help Your Child Overcome Anxiety, Depression, or Suicidal Ideation is her most recently published book. Lori leads the popular MOMS Together Facebook page and Moms Together Facebook group. The Podcast, MOMents with Lori & Lee Ann, can be found on the Raising Christian Kids platform. Lori and her husband, Tom, have 4 adult children. Their family is experiencing a growth spurt with the additions of a daughter-in-love, two sons-in-love, plus four grands.  A perfect day in Lori’s world is a hike with Tom, Toby (their goldendoodle), and any combination of additonal family members. The Wildenberg home is nestled in the foothills of the Rock Mountains. For more information go to loriwildenberg.com. 

Speaker: Dr. Nicole Price

Speaker Bio: Keynote speaker, author, leadership trainer: Dr. Nicole Price is an empathy revolutionary. She believes two things: 1) everyone wants to do a good job—at something and that 2) empathetic leadership is a critical competency to leveraging that desire. Trained as an engineer, Dr. Price is relentlessly focused on engineering more empathy in organizations—from the boardroom to the breakroom. 

Speaker: Jaime Kernaghan

Breakout Summary: Join Jaime for a time of relaxation and restoration as we utilize our breath and move through a series of gentle yoga poses to allow space for clarity, compassion and connection with ourselves. You will be guided through a calming practice to do as you wish and are comfortable; this is your time and your experience. This session is appropriate for all levels of practice. 

Speaker Bio: Jaime Kernaghan is the Small Group Specialist at Resurrection Leawood, and previously worked as Praise & Worship Coordinator with Resurrection Kids. Jaime also owns a small private therapy practice as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and is a Registered Yoga Teacher through Yoga Alliance. Jaime has an undergraduate degree from the University of Kansas in Sociology, with a minor in Psychology, and an M.S. Degree from Friends University. Jaime is passionate about her work with people, in hearing their stories, the importance of mind-body connection and allowing space for growth and healing. Outside work, she enjoys time with family, friends and her foster son, as well as her two dogs, and her cat-dog. Jaime loves yoga, reading, music, writing, hammocking and time at the lake. 

Speakers: Rev. Anne Williams and Kim Burnett

Breakout Summary: Moms don’t have all the answers and we don’t have it all figured out. How can we still lead our children’s faith, when we are navigating our own doubts, questions & insecurities? Even if you are still figuring out your own path, you have something amazing to offer your child’s faith development. Receive encouragement and specific ideas that will empower you to lead in a way that is authentic to what you value most. Pastor Anne Williams (mom to two elementary aged boys) is teaming up with her own mom, Kim Burnett who is a retired Christian Education Director to lead this workshop. 

Speaker Bio: Anne is the Location Pastor at Resurrection’s Downtown location. She and her husband, Eric are raising two sons. She loves finding connections of faith and everyday life at every opportunity. 

Speaker: Candice McField

Breakout Summary: Change is not one-dimensional and neither is fitness. Permanent change of any kind begins within. It requires a complete transforming of your mind and spirit, not just your body. In As for Me and My Body, Candice will teach you fundamental wellness principles and give you practicaltips to transform to truly fit. Meaning you will learn how to unlock optimal performance to transform physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Most importantly, you will have a personalized plan of action items to: 

•  Strengthen your relationship with Christ 
•  Increase your joy, happiness, energy, and hope 
•  Stop dieting and live a healthy lifestyle plus
•  Conquer the health and fitness goals you set for yourself

Speaker Bio: Candice McField is the founder of Candice McField Fitness and As for Me and My Body.  She is an ACE Certified Health Coach, fitness educator, and serves on the Kansas Governor’s Council on Fitness.Candice received her Bachelor of Science in Economics from Loyola Marymount University, and an Executive MBA in Global Management from Thunderbird School of Global Management. A natural competitor at a young age, Candice excelled in basketball and softball, but later fell in love with figure competing. Candice’s accomplishments include a feature in Oxygen magazines’, Future of Fitness section, earning her professional card, and securing the 2010 World Natural Bodybuilding Federation “Ms. Figure Universe” title upon her first-place finish in Barbados.Currently, Candice resides in Kansas City where she works with clients internationally and is the host of “Conversations with Candice” on the Fox 4 Kansas City Morning Show. 

Speaker: Keri Lauderdale Olson

Breakout Summary: In the midst of life’s daily trials, it’s easy to forget that we are beloved. In this empowering workshop, you will craft a tangible reminder of what beloved means to you. Together, we will create 12×12 vision boards, a visual representation of your unique sense of being beloved. This personal creation is yours to take home, to find its place in your daily life, where it will whisper to you every day: ‘You are beloved.’

Speaker Bio: Keri is a Master Certified Life Coach and the passionate Founder of Recovering Cinderella, a platform dedicated to helping women worldwide rebuild their lives with newfound strength and purpose following divorce. As the recently nationally awarded best pre-selling author of her upcoming book, “Recovering Cinderella,” Keri is committed to guiding women in crafting their own empowering life narratives and then turning those visions into remarkable realities. With over three decades of professional experience in marketing, leadership, and innovation, Keri has channeled her expertise into personal and group coaching, guiding women through transformation. An inventor on multiple patents, she’s known for curating innovative and uplifting workshops. Keri’s impressive career includes roles at corporate giants like Hallmark and Koch Industries, as well as smaller organizations and successful startups. She’s also joined forces with esteemed institutions such as the NFL, Crayola, and the MIT Media Lab on transformative projects. A native of Kansas City, Keri holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Rockhurst University. Beyond her professional accomplishments, she’s a devoted mother to three remarkable adult sons who she cherishes visiting whenever possible. In her leisure hours, you’ll find her exploring the great outdoors through hiking and kayaking or creating gourmet delights to share with friends and family. 

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Angie McCarty

Breakout Summary: Sex is messy…but not in the way you’re thinking! Looking to scripture to answer our questions about sex is complicated and often unclear. When humans wonder what scriptures and the church say about sex and how it applies to their lives, it becomes even messier! Join Rev. Dr. Angie McCarty, author of Messy Sex: A Complicated Sexual Ethic to Heal the Damage of the Purity Movement* as she admits the challenges of articulating a Christian sexual ethic both in and outside of relationships. Using humor and relentless truth-telling, you may leave this workshop with a different way of thinking about humanity’s God-given gift of sexuality.

Speaker Bio: Angie McCarty is an ordained elder from the Desert Southwest Conference of the United Methodist Church who moved to Kansas from Arizona in 2017. She is a Pastor in Resurrection’s Adult Discipleship department, creating and managing Leawood’s classes for adults. She is also the part-time pastor at Spring Hill United Methodist Church. She completed her doctorate degree at Saint Paul School of Theology in May 2023, focusing on Christian sexual ethics. Angie is married to Jonathan Bell, who also serves on staff at Resurrection. Together they have six kids, a live-in sister who is active in Matthew’s Ministry, and a totally joyful life. 

Speaker: Dr. Rebeca Chow

Breakout Summary: Change is a constant in life, and this workshop is designed to equip you with mental health tools and mindset needed to navigate transitions with grace and resilience.   Through practical strategies and shared experiences, you’ll learn how to embrace change as an opportunity for personal growth and transformation. 

Speaker Bio: Dr. Rebeca Chow is a Clinical Professional Counselor and Supervisor in Missouri and Kansas and a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. Dr. Chow’s areas of expertise are diversity and inclusion, neurobiology of mental health, leadership, supervision, and generational social trends. Her dedication to empowering individuals and promoting holistic mental well-being has reached the global stage, where she shares her insights at counseling and educational conferences. She currently serves as the Chair-Elect on the Association for Play Therapy Board of Directors and is a consultant for Sesame Street in Communities.

Speaker: Leah Swank-Miller

Breakout Summary: The number one rule for actors in improv is to say, “Yes, and” building a story and accepting the reality created by our scene partners. You’re probably asking what this has to do with having a dedicated faith life. Being open to the dialogue of Yes-And opens us up to a life where we co-create life with our Divine Creator. Just as actors utilize the rule of Yes-And in creating art onstage, free to find humor, inspiration, and the unsuspecting moments of pure joy and meaning, we can practice Yes-And as God leads us through a life of twists and turns. In life and improv, you won’t fully know what will happen next. But God invites us to trust in the unknown by saying Yes-And to what God can powerfully do in and through us. While this class can’t promise that you’ll be funnier, you might find yourself freer and with a few laughs along the way. 

Speaker Bio: Leah is the Director of Student Ministries at Resurrection Overland Park. A Kansas native, she has been a professional actress for nearly two decades, performing on stages throughout the US, including her previous hometown of NYC. You may have seen her on stages throughout the KC metro or in commercials for your local bank, hospital, or grocery store. Leah loves to see the vastness of God’s creation through theatre and the arts and will receive her Master of Arts in Christian Ministry from Saint Paul School of Theology this May.

Speaker: Cheryl Jefferson Bell

Breakout Summary: Join Pastor Cheryl Jefferson-Bell for a conversation about how we can walk with God and have a justice and mercy mindset in our everyday lives. We will focus in on Micah 6:8 as a guiding passage and dive deeper into God’s word with those around us as we all learn and grow together. 

Speaker Bio: Cheryl Jefferson Bell is an ordained Elder in the Great Plains Conference of the United Methodist Church. Formally an Electrical Engineer for 10 years, she received her calling to fulltime ministry in 1990 while serving as an active member of Saint Mark UMC. Cheryl is the 4^th generation of her family to be part of the UMC. Her calling follows in the footsteps of her great-great grandfather, William J. White, Baptist minister in Augusta, Georgia, founder of several churches, as well as co-founder of Augusta Institute which became Morehouse College and Henry M. White, great grandfather, founder of several Methodist Episcopal churches in and around Atlanta, Georgia. She also has had 3 uncles who served as Tuskegee Airmen. She just assisted/officiated the memorial and burial of her Uncle Alexander Jefferson, 100, older brother of her father, Clarence Jefferson, both of Detroit, Michigan! She has served as either the first African American and/or female in her Kansas appointments as associate pastor at St. Mark UMC, Wichita; Pastor of Pretty Prairie and Murdock UMCs; Executive Minister of United Methodist Urban Ministry (now United Methodist Open Door), Wichita; 8 years as a District Superintendent; and Senior Pastor of Trinity Heights UMC, Newton. She currently serves as an associate pastor at Resurrection as Pastor of Community Justice.

She is the proud mother of an adopted sibling group of 4 – Lisa (Jason); Keira (James); Creighton and Victoria and grandmother of 9 grandchildren – Sheyena, Jaylen, Michael, Elijah, Ashton, Amari, Noelle, Brittany and William. And last but not least, Coco, our 1 year old Labra-Dane!

Speaker: Melissa Collier Gepford

Breakout Summary: The pandemic forced churches to admit what they already knew was true – they’re not the primary spiritual formers in a family unit. The grown-ups in the home are.  Parents and caregivers have the opportunity to walk alongside kids and teens as they develop physically, emotionally, relationally, mentally, and spiritually. We can help cultivate spirituality and wonder in our families in a realistic way. This workshop provides a framework for meaning-making beyond the walls of the church through grounding rituals, milestones, and rites of passage as children grow. We’ll work together to identify a sustainable rhythm and even create a milestone celebration together!

Speaker Bio: Rev. Melissa Collier Gepford is the Intergenerational Discipleship Coordinator of the United Methodist Great Plains Conference, in which she helps congregations establish healthy kids and youth ministries. She grew up in East Texas and graduated from Perkins School of Theology, and as an ordained deacon, she connects church people to the world. Melissa is a writer, speaker, and most recently, the creator of Dandelion Marketplace and owner of Family Time Kit. She enjoys drinking good coffee, working out, and testing her semi-green thumb. Melissa and her husband Bill enjoy dancing when they can and love playing with their son, Finnegan.