Chimene Shipley Dupler
Chimene, author of The High Calling of Motherhood, is the Founder and President/CEO of Pink Polka Dot Productions and the Passion4Moms ministry. Chimene is a well-respected speaker and professional on marriage and parenting. She loves the opportunity to help others achieve their goals and work through struggles to make their marriages, parenting, and life experiences fabulous by providing practical tools for success. As a speaker, author, and life coach, Chimene is passionate about encouraging women to be intentional to embrace life’s greatest purpose which is to know God and make Him know.
Previously, Chimene worked on Capitol Hill in the United States Senate and at the Family Research Council in Washington, D.C. Additionally, Chimene has spent several years working with foster homes and residential treatment centers as a social worker. Chimene graduated from Baylor University with a B.S. in Child and Family Studies.
Chimene is most proud to be living out her passion for marriage and parenting daily, endeavoring to bring God glory as a wife and mother and living life to the fullest. Chimene and her husband currently reside in Washington, DC, with their three princesses.
Visit her ministry website at https://www.passion4moms.org/
Allison Allen
From her kindergarten stage debut as a bovine to performing one-woman pieces with Women of Faith, Allison Allen has always relished the power of story, the thrill of walking in the shoes of others, and, most importantly, spot-lighting the Ultimate Story-teller.
After graduating as an Andrew Carnegie Scholar from the prestigious acting program at Carnegie Mellon University, Allison (Metcalf) Allen landed on Broadway in the revival of “Grease”, and stayed there for almost two years. Following her tenure of 650 performances with the show, the hand-jive from Rydell High still returns to grace her dreams.
For three years (2007-2009), Allison experienced the joy of being Women of Faith’s dramatist, performing her original one-woman pieces for over 200,000 women in arenas around the country. She counts walking the same platform as the Women of Faith “porch-pals” among one of the profound honors of her life.
the now-story
Currently, she loves weaving Biblical teaching and acting pieces together in unexpected ways, and is over the moon to teach at conferences and retreats around the country. Saddleback Church, Living the Faith, and Campus Crusade’s National Women’s Conference are just a few of the wonderful places she has been. She started speaking by believing that God is a better door opener than she ever could hope to be. As He opened doors, large or small, she responded by saying “yes”. Exploring themes of purpose, value, and identity in original and sometimes unexpected ways, Allison hopes to lead women on a rare journey toward the fullness of Christ’s redemption. Sheila Walsh says of her, “Allison is a gifted writer, a brilliant dramatist, and a profound communicator or God’s truth.”
Off-stage, Allison spends a good deal of time writing the stories of characters who find themselves between a rock and a hard place spiritually, and the Christ who specializes in just such tight spots; Allison began writing “Magdalene”, a musical theatre piece, while still a student at Carnegie Mellon University. It was picked up again for completion in 2005. The musical’s inaugural, Tennessee production featured American Idol, Jordin Sparks.
the home-story
On a personal note, Allison gardens at mid-night and is married to a good and handsome man – a man with whom she can joyfully wear heels. This is no small feat, as Allison resides somewhere around 5’12”. Jonathan, her very tall husband, is the Worship Pastor at Grace Chapel. They have two wonderful boys, Levi and Luke.
http://www.allisonallen.net/about
Stacy Spencer
Stacy Spencer has a secret to share. Leadership … true God-honoring leadership … begins with following. It’s about joining God where He’s at work.
Sometimes that requires monumental actions, decisions and leaps of faith—and other times it requires prayer, submission and everyday faithfulness.
Stacy has successfully led as a television producer, an ad agency exec and a business owner. She’s a graduate of the National Institute of Christian Leadership and Belmont University, and she’s completed additional training with GIANT Worldwide Leadership and Charles Simeon Trust Women’s Biblical studies. Through experience and education, she’s learned a lot about leadership.
But it was in answering God’s call for a seemingly small request … welcoming a house guest … that God invited her into the biggest leadership role of her life, and the one where He’s taught her the most.
In 2004, the Spencers invited a teenager who’d taken a couple of missteps in life to stay at their house. Soon, that teen asked if he could invite a friend to stay too. And less than a year later, their three-bedroom, two-bath home was bursting at the seams with seven young guests.
That’s when they realized God was up to something.
Stacy and her husband, Bill, joined God in the work He was doing and founded Narrow Gate Foundation, a place where young men can discover the answers to two important questions: “Who am I?” and “Why am I here?”
Since that time, Stacy has worn many leadership “hats”—nonprofit manager, public speaker, strategy developer, media interviewee, fundraiser, staff director and Narrow Gate “mom.” On June 30th, Narrow Gate celebrated its 15th anniversary and to date, God has transformed almost 400 young lives through its ministry.
While she serves as a full-time leader of a men’s ministry, Stacy also has a huge heart for discipling women. She loves equipping women to follow God as a leader in the circles of influence He calls them to, using their unique qualities whether in the workplace or at home. She likes to encourage women at every stage of their lives to join God where He’s at work. She’s especially passionate about passing down skills to the next generation.
Stacy has been featured on James Dobson’s Family Talk, WSM, Fox 17 and iWork4Him and she’s presented at Mission Increase Foundation’s National Directors Conference. In addition to serving as co-founder and co-executive director of Narrow Gate, she’s a leader on Grace Chapel’s Women’s Ministry Board and often teaches at Grace Chapel.
Stacy lives on 122-acres in Middle Tennessee with her husband, her dog Trigger, four miniature donkeys and 23 young men.
Laura Petherbridge
Laura Petherbridge serves couples and single adults with topics on spiritual growth, relationships, stepfamilies, co-parenting, single parenting, divorce prevention, and divorce recovery.
She is an international speaker and author of four books including, When “I Do” Becomes “I Don’t”—Practical Steps for Healing During Separation and Divorce, and The Smart Stepmom, co-authored with stepfamily expert Ron Deal and endorsed by Gary Chapman (Five Love Languages), 101Tips for The Smart Stepmom—Expert Advice from One Stepmom to Another and Quiet Moments for the Stepmom Soul-a devotional.
Laura has spoken at the Billy Graham Training Center, and for Lifeway, Family Life, Hearts at Home, and Iron Sharpens Iron conferences.
She has spoken in Australia and South Africa. Her various TV and radio broadcasts include:
- Family Talkwith Dr. James Dobson
- Focus on the Family with Jim Daly
- Family Life Today with Dennis Rainey
- Moody Broadcasting (Midday Connection and Chris Fabry Live)
- 100 Huntley Street (Canada)
- HomeWord with Jim Burns
In addition to her books, she has been published in and writes for:
- Focus on the Family Magazine
- Today’s Christian Woman
- Christianity Today’s Marriage Partnership
- Crosswalk.com and Christian Broadcasting Network (cbn.com)
- Proverbs 31 Woman (Lisa Terkuerst)
- Lifeway’s Mature Living
- ibelieve.com
- idisciple.com
- Growthtrac.com
- 1Corinthians13Parenting.com
Laura is a featured expert on the DivorceCare DVD series, which has equipped more than 14,000 churches worldwide.
Laura is a contributor to the following books:
- The Twenty-Third Psalm for the Brokenhearted by Carmen Leal
- When God Steps In by Bonnie Bruno
- Tending the Soul–90 Days of Spiritual Nourishment by Neff, Schmidt and Anita B Lustrea (Moody)
- The Art Of Helping—What to Say And Do When Someone is Hurting by Lauren Littauer Briggs
- Face-to-Face with Sarah, Rachel, and Hannah: Pleading with God Bible study by Janet Thompson
Laura and her husband of 30 years, Steve, reside in Florida.
Janice Gaines
Janice Gaines is a Stellar and Dove Award-nominated recording artist. Her new album, Lead Me, is a heartfelt journey through rootsy new compositions and reimagined classics—songs that became her saving grace after a near-death birthing experience and a battle with postpartum depression. “The Bible says to ‘comfort those with the same comfort we’ve received from God’,” she shares. “If these songs helped me, I pray that God will use them to help someone else.”
In October 2015, Janice released her refreshing debut album, Greatest Life Ever (Motown Gospel). Produced by GRAMMY Award-winning hitmaker LaShawn “Big Shiz” Daniels (Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Brandy), the project debuted in the Top 10 of Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart. In addition to her music, Janice is a sought-after speaker and hosting personality, having partnered with various companies, including BET, Glade, the Stellar Awards and the Dove Awards, as a red carpet correspondent and awards show host.
https://www.janicegaines.com
Nicole C Mullen
Like Never Before is more than just the title of Nicole C. Mullen’s new full-length album, it also captures the essence of her personal journey of love, loss and redemption. Mullen has long been known as an undeniably talented artist who is unafraid to be vulnerable and transparent with her audience. This first new original album in seven years, continues a legacy of sincerity and artistic integrity that in the past have been recognized with two Grammy® Award nominations and seven Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, including two Female Vocalist of the Year honors, Song of Year for “Redeemer, and On My Knees”, Songwriter of the Year and the Urban Album of the Year for “Everyday People ”, Contemporary Song of the year (Call on Jesus), and the first African American to win Songwriter of the Year. Like Never Before will be released world-wide on January 12th, with select songs available now with pre-order.
Mullen, now a single mom, has emerged from a difficult divorce and can relate to those who have walked through betrayal and hurt in the midst of relationship. She has learned to forgive and come out of a ‘night season’ stronger than she’s ever been before. “I want people to be healed, released, empowered and encouraged by these songs,” said Mullen. She produced the project and wrote 11 of the 12 songs, the exception being the classic Unforgettable, which she sings with her daughter Jasmine, lead singer of The New Respects. The song is an emotional tribute to her late father. The title track song, Like Never Before, co-produced by David Cox, was written as a song of hope.“ Just as Christ endured the Cross for the joy set before Him. Eventually we are going to sing, dance and shout like never before, but we can bring that same hope into our present. The song is meant to cheer the heart and be a celebration of hope in the midst of difficult circumstances. I know what it’s like to feel hope is gone, to be weary. But I also know what it feels like to have hope that fuels you with energy in order to move forward.”
The song One, features Jeremy Camp and his wife Adrienne (Adie). It reveals Mullen’s heart for unity and reconciliation in the body of Christ, especially in the midst of such division in our nation. Recently, she was able to sing One in a diverse congregation in South Carolina, not far from where the Charleston Church Massacre occurred. Mullen took time to encourage the congregation to bless and pray for someone who is different from them in color, culture, etc. “Our oneness is the proof of our love. In that moment we were proving to the world that we belong to Christ by how we love one another”. Nicole continues, “In John 17, Christ prays that we are one. It can’t just be pretty words on a page, we have to engage.”
This past October, Mullen was invited by Lou Engle to sing her song, Arise, at The Call / Rise Up, held in Washington D.C.. Thousands of women gathered where they were encouraged to rise up as Esthers on behalf of the next generation. On the Album, she eloquently sings Arise in both English and Spanish. The song was inspired by Matthew 5:41 where Jesus speaks to a little girl who has died and says, “Talitha, cumi, Little girl, I say to you, arise.”
One song that seems to capture much of the essence of Mullen’s journey is the beautiful Greater Still. It speaks of God’s unfailing love that she says carried her through a long ‘night season’ as expressed in the following lyrics: “I’ve walked through the valley and I’ve seen the shadow’s form. I’ve sang in the darkness till victory returned once more…your Love, your love is Greater Still. I’ve been kissed by Judas. Held tightly by hurt and scorn. I’ve wrestled rejection abandoned to rise no more, but your Love, your love is greater still and I will rejoice.
Each of the the songs weave together a beautiful story of love, loss and redemption, intended to inspire and give hope where hope has been lost. Few artists in any genre of music possess a more diverse resume than Nicole C. Mullen. As a gifted songwriter, she often infuses scripture into the songs she writes as a vehicle to encourage, inspire and teach. From her early days as a vocalist/dancer/choreographer, to writing and recording such classic hits as “Redeemer”, to mentoring, Mullen’s creativity and compassion have been the catalyst for a life of ministry that has had global impact. She has long channeled her considerable energy into not just sharing the gospel, but living it; this has never been more evident as she mentors youngsters in the Baby Girls Club, founded by Mullen. “Mentorship is our way of investing in young people with the hope of Christ and practical experiences,” says Mullen. “We’ve also had the opportunity to help others around the world set up similar clubs, such as in Belize and Zambia. I believe we have a great opportunity to affect the future of our nation and the future of our world.”
Mullen continues to tour around the globe, becoming a highly sought after speaker and singer, and has frequently graced the stage at Billy Graham and Women of Faith events. Mullen is also writing a book about forgiveness, which she hopes to be available within the next year.
https://nicolecmullen.com
Faith Ecklund
Faith was born in Tacoma, WA., and lived there until she and her hubby Shane moved to TN., in 2011. Faith grew up in a believing family and learned about Jesus mostly through her grandma. Her grandma played the organ for churches in her hometown, so Faith was often found right next to her on her organ bench as she played. At a very young age, Faith remembers sitting on a pew next to her Grandpa as she accepted Jesus into her heart.
As a teenager, Faith drifted away from her first love and she moved into a faze of worldly living. At the age of 16, Faith was in a car accident that left her paralyzed (C6/C7 fracture). The moment she opened her eyes on the side of the road, she knew the Lord was with her. The first few days of this new life, the Lord came to her as she lay in her hospital bed, unable to move, and He said, “Faith, follow me! If you follow me, everything will be ok.” In that moment, Faith recommitted herself to Jesus and hasn’t turned back. Her reply to His call was, “let’s do this!” __
Shane and Faith have been married since 2001 and have worn many hats in ministry. Faith’s passion has always been music. She has sung her whole life, but didn’t start leading worship until their JH worship leader was sick. Shane threw her into the deep-end and she hasn’t looked back. Faith is all about pouring into, and pulling out the gifts she sees in others. Something she lacked when she began leading worship was a mentor. She knows the Lord has called her to be the person she didn’t have to others.
Faith has done lots of fun things in women’s ministry, but she currently is our women’s worship leader/coordinator and social media director. She and her husband also lead our young adults (1NE), and she serves on the Grace Chapel worship team.
http://faithecklund.com
