reNEW

Rachel Britton is a British-born author, speaker, blogger, and media professional. She holds a Master of Arts in Religion with a concentration in theology from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She has directed reNEW - spiritual retreat for writers and speakers since 2018, centered on Christ, craft, community, and celebration, and operated through her non-profit organization, Rachel Britton Ministries.

Rachel is represented by Books & Such Literary Agency and is a contributing author in traditionally published books, Guidepost publications, and online with Bible Study Tools. Her most recent book, Pray Naturally, is published with Our Daily Bread Publishing. She is also the creator of the Amazon Alexa skill app “Alexa, say a prayer,” which receives approximately 1,500 requests per day.

Rachel serves as Leader of the Christian Women in Media Association’s NYC Connect Group, connecting, equipping, and inspiring communicators in all areas of media. She is also the Awareness Advocates Director for Heart of Mercy Mission, the humanitarian initiative of CWIMA.

She is a member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. Rachel’s career began in newspaper and magazine publishing in London, where she worked for BBC Worldwide before moving to the United States.

Married with three adult children spread over too many time zones, Rachel loves escaping to the mountains of Colorado to write, hike, and ski. She blogs on prayer at rachelbritton.com.

Edie uses the truths God has taught her as an author, photographer, and blogger to encourage others. She’s also learned to embrace the ultimate contradiction of being an organized creative. As a sought-after speaker, she’s empowered and challenged audiences across the country and around the world. Her numerous books reflect her passion to help others call on God’s strength during challenging times, often using creativity to empower this connection. She also knows the necessity of Soul Care and leads retreats, conferences, and workshops on ways to use creativity to help strengthen our connection with God.

Her blog, The Write Conversation, reaches thousands and has been on the Writer’s Digest Top 101 Sites for Writers since 2017. She’s the director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and board member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She and husband Kirk have been married 43+ years with three grown sons and four grandchildren. They live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and can often be found with their big black dog hiking the mountains. Connect with her at www.EdieMelson.com and through social media.

Wendy is an award-winning writer and journalist who has published widely in many venues and across denominational lines. She received a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Gordon-Conwell (1985), served as regional correspondent for Time magazine in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, and later worked as senior writer and editor at Christianity Today magazine. She has published extensively in other journals, including Books & Culture, The Christian Century, and Beliefnet.com. She has written numerous books, including memoirs, journalistic explorations, biographies and devotionals. She currently works at Gordon-Conwell and is editor-in-chief of the new magazine, Ex Fonte. Her most recent book, Inner Healing the Franciscan Way, was released in 2025 with Paraclete Press. She currently writes on Substack and is working on a book for IVPress Academic about Fred "Mister" Rogers and the theology of the Neighborhood.

Key works include: Day of Reckoning: Columbine and the Search for America’s Soul (Brazos, 2001), an in-depth examination of the tragedy with profiles of survivors, families, and young heroes; A Mended and Broken Heart: The Life and Love of Francis of Assisi (Basic Books, 2008), a richly researched portrait revealing St. Francis's human complexities; and Clare of Assisi: Gentle Warrior (Paraclete Press, 2020), an intimate profile highlighting St. Clare's courage and devotion.

Heidi Chiavaroli (pronounced shev-uh-roli…sort of like Chevrolet and ravioli mushed together!) wrote her first story in third grade, titled I’d Cross the Desert for Milk. It wasn’t until years later that she revisited writing, using her two small boys’ nap times to pursue what she thought at the time was a foolish dream. Despite a long road to publication, she hasn’t stopped writing since!

Heidi Chiavaroli is a hope-inspired storyteller writing from the deep curiosity of her own heart. Her debut novel, Freedom’s Ring, was a Carol Award winner and a Christy Award finalist, a Romantic Times Top Pick, and a Booklist Top Ten Romance Debut. Her second Carol Award-winning novel, The Orchard House, is inspired by the lesser-known events in Louisa May Alcott’s life and led her to write The Orchard House Bed and Breakfast series, a contemporary twist on Little Women. Her latest project, Draw Close to Jesus: 40 Encounters with the Savior for the Sacred Season of Lent is a fiction-based devotional inspired by Scripture. Heidi makes her home in Massachusetts with her husband and two sons.

Lori Stanley Roeleveld is a traditionally published, award-winning author, writing coach, freelancer, editor, speaker, and disturber of hobbits, who enjoys making comfortable Christians late for dinner. She’s authored six award-winning books, contributed to eleven+ more, and her latest book, Graceful Influence: Making a Lasting Impact through Lessons from Women of the Bible, won AWSA’s Golden Scroll Book of the Year 2024. Through Take Heart! Coaching and Freelance, Lori has coached over 130 over-40 Christian writers toward their dreams. Though she has degrees in psychology and biblical studies, Lori learned the most from studying her Bible in life’s trenches. She delivers humor and biblical truth at www.loriroeleveld.com, https://loriroeleveld.substack.com/ and manages her coaching/freelance business at www.takeheartcoachingandfreelance.com.

Marla is a wife, mom of five, portrait/family photographer & school nurse. Over the years, she has been a speaker/encourager to moms, Community Bible Study Children’s Director, Nurse/Client Advocate at a local pregnancy resource center and facilitated Bible studies, parenting and marriage ministries. In her free time she enjoys – being outside with her camera, creating DIY wood/home projects, zooming in her red Beetle, or working on her first book which comes out this summer!

Jennifer Drummond, a trained Spiritual Director, contemplates the seasons through photography and poetry, knowing that God speaks to us everywhere and all the time. The assistant leader of a Spiritual Direction Training Course called Holy Conversations, she offers online retreats as well as one on one spiritual direction. She is a contributing writer for The Courage to Write, as well as for a forthcoming devotional from Revell Publishing, She is also working on her own book of poems and prayers for the seasons. A voracious reader, you can find her in the summer by the pool and in winter by the fireplace; throughout the year she blogs at “That Got Me Thinking.” Jennifer lives with her husband, two teenagers, and one golden pup in Hamilton MA. Her unicorn name is “Rising Royal Glitter, Avenger of Leftover Snacks”.

Naomi Fata is a professional sewist specializing in bridal alterations and custom fitted slipcovers. In her spare time, she is a speaker, award winning author, and regular contributor to God’s Corner for her local newspaper, often using her perspective of sewing to share spiritual truth. Her books include Beyond Head Knowledge, a 13-week devotional entitled, Stitching Your Story Piece by Peace, and several sewing themed journals. She andher husband Tony live in upstate New York and homeschool their three children.
Instagram : @naomifata Facebook: @naomifatasews Connect with Naomi for speaking engagements: https://christianresourceministry.com/speaking/

Kathy Giles has been banging out words since discovering an old manual typewriter in the attic at age seven, but it took several decades to finally call herself a writer. ReNEW 2024 was her first-ever writing conference, and she’s thrilled to return this year and serve as registrar.

In her 24th year as a church admin, Kathy is known as a communicator, Bible study teacher, bookkeeper, office manager, and the only staff member who can find the spare light bulbs. Kathy founded a writers’ group at her church, and belongs to several writing communities. She finds joy in editing, giving feedback and encouraging other writers.

Kathy and her husband live in Farmington, NY in a newly empty nest. They are blessed with two happily married children who live locally. She blogs sporadically on her website at kathygiles.com and funds her writing life through custom sewing and alterations.

Myra Ingargiola is an author, speaker and teacher of God’s Word. She serves as Interim Women’s Ministry Leader at her home church as well as sings on the worship team. She enjoys discipling women of all ages by being transparent about her own life experiences, and proclaiming God’s Truth of forgiveness, healing and redemption. Myra’s deepest passion is to show others how to weave a tapestry of their life threads into a display of Christ Jesus’ amazing love, redeeming grace and unrelenting mercy. Myra looks forward to one day presenting her tapestry to the Holy One as a love offering when she is called to His eternal home!

Being a survivor of domestic violence and having held the child of her heart only to experience the heartache of “empty arms” Psalm 116 her life scripture speaks of how God rescues His people when they cry out to Him in their anguish.

Myra works as a Guidance Secretary at her local high school. She finds there is a sweetness when we are given unassuming opportunities to speak into the lives of students and shine His Light into their lives. Myra is a wife, mom, grand and great-grandmother.

Born in suburban New Jersey and raised in a small home, Jason spent his childhood dreaming of adventures in the wide open world(s). Age 10 saw him writing his first story: a child’s tribute to the impactful Chronicles of Narnia; and the teen years were filled with machinations of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Today, Jason is still telling stories, and, as of posting, he aims to begin publishing in the next 12 months. As an only child, he attributes any future success to the enduring patience of his beloved parents; he also credits his friends and extended family for their warm acceptance and support of his eccentric ambition.

Rachel has been creating and writing stories since she was young. After joining the ACFW around 2012, she learned of the first writers retreat and has enjoyed attending ever since. Rachel writes fiction and has been published in Bella Grace Magazine and is a contributor to The Courage To Write. She continues to work on her many writing projects and hopes to one day publish a novel. Rachel also enjoys gardening, singing in church choir and snuggling with her three beautiful cats.

Cindy is an intentional “CEO a Connector, Encourager to Others” who loves to cultivate relationships to inspire, empower, and equip others especially when they are traveling through unexpected life storms and next step seasons of life. She is an Award-Winning Bible study author of BEYOND: Finding Strength and Hope through Unexpected Storms and Compass: A Navigational Tool for the WOTY, a passionate communicator, a strong Biblical speaker, teacher, and speech/speaker coach. Cindy is a team member for several Christian Writing/Speaking Conferences. A member of AWSA – Advanced Writers Speakers Association, CAN – Christian Author Network, By Design Ministries, Women Speakers.com and Christian Speaker Boot Camp. Cindy is a mother of two adult children and resides in NH. Cindy is often seen at the local coffee shop sipping iced coffee or at the beach where she often finds her inspiration!

Laurie Devernoe is a Christian speaker, author, and mental health coach known for bringing faith to life with warmth, humor, and practical Biblical wisdom. Through engaging, down-to-earth teaching, she helps individuals and families move beyond surviving daily routines to living impactful, faith-centered lives that support mental health and strengthen families.
As a mother of five—including triplets—Laurie understands real life and connects with others by blending Scripture with relatable stories and simple, doable practices that help faith take root in everyday moments.
Laurie is the author of Coffee House Parenting, where she invites parents to pull up a chair, breathe deep, and cultivate meaningful, faith-filled rhythms at home through humor, honesty, and hope. Her memoir, Seeing Through the Darkness, shares her journey through vision loss and spiritual awakening, offering encouragement, practical mental health tools, and a powerful reminder that God is present—even in the hard places.
A sought-after retreat and conference speaker, Laurie has been featured on numerous podcasts and most recently on local television, where she speaks openly about faith, mental health, and living fully—even when life doesn’t go as planned.
Pull up a chair and continue the conversation—connect with Laurie for monthly encouragement and faith-based support for mental health and everyday life.

Debbie Dufek is an author, a conference and retreat speaker, an inspirational storyteller, the creator and host of the popular The Woman Behind the Words podcast heard weekly on all platforms. She is a content creator and teacher with a new course for women due to be published in January 2025.
Deb’s first book, Holy Interruptions: When God Taps You on the Shoulder, published by Bold Vision Books, Friendswood, Texas, was released in 2022.
Deb is the founder and coordinator of The Mom’s Luncheon. This yearly all-day event has remained a favorite day for 150+ women for 35 years.
Her passion is encouraging others to live deliberately, living out our days for what matters to Jesus. She believes every person’s story is significant and inspires others to share their stories with whoever the Lord brings their way. We are all part of a larger picture. Embracing God’s plans and purposes for our lives, Jesus will use our stories to change the course of history, which will affect the outcome of eternity one heart at a time.

Myra Ingargiola is an author, speaker and teacher of God’s Word. She serves as Interim Women’s Ministry Leader at her home church as well as sings on the worship team. She enjoys discipling women of all ages by being transparent about her own life experiences, and proclaiming God’s Truth of forgiveness, healing and redemption. Myra’s deepest passion is to show others how to weave a tapestry of their life threads into a display of Christ Jesus’ amazing love, redeeming grace and unrelenting mercy. Myra looks forward to one day presenting her tapestry to the Holy One as a love offering when she is called to His eternal home!

Being a survivor of domestic violence and having held the child of her heart only to experience the heartache of “empty arms” Psalm 116 her life scripture speaks of how God rescues His people when they cry out to Him in their anguish.

Myra works as a Guidance Secretary at her local high school. She finds there is a sweetness when we are given unassuming opportunities to speak into the lives of students and shine His Light into their lives. Myra is a wife, mom, grand and great-grandmother.

Maureen Miller is a multi-genre, award-winning author with stories in thirty collaboratives. She contributes to Guideposts’ All God’s Creatures, her local newspaper, and several online devotion sites, including the award-winning Arise Daily and Inspire A Fire. Married for thirty-seven years to her childhood sweetheart Bill, she enjoys life with their three born-in-their-hearts children and three grand-girls, not to mention a variety of furry beasts. They live on Selah Farm, a hobby homestead nestled in the mountains of western North Carolina. She blogs at “Windows and Wallflowers” (Maureenmillerauthor.com), telling of God’s extraordinary character discovered in the ordinary things of life, and her debut novel, Gideon’s Book, is now available.

Dr. Luke Redington loves to focus on the role creativity plays in persuasive writing. With an extensive background in grant writing and report writing, he regards the written word as a chance to help writer and audience find common ground. Although he loves working in genres traditionally associated with creative writing, his special aspiration is to bring creativity to genres typically thought of as merely functional. After a career in both government and academia, Dr. Redington has transitioned to work as a freelance writer and editor. His current interest is researching workplace writing as an expression of the Imago Dei.

Cindy is an intentional “CEO a Connector, Encourager to Others” who loves to cultivate relationships to inspire, empower, and equip others especially when they are traveling through unexpected life storms and next step seasons of life. She is an Award-Winning Bible study author of BEYOND: Finding Strength and Hope through Unexpected Storms and Compass: A Navigational Tool for the WOTY, a passionate communicator, a strong Biblical speaker, teacher, and speech/speaker coach. Cindy is a team member for several Christian Writing/Speaking Conferences. A member of AWSA – Advanced Writers Speakers Association, CAN – Christian Author Network, By Design Ministries, Women Speakers.com and Christian Speaker Boot Camp. Cindy is a mother of two adult children and resides in NH. Cindy is often seen at the local coffee shop sipping iced coffee or at the beach where she often finds her inspiration!