reNEW

Rachel Britton is a British-born author, speaker, professional speech coach, and blogger. Rachel holds a Masters in Religion, cum laude, from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She has directed reNEW ~ spiritual retreat for writers and speakers since 2018 which she operates
through her non-profit organization, Rachel Britton Ministries. Rachel is represented by Books & Such Literary Agency. She is a contributing author in a number of 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 the creator and writer of an Amazon Alexa skill app: “Alexa, say a prayer,” which receives approximately 1,500 requests per day. Rachel is a member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association and Redbud Writers Guild. Rachel has lived in the United States since 1995. Her career began in newspaper and magazine publishing in London. She worked for BBC Worldwide before moving to the USA. Rachel is married with three young adult children spread over too many time zones. She loves to escape to the mountains of Colorado to write, hike, and ski. She blogs on prayer regularly at her online home rachelbritton.com

Robyn Dykstra is a popular national speaker, presenting at about 40 live events a year, including multiple Focus on the Family broadcasts. Robyn is a best selling author of 5 books and the creator of Christian Speakers Boot Camp. She has mastered the secrets of booking speaking gigs, negotiating honorariums, and selling boatloads of books from the stage at live events. Her unique signature talk formula streamlines the process of writing compelling messages that captivate audiences. Let her teach you how to have big Kingdom influence as a speaker and writer.

Bob Hostetler (www.bobhostetler.com) is an award-winning author, literary agent, game writer, blogger, and international speaker from southern Nevada. His more than fifty books, which include the award-winning Don’t Check Your Brains at the Door (co-authored with Josh McDowell) and the dual-timeline novel, The Bone Box, have sold millions of copies. As a literary agent with the Steve Laube Agency (www.stevelaube.com), Bob represents the work of fiction and nonfiction writers to Christian publishers. In his role as the executive editor of the Christian Writers Institute (www.christianwritersinstitute.com), he assists in CWI’s ministry of providing an affordable “online Christian writers’ conference.” He also writes Christian mobile games, videos, and digital comic books for the innovative TruPlay app (available on both Apple and Android mobile devices). He has been a radio disc jockey, radio commentator, pastor and preacher, and (with his wife, the lovely Robin) a foster parent to eleven teenage boys (though not all at once). He and his wife love spending time with their two grown children and their spouses, and their five perfect grandchildren.

Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about teaching women to live beautifully strong and courageous so that they experience God’s great adventure of faith and purpose for their lives. She speaks in the US and abroad at women’s conferences and events, including national platforms like the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference and the UMC Leadership Institute.

Barb is a Bible teacher who loves following God more than anything else in life. Rather than teaching audiences to follow God to get what they want, Barb inspires audiences to discover God is all that they need!

She is the author seven Bible studies such as Matthew: Pray Like This, Surrendered: Letting Go and Living Like Jesus and Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle. Barb has written five books including Stronger Than Stress: 10 Spiritual Practices to Win the Battle of Overwhelm. Audiences love Barb’s authenticity, humor, spiritual depth and practical tools that apply God’s Truth to everyday life.

Barb writes a weekly Happy Monday devotional and is the host of the Bold, Brave & Beautiful podcast. She lives in NW Ohio and is proud mother of three adult children. Whenever possible, Barb prefers to eat dessert first.

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 writes women's fiction, combining her love of history and literature to write both split time stories and contemporary fiction. 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. Heidi makes her home in Massachusetts with her husband, two sons, and Wyatt, her standard poodle.

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.

Cathy Chung is a speaker, writer and lay pastor. She loves sharing biblical messages and has a heart for pastoral care. God showed Cathy grace even when she rejected Him and struggled with addiction. He reclaimed her life through the truth of scripture and fills her with joy and purpose. She particularly enjoys discovering fresh biblical truths by stepping into 1st century culture.

Cathy lives in paradise on a lake near Boston. She loves to garden and has three grown children, a son-in-law, and a grand-dog. She recently completed a Masters in Theological Studies at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

Cathy posts weekly scriptural insights at SeedsofScripture.com. She preaches as often as possible, speaks at women’s events, ministers at a nursing home and leads a Grief Share group.

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”.

Hailey Gerhard is a quiet soul with a loud calling for acts of service. She has helped build a successful mentorship program for a New England based anti-trafficking non-profit. She advocates publicly for prevention awareness on the impact of Human Trafficking within the state of CT. Hailey has influenced the domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST) training for social workers within the state of CT. She is a successful grant writer for her family’s small business and continues as HR Administrator. Hailey is also a freelance front end website designer since graduating from a full stack developer program in 2023. She is expanding her business to fellow speakers and writers as they build their personal brand portfolios. Hailey is passionate about mental health education, cross cultural communication, and encouraging others in their gifts and callings. Often reserved in demeanor, she is always listening closely. She goofily quotes movie references silently to herself out of habit. Raised in CT, she is devoted to the town and home she shares with her family and many pets.

Tammy Gerhard is a woman who loves Jesus and encourages people to see life through His eyes. She delights in helping women discover their gifts, inspiring each to put them to use for Kingdom purposes. She’s a natural connector – a speaker, mentor, counselor, and coach, as well as a published author, who is continually adding to her series of picture books that share important life lessons for kids of all ages.

Tammy is also the owner of a coffee shop in Manchester, CT, where she regularly invites emerging communicators in after hours to develop their craft. She spends her time between there and the shore, making memories with her husband of 31 years and their adult children.

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.

Julie Kieras is an English teacher, homeschool mom, and writer. She loves to encourage moms and homeschoolers in their God-given mission to love their children well and point them to Christ. She shares encouragement, resources, and tips on her biog, Happy Strong Home, and on her Instagram. In her spare time, she writes poetry, devotionals, and the occasional short story! Her most recent publication is Toddler Story Treasury, a collection of 30 retold classic tales for the littlest story lovers.

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.

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, 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!

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.

Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author, Tracey J Lyons sold her first book to a major publisher on 9/9/99! (The day everyone thought our computers were going to crash!) Since then, she has gone on to work with several publishing houses, including, Christian publisher Waterfall Press and Harlequin’s Love Inspired line. Tracey loves to talk about writing, and has presented writing workshops at several national writing conferences.
A true upstate New Yorker, Tracey believes you should write what you know. She considers herself a small-town gal who writes small-town, faith-filled love stories. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Faith Hope and Love Christian writers, New Jersey Romance Writers and Novelist Inc.

Paula Sorrells-Beene is a writer, speaker, and teacher of the Word. She is passionate about growing leaders, equipping others to answer God’s call, and guiding writers to hone their skills so their writing accurately reveals the authenticity of the Bible. As a spiritual mentor and coach, she pursues her heart’s desire to help Christ followers discover the full expression of God’s heart. She loves guiding others to a deeper relationship with Jesus, exploring and discovering the mysteries and truths of God’s Word. She has an MA in Biblical Studies from Louisiana Theological Seminary and a BBA from Texas A&M University.

Mel has served as a therapist/counselor/coach in multiple settings over the past several decades, both professionally and in ministry. Concurrently, she has 25 years of experience in the writing/publishing industry and has mentored hundreds of writers. Mel holds a Doctorate of Ministry in Pastoral Care and Counseling.

She authors award-winning books, blogs, short stories, and devotionals and has been published thousands of times. Mel is a sought-after speaker on media platforms, at ladies ministry events and conferences. Her works and more information about her services can be found at drmeltavares.com