Memories from our 2022 Conference
Last Year’s Speakers
Tammy Whitehurst
Whitehurst encourages audiences to live life kicked up a notch. She has been described as a hoot with a capital H! Her devotional book, High Heels & Hallelujahs, helps us find hope in everyday life. To those who know her best she is simply Davis’s wife, a proud mom, and a former middle school teacher. She struggles like the rest of us with dust, dishes, cellulite, junk drawers, and wrinkles.
Favorite Scripture: Nehemiah 8:10 The JOY of the Lord is our strength.
Grace English
Dr. Grace English loves to speak truth. She draws people in with her honesty and transparency. Grace has a passion for people to get real so that Jesus can heal them from their past pain and loss. She wants others to experience the transforming healing power of Jesus Christ in their lives. She is the founder of CARE (Christ-centered Abortion Recovery and Education) & is a practicing Internal Medicine physician. She lives in East Texas with her husband John of 27 years and is proud momma of her 3 young adult children & son-in-law.
BJ Garrett
BJ Garrett is a fun and energetic speaker and award-winning author. She holds an associate of divinity degree from the Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary, and she has served in church ministries as a youth director, singles director, missions director, and women’s ministry team leader. She previously served as the executive director for the Christ-centered Abortion Recovery & Education. BJ and her husband, Jay, live in East Texas.
Nettie Patterson
Nettie Patterson is the definition of a born and bred native Texas woman. She is the worship leader at Oak Grove Bible Fellowship where she has led Praise & Worship for 8 years, as well as led music in numerous Churches, Retreats and Conferences. She believes, “Worship & Praise is not only about a Song…it is about being obedient and fluid to the call of sharing the Gospel of Jesus.” When Nettie is not Ministering, she is on her 60 acre farm, tending to her goats, horses, chickens and the family garden. She anxiously awaits sharing Java with Jesus with everyone. One of her life verses is God has said; “Never will I leave or forsake thee.”
Jennifer Perkins
Jennifer Perkins has a passion to know the only truth, Jesus Christ, and proclaim His truth to women of all ages. She is happily married to her handsome cowboy, Aaron, who leads worship at Woodland Hills Baptist Church. Together they form a dynamic trio. With the help of the Good Lord they are raising 5 children for the glory of God. Jennifer is a former public school teacher and has been a Bible Study teacher for 20 years teaching groups from youth to college and senior adults.
Her claim to fame happened on the front page of the Longview News Journal with NO MAKEUP ON!! City girl turned country gal standing in chicken poop saddled up next to her cowboy husband holding a wild rooster in their newly built poultry castle!
Shelly Whitenburg
Shelly Morrow Whitenburg is a writer, speaker, and an author of four books. She worked in Human Resources for a large natural gas pipeline company for several years, before becoming a stay-at-home mom of two. Married for over thirty-five years to her college sweetheart, Shelly has learned that the best life to live is to live one with God front and center. It took many years to discover this truth, which she loves to share with others. It is strong on Shelly’s heart to help others realize that God’s love is genuine and infinitely immeasurable. Once this is truly understood, then one can live and walk life with purpose, in faith, in truth, and in the power of God’s unfailing love!
Kimberly Thomas
A former fat kid, ugly duckling and late bloomer, Kimberly Thomas is a small-town girl with big God dreams! By day, she is an event producer, gym junkie, and cheerleader for surrounding yourself with those who see your priceless value and remind you of it often. And, by night, she is a bookworm, bubble bath snob, and high functioning shoe addic…er, um, enthusiast who believes Cinderella shouldn’t be the only one whose life changed because of a pair of shoes!
Favorite Scripture: “Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” Luke 1:45 NIV
Denise Bowens
Denise Bowens has served as the ministry leader for Celebrate Recovery at Woodland Hills Baptist Church for the past 11 years in Longview, Texas. Denise shares from a heart of passion for Jesus Christ and a love for His people. Her desire is for every person to know they are valuable, that their sin has been paid for, and that Jesus wants them to accept Him as Savior and give them a purpose. In her ministry role in both the church and community, Denise takes the Bible and its truths and brings it to life so others will have a thirst to chase after Jesus. You will be blessed by her God-given ability to explain biblical truths in such a down-to-earth fashion that leaves the listener with hope and encouragement.
Cathy Krafve
Queen of Fun and Coffee Cup Philosopher, Cathy Krafve delivers creativity and encouragement in every word. Cathy puts a snappy spin on deeply spiritual truths with journalistic fervor and a knack for story-telling.
Cathy and David, her husband of almost 40 years, have three grown children, two delightful sons-in-law and 8 grandchildren (so far). Author of The Well: The Art of Drawing Out Authentic Conversations and Marriage Conversations: from coexisting to cherished, she also hosts Fireside Talk Radio. Her weekly podcasts and blogs reach millions annually. Join the Fireside Tribe today!
Tony Camacho
I am a mother, wife and GiGi. Substitute teacher involved in Jail Ministry and a Speaker. Involved with ladies Embrace at my church Evangelistic Temple in Palestine. My passion is to speak and show women that regardless of the trauma they have experienced GOD was with them the entire time and now is waiting for them to use their story to help others.