2013 Speakers and Panelists
We have assembled an array of distinguished and exciting speakers! You will hear dynamic women who've overcome incredible odds to become very impactful, powerful and successful.
Dr. Patricia Bailey-Jones
Keynote Speaker
The ministry of Dr. Patricia Bailey-Jones has created tremendous impact for more than 32 years in over 134 countries around the world, bringing deliverance and salvation to countless thousands. Dr. Bailey-Jones is a lecturer, author, and founder of Master’s Touch Ministries Global, Inc. (MTM), a mission outreach with headquarters in North Carolina, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Georgia, South Africa, Belgium, Brazil and London, England. MTM has also founded Y.U.G.O. (Young Adults United for Global Outreach), GLTC (Global Leadership Training Center), which
which is a program designed to teach, to equip and empower women to become vessels of honor for their families and to ultimately transform them into World Changers that impact the nations).
Teresa Jeter
Teresa Jeter is the Founder and CEO of the Midwest Women’s Empowerment Summit, Inc. (MWES). Out of a heart that has motivated and encouraged women over the years, she decided that the next level for her life was to build a larger platform to reach more women and to share the good news that they are empowered with gifts from God to
Speaker and Conference Host
reach their destiny. Her faith in God and her audacity to take risks have opened many doors for her. From building affordable housing and working with hundreds of nonprofit organizations, to creating a line of bath and body products that have sold in retail stores in the Midwest, Ms. Jeter owes her success to God and family. She continues to challenge women to Stir UpThe Gift Within. She graduated with a BS in Environmental Science and Health from Indiana University and a Master’s degree in Urban & Regional Planning from Ball State University. She will complete her doctoral degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Development in 2014 from Walden University. She is the mother of one daughter, Talia Jeter who is also a member of the MWES board of directors.
Bishop Dr. Adrienne Holmes
Panelist
Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio to Christian, praying parents, Dr. Adrienne Holmes was born again at the age of 6 years. She has been faithful to the cause of Christ since her salvation experience. At the age of 26 Pastor Adrienne received and accepted the call of God into the ministry. Knowing that the Scripture admonishes us to "Study to shew thyself approved unto God," Pastor Adrienne attended and graduated
from Baptist Bible College of Indianapolis in 1999, and in May of 2003 received her Master's of Divinity Degree (with honors), and her Doctor of Ministry degree from Anderson School of Theology in May, 2011. The single parent of 5 adopted children and 11 grandchildren Pastor Adrienne resides in Indianapolis, Indiana where she is the proud Pastor of Bell's Chapel and Abounding Grace, both Church of God in Indianapolis, Indiana, since 2001. Her motto is, "If I can help somebody as I pass along, then my living shall not be in vain."
Teresa Long
Panelist
Teresa Long is a native of Muncie, Indiana. Engaging in the art of cosmetology for over 20 years, Teresa opened God's Grace and Mercy Family Hair Care in 1994. Since that time she opened Grace Beauty College in 2007. It is the first African American owned multicultural beauty school in East Central Indiana. Teresa attends Life Touch
Ministry where she serves as the church administrator and an associate minister. She enjoys volunteering for such organizations as 4 Girls by Girls, a mentoring program for young girls ages 7-17. Teresa has been married to Edward Long III for 19 years. Together they have 5 sons. She truly believes that if you, "seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; all these things shall be added unto you." - Matthew 6:33
Veronica Beidleman Smith
Panelist
Veronica Beidleman Smith has been an entrepreneur and business owner for the past 25 years. Out of a desire at an early age to own her own business, she created Veronica Smith Insurance Agency, Inc., which provides a variety of financial and insurance products. Prior to establishing her business, she was employed at General Motors in Muncie as the Benefits Administrator. Veronica is the proud mother of one son and three grandchildren. She resides in Muncie and is a charter member of Word Of Life Christian Church.
Pastor Lizzie Toomer
Panelist
Minister Lizzie Toomer serves as co-Senior Pastor of New Covenant Ministries in Anderson, Indiana with husband James Toomer. She was called to pastor in 2008 and was ordained in 2009 by Apostle Enos and Prophetess Diane Chamberlain. Having a passion for hurting women, Lizzie founded Y.A.N.A. Ministries, Inc. (You Are Not Alone). She is licensed
by LeSea Ministries, Inc., founded by the late Dr. Lester Sumrall. Liz is a graduate of Indiana Christian University where she obtained an associate degree and Christian Workers License. She received a BA in Theology from Metropolitan School of Theology. Lizzie and her husband have fourteen children, twenty-three grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren.
Known as the “Barefoot Preacher” Annie Jean Wise, the visionary of Wise Words Ministries, was called into full time ministry in 1987. In 1991 she was diagnosed with breast cancer and began going through one of the toughest times in her life. After the doctors told her she had cancer and may die, she refused to accept the doctor's report. She chose to believe
Panelist
Evangelist Annie Wise
God and God gave her a miracle. Out of that experience she wrote a book called, "Attacked by Cancer, Healed by God." She knows that she is truly a living miracle and that God still does miracles today. Evangelist Wise has traveled to her beloved Africa nine times and has preached in six nations, such as Kenya, Uganda, Ivory Coast, Togo, Ghana and Nigeria. She has been blessed to see many souls come to the Lord because of God using her to preach a simple message of salvation. In addition to being an evangelist and missionary, she is a teacher at Excel Learning Academy and an elder at Word of Life Christian Church in Muncie, Indiana.
Dr. Janet J. Evelyn
Breakout Session Presenter
Janet J. Evelyn, Ph.D., is the Dean of the School of Business for the East Central Region of Ivy Tech Community College. She is responsible for all business degree programs and faculty at the Muncie, Anderson and Marion campuses. Dr. Evelyn received her BA degree in business
management/economics from the Herbert H. Lehman College, CUNY, Bronx, NY, and her MBA from Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY. She earned her PhD in Leadership for Higher Education from Capella University, Minneapolis, MN. She is also a graduate of Harvard Institute for Higher Education’s Management Development Program. Dr. Evelyn is an established presenter on various topics related to entrepreneurship. She has a daughter and she holds a number of leadership positions at Wallace Temple AME Zion Church, Anderson, IN and in the Midwest Conference of the AME Zion Church.
Dr. Terry Whitt Bailey was appointed by Mayor Dennis Tyler in 2012 as Director of Community Development for the City of Muncie, Indiana. Prior to her appointment, Terry had a successful career as an arts administrator, serving as President & Chief Executive Officer of the Madame Walker Theatre Center and Cornerstone Center for the Arts. Prior to thes positions she was the Chief of Staff for the Office of the President at Ball State University and Assistant Professor at Ball State and Chicago State Universities. She has received numerous awards and
Speaker & Breakout Session Presenter
Dr. Terry Whitt Bailey
she serves on several boards. Terry earned a Bachelors degree from Rutgers University , and a Masters degree from UCLA. She completed post-graduate work at the University of Illinois - Chicago and Harvard University, and completed her Doctor of Ministry Degree from Newburgh Theological Seminary. Terry is an active member of Union Missionary Baptist Church in Muncie, and the Anderson-Muncie Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She is married to John s. Baily, Jr. who is President of JSB Consulting. They have two children; Dena, who is a doctoral student at Chicago State University, and Jeremiah, who is a junior at Muncie Central High School.
Lee Miles
Lee has been representing top quality financial institutions through Federal Financial Group for over four years. After a successful career in firefighting, his focus changed toward providing professional financial services. Having been involved in non-profit organizations, youth mentoring and church ministries, he genuinely cares for families. Lee strongly believes that financial security is determined more by desire and discipline, than by social or economic background. He helps his clients understand money from how to acquire more of it, to making it work harder for them.
Speaker & Breakout Session Presenter
Dr. Pamala V. Morris is currently an Assistant Dean/Director of the Office of Multicultural Programs and an Associate Professor for the Department of Youth Development and Agricultural Education, in the College of Agriculture at Purdue University. As faculty, her primary focus is to inform youth and adults, on an international, national and local level, about the changing faces of our global society and to increase their understanding and apreciation of
Pamala Morris
Speaker
cultural differences and similarities within, among and between groups. As Dean, she provides leadership in the area of multicultural education for faculty, staff, and students in the college. She developed and implemented two diversity awareness courses that serve as two out of three ways to fulfill a new Multicultural Understanding Requirement in the college.
Reva is the First Lady of Destiny Christian Center International in Muncie, Indiana. An anointed psalmist and speaker, she is content serving alongside her husband, Bishop Keith O’Neal. She leads the Women of Destiny Ministry at her church. Just having gone through a battle with cancer, First Lady Reva knows firsthand what it takes to persevere in spite of a cancer diagnosis. She is the mother of two and the grandmother of four.
First Lady Reva O'Neal
Speaker
Rhonda is the founder of Hearts for Africa and Freedom beyond Borders International. She advocates against human trafficking in the United States and abroad, talking with woman and their family who have been victims of this modern day slavery by taking their stories to the public and educating them through public speaking here in the US. She has been partnering with World Hope International for the past 7 years to bring awareness of
Speaker
Rhonda Patterson
this atrocity to the public. Through her stores in the Muncie Mall and the Glenbrook Fort Wayne Mall she sells items made from ex-victims of today’s modern day slaves along with fair trade items supporting woman aboard to have a better life. www.hearts4africa.us
Tiffany Roberts is a 17 year old senior at Muncie Southside High School. The daughter of Tammy Anderson and Joe Serf, Tiffany plans to attend college after graduation and major in journalism. She loves to express herself through writing. As a young poet and lady, she has overcome and survived many challenges. Tiffany is a cheerleader and she attends Word Of Life Christian Church in Muncie, Indiana.
Speaker
Tiffany Roberts
First Lady Paula Crumes
Conference Prayer Leader
Paula Crumes has been the First Lady of Word of Life Christian Church in Muncie, Indiana for 31 years. She is the wife of Pastor Bryant R. Crumes and the mother of four children and grandmother of six. She is a woman of prayer and an anointed teacher of the Gospel. Lady Paula has an outreach ministry for women called Paula Crumes Ministry and its mission is “Equipping Women to Stand and Remain the Same Until Destiny and Purpose have been Accomplished. First Lady Paula and the Women call themselves Sustain Soaring Women of God. (SSWOG).
Delores Bledsoe
Prayer
Delores Bledsoe attends New Covenant Kingdom Ministries in Anderson, Indiana, where she is the director of the children’s ministry. She attended Indiana Christian University and CI Christian International where she received an AA degree in christian ministry. She loves ministering to God’s people. Her desire is to make a great impact in the Kingdom of God and in this nation.
Angelia White
Speaker
Angelia White is the founder of faith-based magazine Hope for Women. With no formal journalism training, she had the vision and desire to offer women a periodical that reflects the messages of inspiration, encouragement and enlightenment. After eight years of challenges, and a lot of prayer, Hope has grown to attract
300,000 page views and 35,000 unique visitors and thousands of Facebook fans and Twitter followers. Believe it or not, White continues to publish the magazine from where it all began – in her bedroom! The quarterly magazine is supported by a small team of volunteers, including publicists, editors, and writers from around the country, who believe in White’s mission to bring Hope to the lives of women with in-depth articles about lifestyle, financial, relationship, health and nutritional issues from a faith perspective.
Carla Jennings
Speaker
First Lady Carla Jennings is the mother of five and the grandmother of two. Married to Pastor Al Jennings for 30 years, she has worked alongside her husband in the ministry for 29 years. While working in the fitness industry for six years as an instructor, she taught F.I.T. and Stretch & Flex courses, and received her certification in Group Fitness
and Strength and Conditioning. She became a Certified Personal Trainer with ASFA (American Sports and Fitness Association). She pursued her dream of going into business and launched FIT4U. Carla produced a fitness DVD called FIT4U which was created to help women reach their weight goals and to motivate women who lacked the desire to workout. She travels and speaks at women's events, youth functions and health & fitness expos.
Coming from a rich heritage of godly pastors, missionaries, singers, and musicians, Dana Abram is an anointed psalmist and recording artist who ministers prophetically the gospel of Grace in song while ushering in the presence of the Lord. In April of 2013, she released her first CD called, “Touch.” Ordained as an Elder in 2011, Dana is a teacher of the sacred Scriptures. She has been instructed about and
Psalmist
Dana Abrams
for the kingdom of heaven and she brings forth treasure that is fresh as well as familiar. Dana is the Praise and Worship Leader for Cathedral of Praise Christian Church, under the leadership of Pastor Bishop Adrian Leavell. She is the wife of Minister David E. Abram and together they have 6 children and 4 grandchildren. Both launched After His Own Heart Ministries.
Psalmist & Conference Operations Manager
Tera Allen
"When you walk off of the stage, will people be left thinking about you or will they be left thinking about Jesus?" This is a question that has always carried weight with Tera Allen. For the past 26 years, she has been singing
with a focus on the latter. This happily married wife to Nate Allen and the mother of two sons was born June 25, 1980 to Pastor Bryant & Paula Crumes. Tera devotes her life to her family and ministry. For over 10 years she has worked alongside her parents in the ministry to help further the Kingdom of God. She has served on various community and ministry committees. Above all her accomplishments she considers furthering the gospel of Jesus Christ and supporting her family as her primary focus!
Beth Leavell Davis
Psalmist
Beth Leavell Davis is a gifted, anointed singer. She is a graduate from Ball State University with a BS in Criminal Justice and Social Services. She loves the Lord and she is an active member of Union Missionary Baptist Church. As an active participant in the local Arts, Beth recently performed in Dream Girls at the Civic Theatre. She participates in national singing organizations such as James Cleveland’s Gospel Music Workshop of
America where she was recently featured and recorded as a guest artist. She credits God for turning her life around. She gives back by speaking in prisons and encouraging incarcerated inmates to prepare themselves for prison and after. Most of all Beth loves singing in the Lord’s Church. She has future plans to complete her first professional gospel jazz CD and a book on how to prepare for Prison and Release. Beth is the wife of Brian Davis and the mother of 6 children and 2 grandchildren. She is the only child of Virginia Leavell and the Late Irvin T. Leavell.
Wynette Stevens
Musician
Wynette Stevens is a gifted, talented pianist who began playing for Word Of Life Christian Church at the age of 15. The head of the Music Ministry, Wynette directed all of the musical aspects of the church as well as be responsible for the sound ministry. Wynette graduated from Ball State University with a BA in Sociology. She currently resides in Los Angeles, California where she attends Greater Deliverance Church.
Glenda Long
Glenda J. Long completed her education in the Muncie community school system and she has done some extended education work at Ball State University and Christian Leadership University. She is a Wedding Consultant and CEO of Simply Perfection. Glenda has worked at Ball State University for 30 years as an Administrative Coordinator for the Office of Admissions. She coordinates the daily
Conference MC
operations of the Diversity and Transfer Division of Admissions through communication with Ball State faculty and staff, budget management, event planning, and student supervision. Glenda is a licensed minister and a member of Word of Life Christian Church where she has served in several capacities. She has been on the church praise team for 29 years. She is the wife of Frederick Long and the mother of 2, the extended mother of 2, and the grandmother of 6 beautiful grandchildren. She believes God is absolutely amazing and falling in Love with him was the best thing that ever happened to her.