...in My Heart

What Did God Make Me to Do?

FRIDAY (FH01) & SATURDAY (SH01)

Rev. Angela Yee

God has given each person a unique blend of gifts and strengths to fulfill his purposes here on earth. Help clarify your gifting and calling through this hands-on workshop. Join us for a fun, highly interactive experience of discovery!

What Gifts Did God Give Me?

FRIDAY (FH02) & SATURDAY (SH02)

In Spanish Only

Ana Espinoza

Every woman has a unique spiritual gift from God. Do you know what yours is? Come discover how God has gifted you and learn how God wants you to use your gift in his Kingdom on Earth.

Doubting Debbie

FRIDAY (FH03) & SATURDAY (SH03)

Rev. Amanda Olson

Thomas isn’t the only follower of Jesus who had doubts. We question, too. Where is God when we struggle with uncertainties? Was Jesus just a man? Do I really believe? Join us as we share personal experiences, explore biblical truths and learn how to grow closer to God through our doubts.

Beautiful Inside and Out – Who Are You Listening To?

FRIDAY ONLY (FH04)

Iora Haglund

We live in a diet-obsessed culture burdened with messages about keeping our bodies healthy and our minds happy. Yet media abounds with airbrushed images of how we should look and the latest fashions speak to our emotions. Where do we turn for honest answers about our fitness? In this workshop, Iora combines professional health care experience with a biblical worldview to explore the answer to this question.

Made in God’s Image

SATURDAY (SH05) ONLY

Kirsten Haglund

We say we are God’s handiwork, yet poor body image has become a dangerous issue for women of all ages. Women have the right and the responsibility to define beauty on their own terms from a Christian perspective rather than being forced to conform to societal values. Join Kirsten and Iora to learn the warning signs of unhealthy eating and to discuss interventions from the perspective of two generations – mother and daughter.

Spiritual Companions

SATURDAY (SH06) ONLY

Lydia Puentes Phillips

Spiritual direction is not simply a new fad, but is a practice that has roots in early Christianity. In this seminar, learn what spiritual direction is--and what it is not. Explore with Lydia the role and place of this important practice in your own relationship with God.

Varieties of Prayer

FRIDAY (FH07) & SATURDAY (SH07)

Rev. Judy Swanberg

Prayer is not monologue, but dialog with God. God wants this dialog to be interesting, creative and engaging. In this seminar, we will look at a variety of ways to pray – some old (passed on for generations), some new (freshly created), some borrowed (and worth sharing), some blue (laments). We will also consider types of listening prayer.

...in My Life

Grace in the Trenches

FRIDAY (FL01) & SATURDAY (SL01)

Jamison Durbin

We all expect ourselves to parent with grace, joy, patience – but what about when your baby descends into the underworld of colic, your three year old performs public displays of self will to judging crowds, your grade school son believes bath water will melt him, or your teenager deflects your every directive with the dreaded eye roll of death? In this workshop we will learn how to practice grace for these little darlings who daily push our limits and how to allow grace for ourselves when parenting exposes the dark corners of our personality.

Two Worlds, One Relationship

FRIDAY (FL02) & SATURDAY (SL02)

In Spanish Only

Rev. Guadalupe Daniela Flores

Comparing the secular perspective with a Christian worldview, Daniela will lead a discussion on how married persons work through such topics as communication, sexuality, sharing responsibilities, resolving conflicts and maintaining an equal partnership with your spouse.

Marriage and Spirituality

FRIDAY (FL03) & SATURDAY (SL03)

Rev. Debra Auger

In the beginning God created humanity in God’s own image…male and female he created them... and it was good! Marriage is an opportunity to partner in the work of reflecting the image of God. This interactive workshop will take a look at the ups, downs and level places in marriage and how your spirituality impacts your relationship with your partner. We will look at scripture as well as cultural trends which can contribute positively and negatively to spirituality within the marriage relationship. Looking through the lenses of spiritual pathways and life stages we will explore the possibilities hidden in the challenges of life and marriage.

Ministering As “One” in A Church Culture of “Two”

FRIDAY (FL04) & SATURDAY (SL04)

Regina Williams

Single women sometimes face obstacles to ministry within their own church’s culture. If you’ve never married, are divorced or widowed, you may have wondered about God’s plan to use you when others view you as an “oddity”-- or may even be uncomfortable serving with you. Join us to explore God’s view and plan for using single women in extraordinary ministry opportunities!

Exploring Covenant Affirmations

FRIDAY (FL05) ONLY

Rev. Gary Walter

What is a Covenanter? What do Covenanters believe? The central tenets of the Evangelical Covenant Church are full of life and lead us to core discussions about our common faith. Using the new Exploring Covenant Affirmations DVD, we’ll be able to share our faith while learning more about our history.

...in My World

How a Victim of Modern-Day Slavery Found Hope in God

FRIDAY (FW01) & SATURDAY (SW01)

Beatrice Fernando

Learn about modern-day slavery and human trafficking through Beatrice’s dramatic story of enslavement and the faith that got her through. Discover how to end the injustices and indignities in the world that desecrate God’s name. Learn how to reflect God’s glory in charitable actions and words, how to work responsibly for peace and justice while standing up for those who cannot stand up for themselves.

Hospitality and the Church: The Journey from Strangers to Friends

FRIDAY (FW02) & SATURDAY (SW02)

Dr. Linda Parkyn

It's easy to look past our immediate neighbors, new immigrants, people Jesus calls us to love, because many of them live in the shadows. In our call to show hospitality to strangers, we as Christians can help immigrants make the difficult transition to a new life. Join us and learn what you and what your church can do to reach beyond yourselves and extravagantly welcome, love, and learn from newcomers who sojourn among us.

Practicing Earth Stewardship

SATURDAY (SW03) ONLY

Ingrid Johnson

Created for life in the Garden, fallen humanity now finds itself in a broken relationship with the creation to which it belongs. As a result, humans as well as other creatures experience suffering. After an overview of issues related to the ecological crisis, we will focus on concrete ways households and congregations can act with responsibility for the world we share.

Faith in God Means Reaching into the Wider World

FRIDAY (FW04) & SATURDAY

Rev. Velda Love

Learn how to take action in God’s wider world on behalf of those who need compassion and justice by developing partnerships with faith groups and organizations, forming community groups, and working collaboratively with under-served populations to both learn from and provide service to all God’s people.

Coming Alongside the Abused

FRIDAY ONLY (FW05)

Rev. Linda Williams

Today, one in three women and one in seven men have been sexually abused. Countless others have been victims of emotional, physical and spiritual abuse, which results in brokenness and pain that continues later in life – even once we have grown up or become Christians. Learn about and discuss the impact of trauma and how to help the wounded.

SEMINAR PRESENTERS

Angela Yee is Associate Pastor of Adult Ministries at University Covenant Church in Davis, CA. She has worn a variety of hats in many ministries, including events, worship, volunteer ministry and communications. She has a passion to help people discover more about God and themselves, including discovering their strengths and gifts. She is a graphic designer by training, a former home-schooling mom and author of I’m Not Neat But I’m Organized.

Ana Espinoza, originally from El Salvador, began developing her gift of teaching God’s word as a Bible Teacher on a local TV show in Los Angeles. She taught puppet ministry with C.B.C.I.P.E. in Mexico, Ecuador and Spain and has presented workshops on Christian Formation and on helping women build self-confidence in all areas of life. Ana lives in Chicago and worships at Douglas Park Covenant Church where her husband Roberto is pastor.

Before accepting a call to ministry, Amanda Olson was a television producer and worked in public relations. After graduating from North Park Seminary in 2006, she served at Covenant Bible College in Alberta, Canada. Amanda is currently Pastor for Preaching and Worship at Grace Evangelical Covenant Church in Chicago. She enjoys city life with her husband Don and is transitioning into motherhood.

Iora Haglund is a registered nurse with 14 years of hospital experience. She recently served at Faith Covenant Church in Farmington Hills, MI as Pastor of Congregational Care, working as a parish nurse and leading events centered around both physical and spiritual wellness. Iora currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Kirsten Haglund Foundation, her daughter’s non-profit organization which raises awareness of and funds treatment of eating disorders.

Diagnosed with anorexia at 15, Kirsten Haglund battled back with the help of her family and church to redefine who she is and whose she is. She has held both the Miss Michigan and the Miss America titles. Kirsten continues to bring hope and a voice for those struggling with eating disorders through the Kirsten Haglund Foundation.

Lydia Puentes Phillips is a certified Spiritual Director, trained through Christian Formation and Direction Ministries, as well as a hospice respite caregiver. She regularly facilitates retreats and designs prayer rooms. She received her B.A. in Animal Physiology and is currently finishing a degree in Art and Spanish. Lydia is passionate about helping individuals grow in their relationship with God through awareness of God in their lives.

Judy Swanberg taught middle school for 12 years until she experienced an unmistakable call to ministry. She was ordained in the Covenant Church in 2000 and has served as interim pastor, retreat speaker, spiritual director, seminar leader and Associate Superintendent of the East Coast Conference. In 2001 she led a teaching mission with South Sudanese Covenanters. Judy currently serves as a chaplain at a Covenant continuing care retirement community in Florida.

Jamison Durbin’s mission, communicated through her humorous speaking style, is to encourage, strengthen, and validate women as wives or mothers and to help them experience joy. She graduated from the School of Women’s Ministries in 2001 and has served as Coordinator of Women’s Ministries, Retreat Coordinator, and started a MOPS program in her home church. She and her husband Troy have four teenagers. Click here to visit Jamison's website, laughingatspilledmilk.com.

Born in Mexico City, Daniela Flores has studied family counseling and is continuing her studies in that area along with earning her ministry degree through Centro Hispano de Estudios Teológicos (CHET). Throughout her ministry career, Daniela has served on teams for worship, evangelism and special events. She and her husband are involved in their second church plant, Iglesia Del Pacto Evangelico Vida Plena in Oak Park, IL.

An ordained Covenant minister who has been involved in ministry for over 30 years, Deb Auger is called to shepherd others into deeper discipleship. Deb was on faculty at Covenant Bible College in Ecuador for six years. She currently serves as the Dean of Students and Community Life at North Park Theological Seminary.

Regina Williams is a single woman with a gift of teaching and a passion for empowering girls and women in leadership. She has served in educational ministries for over 40 years in many capacities including Superintendent of Sunday School for Oakdale Covenant Church for over 15 years. She is currently the chair of the denominational Board of Women Ministries and sits on the Board of National Covenant Properties.

Gary Walter is the ninth president of the Evangelical Covenant Church. Before his election in 2008, he served Covenant churches in California and Washington, was the Director of Church Planting for the ECC and then the Executive Minister of Church Growth and Evangelism. He and his wife, Nancy, have three daughters, and are founding members of DeerGrove Covenant Church in Palatine, Illinois, where they reside.

Born in Sri Lanka, Beatrice Fernando is one of 13 siblings. Her miraculous escape and recovery from enslavement serve as the inspiration for her tireless efforts to abolish modern day slavery through the work of her organization, the Nivasa Foundation. After publishing her memoir, In Contempt of Fate, Beatrice appeared on numerous television and radio programs, has spoken at universities and religious institutions, and testified to the United States House of Representatives. Today Beatrice lives in New England with her husband and her two children.

Linda Parkyn is professor of Spanish at North Park University. She was recently selected for a prestigious Fulbright Specialists project in applied linguistics at the Universidad Nacional de Agricultura in Honduras. She previously received a Fulbright Specialist award to the Universidad de VeraCruz, in Xalapa, Mexico and was a Fulbright Scholar at the Universidad de Aguascalientes in Aguascalientes, Mexico. For the past 20 years she and the students in her university classes have tutored and helped new immigrants such as Southeast Asians, Bosnians, Russian Jews, Nigerians, Serbians, Croatians, Indonesians, Indians, Sudanese, Liberians, Uzbeks and Latin Americans.

Ingrid Johnson is a graduate of North Park University and Theological Seminary with a B.A. in Ecology and M.A.s in Theology and Non-Profit Administration. She currently works as Asst. Program Director at The Campbell Farm, a ministry of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in central Washington state. Ingrid has started several community gardens and does freelance teaching and writing about ecological responsibility and social justice, focusing especially on the food system. Click here to read an article by Ingrid, "'Rise Up and Walk': One Woman's Legacy of Hope".

Velda Love is the Director of the Center for Justice Ministries at North Park Theological Seminary. She has worked at North Park University with the Community Development Program and as Assistant Dean of Multicultural Development. She has also worked with the Chicago Area Project and the Chicago Foundation for Women. A member and ordained deacon at Trinity UCC on Chicago’s south side, Velda, who earned her M.Div. from NPTS in 2006, also serves as Minister of Social Justice at Second Baptist Church in Evanston, IL.

Linda Williams serves as Pastor at Covenant Congregational Church in Waltham, MA. She has degrees in Early Childhood Development and Graphic Design and earned her M.Div. at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary with an emphasis in Urban Ministry. She has a passion for helping people find healing in their lives through Christ. Linda spoke at Soulfest '08, at several other retreats and has done numerous workshops specifically addressing trauma and abuse during formative years and how to create safe spaces in the church for healing and wholeness.