Beth Runkle and her husband serve with Cru Military. She served as a military wife during her husband's 25-year career with the Air Force. She disciples and conducts Bible studies for female cadets and young military spouses. Having come to faith through Bible study, she has led small groups for military couples and taught Bible study for 23 years. She is also a women's ministry speaker in various venues. She earned her Master of Theological Studies at Gateway Seminary

Bob Kistemaker grew up in the Cleveland area and has been serving in ministry and preaching the gospel for over 30 years. He is the founding and Lead Pastor of Lakewood New Life Church. His passion is to watch people from all walks of life become transformed by the Word of God so they can live like Jesus and share His love. 

(David Paul Brooks) DPB is a rap artist, songwriter, actor, clothing designer, mentor, and motivational speaker. As Co-Founder of BreBro International Group LLC and DPB Muzik Inc., he uses music to inspire and uplift, offering a positive, cutting-edge message—especially for youth.

He has shared the stage with legends like Bootsy Collins, Salt-N-Pepa, Kirk Franklin, and Toby Mac, and has appeared on BET’s Teen Summit Gospel Special. A former member of the Grammy and Dove-nominated group D.O.C. (Disciples of Christ), DPB has also made his mark as a solo artist, charting on Billboard’s Christian Rock Radio and Urban Influencer Christian Hip Hop charts, where his song Let It Go hit #1 in April 2023.

Dawn Ward is an author, speaker, Bible teacher, and a certified biblical life coach. She is the founder of The Faith to Flourish, a ministry offering support and encouragement to women with addicted loved ones. The ministry also equips all women of faith to live transformed lives through inspiring teachings, mentoring, and biblical resources. She is married to Steve and mom to three adult children. 

Jamie Kirschner is a speaker and life coach for Christian teen girls and the host of the UncommonTEEN Podcast. Her passion is helping teen girls overcome real-life challenges while staying true to who God created them to be.  

Jose Vargas Zapata is a former gang leader and state and federal inmate who has been transformed by the power of redemption. Now an inspirational leader, mentor, and speaker, he dedicates his life to empowering at-risk youth and individuals impacted by incarceration. Through public speaking and life coaching, he equips them with the tools for personal growth, resilience, and successful reintegration. His mission is to ignite hope in those who feel lost, reminding them that transformation is possible. Jose’s powerful testimony inspires others to break free from their past and step into their full potential.

Katherine Ribeiro has a deep appreciation for Classical Christian Education and is passionate about inspiring students to love learning while recognizing God’s character in every aspect of it. She and her husband, Steven, are active members of Grace Church of North Olmsted. Katherine enjoys spending time with others, reading classic literature, writing, playing the violin, and exploring the outdoors. One of her favorite Scripture passages is Psalm 27:4.

Kris is an author, speaker, and ministry leader with over 20 years of church ministry experience. Holding an M.A. in Religion from Southern Evangelical Seminary, she contributes to Women Living Well Ministries and is passionate about helping women grow in their faith, trust in God, and step into their God-given purpose. Through her writing and speaking, she shares her story and the power of cultivating hope, encouraging others to persevere through life’s challenges.

Key Topics:

• Trusting in God

• Cultivating Hope

• Persevering in Trials

• Living Out Your Purpose

(She’s also a shark tooth hunter!)

Born in 1981 in Balti, Moldova, Lilia Klaczynski overcame abandonment, hardship, and life in a Soviet orphanage. Adopted by an American family at 15, she embraced a new life, faith, and the challenges of starting over. In 2005, she met her husband, James, and built a family rooted in love and faith. Her journey of healing led her to reconnect with her biological family in 2023. Today she shares her story of endurance, transformation, and grace to inspire others.

Meizi Ivery teaches Humanities for grades 7-12, covering Bible, History, and Literature/Philosophy. Before moving to Lakewood, OH, in 2021, she taught World, American, and British Literature, along with various electives, at Agape Christian Academy in Burton, OH.

Outside the classroom, she enjoys reading historical dramas, writing scripts, and playing music. She dreams of traveling across Europe to deepen her understanding of Western traditions. Her favorite Bible story is the account of Mephibosheth, as David’s kindness toward Jonathan’s son beautifully reflects God’s grace toward us.

Nichole is an author, biblical teacher, minister, life coach, and public speaker—but above all, she is a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. After experiencing miraculous freedom from years of torment caused by childhood abuse, she was commissioned by God to help others walk in victory. With a heart dedicated to serving the Lord, Nichole faithfully answers every call He places before her, empowering others to step into the fullness of His healing and freedom.

Nobles C. Darby IV is the Chaplain for the Cleveland Browns and the Co-Chaplain for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Charge. His journey from aspiring NFL athlete to sports Chaplain highlights his dedication to making disciples that make disciples.

Olivia Figuered is a Certified Life Coach, podcast host, and mom of four who helps busy women rediscover their inner light and God-given purpose. Balancing marriage, motherhood, and a career, she understands the struggles of overwhelm and distraction. Through her Peaceful Presence Podcast and coaching, she offers practical tools and faith-based strategies for clarity and resilience. Inspired by personal experiences, including supporting her sister through cancer, she pursued a Master of Arts in Business and Ministry. 

Ryan is a devoted father, husband, deputy commissioner, and pastor. His journey from a past of drug dealing and incarceration to a life of redemption and ministry is a powerful testament to transformation and faith.

Steven Perez was a functioning addict, trapped in a cycle of self-destruction, anxiety, and depression. Masking his pain with substances, he believed he had everything under control—until Jesus stepped in.

Today, he is completely transformed—a follower of Christ, free from addiction, anxiety, and depression. His life is a testimony of God’s grace, mercy, and the power of surrender.

To anyone battling addiction or hopelessness: you are loved, you have a purpose, and you are not alone. What God did for him, He can do for you. Surrender it all to Him.

Sylvia Puentes is the creator and host of Saved by Grace Podcast, a faith-based coach, mentor, nurse, entrepreneur, and international speaker. After discovering her identity in Christ during a low point in her life, she found her purpose in empowering women to grow in faith and leadership. She founded a prestigious home healthcare agency in New York and Flourish Coaching to equip women for their God-given calling. Through Saved by Grace, she shares stories of hope, restoration, and God’s unwavering love.

Tarin Estvanko grew up in western Pennsylvania before moving to Ohio in 2007. Although she was raised in a charismatic church and learned about God, she didn’t know Him personally. For her, church became more of an escape from trauma—a temporary band-aid for self-destructive behavior. But even in her brokenness, God was pursuing her, ready to turn her pain into a testimony for His glory.

In 2012, Tarin surrendered her life to Christ and has walked with Him ever since. Her passion for helping children and reaching the lost—just as she once was—ultimately led her to become a licensed counselor. Today, she is dedicated to guiding others toward healing and a deeper relationship with God.

Teresa Whiting is a national speaker, writer, and host of the Find Hope Here podcast. She is the author of Graced: How God Redeems and Restores the Broken, an in-depth Bible study that reveals God's heart of rescue and redemption toward six sexually broken women in scripture.

As a pastor's wife and ministry leader of almost 30 years, Teresa has walked with countless women through their real-life struggles. A survivor of childhood sexual abuse, she has experienced God’s power to bring beauty from ashes. Her passion is to help others discover the beautiful, redemptive work of Jesus in the midst of their broken lives.

She and her husband, Greg, have five adult children and two grandsons. They are recent empty nesters living in central Florida. In her happy place, you'll find her walking the beach, hanging out with her family, or exploring God's creation, untethered from technology.