Deb DeArmond: Deb is an author, speaker and entrepreneur. Her first book, Related by Chance, Family by Choice, will be released in November 2013, and tells the story of two women who love the same man: mothers and the girls who marry our sons.

Deb is wife to her high school sweetheart, Ron, who showed her the path to become a Christ follower 40 years ago. Mom to three incredible sons. Gigi to three perfect grandboys. But Jesus is her favorite, and the guys have learned to live with it. She is a transplanted Californian who has been a proud Texan for 9 years.

She is optimistically mid-life and excited about the next stage of life and what God has for her now. She longs to see experienced women find their passion and place in the body of Christ, show up and finish strong. “

Karen DeArmond-Gardner: Wife to Tom Gardner. Mother to Amanda and Jonathan. Nana to Tyler, Jared, Noah and Lauryn. Employed in the Health Insurance industry by day, writer by night.

Co-founder of My Purpose Now.

After thirty years, four months and four days on December 26, 2004 I found the courage to walk away from an abusive marriage. My hope is in telling my story women discover how to take their life from ugly to beauty, death to life, chaos to castles.

Find me on www.ChaostoCastles.com and on Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Chaos-to-Castles/437830926260036

When the pain of shame was unbearable, I had to remember why I started.

I will walk in freedom….I will speak and not be ashamed.

Psalm 119:45-46 NLT (Karen’s Version)

 

Melody Heal: A life-long joy and passion of Melody’s has been mentoring and sharing life with women of all ages encouraging them to grasp hold of the full potential the Lord has for them. The empty nest season has provided Melody a new luxury of living out her heart’s desire working professionally as a Christian school administrator, serving as the Featured Resource Writer for My Purpose Now website along with speaking at women’s events. Her greatest delight is being married to her husband Doug while being inspired by her two married children and their devoted Christ-following soul mates who all live in Southern California. Melody has proven to be passionate about prayer walking, gardening, and helping women identify, rekindle, and achieve their God inspired dreams. Interested in having her at your next event, contact her at: mfheal@gmail.com

 

 

 

Peggy2Peggy is embarking on a new career in mid-life. A featured speaker for women’s groups and retreats, she is the author of hundred of devotionals and articles in a variety of areas of interest to women. Married to Mark for 36 years, they have one daughter and raised two foster children. Peggy and Mark make their home in southern California.

 

 

 

 

© 2010 Martin Alan Grivjack PhotographyMartin Alan Grivjack PhotographyAva Pennington is thoroughly enjoying her second career as an author, teacher, and speaker. Originally from New York City, she relocated after a 20-year corporate career as a Human Resources executive. But don’t call her retired. In addition to writing and speaking, she teaches a Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) class of 150+ women from September through May each year.

Her newest book, Daily Reflections on the Names of God: A Devotional, is published by Revell and endorsed by Kay Arthur, founder of Precepts Ministries International. Ava has also written articles for magazines such as Power for LivingCalled, and Christianity Today’s Today’s Christian Woman. She has been published in 25 anthologies, including 18 Chicken Soup for the Soul books.

Ava is grateful for her husband, Russ, their marriage of 35+ years, and their home in south Florida. She is a passionate speaker and teacher, and delights in challenging audiences with relevant, enjoyable presentations. For more information, visit www.AvaWrites.com or contact her at Ava@AvaWrites.com.

 

 

CheriCheri Cowell: Author, Speaker, and ‘Sidewalk Theologian,’ Cheri Cowell, is the author of Parables and Word Pictures Bible Study. She has a Masters in Theological Studies from Asbury Seminary and lives in Orlando FL with her wonderful husband, Randy. http://www.CheriCowell.com.

 

 

 

 

Sharon RuffSharon Ruff: Sharon makes her home in West Michigan near her children and grandchildren. She has been a widow for over a decade after being married for 30 years; fifteen of which were spent caring for her husband who suffered from MS. During those wilderness years of isolation and despair, God gave her hope from Jeremiah 29:11. He also assured her that He would restore the years the locust had eaten. He has since graced her with many opportunities to heal, learn, grow, and serve in women’s ministry through Bible Studies, retreats, conferences and personal ministry. She has also ministered in the Ukraine and Africa at women’s conferences.

 

 

 

Penny BraggPenny A. Bragg spent the majority of her professional career in the California public school system as a teacher, principal, and district administrator. Through the miraculous reconciliation of her marriage after an eleven-year divorce and a distance of 3,000 coast-to-coast miles, God led Penny and her husband, Clint, into fulltime ministry in 2006. Together, they serve as marriage missionaries—sharing their testimony of marital restoration across the nation and abroad during their 40-Day Marriage Mission Trips. ThroughInverse Ministries, their non-profit organization, Penny and Clint have written extensively about the ministry of reconciliation including their most recent book, Marriage on the Mend. In addition, Penny ministers to those who, like her, have experienced traumatic loss and grief. For more information, visit her blog at www.ForThoseWhoWeep.com.

 

 

 

Mona Shriver: Mona Shriver worked as a nurse until the Lord called her out of that profession and into ministry. She is a Precept trained Bible teacher, has been active in women’s ministries, and speaks at special events and retreats. She serves her local church body in central California. She is a writer and has been published in various magazines and ministry resources. Mona has been married to Gary since 1974 and they have 3 grown sons and 2 precious granddaughters. She and Gary co-founded Hope & Healing Ministries Inc. which provides support and resources for couples in adultery recovery. They co-authored the book: Unfaithful, Hope and Healing after Infidelity. Learn more at “http://www.hopeandhealing.us ”

 

 

Kathy Carlton Willis: Kathy writes and speaks with a balance of funny and faith—whimsy and wisdom. Not many funny girls also have Bible degrees! As a pastor’s wife, she has plenty of material for her new Grin with Kathy column at MPN. She has four books coming out in the next couple of years: Speaker to SpeakerGrin with GraceGrin with Joy, and Grin with Peace. She’s affiliated with several Christian writer and speaker organizations and serves as a consultant for others in the publishing industry. Kathy anticipates great things for her 50s (despite the menopause monster), and is pursuing God’s goals with gusto as she dives in to this glorious decade. Kathy’s tagline captures her essence: Light & Lively: His Reflection/Her Laughter. Learn more about Kathy at: www.kathycarltonwillis.com/

 

 

Cindy Smith: Cindy Smith lives in Grapevine, Texas with her husband of 33 years.  They have two grown daughters, two wonderful sons-in-law and one absolutely fabulous grandson.  Cindy has enjoyed being involved in ministry
to women for the last 23 years.  Her most fulfilling role in ministry is listening to women tell “their story” and
affirming the work of God in their lives. Cindy’s role at My Purpose Now is unique. She is our “princess prayer warrior” and has covered us in prayer since the beginning.  An intercessor, Cindy has a prayer closet and she knows how to use it! We are ever grateful for her involvement and her spiritual support in growing My Purpose Now.