Contributors

Mollie has a degree in International Peace studies and she is seeking ways to integrate her passions for creating community, being outdoors, and deeply pursuing issues of justice. From volunteering internationally to work with Ukrainian refugees, to working with survivors of human trafficking, to serving veterans experiencing homelessness, to being a coffee shop barista, to working a customer service desk, or guiding outdoor trips, Molly is grateful for the things she has learned along the way.

RAMAZAN ARKAN and his wife KAREN serve as pastors of Antalya Evangelical Churches. They have built the first modern Christian church in Antalya Turkey, a port city on the Mediterranean Sea which the Apostle Paul visited as described in Acts 14:25 (recorded as Attalia). The Antalya Evangelical Church Turkish congregation is 178 and by God’s grace continues to grow. This growth has been the fruit of much faithful prayer. Click on the link below for more photos and information about Pastor Ramazon Arkan and the Antalya Evangelical Churches. Ramazan and…

KAREN ARKAN and her husband Ramazan serve as pastors of Antalya Evangelical Churches, located in Antalya Turkey, a port city on the Mediterranean Sea which the Apostle Paul visited as described in Acts 14:25 (recorded as Attalia). To visit their website, click on the first link below. They are still fundraising for the operational needs of their new church, which is the subject of the Fruitful post BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME. Please pray that the Lord will continue to bring generous…

Freda was born in Delta State and currently lives in Lagos, Nigeria. She is a fearless, and dogged believer of living life on purpose. As a writer, host, anchor and Idea-driver of League of the Purpose Driven, Freda lives her life each day passionate about people—how to help them succeed and reach their highest potentials in GOD. She uses social media like Facebook, Twitter (@fredaAshinze1) and Instagram (@fredaashinze, @leagueofthepurposedriven) to express her gifting and engage in inspiring conversations. She has had the rare…

Mavette describes herself as a follower of Jesus and native New Yorker born and raised in Brooklyn by Afro-Latin parents. She has lived in both of the countries that her parents are from: her father is from Belize and her mother is from Guatemala. She has a love for sharing Jesus, understanding the dynamic of cultures in business, educating children, and bridging international communities with the help of the church. She earned her Master's of Arts Degree in Executive Leadership…

Elison Baird is an English teacher in Fresno, CA. After studying English at UCLA she realized how her passion for literature and compassionate heart for kids would lead her towards a life filled with inspiring generations of high schoolers. She reads books like some people check their Facebook, yet she seeks out adventures with those closest to her. She is a bold woman of whom anyone would be lucky to call, friend.

Tom is Senior Pastor of Valley Hope Community Church in Turlock, California. He has been in full time ministry for over 30 years and has served as senior pastor of four different congregations, one which he planted. Tom loves teaching and preaching God's Word and shepherding God's people. Tom has been married to Sandi for over 35 years. They met while in ministry and have served together ever since. Tom and Sandi have four grown children who are born again…

Dan is a Life Group Leader and Host for Life.Church Online, an Evangelical Covenant Church with multiple physical locations as well as a worldwide online platform. He leads several groups online, hosts at online services and serves in Pastoral Care and Biblical Counseling. The people in the groups he facilitates are from inside and outside the USA. Dan is taking online seminary courses in Pastoral Care, Biblical Counseling, Theology, Preaching, Sermon Preparation and Church Planting. His call to Ministry has…

Ceri was raised by the beach in Bournemouth on the south coast of England. Ceri studied Theology at university to give her a deeper understanding of The Bible. After university she pursued her passion of working with vulnerable women. Ceri worked with sex workers; visiting local brothels and strip bars alongside doing Bible studies and teaching the women to bake. At 23 Ceri was diagnosed with cancer and begun a long road of treatment in London. In February 2019, Ceri…

Mike has a passion for bringing the gospel message to inmate fathers and mothers and their children.  He believes that as these men and women are reconciled to Christ and taught the fundamentals of biblical parenting, they will then be equipped to start the process of reconciliation with their children. Teaching and education have always been strong interests of Mike's. He has held several pastoral positions, at various churches, spanning a 40-year time period.  In these roles, his love for children…

Britney Christian Miller is a singer, songwriter, worship leader and blogger from southern California. Her greatest passion is bringing hope to those who have no hope and working with young girls who are victims of human trafficking. She thrives on using music and writing to bring the message of truth to those who don’t know it and inspiring those who do to live out their faith in powerful ways. Her music, which speaks of finding light in the midst of…

Nathan Coleman graduated from UCLA and then Talbot Seminary where he earned his MDiv. Currently Nate is Pastor of Discipleship & Outreach at The Bridge Bible Church in Bakersfield, CA USA.  His call to vocational ministry came through God’s long prodding at his heart and a climactic mission experience in Australia, which is the subject of his first Fruitful blog.  He hopes to use his spiritual gifts to help all God’s sons and daughters enjoy Christ and fulfill their commission to…

Laura is a London-born lover of life, love and all that’s above! By day, she is training to be a pastor in England and by night she cooks a mean chicken tray bake and can often be found plotting her next trip abroad. She spent a year in a monastic community and is trying to work out what lessons she can bring to everyday life beyond the monastery walls. The link below leads to the Monastic Community that Laura experienced...

Andrew Collins is a writer by education and vocation, but currently works as a wild land firefighter and writes poetry in his free time. His interests range from theological reflections and existential musing to surfing and disc golf. He lives in southern California. Click the link below to read some of Andrew's poetry...

Gabbie Cook strives to be an advocate, not an accuser and she truly enjoys loving people through her words, both written and spoken. Gabbie graduated from Northern Arizona University and George Washington University where she completed her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2021. Her favorite pastimes include water coloring and discovering new places through books and travel.

Trisha Creighton is a devoted wife and mother of three. She and her husband Chris own and operate Creico Electric Inc. Her greatest treasure is the Word of God. After having a tangible encounter with Christ at the age of 23, Trisha has dedicated her life to her family, the study of God's Word and prayer. Her deepest desire is to inspire others to dive deep into the magnificent riches of God's Holy Word. Her life verses are Psalm 116:12-14

Shelly Garrison-McCoy is a Social Worker who has worked for 10 years with at risk youth through the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services and with the developmentally delayed adult population through Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino County CA. Shelly earned her BA in Psychology from California State University, San Bernardino. She is also a certified Life Coach. It has been her pleasure to serve her local church on the steering committee for disaster preparedness and…

While she is not dabbling in event coordination she is seeking out new ways to use her creativity and abilities to encourage awareness and support of causes that she believes in.

Rhonni has worn many hats in her lifetime with careers as a speech and language pathologist in both medical and academic settings, a building project manager, interior creative designer and the executive director of an international non-profit ministry. But the most treasured hat she wears is that of the wife to Bill Greig III and the mother to their three children. Rhonni has taught women’s Bible studies and Sunday School classes as well as lectured on the subjects of children’s…

Lauren Grubaugh is a writer, translator and activist. She pursued her Master of Divinity at Fuller Theological Seminary. When she’s not writing, you can usually find her dancing to Latin Jazz or serving at the Spanish service at All Saints Episcopal Church. Learn more about Lauren and contact her at her Website: http://www.laurengrubaugh.com

Luke lives in London where he works for Reality Church London and studies at Reformed Theological Seminary. For Luke, raised in Surrey England, church was part of the routine, but little else. Fast forward a few years and when making the most of the long summer breaks in-between university terms Luke found himself working at a children’s camp in West Virginia, USA. Realizing how truly sovereign and loving God is, Luke relinquished control of his life and surrendered himself wholeheartedly…

Paige is a nature enthusiast who enjoys the beauty of simplicity. She is a fourth grade teacher fueled by coffee and essential oils. She dabbles in songwriting, journaling, gardening, camping and minimalism. From October 2016 to September 2017, Paige served in 11 countries with The World Race, more information at the link below...

Jon Johnson is a missionary serving with his wife and three sons in Guatemala. Jon is avid about discipling and developing individuals, families, businesses, and churches to engage in Kingdom work that brings glory to God. After completing 13 years of military service in the US Navy Seabees, Jon transitioned to construction management before becoming a full-time missionary with Shepherds Staff. Jon holds a Bachelor of Science in Religion from Liberty University and a Masters in Business Administration from BIOLA…

Kelsey Kammeraad is an opera singer and proud Michigan native who resides in San Diego. A flickering candle, opera in her ears, and a journal in hand is the perfect Friday night, and nothing compares to the sizzle of a cast iron skillet or the excitement of a good drumline. She believes true gratitude is in noticing the little things, and she has found beauty in expressing her Joy Jitters on her blog joyjitters.wordpress.com

Sydney lives in California where she is an Athletic Trainer. She served on a long term mission for a year in Santiago, Chile partnering with Ibero American Ministries and serving at a local church where she helped with the new youth ministry programs, the young adult group, construction, and facilitation of teams that came to serve on short term trips from the United States. She has a passion for experiencing the Kingdom of God across the globe and is always…

Teresa is a bivocational minister and family physician, and she serves at New Life Community Church in Lincoln Heights, a Servant Partners related ministry in Los Angeles, California. She received her M.D. in 2010 and is currently living and working in the vibrant community of East Los Angeles. One of her passions is taking care of expectant mothers, delivering their babies and helping them transition into motherhood, something her own motherhood journey has enriched. She enjoys experiencing and creating mixed…

Carson currently serves as Interim Lead Pastor at Trinity Church in Wenatchee, WA. CLICK the link below to see a video about Carson's new book, "Wake Up Into My Love: How the pain of becoming a father unlocked the grace of being a son."

Carole Lewis served as the national director of First Place 4 Health from 1987-2013. Carole is a popular speaker and author of 15 books. She leads conferences, workshops and seminars with an emphasis on personal and spiritual balance, fitness, encouragement and temperament analysis. Carole became a widow in June 2014. She has two adult children and one deceased, eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren, including her two oldest great grandchildren, Luke and Kate, in this photo with Carole. Her book…

Gerard and Jeannie Long have a story that will shatter you and give you hope. Gerard served for many years as the Executive Director of Alpha USA and more recently as President of Awakening to God Ministries (ATG) and Executive Director, Prayer at the Heart Inc. They launched ATG with the vision of reaching millions of people with a bigger vision of God’s love, power and purpose. God has worked an unusual story into their lives and they’re sharing from…

We are Belinda and Graham Marsh (Blin & Gray), from the UK, now living in Zimbabwe, Southern Africa. For sixteen years, we were senior leaders in a church on the south coast of England. Without doubt, it was an amazing journey with some incredible people. In 2019, we became increasingly aware that things were changing and a new story was emerging. We became convinced it was time for us (and others like us) to move out beyond our four walls…

Megan spends most of her time writing and playing music in the indie/folk/rock band The Brave Kind. She hopes to tell stories that speak of the good, hard, hopeful, and true things of being human so that people might feel not so alone. In the process of learning how to be a real person she believes a good taco and a plunge into the nearest body of water can bring refreshment to the weariest of souls.

Kathy was raised in Alaska and has taught in public schools in seven different states and at all levels, from Kindergarten through college. She was raised in a pastor's home and is married to Dr. David A. Slamp, a pastor. Through her speaking and writing, Kathy inspires and challenges her audiences to grasp the basic and vital Biblical concept, We are all chosen to carry this amazing treasure: Christ in you is the hope of glory. As Christians in this…

Chelsie Balli Stunrod grew up in a ministry-entrenched family, seeking to develop a relationship with God for herself at a young age and she has come to understand her calling as a pastor’s kid. Chelsie mentors kids and youth at her home church and she has partnered with ministries in various nations, including Uganda, India and Cambodia. She completed her undergraduate studies at Biola University, receiving a Bachelor of Science in mathematics with minors in communication studies, elementary education, and…

Hayley believes the answer to tree swings and dance parties is always yes. She seeks to be a professional never-giver-upper, a forever learner, and an encourager of the discouraged. If someone was hiring for the position of Sugar Plum Fairy, she would apply. For now, she seeks to live a life that is marked by love and integrity and to find the sacred in the ordinary.

Busy is originally from just outside Liverpool, England and she now lives in Watford, north of London. Busy is passionate about Jesus, community and loves meeting new people. When not chatting over a cup of tea, she can be found watching films and baking cakes. If you ever need to win her over, the way to her heart is with pretty stationery.

Brandon has been in ministry for over 20 years as a volunteer, intern, camp dean, youth pastor, and he currently is one of the pastors at North Coast Church near San Diego, CA. He and his wife Michelle got married in April of 2014. They have 4 children: 3 biological boys and 1 adopted daughter. Brandon loves movie scores, with some of his favorites being Transformers: The Score, Braveheart, Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, Westworld, and TRON: Legacy.…