Trillia Newbell is the author of several books, including A Great Cloud of Witnesses, Sacred Endurance, If God Is For Us, Fear and Faith, and the children’s books Creative God, Colorful Us and God’s Very Good Idea. In addition to her writing, she serves as acquisitions director at Moody Publishers, where she encourages and supports other writers. Trillia and her husband, Thern, live near Nashville, Tennessee, with their two children.

Sandra holds a master’s degree in Theological Studies from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and a PhD in Hebrew Bible from Harvard University. She is the author of The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament and Stewards of Eden: What Scripture Says About the Environment and Why It Matters (both from IVP). Sandra serves as the Robert H. Gundry chair of Biblical Studies at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California, and is a member of the NIV Committee for Biblical Translation. She and her husband, Steven, have two daughters, Noël and Elise.

Dr. Gloria Grell mentors women, teaches God’s Word, and equips others to fulfill God’s purposes. She has served as a pastor’s wife, missionary, ministry to women leader, director of ministry to women for the EFCA’s Great Lakes District, and adjunct professor at Moody Bible Institute. She is director emeritus of Prepared, the EFCA’s equipping program for women in ministry leadership. Gloria holds an MDiv and DMin from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. She and her husband, Daniel, have five married children and sixteen grandchildren.

Dr. Mary Hendrickson (EdD) is associate professor of Human Services at Moody Bible Institute. She previously served as assistant director of admissions and adjunct professor of counseling psychology in the MA in counseling psychology program at North Park University. A licensed professional counselor in Illinois, she has worked as a marriage and family therapist and pastoral counselor in Pasadena, California, and Brooklyn, New York. She lives in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, with her husband, Craig, and their daughter, Amaya.

Kristin Jacobson has taught the Bible in schools and churches for more than 15 years and most recently served as a women’s ministry director. She is passionate about equipping and encouraging others to use their gifts in God’s service. A graduate of Moody Bible Institute and a Chicagoland native, Kristin now lives in the Kansas City metro area, where her husband, Dan, serves as a pastor. They have three children.

Cyndi Leamon transitioned from a 21-year business career, including serving as vice president of education and events, into church staff ministry in response to God’s call. She spent 17 years leading and growing disciple-making ministries for women, children, and adults. She now serves as director for women in ministry with the Great Lakes District of the EFCA, supporting women’s leaders in more than 150 churches across four states. A graduate of Moody Bible Institute, Bethel University, and Villanova University, Cyndi and her husband, Mike, have three married children and seven grandchildren.

Misty Legler has served in local church leadership for more than 25 years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Louisville and a master’s degree in local church ministry from Grace Theological Seminary. She is passionate about helping people experience the transforming power of God’s Word and live it out in community. Misty has authored Bible studies for women and developed leadership training resources. She serves as director of groups and women’s ministry at Woodside Bible Church in Troy, Michigan. She and her husband, Stephen, have three adult children.

Dr. Pam MacRae is professor of Ministry to Women at Moody Bible Institute and has served in church and parachurch ministry to women for over 35 years, including 14 years as a pastor’s wife. She previously led women’s conferences for Moody before joining the faculty in 2004 to oversee the ministry to women major and is a frequent speaker at women’s retreats and seminars. She studied at Moody Bible Institute and Trinity International University, earned a master’s in ministry from Moody, and a DMin from Bethel Seminary. Pam and her husband, Bob, a professor of youth ministry at Moody, have co-taught “Marriage and Family Systems” and enjoy leading marriage conferences. They have two married daughters and six grandchildren. 

Christy Spader (BA, Moody Bible Institute; MA, Wheaton College) serves as minister for women and groups at Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park and as an adjunct professor of discipleship at Wheaton College. She is passionate about helping women grow as faithful, wise ministers of the gospel with deep dependence on Jesus. She enjoys exploring Chicago coffee shops and playing volleyball on North Avenue Beach.

Bri Stensrud is an author, human dignity advocate, and director of Women of Welcome. She equips the church to engage consistently and tangibly in holistic human dignity issues, especially regarding immigrants and refugees. Her background in the pro-life movement shaped her pursuit of a holistic, biblical perspective on vulnerable people. She holds a master’s degree in biblical and theological studies from Dallas Theological Seminary, serves on the board of directors for the National Association of Evangelicals, and is the author of Start with Welcome and the children’s book The Biggest Best Light. Her work has been featured on the cover of USA Today, CBS Morning News, CBS Evening News, Religious News Service (RNS), and others.

Laura Tukker, a 1997 graduate of Moody Bible Institute, is a self-employed mother of three adult sons. Having left an abusive marriage, she is passionate about helping women and church leaders recognize abuse early and protect the vulnerable. She has ministered to many women in crisis, offering biblical guidance, counsel, and practical support. Laura co-hosts Naughty vs. Nice: A Christian Podcast, encouraging thoughtful engagement with Scripture. With a recent empty nest, she enjoys studying theology and watching football.

Kelli Worrall serves as chair of Music and Media Arts and is professor of Communications at Moody Bible Institute. She is the author of Pierced and Embraced and co-author (with her husband, Peter) of 20 Things We’d Tell Our Twenty-Something Selves. A regular contributor to Today in the Word, she also speaks at women’s retreats and events. Kelli and Peter live in McHenry, Illinois, with their two children.

Rebeca Delatorre has loved serving the Lord for as long as she can remember. Her parents instilled the importance of worship in her when she was a young girl. She grew up watching her mom and dad lead worship, and that's where her love and passion for it began. At a young age, she felt the weight of what it meant to be used by the Lord through praise and worship.

She's been blessed to be able to serve at different churches and events throughout Chicagoland. She currently attends Anthem Church in Hammond, Indiana, with her husband of eight years, Sergio, and their daughter, Sofia. Rebeca and Sergio have recently taken on worship for prayer nights at their church, and it has blessed their marriage in a beautiful way to be able to worship together on a weekly basis.

Rebeca's love of serving the Lord comes from a heart of gratitude for who God is in her life. Her hope and prayer is that whenever she leads worship, she can always point people to Jesus, no matter which walk of life they come from.

Shannon Walters has a heart for God and is passionate about serving others. She has loved the power of hymns and gospel music and first sang in church with her mom and dad at nine years old. She led the choir and praise team at Mt. Joy M.B. Church for over 23 years. In 2017, she transitioned to New Life Community Church (Midway) and has served as Worship Director since 2023. Shannon has been married to Caprice Walters, the love of her life, since 2008. Shannon’s heart is for people to know that worship actively retells the narrative of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Her prayer is for people to be reminded of the hope, love, and redemption found in Jesus the Christ each time we worship!