Inspire breakout descriptions web

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Breakout Sessions

Description

Andréa A. Michel

The Hope of God's Promises Understanding the hope of God’s promises allows us to shed the state of constant worry and wonder. Instead of worrying about our future, children, careers, etc., we are reassured by His promises. Instead of wondering about our next steps, we focus more on the present. Understanding God’s promises allows us to love, live, and give. It allows us to love freely, to live the abundant life Christ talks about and to give of ourselves. When we understand the hope of God’s promises we are no longer bound to society’s definition of what, when, who, why and how. We are free to create the life and walk the path that God has designed for us. God’s promises are all we need to live a fulfilling life.

Andrea Hopgood

What Story Are "YOU" Writing? How can God be the author of our life story if WE keep rewriting the script? Join me as we take a little adventure to discover what makes us take hold of the pen to help God write our story. We will travel through His Word to see how we can give the pen back to Him and live a life fully trusting and depending on His promises.

Annie F. Downs

Looking for Lovely Annie F. Downs shares personal stories, biblical truth, and examples of how others have courageously walked the path God paved for their lives by remembering all God had done, loving what was right in front of them, and seeing God in the everyday—whether that be nature, friends, or the face they see in the mirror.

Bill & Karen Search

How to Marry Your Best Friend Whether you are planning to be married or have been married for years, the fire is blazing or the embers feel as if they are burning out...learn some important things to love your spouse, become their biggest fan, and have a lot of fun along the way.

Caity Frans & Julie Creative Journaling Scheibe Learn some lettering styles and how to use typography in a casual setting even if you don't consider yourself an artist! Lean in as Julie shares about some of her favorite scriptures and Caity teaches you how to illustrate them as you journal your thoughts and prayers.

Catherine Draeger- Love from a Broken Cup Pederson Brokenness is a part of life, yet does not define who we are. Divorce, depression, loss of loved ones, financial ruin and other painful experiences often leave cracks behind and we find ourselves sitting alone, embarrassed to invite someone in when anything we have to offer is served in our broken cup. But is it possible that God may use our brokenness as a platform to love others? It is out of our pain... our broken cup... that we can truly come next to someone else as they need comfort and serve them. Eda Esilaba

Trust the Author Life doesn’t always go as planned, does it? Wait, but whose plan was it? Who’s script am I following? In this workshop we will explore TRUST in the Author of our individual stories. Allowing Him to script what only He can and shutting off the loud alternative scripts around us so we can focus on Him. Live out the adventure God is writing without inhibitions or baggage.

Heather Webb and Safe Families for Children Information Session Jennifer Shiller You can have great impact on your city. Come learn all about Safe Families for Children in Milwaukee and how you can be a part of helping families in crisis right in your own community.

Jenny Heckman

A Lifestyle of Forgiveness Forgiveness is one of the most misunderstood words and concepts. It is often presented to us as a simple, one-time action that leaves the forgiver angry and despairing; the forgivee unforgiven. Forgiveness is a sacred process, with identifiable tasks and stages. It is a process we use throughout our lifetime and across relationships. Together we will explore and learn the process of forgiveness and address the common hurdles and misconceptions that keep us from forgiveness. We will learn together that well-being of forgiver and forgivee are at stake when we diminish and ignore the forgiveness process. The desired outcome of our time together is a renewed understanding that forgiveness is a lifestyle; exemplified in the life of Jesus, and one we are empowered to embrace through the Holy Spirit. A lifestyle of forgiveness says to the world “the kingdom of God is among us!”

Jodi Lucas

Lunch & Laugh with Jodi Lucas Enjoy your lunch and have some giggles with a time of improve and some interactive fun.

Kelli Worrall

When God Waits Kelli Worrall will share her own story of time spent in the waiting room. Then she will share what God’s word has to say to those of us who wait. If you are in a season of waiting for an answer or circumstances to change you will want to hear Kelli's miraculous story that will build your faith for things to come.

Krista Heinen

#NotMyStory “Play the lead in your story,” I read in the mirror while trying on clothes, and thought to myself: do I really want to be the lead? What if it’s not my story? God is writing His story and He’s designed a part specifically for me. In this session, we will explore how to release control so we can shine in the role God has crafted for each of us. Dealing with Stress and Anxiety Who isn't stressed today? How do I know if it is something to worry about? How can I decrease my stress level? How can I deal with it all? In this seminar we will explore God's original design for our mind and body and how today's societal messages may not be so helpful. Most importantly, we will learn techniques and coping skills to deal with stress and anxiety.

Lynsey Steiner

Margo Fieseler

Flipping Your Focus: Learning to Be Content in a Discontented World With all the pressures, deadlines, family issues and world chaos…how can I possibly be content? It all depends on where your focus lies. Even with life problems swirling about arising unbidden emotions... all it takes is readjusting your focus by looking through God's lens. Remember, you become who you focus on.

Rev. Lisa Rodriguez

When Faith is Weak and Strength is Gone In life we never count on the sudden circumstances that land us in the darkest of pits. Surrounded by fear, doubt, and discouragement, it can drain you of faith and leave you feeling hopelessly alone. Have you ever wondered how you can possibly strengthen yourself in the LORD when strength is gone? If your battles have left you secretly asking, “What in the world is going on?”, or wondering if God’s favor has departed from you, I have a few things to say! Come hear some of the precious nuggets God has for us when faith is weak and strength is gone.

Sarah & Ted Nielsen

Just Keep Going: Spiritual Encouragement from the Mom of a Troubled Teen Glean some wisdom and encouragement from a mom and son who have walked through some tough times together. Two persectives and a redeeming testimony to help breath life into a difficult journey.

Sean Keith

Being A Worshipping Church God loves a worshipping church. Music is created by God and a vital component of our corporate worship as we express our thankfulness for His love for us. Join me in this special one-time session offered to teach about the importance of worship both personally and corporately.

Shanthini Baskaran

What's in a Name? Names are incredibly personal things. It’s how we identify ourselves. In this seminar we will journey through the book of Ruth as we look at the ways we define ourselves, how that shapes our identity and forms or deforms the way we see ourselves. Like Ruth, we will then consider what it means to be defined by God.

Bio Andréa A. Michel is extremely practical in her approach to applying the Bible to everyday life. One of her greatest strengths is her ability to communicate with everyone. For the past 15 years, Andréa has been a Bible study and small group leader. She has a passion for seeing women reach their full potential as a single woman or wife, career-loving mother or stay-athome mom, empty-nester or retiree. She believes there is a place for everyone, no matter where you are in life. She completely relies on God’s promises to walk the path God has designed for her and encourages others to do the same.

Andrea has a passion for presenting God’s Word in such a way that it becomes a lifestyle, not just religion. During her 24-year career, she has served as a children’s pastor, led various women’s ministry studies and events, and is a presenter at numerous conferences. She currently serves at the Children’s Associate Pastor at Elmbrook Church and is a contributor to Group Publishing Children’s Ministry Magazine. Andrea is married to Bruce and is the mother of two daughters, one in college and one in high school. Annie F. Downs is an author and speaker based in Nashville, TN. She weaves together personal stories, humor, and Scripture and invites those listening to experience fulfilled lives with a God who made them on purpose and loves them. While she loves writing books, blogs, artivles, thank-you notes - Annie also enjoys traveling around the world speaking to women of all ages. Karyn and Bill Search have been married 20 years, are blessed with two teenage girls and an elementary son. They have ministered in churches from Michigan to Kentucky to California. Many years ago they began praying, “God help us love you and each other more every day.” And by His grace He answers that prayer. Caity Frans is a 26 year old graphic designer at Elmbrook Church who is passionate about studying and journaling God's Word. When she isn't doodling, she is starting a new crochet project or practicing painting with watercolors. You can follow her latest creations on instagram by searching @lady.caity.1990.

Catherine Draeger-Pederson has been an Executive Director and Nonprofit Entrepreneur for over 12 years. She has empowered movements of people to love the ‘neighbors’ all around them. Yet it was Catherine’s most difficult times both professionally and personally that fueled her desire to write and speak from an open heart. Author of Faith, Hope & Love: When the World Is Not As It Should Be and has been published in Just Between Us magazine. She earned her Master’s Degree in Christian Studies from Trinity International University. She lives in Milwaukee, WI with her husband, Eric Pederson, and 3 children. Eda Esilaba is a passionate follower of Jesus, married to Albo (Pastor at Elmbrook Church); Albo and Eda have been blessed with 3 boys. Eda has a passion to see God’s people influencesociety and culture. A passion she expressed through an organization she founded in Nairobi, Kenya where she is from. Since moving to Wisconsin she is focusing on her family and is an aspiring social entrepreneur.

Heather Webb was the Executive Director of Safe Families for Children in Milwaukee for the past two years. She has a B.S. from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL and two MA degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. She has worked for churches and non-profits in Wisconsin and Africa for the last 15 years. Heather has four children and is married to Jason Webb, Senior Pastor of Elmbrook Church. She loves a good book by her fireplace, good conversation with friends, and anything outdoors in the sunshine. Jennifer Shiller is the Executive Director of Safe Families for Children in Milwaukee. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a Master of Social Work degree, specializing in Interpersonal Practice, School Social Work and Community Organizations. She has worked for multiple school districts, held leadership positions in numerous ministry organizations that serve vulnerable people groups and has taken some time off along the way to raise her children. Jennifer enjoys caring for her family which includes her husband, three sons and one daughter. She attends Epikos Church and loves being involved with her small group and children's ministry. Jenny Heckman is a licensed professional counselor in private practice. She has been married to Mark for 26 years and has four children: three emerging adults and one high-schooler. She served as a pastor at Elmbrook and Brew City Churches for 19 years before transitioning to private practice four years ago. She enjoys teaching, training, and leadership development along with her practice. To stay sane and healthy she is a runner and triathlete. Learning, living and inviting others to a lifestyle of forgiveness has become her personal and missional focus.

Kelli Worrall is a Professor of Communications at Moody Bible Institute. Her first book, 20 Things We’d Tell Our Twentysomething Selves, released in October 2015. Kelli studied Communications at Cedarville University, Religious Education at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (MRE), and Creative Writing at Roosevelt University (MFA). In addition to teaching, Kelli enjoys writing and speaking at women’s events, marriage retreats, and young adult conferences. She is currently working on her second book, A Piercing Embrace: 7 LifeChanging Encounters with the Fierce Love of Christ. You can learn more about Kelli and read some of her writing on her blog: thisoddhouse.org. The Worrallslive in McHenry, IL, and have two amazing children through adoption: Daryl (8) and Amelia (5).

Krista Heinen is the Pastor of NextGen at Elmbrook Church-Brookfield, overseeing birth through college age ministries. She is passionate about helping the next generation find their place in God's big story. She is also a monthly contributor to HomeFront, a Christian family magazine, dedicating to encouraging and equipping parents.

Lynsey is a Licensed Professional Counselor, working at New Life Resources in Waukesha, WI working with children, adolescents, and adults. She has had 18 years of counseling experience with outpatient and community mental health services, and has worked with diverse counseling issues in both suburban and inner city contexts. She helps individuals discover their unique personal strengths and utilize these strengths in their families and community. Lynsey's husband serves on staff at Elmbrook church. She has 3 young children and lives in Wauwatosa.

Margo's one and only goal is to know Christ personally, passionately, powerfully and preeminently…everything else flows from that one goal. Christ's impact can be seen through her teaching, speaking and writing. Her contagious passion and energy speak right into your heart. Her husband, two daughters, collie and a horse are her joy and inspiration. Plus, Starbucks decaf (any kind) and guacamole (with cilantro) are usually by herside.

Speaking at churches and conferences for over 35 years, Lisa sees the real need for the Body of Christ to be strengthened and encouraged in this hour. She uses life lessons to help inspire and motivate others to have a deeper relationship with God. She is an author, teacher and speaker as well as an everyday wife, mom, and grandmother. Her down-to-earth speaking and transparency allows others to look at life’s situations with honesty and hope

Sarah Nielsen is the author of Just Keep Going: Spiritual Encouragement from the Mom of a Troubled Teen. She writes a blog of hope on www.JustKeepGoingParents.com, her website full of resources for parents of children struggling with substance abuse. Married to Bush and mom to three sons and two daughters-in-law, she mentors women and speaks to groups and one-onone with parents. Ted Nielsen is a Residence Hall Director and Residence Life Marketing Coordinator at Augsburg College in Minneapolis. In long-term recovery for substance abuse, Ted actively works his own recovery program, volunteers, and speaks to groups about addiction and recovery. Sean Keith is the Worship Arts Pastor of Elmbrook Church. Besides leading worship, he is passionate about building teams and leading people. Sean is a songwriter, arranger and producer. He has been highlighted in Worship Leader Magazine and, in 2011, his single, Amen, was featured in Max Lucado's CD, Out Live Your Life. Sean and his wife, Lisa, have been married for 24 years and they have four children. They are a musical family and passionate about worship in the local church. The daughter of national missionaries in southern India, Shanthini, has a deep love for God and world missions. Shanthini is a clinical psychologist by training. Combining a witty style and seasoned life experience, she is a counselor, international speaker and bible study writer. She loves to encourage others to ground their lives in Jesus Christ. Shanthini is a storyteller and her stories bring a fresh perspective to what discipleship looks like. She serves at Elmbrook Church, Brookfield, Wisconsin, as part of the Adult discipleship teaching team, and the Care ministries. Her husband Vinod and her together serve in caring for missionaries and as marriage mentors. She has 2 sons in college and home schools her daughter.