Karen Bell ~ Author

February 6, 2018

Author

Karen Bell

6:00 p.m. EST

Karen Nolan Bell, an award-winning writer of fiction and memoir, writes as Karen Lynn Nolan. Her debut novel, Above the Fog, releases in November 2018. Karen’s stories appear in the anthologies, Stupid Moments, Merry Christmas Moments, and soon-to-be-released Coola-nary Moments. Her other loves include music, theater, art, reading mysteries, and being pampered by her only son. She resides in Atlanta. Contact Karen at karennolanbell@gmail.com, on Twitter @KarenNolanBell, or www.diamondsinmycoalbucket.blogspot.com.

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Karen Bell

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Andy Clapp

January 23, 2018

Author & Pastor

Andy Clapp

6:00 p.m. EST

Andy Clapp is an author and a pastor who lives in North Carolina. His passion for Jesus has pushed him to strive to reach a lost world as a pastor and as an author. Whether it is speaking to a group of ten, delivering a message to over a hundred, or in those quiet moments while in his office writing, his goal is to lead others to Christ.

Andy lives in his hometown with his wife, Crystal, and their two daughters, Cheyenne and Autumn. He is represented by Cyle Young, Hartline Literary Agency. To learn more, continue through the website: www.Andyclapp.org. Make sure you check out his blog and sign up for his newsletter.

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Andy Clapp

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Cheryl and Chuck Knapp ~ Author & Fighter of Alzheimer's Disease

January 9, 2018

Author & Fighter of Alzheimer’s Disease

Cheryl Crofoot Knapp & Husband Chuck

6:00 p.m. EST

Cheryl Crofoot Knapp is passionate about using her life experiences to encourage others. She is a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, speaker, author, blogger, and Mrs. Minnesota-America 1996.

            Her book, Undefeated Innocence: How God Helped My Parents and Me Navigate the Alzheimer’s Journey, combines personal and humorous anecdotes with Biblical truths to share His hope and encouragement to caregivers, and includes factual information and research. Cheryl was a caregiver for her parents who both died of Alzheimer’s. She cried out to God, “Where are you in Alzheimer’s?” Undefeated Innocence is a study of the Beatitudes with the fruit of the Spirit, and includes lessons and tools she learned in caregiving.

            Undefeated Innocence is a challenge to find God’s calling and to know that His grace is always sufficient. Cheryl believes that those who have been through much are called to give much. She encourages readers to find passionate patience, look for life’s collateral beauty, and recognize that it’s okay to store toothpaste in an underwear drawer.

She and her husband are members of First Baptist Church of Mountain Home (Arkansas). She participates in Walks to End Alzheimer’s and has served in Bible study, worship, evangelism, and prison ministries. She founded Regifted Grace Ministry and shares her contagious faith at conferences, retreats, banquets, and churches, as well as on television and radio.

            Her husband Chuck is inducted into the Minnesota Broadcasters Hall of Fame and is highlighted as one of only a hundred radio jocks in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum in Cleveland.

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Cheryl Knapp

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Susan Mathis ~ Author and VP of Christian Authors Network

November 14, 2017

Author and VP of Christian Authors Network

Susan Mathis

6:00 p.m. EST

Susan is a versatile writer, creating both fiction and non-fiction for adults and children. Her debut novel, The Fabric of Hope: An Irish Family Legacy, released on March 17th, St. Patrick’s Day!

Before Susan jumped into the fiction world, her first two books were nonfiction, co-authored with her husband, Dale. Countdown for Couples: Preparing for the Adventure of Marriage made the Tyndale best-seller list for several weeks, went international with an Indonesian version and a Spanish version, and has helped thousands of couples. Their second book, The ReMarriage Adventure: Preparing for a Life of Love and Happiness, has helped thousands of couples getting ready to blend their families.

Susan is the Founding Editor of Thriving Family magazine and the former Editor/Editorial Director of 12 Focus on the Family publications including the Focus on the Family magazine and the Focus on Your Child newsletters. Susan is also the author of her first two indie-published picture books, Lexie’s Adventure in Kenya: Love is Patient and Princess Madison’s Rainbow Adventure.

After many years writing non-fiction, Susan’s writing has taken a fresh new turn, impassioned by extensive research into her own family’s history. She is thoroughly enjoying her second life as a novelist. She loves the world of fiction and letting her imagination run wild to create inspiring stories.

Susan is vice president of Christian Authors Network (CAN) and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), the Association of Women Speakers & Authors (AWSA), the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), and Evangelical Press Association (EPA).

Discover more about Bethany and her books at www.susangmathis.com.

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Susan Mathis

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Linda Rondeau ~ Award Winning Author

October 17, 2017

Award Winning Author

Linda Rondeau

6:00 p.m. EST

Selah Award winner, and Carol Awards finalist, Linda Wood Rondeau writes to demonstrate that our worst past, surrendered to God, becomes our best future. Her books are inspired by her many years as a social worker, why her voice hits home with complex characters who walk off the page, and why readers relate to her non-fiction as well.

Humor, another guarantee in a Rondeau book, is also prevalent in her non-fiction. She is a frequent guest on blogs, online magazines, traditionally published periodicals and writes a recurring column for her hometown newspaper, Malone Telegram.

The author is a breast cancer survivor and a recovering food addict. A Toastmaster graduate, she enjoys speaking to groups on her experiences as well as the writing life. The author loves to hear from readers. You may contact her through her website, www.lindarondeau.com, on Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Google Plus, Linked In, or via any of her publishers.

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Linda Rondeau

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Katie Heid ~ Professional Speaker

October 12, 2017

Professional Speaker

Katie Heid

6:00 p.m. EST

Katie Heid has spent the better part of her career talking. Whether it’s been as a women’s retreat speaker, member of her church’s speaking team, radio and television reporter, teacher, or a mom who has to repeat things one too many times, it’s clear she’s got the gift of gab. She also loves Jesus and people. Her lifelong journey with Jesus has shown her that since his greatest passion is loving people, that should be her passion too. Katie lives a chaotic life in Michigan with her husband and two sons. It’s a life she wouldn’t trade for the world. (Although, she would rent it out in exchange for a good nap.)

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Katie Heid

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Bethany Bontrager

October 31, 2017

Author & Renaissance Housewife

Bethany Bontrager

6:00 p.m. EST

Bethany and her husband Joe both grew up in frugal families. Bethany grew up on garage sale clothes and never remembers her parents driving new cars. Ever. Being homeschooled, she was raised outside of mainstream culture. Because of personal connections and work ethic, neither she or Joe had a problem finding jobs; Bethany worked as a secretary and Joe worked in construction.

Once married, Bethany quit her job and become a full-time housewife. Joe recently took over the family business, so there was plenty of opportunity for Bethany to help in that area as well. She also pursued writing, hobby farming, gardening, selling things on Ebay and other projects. Bethany finds homemaking incredibly rewarding and fulfilling.

Why be frugal if you don't have to? When you lower your standard of living, it creates a cushion of extra money. Depending on your income, this can be a huge cushion. Everywhere you look, people are eating, wearing, and driving their money away. They are throwing away their influence and ability to make the world better. It’s often not intentional; it's just the way folks have been raised. Being frugal helps save for the future or help a friend in need.

Discover more about Bethany and her books at www.therenaissancehousewife.com.

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 Bethany Bontrager

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Eddie Jones & Cindy Sproles

December 26, 2017

Merry Christmas

Eddie Jones & Cindy Sproles

6:00 p.m. EST

A Speak UP Merry Christmas from the Christian Devotions Ministry Founders Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles.

Eddie is Founder and CEO of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas and co-founder of Christian Devotions Ministries. He is also an award-winning novelist of middle-grade fiction for boys. In 2016 LPC was named Publisher of the Year at the Greater Philadelphia Writers Conference.

Cindy Sproles is an author and speaker. She is the cofounder of Christian Devotions Ministries and the co writer of the popular He Said, She Said Devotions written with her cofounder, Eddie Jones. She is a novelist and best-selling author. She is a speaker to women’s conferences addressing not only the heart of women, but also their biblical responsibilities to their families. As a teacher and speaker for Christian Writers Conferences, Cindy teaches writing skills and how to write placing God in the forefront.  She is a contributing author to CBN.com and is the Executive Editor for www.christiandevotions.us and the Managing Editor for Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas’ imprints: SonRise Devotionals and Straight Street Books. Her book, New Sheets – Thirty Days to Refine You Into the Woman You Can Be is being used to help raise funds for Hope House, an abortion crisis center and her novel, Mercy’s Rain, is giving a voice to children who suffer sexual child abuse. Cindy is also the coauthor of He Said, She Said – A  Devotional Guide to Cultivating a Life of  Passion. She is the mother of four adult sons and  lives in the mountains of East Tennessee with her husband. Cindy can be contacted at www.cindysproles.com or by emailing cindyksproles@gmail.com.

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Eddie Jones Cindy Sproles

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Michelle Sullivan ~ Professional Speaker

September 26, 2017

Professional Speaker

Michelle Sullivan

6:00 p.m. EST

Michelle has been a sought after speaker for over 20 years. Her transparency and engaging style when speaking about real-life situations as a woman, wife and mom move her audience to both laughter and tears. Whether speaking about sex in marriage, what it looks like to respect your man, how to fight the blues, or the remarkable story of how her third son, Tanner, had half of his brain removed at the age of eight. Michelle will take your group on a transforming journey where each woman attending will come away refreshed, equipped and delighted she came to your event.

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Michelle Sullivan

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Tonight's Show with Cindy Sproles

September 19, 2017

Author & Conference Director

Cindy Sproles

6:00 p.m. EST

Cindy Sproles is an author and speaker. She is the cofounder of Christian Devotions Ministries and the co writer of the popular He Said, She Said Devotions written with her cofounder, Eddie Jones. She is a novelist and best-selling author. Cindy’s devotions and articles are published in Christian newspapers across the eastern seaboard, including having been used to represent legislature for protection of the elderly. She is a speaker to women’s conferences addressing not only the heart of women, but also their biblical responsibilities to their families. As a teacher and speaker for Christian Writers Conferences, Cindy teaches writing skills and how to write placing God in the forefront. 

She is a contributing author to CBN.com and is the Executive Editor for www.christiandevotions.us and the Managing Editor for Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas’ imprints: SonRise Devotionals and Straight Street Books. She is a certified life coach and mentor, an eldercare specialist and a special needs advocate. Her book, New Sheets – Thirty Days to Refine You Into the Woman You Can Be is being used to help raise funds for Hope House, an abortion crisis center and her novel, Mercy’s Rain, is giving a voice to children who suffer sexual child abuse. Cindy is also the coauthor of He Said, She Said – A  Devotional Guide to Cultivating a Life of  Passion.

She is the mother of four adult sons and  lives in the mountains of East Tennessee with her husband. Cindy can be contacted at www.cindysproles.com or by emailing cindyksproles@gmail.com.

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  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/christian-devotions/2017/09/19/the-christian-writing-family-with-cindy-sproles-on-speak-up

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Carol McClain on Speak UP!

September 12, 2017

Author

Carol McClain

6:00 p.m. EST

McClain's always been a storyteller. As a child, she composed plays and forced her friends to act. She'd help rally the neighborhood kids and together they'd re-enact their favorite TV shows. Sadly, when the boys played, she never got to be the heroine--just the damsel in distress. Since then she's discovered the benefits of needing rescue, and so it's a role she prefers.

McClain lived most her her life in rural, upstate New York where taught high school English for more than thirty years. After years of teaching students how to write, she turned her attention to her own novels.

She has three books. DWF: Divorced White Female and Waters of Separation, both were Grace Award Finalists. Her latest release, The Poison We Drink was released in December 2016.

She spends her time writing, playing with her Springer spaniel and exploring the world with her husband.

 

You can connect with her at www.carolmcclain.com or on facebook or twitter.

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Carol McClain

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Joshua and Lanae Schlessman on Speak UP!

September 7, 2017

Professional Music Duo &

Christian Artist

Joshua and Lanaé Schlessman

6:00 p.m. EST

"Five years, two children later and a lot of life in between, I am putting my heart to paper and letting it peek into the open air once again. These years have been good and sweet and tragic and broken all at the same time. I lost one of my dearest friends and one of my greatest champions very suddenly and far too soon, my momma. The painful end to my label career gave my spirit much needed space to breathe and time to re-collect my heart and passions. The hiatus of one career marked the beginning of a new one in motherhood. It is special and dear and my heart will never be the same...in the most wonderful way.

Death and life.... Loss and gain... Still hope and dreams begin to rise from tears to create...to dance unashamed and fearless....embracing the mess until it breaks into beauty...

So here it is, a reluctant attempt to find my voice in the calm rolling wake of life's hurricane...." - Lanaé​

Lanaé's haunting, ethereal voice has been heard in multiple mediums: TV shows, film, and at Christmas time, her evergreen arrangement of "Carol of the Bells" is played on radio stations all over the country. Her moving, translucent lyrics layered over sounds that are interesting, yet accessible have landed her on stages all over the world from Denmark to the United States and many cities in between, playing festival stages in front of thousands all the way down to intimate songwriter nights.

Her husband Josh has stood by her this whole time. He has been involved in the music industry himself for 15 years, holding various roles at record labels and artist management companies. However, it wasn't until Lanaé's most recent, self-titled, EP that the two of them had a chance to work together.  Lanaé's new song, "I Still Do" gives a glimpse into their relationship and why working together on this new EP is their best season together yet. Living in Tennessee with their two children, the two of them will be celebrating their 10-year wedding anniversary next year.

Discover Lanae’s music: www.lanaemusic.com

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Joshua and Lanae Schlessman

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Molly White on Speak UP!

August 22, 2017

Former Texas State Representative

Author

Molly White

6:00 p.m. EST

Molly White is a former Texas State Representative in House District 55. Prior to running for office she was a pro-life, grassroots activist, public speaker and published author. From 2001 to present day Molly serves as the Texas Leader of Operation Outcry, a project of the Justice Foundation. She was the founder and director of Redeemed for Life Ministries and Women for Life International, a co-host on Faces of Abortion television show and the host of the Redeemed for Life radio talk show.

Molly White has appeared on numerous national and international television shows, news stations, documentaries, press conferences. Her expertise on pro-life issues has resulted in invitations to speak at Christian, political, civic, and medical events all over the United States and seven different countries.

She has led the largest pro-life delegations to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women conferences, and has attended the UN Conference on Population and the World Conference on Youth both in New York and Geneva, Switzerland. During these events Molly met with heads of nations, political leaders, Christian leaders, and hundreds of women leaders to talk about the importance of defending life, motherhood, marriage, and families. White’s most rewarding work is leading dozens of people to Christ and ministering to countless hurting men and women all around the world, including on the floor of the House of Representatives.

Molly graduated from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor with a degree in psychology. She has been married to Ronald White for 27 years. Together they have 3 children and 4 beautiful, sweet, adorable, fun, smart, fantastic grandchildren.

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Ane Mulligan on Speak UP!

August 15, 2017

Author & Director

Ane Mulligan

6:00 p.m. EST

While a large, floppy straw hat is her favorite, Ane Mulligan has worn many different ones: hairdresser, legislative affairs director (that's a fancy name for a lobbyist), drama director, playwright, humor columnist, and novelist. Her lifetime experience provides a plethora of fodder for her Southern-fried fiction (try saying that three times fast).

Ane firmly believes coffee and chocolate are two of the four major food groups. Her passion when she isn't writing her Southern-fried Fiction, is Community Theatre. She's Creative Director of Players Guild@Sugar Hill, an avocational non-profit theatre group, where she and her husband act, direct, build sets, and are chief gofors.

Contributor to the award-winning literary site, Novel Rocket, Ane resides in Sugar Hill, GA, with her artist husband, her chef son, and a wooly mammoth.

If you'd like to see a map of Chapel Springs showing you where all the characters live, visit http://www.anemulligan.com

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This Week's Show ~ Jake McCandless

July 26, 2017

Prophecy Simplified

Jake McCandless

6:00 p.m. EST

Jake McCandless is an author and former pastor who serves as the executive director and lead speaker for Prophecy Simplified. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Bible from Central Baptist College (2004) and an Advanced Masters of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (2009). Much of his theological training has been in the field of eschatology. He has received numerous academic awards and recognitions in ministry, such as the Zondervan National Greek Award and the prestigious Yousef Costa Excellence in Preaching Award from Central Baptist College. He has spent the past eleven years as lead pastor of Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, AR, and just recently made the difficult decision to step away from the pastorate to lead Prophecy Simplified.  He spent seven years as a youth evangelist with Sold Out Ministries and has been involved on staff in churches since 1998.

Jake is an award winning author. His book is titled Spiritual Prepper. He also writes for several publications such as the Baptist Press, Almost an Author, and Inspire a Fire. You can discover his ministry here: http://prophecysimplified.com.

Jake is married to Amanda. She’s an elementary school teacher, but currently stays home with their two daughters, Andrea (2011) and Addison (2013). Jake enjoys time with family, ministry, hunting, fishing, coffee, writing, and college football.

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Jake McCandless

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Jo Ann Maxwell on Speak UP!

Author

Jo Ann Maxwell

6:00 p.m. EST

July 18, 2017

Jo Ann Maxwell has had a successful career as a teacher and a senior level nonprofit executive. Since retiring, she has been assisting her aging parents. She is active as a volunteer at the Billy Graham Training Center in Asheville, NC. Jo Ann loves to read, play Mahjong, play brain games on her tablet and swim (which is her real love). She loves the Lord and is active in her church. Jo Ann tries each day to live out 2 Corinthians 3:3–”clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.”

When Jo Ann Maxwell was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at the age of 60, signs along the way in her life became clear. Her faith, independence, and fearlessness in life were threatened. You are invited to share her struggles and find the hope she has. Fearless is how Jo Ann worked through various trials and tribulations to find the fearless spirit she thought she lost. She gives God all the glory for never giving up on her. Find her book at http://www.westbowpress.com/bookstore/bookdetail.aspx?bookid=SKU-001082593.

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Jo Ann Maxwell

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This Week on Speak UP! ~ Tim Martin

July 11, 2017

All-Star Game Special

Boston Red Sox Scout

Tim Martin

6:00 p.m. EST

Tim Martin has been involved with baseball his entire life. His quest to make his dream come true started in 1984 with a free agent signing to the Pittsburgh Pirates. He played in the Gulf Coast League and the New York Penn League in his first two season of professional baseball before Tommy John surgery ended his playing days.

After ten years separated from the game, he returned as a coach and a scout. His days coaching high school baseball for Minford High were fruitful, as he led the team to a 331-142 record. This earned him the Ohio District Coaches Hall of Fame award.

Tim also continues to scout for Major League Baseball. Over the last twenty years, he’s been employed by the St. Louis Cardinals, Montreal Expos, Florida Marlins and now with the Boston Red Sox.

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Boston Red Sox Scout Tim Martin