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Deuteronomy 1:8

Are You Ready for an Adventure?

That’s precisely what you will experience when you attend the 2023 Desperate for Jesus Women’s Conference with our hosts, Chrystal Hurst and Priscilla Shirer. Join us LIVE  in person at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas or VIA SIMULCAST on Friday and Saturday, July 21 & 22.

Whether you join us in person or online, individually or in a group, we will traverse valleys and ascend mountains together as we conquer the land God has promised us. Prepare yourself for an extraordinary adventure as we conquer new territories for Christ under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

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Meet Our Conference Hosts and Special Guests

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Chrystal Hurst
Host
Priscilla Shirer
Host
Charlotte Gambill
Speaker
Dr. Sarita Lyons
Speaker
Kierra Sheard-Kelly
Musical Artist
Veronica Jones
Youth Host
Vanessa
Parra
Youth Speaker
SHANANDOLAN WARD
Youth Musical Artist
In Loving Memory of

Dr. Lois Evans

The life of our First Lady, the late Dr. Lois Evans, is a testament to her passionate embrace of God’s purpose and promises for her life. At an early age, Lois entered unchartered territory, blazing her own trail with the Holy Spirit as her guide.

She was the consummate wife, mother, entrepreneur, speaker, writer, author and champion of women, especially those called to be pastors’ wives. These were the territories that God set before her. She began the journey, climbed the mountains and crossed the valleys to take the land God had promised her. Dr. Lois Evans dedicated her life to teaching and encouraging other women to do the same.

Learn About Lois’ Legacy
Dr. Lois Evans

Joining us In Person?

Make the most of your in-person experience
  • Wear comfortable, casual attire. If you get a little chilly, don’t forget your jacket! 
  • Engage in God’s Word and worship with over 3,500 gathered women.
  • Encourage your teen or young adult daughter to attend the conference with you on both days.
  • Open your heart to God through powerful Bible teaching.
  • Shop with our vendors who will offer a wide variety of books, clothes, jewelry and more.
  • Take advantage of onsite food trucks with friends.
  • Enjoy other fun-filled activities!
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Register to Watch Online

Joining us Via Simulcast?

Make the most of your simulcast experience
  • Invite other ladies to watch the conference online with you in your home or at your church.
  • If you are participating in the online experience solo, try to carve out a place where you can view the conference without distraction.
  • Take advantage of the resources available through the DFJ website, such as resources from our guest speakers and virtual prayer wall.
  • Don’t spectate. Engage in the worship, prayer time and take notes during the message. 
  • Don’t forget to provide snacks or ask others to contribute to a potluck!
  • Pray for the experience before your guests arrive. This is the single most important thing you can do!
  • Relax and enjoy!

Experience More

Prayer Wall

Share your prayer requests and lift up other sisters in prayer.

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Resources

Browse resources from the conference speakers and guests.

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Copyright © 2023 Desperate for Jesus

Chrystal Hurst

Host

Chrystal Evans Hurst is an encourager who teaches people to love God, to fulfill their potential in Christ, to love others, and to love themselves. Chrystal is a wife, mother of five and grandmother to four. She has known one church home, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, and serves the Women’s Ministry in many capacities. She is a speaker, best-selling author of She’s Still There and Kingdom Woman and the newly released, The 28-Day Prayer Journey. 

Chrystal firmly believes God’s promise in Jeremiah 29:11, “I know the plans that I have for you…” and she desires to help other women to believe and apply that truth to their lives. You can find Chrystal passionately sharing encouragement as she poignantly reflects on faith and speaks with frank honesty about the everyday experiences of women via her podcasts and blogs at ChrystalEvansHurst.com.

Chrystal Hurst
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Priscilla Shirer

Host

Priscilla Shirer is a wife and mom first but put a Bible in her hand and a message in her heart, and you’ll see why thousands meet God in powerful, personal ways at her conferences and through her Bible Study resources. Priscilla and her husband of 23 years, Jerry Shirer, are the proud parents of their three young adult sons – Jackson, Jerry Jr. and Jude. Together, they lead Going Beyond Ministries, through which they supply spiritual support and resources to the body of Christ. They count it a privilege to serve every denomination and culture across the spectrum of the church.

Priscilla is a New York Times Best Selling author of more than two dozen books and has had featured roles in movies like War Room (2015), I Can Only Imagine (2018) and Overcomer (2019). Stay updated with the latest from Priscilla at GoingBeyond.com.

Priscilla Shirer
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Charlotte Gambill

Speaker

Charlotte Gambill is an accomplished author, mentor and international teaching pastor with over 26 years of experience in church leadership. Her greatest joy is building her family with her husband of over 27 years, Steve, with whom she has two beautiful teenagers, Hope Cherish, and Noah Brave.

Charlotte is deeply passionate about seeing people connect with their God-given purpose. That passion led her to establish the We Are One and the Cherish foundation, where she aims to facilitate and support initiatives that bring the power of kindness into the most broken of places. She founded the Collective Co. Lab mentorship program, co-founded the Dare to Be movement and is the author of 16 books. Charlotte’s life commitment is to teach, train and invest in others, locally and globally. Stay in touch with Charlotte via her website CharlotteGambill.com.

Charlotte Gambill
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Sarita T. Lyons, JD, PhD

Speaker

Dr. Sarita Lyons is a wife, mother, speaker, women’s bible teacher and psychotherapist. Dr. Lyons and her husband, Pastor Mark Lyons, reside in Philadelphia with their four children, Malachi, Sophia, Olivia and Gabriella. She serves at Epiphany Fellowship Church as the Director of Discipleship and Women’s Ministry. And devotes her time to other churches through consulting services for their ministry and leadership development. Dr. Lyons is a contributing writer for the multi-award winning book: Urban Apologetics: How the Gospel Restores Black Dignity, General Editor Dr. Eric Mason. She also contributed a chapter for Urban Apologetics Vol. 2 release date to be determined. Dr. Lyons is a proud graduate of a Historically Black University, Florida A&M University, with a Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Journalism and a minor in Psychology. She graduated from Villanova University School of Law and earned a Master’s in Clinical Psychology. She received a PhD in Clinical and Forensic Psychology from Drexel University, where she taught for several years as an adjunct professor at Drexel University College of Medicine.

Dr. Sarita Lyons
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Kierra
Sheard-Kelly

Musical Artist

Kierra Sheard-Kelly is a multi-talented artist known for her mesmerizing and dynamic voice. As the daughter of renowned gospel artist Karen Clark-Sheard of the legendary group, The Clark Sisters, Kierra has achieved great success as an artist, winning both a GRAMMY® and a Stellar Award. She has continued her family’s legacy as a gospel artist and has recently released her seventh studio album, All Yours.

In addition to her music career, Kierra is also an author and entrepreneur. She has written two devotional books for teens and young adults, Big, Bold and Beautiful: Owning the Woman God Made You to Be and The Vibes You Feel: What I’ve Learned about Life and Relationships through The Holy Spirit. Her upcoming children’s book, Kiki Finds Her Voice, encourages children to embrace their differences.

Kierra is also committed to giving back to the community through mentorship and fellowship.

Kierra alongside her husband, Jordan Kelly, leads the Youth and Young Adult Ministries at the Greater Emmanuel Church under the leadership of her parents. Stay updated with the latest from Kierra at iamKierraSheard.com.

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Veronica Jones

Teen Conference Host

Veronica is a dynamic speaker and author who empowers girls and women to live boldly through faith. She’s passionate about helping her audience discover their God-given purpose and identity in Jesus. Veronica is the published author of Just the Way God Made Me, with another book underway, Matters of the Heart: Prayers for Every Teen Girl. She uses her writing and speaking engagements to equip her audience with the tools to overcome fear and insecurity and live confidently. When not working, Veronica enjoys spending time with loved ones and seeking out new adventures.

Veronica Jones
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Vanessa Parra

Youth Speaker

Vanessa Parra is a living testimony of God’s redemption power. She’s a worship leader, prayer warrior and minister of the word of God. Vanessa believes that the Lord has given her a prophetic voice to impact the younger generation. Vanessa has a heart for young girls and women, bringing a word of freedom and power to edify God’s people. She’s an associate Pastor at Church Genesis, an international church in the United States and Mexico. Vanessa resides in Arlington, Texas, with her husband and three beautiful children.

Vanessa Parra
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Shanandolan Ward

Youth Musical Artist

Shanandolan Ward, a Worship Leader from Dallas, Texas, finds hope and inspiration in her favorite verse of Scripture, Jeremiah 29:11. She began developing her vocal skills at age three and developed her talent at Booker T. Washington High School and Cedar Valley College. Shanandolan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Worship Arts and Music Ministry from Dallas Christian College. She has performed gospel music ranging from traditional hymns to jazz-infused contemporary pieces, sharing the stage with music legends like Josh Groban and Take 6. Shanandolan was a top 200 finalist on American Idol and a top 20 contestant on BET’s Sunday’s Best. Shanandolan counts her husband, son and daughter as her biggest inspirations, and the fulfillment of the promises of hope and a future.

Shanandolan Ward
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Save the Date!

Friday & Saturday
July 21 - 22, 2023

Mark your calendar for the next Desperate for Jesus Women’s Conference. You don’t want to miss the excitement and power of women coming together to experience the mighty presence of God. We can’t wait to see you at this year’s conference in July. 

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In-Person Registration Full

Virtual Registration Still Available

The DFJ Women’s Conference is just around the corner. You can still register for our VIRTUAL conference using the button below. Registration for our IN-PERSON conference has reached its capacity and is now closed.

We look forward to you joining us online for a spectacular time as we REMEMBER God’s goodness toward us.

Virtual Registration
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Niya Cotton

Worship Leader

With her dad as an original Richard Smallwood singer and her mom as a professional drummer, Niya Cotton was destined to find music as a way to communicate. She began singing in church at age 2 and has never looked back. Niya has acted and danced in several plays under the direction of Mike Malone and Debbie Allen and singing with artists like Michael Jackson, Michael Buble, Chance the Rapper, Kirk Franklin and many others. In addition to performance art, Niya has written music for tv and film with Warner Brothers in Burbank, CA and tv and film composer Kurt Farquar. Niya and her college sweetheart and husband Roy are the proud parents of three amazingly hilarious children, Rocco, Eric Stone and Nyla Jade. Learn more about Niya at NiyaCotton.com.

Niya Cotton
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