At the 2024 Desperate for Jesus Women’s Conference! This year’s event will bring it Home: A Wise Woman Builds Her House based on Proverbs 14:1. Join host Chrystal Hurst and virtual host Priscilla Shirer along with household-named guests such as Jackie Hill Perry, Nicole Massie Martin, Niya Cotton and Amber Bullock. We invite you to attend the conference via simulcast (in person is sold out) on Friday and Saturday, July 26 & 27.
Whether you join us in person or via Simulcast, you will have the experience of a lifetime as a wise woman who builds her house. Spend two days with us to relax and enjoy the fellowship of kingdom women as you take in all the wisdom and practical lessons in making your house a home.
At the 2024 Desperate for Jesus Women’s Conference! This year’s event will bring it Home: A Wise Woman Builds Her House based on Proverbs 14:1. Join host Chrystal Hurst and virtual host Priscilla Shirer along with household-named guests such as Jackie Hill Perry, Nicole Massie Martin, Niya Cotton and Amber Bullock. We invite you to attend the conference via simulcast (in person is sold out) on Friday and Saturday, July 26 & 27.
Whether you join us in person or via Simulcast, you will have the experience of a lifetime as a wise woman who builds her house. Spend two days with us to relax and enjoy the fellowship of kingdom women as you take in all the wisdom and practical lessons in making your house a home.
click the image to view bio
Lois Evans was the embodiment of a wise woman who built her house. She prioritized her family and home above everything in all her endeavors and accomplishments outside the home. Lois maximized her gifts, skills, and calling for the benefit of her family, the good of others, and most importantly, for the glory of God.
Lois’ faithful, loving and sacrificial commitment to her husband, Dr. Tony Evans, and her children, established the foundation for all God has achieved in and through them. She placed many of her dreams, desires and educational pursuits on hold to free her husband to study, teach, write and counsel. Lois birthed extraordinarily gifted children and cultivated their skills into adulthood. What she implanted in her husband and children will continue to impact our church, community and country for generations to come.
DFJ will be held on Friday, July 26 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm and Saturday, July 27 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Check-in will begin at 5:30 pm on Friday and at 7:30 am on Saturday. The Conference times are in the Central Daytime zone (CDT). Use the time zone converter to determine your location viewing time.
The conference is held at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, 1660 W. Camp Wisdom Road in Dallas, Texas. The conference will also be available via simulcast for those who can’t attend in person.
Find directions using the map below.
The cost is $50 per person for adults and teen girls to attend the two-day conference. Lunch is provided from Honey Baked Ham for an additional $15 and must be purchased in advance. There will also be Food Trucks onsite as additional options for purchasing meals.
The cost to watch the conference simulcast is $30 for individuals/small groups (up to 10 people) and $130 for churches/large groups (10 or more people). Simulcast registrants will receive an email confirmation with the details to access the conference on Thursday, July 25, 2024.
The attire is casual and comfortable. You may consider bringing a wrap as the auditorium will be air-conditioned.
Registration payments are non-refundable for both in-person and simulcast attendance.
If you registered for the in-person conference and are unable to attend, you have two options:
Yes. However, the lunch selection cannot change.
For in-person registration inquiries, please email dfj@ocbfchurch.org or call 214-672-9100 x2602.
For simulcast registration inquiries, please email info@tonyevans.org or call 800-800-3222.
The conference is open to all women, and we encourage you to bring teenagers entering grades 6 – 12 in the fall. Childcare will be available on Saturday only for 6 Months – entering 5th grade in the fall of 2024. The cost is $15 per child.
Yes. You can register a maximum of 50 women. There will be an automatic 10% discount applied to registered groups of 20.
Yes. You will receive an email confirming your registration immediately after your purchase. Check your spam/junk mail if you do not receive the link in your inbox.
You have the freedom to pick the sessions you attend, but attending the event in its entirety will help you to get the most out of the experience.
Registration payments are non-refundable for the in-person conference. If you registered for the in-person conference but can’t attend, you will receive a link to watch the live-stream conference. Or you can give your email confirmation to another person, and they can attend the event under your name.
DFJ is designed for women of all ages and seasons of life. The simulcast option is available for anyone unable to attend in person.
Viewing Options:
Yes. Small group viewing for up to 10 viewers is available for $30. Church or large group viewing of more than 10 women is available for $130. To enhance your experience, church or large group leaders will receive a simulcast host guide and customizable promotional materials.
Simulcast registrants will receive an email confirmation with the details to access the conference on Thursday, July 25, 2024.
Viewing via Simulcast brings the experience of an in-person conference to your computer or mobile device. Similar to the in-person conference, you can pick the sessions you attend. We encourage you to watch the full conference, to help you get the most out of the experience. You can re-watch sessions until 11:59 pm CDT on Saturday, August 31, 2024.
The Desperate for Jesus Conference is broadcast from Dallas, Texas. The sessions streamed will follow the Central Daylight Time Zone (CDT). You may use a time zone converter to determine what time to view from your location.
For the best experience, we suggest using a desktop, laptop computer, mobile device, or tablet with the Chrome internet browser. If you do not already have Chrome (download here). Please ensure that your operating systems and web browsers are updated before viewing. Additionally, a reliable high-speed internet connection is required.
As a simulcast registrant, you will have access to the re-broadcast of the conference until 11:59 pm CDT on Saturday, August 31, 2024. Email info@tonyevans.org if you have additional questions about your virtual simulcast ticket purchase.
Program details are not available at this time. However, our planning team has prayed and planned a program with you in mind, so we ask that you and your teen girls attend the entire two-day event.
No. The teen girls will join the adults in the auditorium on Friday and Saturday.
OCBF’s children’s ministry has planned exciting programming to engage your children on Saturday only, ages 6 months – entering 5th grade in the fall of 2024. The cost is $15 per child and must be paid for during registration. The registration will include lunch and two snacks at no additional charge. Check-in on Saturday begins at 8:00 am.
Yes. A variety of vendors will sell clothing, accessories, home goods, and much more!
Yes. A box lunch from Honey Baked Ham at an additional cost of $15 during your registration. Food trucks will also be available on both days of the conference.
11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Ham Classic
Ham, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, savory mayo, and hickory honey mustard on a flaky croissant, chips, cookie, and bottled water
Turkey Classic
Smoked Turkey Breast, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, savory mayo, and hickory honey mustard on a baker’s roll, chips, cookie, and bottled water
Mediterranean Veggie
Sliced cucumber, Swiss cheese, green bell peppers, lettuce, tomato, black olives, ranch dressing, and balsamic vinaigrette on multigrain bread, chips, cookies, and bottled water
There are no reserved seats. Seating is on a first-come, first-seated basis.
Yes. Please let the ushers know you need assistance with the wheelchair-accessible seating area.
If you require sign interpretation, please indicate so when registering. The conference will provide a sign interpreter based on need.
There is no official conference hotel, but a list of surrounding hotels is available here.
No. OCBF will not provide a shuttle service.
There will be no childcare on Friday. Childcare will be provided on Saturday only and check-in begins at 8:00 am.
All children will be checked in at Education Center located at 1821 W Camp Wisdom Rd, Dallas, TX 75232.
Having younger children with older children disrupts staffing ratios, can be more stressful for the younger child, and is generally inappropriate for care. When able, we accommodate the wishes of the parent/guardian when the request does not disrupt the overall program.
We have developed a thorough, multi-level security process designed to ensure a seamless and controlled transition of custody from family to caregiver and back to family. The process includes registration, check-in, group assignment by ratio, and a two-adult supervision rule at all times. There is also a security presence throughout all locations when children are in our care.
For the safety of children attending the conference, it is the policy of OCBF that the adult who checks the child in must be the one who checks the child out. If the parent or guardian cannot be reached via text or a phone call, a team member will notify DFJ Conference personnel.
All NextGen Kids team members are screened through the process of a background check, as well as safety training.
Please be aware that there will be no childcare provided on Friday evening. A NextGen Kids team member will assist with the check-in process on Saturday morning beginning at 8:00 am. You will receive two printed labels at check-in: the child’s nametag and one pick-up tag for the parent or guardian.
Parents are welcome to help their children settle in if they become anxious. If a child continues to be anxious after you leave, a NextGen Kids Team member will immediately attend to your child.
If your child becomes ill or injured while in our care, you will be contacted immediately by the NextGen Ministry medical team or NextGen staff representative.
If your child needs you during the conference for any reason, we will send you a text message.
Parents are asked to provide a small bag with anything their child will need during their visit with us. All items, including bottles, pacifiers, clothes, blankets, etc. should be labeled.
Yes, children will receive breakfast, lunch, and a snack.
Yes! Please indicate any dietary restrictions/food allergies on your child’s registration, and we will work to ensure that food options are available to meet your child’s needs.
For more information, please contact Cynthia Dixson at cdixson@ocbfchurch.org. Our goal is to ensure that parents are confident leaving their children in the care of the NextGen Kids team.
Copyright © 2025 Desperate for Jesus
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.
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.
Jackie Hill Perry is an author, Bible teacher, and hip-hop artist. After giving her life to Christ, she has been compelled to use her speaking and teaching gifts to share the light of the gospel of God as authentically as she can.
She is the author of Gay Girl, Good God: The Story of Who I Was, and Who God Has Always Been, Holier Than Thou, and Upon Waking Devotional. When she is not lending her talents to teaching and writing, she spends her time at home with her loving family. She is a wife to Preston, and the mommy of Eden, Autumn, Sage and August.
Carol Kent is a bestselling author and an international speaker for conferences and retreats. She is the founder and executive director of the Speak Up Conference, an event committed to helping people develop their speaking and writing skills.
She and her husband, Gene, have founded the nonprofit organization, Speak Up for Hope, which benefits inmates and their families. Carol holds a master’s degree in communication arts and a bachelor’s degree in speech education. Carol has trained Christian speakers for over 25 years and she has been a featured speaker at Women of Faith, Extraordinary Women, and Women of Joy arena events. Her twenty-seven books have sold over one million copies, including the bestselling When I Lay My Isaac Down, A New Kind of Normal, and He Holds My Hand.
Dr. Nicole Massie Martin was born and educated in Baltimore, Maryland. She graduated magna cum laude from Vanderbilt University with a triple major in Human and Organizational Development, Educational Studies, and French. Dr. Martin received her Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and earned a Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
Dr. Martin is a gifted writer and author of numerous articles including two books: Made to Lead: Empowering Women for Ministry and Leaning In, Letting Go: A Lenten Devotional. Dr. Martin serves as the Chief Impact Officer at Christianity Today. She is the founder and Executive Director of Soulfire International Ministries, and she is an active member of her local church, Kingdom Fellowship AME Church, where she leads the Grow Ministry. She serves on the executive council of the National Association of Evangelicals, the board of trustees at Fuller Theological Seminary, and on the National Advisory Council for the Salvation Army. She is a founding board member of the Center for Christianity and Public Life and has been inducted into the esteemed Board of Preachers at Morehouse College. She is also a co-catalyst for the Lausanne Scripture Engagement Global Network. Dr. Martin is married to her best friend, Dr. Mark Martin, and they have two amazing daughters, Addison and Josephine.
Amber Brianna Lawrence-Bullock, is a native of St. Louis, Missouri, and an American Urban Contemporary Gospel artist who rose to fame after winning the fourth season of BET’s Sunday Best.
Her music career launched in 2011 with the EP Thank You, which charted on the Billboard 200, Top Gospel Albums, and Independent Albums charts. Her debut studio album, So in Love, also achieved chart success. Amber’s ultimate desire in life can be summed in these words, “Lord, let your will be done.” Amber graduated from the esteemed Oakwood University in 2011 and continues her musical journey by using her God-given gift to bring joy, healing and love to the world.
Niya Cotton was born into music. Her dad was an original Richard Smallwood singer while her mom was a professional drummer. Niya graduated as salutatorian from Duke Ellington School of the Arts high school in Washington, D.C. as a dance major in 2000 and later graduated from Hampton University with a B.A. in Vocal Performance in 2004. Upon graduating from Hampton, Niya moved to Los Angeles, CA, and worked in the TV Music department at Warner Brothers in Burbank. She even had the opportunity to write with television and film composer, Kurt Farquar, and have music placed on several television shows including “King of Queens” and “Just Jordan.” Niya has lent background vocals for Michael Bublé, Tasha Page-Lockhart, Tamela Mann, Chance the Rapper, Ledisi, and more. Niya has worked and traveled with Kirk Franklin and the Fo Yo Soul family for several years as a reference artist and background vocalist for several projects.
Niya Cotton is the CEO of The Whole Tone LLC, a lifestyle brand that prioritizes wholeness in the areas of art, education and entertainment. Niya is a worship leader, creative director, artist, educator, mentor, and speaker. Niya and her husband Roy are the proud parents of three amazing children, “Rocco,” Eric Stone & Nyla Jade Cotton, and reside in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
In person registration is at capacity, but childcare registration is still open.
Also, you can still register for the simulcast.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
