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Continue your spiritual growth in Christ with resources from our guests and speakers. Click or tap below to view what each one offers.
Go deeper in your walk with Christ with devotionals tailored for DFJ participants.
Copyright © 2024 Desperate for Jesus
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
