AWAKEN 2010 Breakout Speakers & Sessions

Tamara Dumas is the wife of Pastor Greg Dumas, Lead Pastor of The Crossing Church, Tampa Fl. She is the mother of Toree, Lainey and Zeke. Tamara was Miss Oklahoma USA 1988, a semi-finalist at the Miss USA pageant and a finalist on Ed McMahon’s Star Search in the Spokes model competition.

Though her life seemed full of success, she was empty and unfulfilled. In 1992 Tamara’s life and perspective completely changed when she accepted Christ. She continued to pursue her modeling career and won Revlon’s Most Unforgettable Woman contest. After marrying her 7th grade “crush”, God called Greg and Tamara into full-time ministry. Tamara loves caring for her family, serving the Lord with her husband and investing in the lives of women.

THE JOY WITH WHICH THEY HAVE BEEN CROWNED

What greater joy do we have than being accepted as daughters, crowned as princesses of the King?  Tamara will share what the Bible says about who we were before Christ and who we are now, in Christ.  She will also discuss how to conquer the continual battle in our flesh…comparison. 

Lucy Kyllonen wears several different hats which she enjoys! There is never a dull moment in her life!  She is the wife of the lead pastor of Crossover Church in Tampa known locally and throughout the world as the “Hip-Hop Church”.  She plays a major role in the planning and coordination of the annual Flavor Fest conference, attended by church leaders worldwide and is the overseer for C.H.O.S.E.N., Crossover’s Women's Ministry.  Lucy’s message is clear that each woman is "chosen" and placed exactly where God wants them to be in order to accomplish His will for such a time as this!

Raised in Queens, New York, Lucy moved to Florida where she attended Southeastern University and graduated with a BA in Psychology and then completed her Master’s in Mental Health counseling at USF.

DISCOVER YOUR HIDDEN TREASURE

You may not think about it, but you have a hidden treasure deep inside you waiting to be discovered!  But in order to dig it up you must get through the dirt this world has stacked on top.  Join us as we learn how God wants you to focus, most of all, on authentic beauty that gives a woman lasting splendor that grows greater with age.  What are you waiting for?  Find the Beauty of your purpose!

Formerly a television reporter and segment producer, today Danita wears many different hats, including freelance writer, conference speaker and event coordinator. She also serves on the editorial staff of P31 magazine, a publication of Proverbs 31 ministries. Her most important job, and definitely the most fun, is that of mom to her two precious girls, Kelsey and Audrey.

Whether on a conference stage, leading a Bible study, or in the check-out line at Publix, she is passionate about encouraging women to embrace with joy all that the Lord has for them, whatever life’s circumstances have thrown their way.  She stands in humble amazement at the ways God has proved himself faith-full over the past five years, and can’t wait to see what He’s got in store  ‘For the Girls’  in the future! 

LIVING OUTSIDE THE BOX

Life happens…and our perfect plans are derailed as we are boxed in by circumstances, choices, challenges and changes.  Is it possible to escape the labels life has placed on you and walk in his faith-full freedom?  Get ready girls; the walls of ‘why?’, ‘if only’, ‘should have’, and ‘I can’t’ are about to fall! Being Crushed by a Boulder

Jenn Janasiewicz is one of the pastors at STATUS, an intergenerational campus of Discovery Church in Orlando, FL. She started out as a volunteer for a couple years and then came on staff at the end of 2007. For the last two years she has been responsible for loving and serving the house church leaders and equipping them to effectively lead their communities, as well as serving as the director of operations.  She not only handles the day-to-day management of STATUS, but also works to care for and properly resource the volunteers who help make all STATUS events happen, including the worship gatherings on Sunday nights. Her role was recently adjusted and she is now the Pastor of Spiritual Care, offering counsel, insight, and an ear to anyone within the STATUS community that wants to meet with a pastor.

Jenn loves the STATUS community and feels lucky enough to have the space in her life to further the Kingdom of God with that community--translation: she's single and loves it.

ESTABLISHING HEALTHY BOUNDARIES – Burden vs. Load

Are you weary from your load?  Is life getting heavier and heavier?  In this breakout, we’ll talk about what God says about healthy boundaries in our lives, and how to implement them.  We weren’t designed to carry a boulder, but we were designed to carry a load.  Let’s figure out what that means together.

Tammy has many years of experience in corporate America including being a district sales manager for the largest payroll company in the world.  While working for this fortune 1000 company she not only soared in sales but masterfully built relationships with her clients.  More recently God has opened the doors for Tammy to use her experience in corporate America and passion for sales for another purpose.  She leads and directs the marketing department of Next Level Church as well as shares the stage with her husband for certain series topics such as evangelism and marriage discussions. Tammy founded and leads G.A.N.G. (Girls Action Network Group) a women’s ministry dedicated to community outreach.

Tammy is a wife and mother of 3 daughters and 2 step daughters.  She works closely with her husband, Christian, who is the lead pastor at Next Level Church in Tarpon Springs, Florida.

  TRUTH OR SCARE?

After battling anxiety and panic attacks for 10 years of her adult life, Tammy discovered the key to overcoming her affliction.  She will share her personal testimony of the difference the transforming power of the word of God has made in her life.  Join Tammy for a message from Philippians that take you from fear to freedom

Gricelle Gonzalez has worked alongside her husband in ministry for over 20 years.  From leading youth groups and teaching Sunday School to serving on the Women’s Assn. and Pastor’s Wive’s Assn. in Puerto Rico.  She has dedicated most of her adult life to some form of encouraging others in their walk of faith.  In 2004, when her husband was called to active duty, Gricelle had the opportunity to serve as the Secretary to a Family Support Group of the U.S.Army offering support to the families of deployed soldiers. 

Along with her husband, Gricelle currently pastors the Spanish Ministry of Calvary Chapel Worship Center in New Port Richey. She also leads the Latin Women’s Group of CCWC.  Her passion is to teach women the importance of their role in their homes as an intercessor for their families and loved ones without losing the focus of being an extraordinary woman of God.

FACE TO FACE (Spanish Speaking)

There is a song that says "take me to a place where I can see you face to face".  But actually getting to that place is much more difficult than just singing the pretty words of a song.  It takes a strength that is beyond our own ability to get to that place.  Gricelle will teach the important lesson of tapping into God’s grace in order to obtain the strength we need for the journey

Giovana was born and raised in Bogata, Colombia. In her early teenage years her father was murdered on his way home from work.  The years that followed his death were painful and lonely and confusing for her.  In 1991 God made Himself known to her in a way she had never felt before. Giovana has served the Lord over the past 19 years in a variety of ways including leading worship, teaching Sunday school and ministering in Spanish ministries.  Her passions include working with primary aged children and more recently the Lord has given her a desire to show the love of God to women of walks of life!

Giovana is a wife and mother of three and is currently pioneering the Spanish Ministry at Next Level Church, Tarpon Springs with her husband.  She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and social communication and an Associate degree from Spectrum School of Ministry in Theology.

KEEP WALKING AND NEVER GIVE UP (Spanish Speaking)

When pressure and difficulties arrive in your life it is easy to be tempted to give up. Giovana will teach the eternal truth that God is with you, not against you.  She will encourage you and equip you with the weapons you need to fight the battle as a good and brave soldier. Through Habukkuk 3:17-19 and Isaiah 40:31 you will learn that those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

Suzanne is a native New Yorker who spent a portion of her childhood in Surrey, England.  She received a BA degree from Stony Brook University in Psychology with a minor in Child and Family Studies.  Suzanne became a teacher in New York teaching third and fourth graders.  After relocating to Florida, Suzanne worked in music and productions for several years.  In 2000, Suzanne combined her passion for education and her love of the arts and a co-founded Dayspring Academy the first charter school in Pasco County.  She works closely with her husband State Representative John Legg, who serves as the Chairman of the Pre-K – 12 Policy Committee in the Florida House of Representatives. 

Suzanne is also a mother of four and is expecting her fifth child this summer.  She received a BA degree from Stony Brook University in Psychology with a minor in Child and Family Studies.

LIFE AFTER LOSS

Whether you have experienced loss of a loved one, loss of a marriage, loss of identity, loss of a dream – you can find life after loss.  When experiencing loss sometimes we can’t even find the strength to make it through the day much less the loss.  If you are experiencing a loss in your life or have suffered a loss in your life, be encouraged.  There is life on the other side and you will be strengthened in the journey

AWAKEN YOUTH SPEAKERS

Awaken Youth Track

Are you waiting around for your life to begin and your dreams to come true? Then, this is your wake up call! NOW is time for you to start living out the amazing plan and purpose God has for you! Come be inspired to use the gifts that God has given you for His purpose. Get ready for an unforgettable time including: live worship by Rebecca Chase, musical performances by Truth Bomb, an original drama presentation, "The Love Triangle," and an opportunity to have YOUR questions answered by passionate, Christian young men in our "Through a Guy's Eyes" panel discussion. We can't wait to see you there!

For as long as she can remember, Rhiannon has had the privilege of knowing and loving Jesus. While growing up, she had to rely heavily on the Lord to bring her through many very difficult trials of life. Her heart aches to think of any child or youth having to endure life's hardships without the strength and peace that comes from God alone. Her fervent desire is to ignite youth with an insatiable passion for Christ, equip them with the Word of God, and help them discover their unique purpose in Him.

Rhiannon has served in youth and children's ministry for several years in many different ways. Whether teaching Sunday school, directing choirs and plays, writing (songs, books, curriculum and skits), or heading up youth groups, Rhiannon just loves presenting the truth of God in a way that is easily understandable and tons of fun!

Jackie currently serves as the Staff Education Supervisor for the More2Life youth development program. Her passion is to share with both students and adults alike, the message that our choices affect our futures.  Jaclyn implements various techniques to engage her audience while addressing current issues facing young people.  These topics include setting and achieving goals and dreams, sex education, and negative sexual imagery in the media. 

Jaclyn continues her commitment to save sex until marriage as she shares her struggles with her audience and emphasizes the importance of treating every day as a new opportunity to start a path of positive choices.