Speakers
Plenary Speakers
Bishop Anne N. Gimenez In 1968, John and Anne Gimenez founded the 4,000 member Rock Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia as well as a ministry for drug addicts, unwed mothers, the homeless, Rock Christian Academy and Rock Bible School. Anne served for eighteen years as Executive Producer for the internationally televised program, “Rock Alive”. Anne was named Senior Pastor in 1999 and confirmed as Presiding Bishop of the Rock Ministerial Fellowship in 2008. She has recently founded the John Gimenez International School of Ministry. John was taken home to be with the Lord in 2008. Together they planted over 400 churches around the world.
The Anne Gimenez Ministries Television program can be seen weekly on Direct TV, Dish Network, NRB Network, WLCB-TV 46 in Florida, the Christian Television Network, the Total Christian Television Network (TCT), TCT World (Satellite), and most recently on WJYS-TV 62 in Chicago.
Anne Gimenez co-authored the book “Upon This Rock” which tells the remarkable story of the founding of Rock Church. Anne's other writings include, “Whose Kingdom Is It Anyway?” “The Emerging Christian Woman”, and “Marking Your Children For God” which was published by Creation House. Anne's prophetic preaching is known nationally and internationally. Integrity is the hallmark of this ministry. For more information: pastoranne.org
Rev. Debra L. Haggins, M.Div. is Director of Religious Studies Program at Hampton University. She served as the interim pastor of the historic Queen Street Baptist Church in Norfolk, Va. From 2002-2006, she served as associate minister and director of the women's ministry at Mount Gilead Missionary Baptist Church in Norfolk. Prior to that, she served as assistant to the chaplain and faculty advisor to the Student Christian Association at HU. Rev. Haggins has also had a successful professional career with the Virginia Beach City Public School System and the Norfolk Public School System.
Dr. Elaine Shouse Waller resides in Virginia Beach, VA. She and Jerome Waller, Jr. are the proud parents of one son, Jerome Waller III. In March of 1996, the Lord began the birthing and establishing of a local church body--Abundant Life Ministries where Dr. Waller now serves as the founding senior pastor.
Elaine spent 17 years as a Professor in the College of Communication and the Arts at Regent University, in Virginia Beach, VA. She holds a B.S. degree from Indiana State University and a M.A. degree and Ph.D. degree from the University of Illinois. Elaine has taught at Indiana University, Indiana State University, University of Illinois, Norfolk State University and the University of Puerto Rico. She is a certified consultant to hospitals and schools - focusing on various aspects of communication and human relations.
Dr. Waller is Founder and President of VISION Productions, Inc.-Virginia Beach, VA. VISION Productions, Inc. is a professional Film and Theater Arts production company which seeks to provide “quality-redemptive art” for secular and Christian audiences. She is Founder and President of He Brought Joy School of Ministry, and C.E.O. of He Brought Joy Ministries Inc. He Brought Joy Ministries, Inc. is a non-denominational ministry that focuses on teaching and ministering to the needs of the body of Christ. He Brought Joy is an “equipping, developing, and training” ministry that trains leaders for Kingdom work. Its aim is to further assist the Body of Christ in the healing, edifying and perfecting of the church. Dr. Waller is also Founder and Senior Consultant for Transformed Community Outreach, Inc.
Workshop Presenters
Estrelda Alexander, Ph.D. is a Professor of Theology at Regent University. She has taught courses in feminist theology, religion and social issues among other courses. Dr Alexander oversees several publications, including the Journal of Afro-Pentecostalism and the Encyclopedia of Afro-Pentecostalism.
Mara Crabtree, D.Min, teaches masters' and doctoral level courses in the areas of Christian spirituality, formation, pastoral ministry and the women's studies courses: Women in Ministry, which concerns the biblical theology, history, Scriptural exegesis and contemporary issues concerning the ministerial gifting, calling and ecclesial leadership of women and Mentoring for Women in Ministry, which provides opportunities for women to receive mentoring and the training necessary to provide mentoring leadership.
Her doctorate in Christian Spirituality is from Wesley Theological Seminary. She earned master's degrees in Ecclesial Ministry from Loyola University; in Practical Theology from Regent University and a diploma in Spiritual Direction from San Francisco Theological Seminary. Dr. Crabtree is ordained with the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches, having served in diverse areas of ecclesial ministry and leadership. Mara and her husband Tom partner in ministry as members of the International Order of St. Luke, a global ecumenical organization dedicated to the Christian healing ministry. She also serves as an OSL Chaplain and as US Region II Representative for OSL Chapters in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Cristina Davis (Tina) has been a part of New Life Providence Church's leadership team since 1999. She is currently the Pastor of campus ministries at Deep Creek, as well as the director of Women's Ministry and the Arts . She has traveled nationally and internationally leading missions trips and ministering at various conferences and events through worship and speaking. She has an MA in Counseling as well as in Practical Theology, working bi-vocationally for many years with at-risk teens and their families. With a focus on women, worship, and leadership, it is her desire to see people walk in the fullness of who they are in Christ and recognize that their design and destiny are found in Him. She resides in Portsmouth, VA with her husband, Christopher Davis.
Gloria Whittico, J.D. After graduating with honors from the College of William and Mary with a dual degree in English literature and Philosophy, Ms. Whittico earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law. She was subsequently admitted to the practice of law in New York and Connecticut. She began the practice of law as an attorney in the Office of the Senior Vice-President and General Counsel at IBM. In 1998, Ms. Whittico joined the faculty of Hampton University, where she taught Constitutional Law, Legal Theory, Legal Research and Writing, Ethics, and Introduction to Logic and Scientific Method. In May 2006, Whittico gained faculty approval for the institution of a Pre-Law Track for Hampton University undergraduates. She counseled scores of students each year in her role as pre-law advisor. An ardent lover of teaching, she was a recipient of the Hampton University E.L. Hamm, Sr. Distinguished Teaching Award for the 2004-2005 academic year.
In June 2007, Ms. Whittico joined the Regent University School of Law as Director of External Relations and Community Affairs. In this capacity, she was responsible for working with a number of local, national, and international groups and organizations to carry the Regent University message to the community. In addition, she develops and implements “pipeline” programs designed to increase the number of underrepresented persons in the legal profession, and is a consultant to the American Bar Association's Council on Legal Education Opportunity. She joined the law faculty in 2008 with the rank of assistant professor and teaches Insurance Law and Regulation, Race and the Law and works closely with students in the Academic Success Program.
Kimberly Ervin Alexander, PhD is Associate Professor of Church History at Regent University School of Divinity in Virginia Beach, Virginia (USA). Before her move to Regent, she served as Associate Professor of Historical Theology and Assistant Vice-President for Academics at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary in Cleveland, TN. Alexander is a past president of the Society for Pentecostal Studies. She is the author of Pentecostal Healing: Models of Theology and Practice and, with R. Hollis Gause, Women in Leadership: A Pentecostal Perspective. Her research interests include early Pentecostal thought and practice and the development of theological and pedagogical approaches that are congruent with Pentecostal experience and spirituality.
She is married to Rev. Dr. Jack L. (Corky) Alexander. They have three beautiful daughters, two wonderful sons-in-law and two delightful grandsons.
Candace M. Laughinghouse is originally from Oakland, CA where she graduated with a B.A. in Political Science and minor in African-American Studies from UC Berkeley in 2001. This was a great testimony to God's miracles as she was diagnosed with viral encephalitis during her UC Berkeley Summer Bridge enrollment in the summer of 1996. A childhood dream of hers was to attend law school and become an entertainment lawyer. But an early understanding of service and social justice brought Candace to apply for graduate studies at Candler School of Theology *Emory University. Candace graduated with honors and enjoyed the best time of her academic experience with internationally recognized professors in their own specific fields. Upon graduation in 2004, Candace was ready to move onto the next phase of her life. She then graduated from Duke Divinity School in 2006 with a Masters of Theology degree; majoring in Biblical Interpretation and minoring in Preaching and Worship. A few months later - August 5, 2006 - she married her best friend, Jekelvin Laughinghouse. During her enrollment at Duke University, Candace completed post-graduate studies at Harvard Divinity School (Bible Greek) in the summer of 2005 and post graduation, she completed the German Graduate Certification course and exam at NC State University. After much prayer and consideration, Candace applied to the PhD program in Renewal Studies and Regent University. This program has inspired her to venture into an unpopular field for African American women - pneumatology of animals. She is finally answering a life long calling to recognize God's creative power through the Holy Spirit.
Through all these years of schooling, Candace has been involved in ministry as a minister, preacher, Christian Education director, Youth Organizer, Church administrative assistant, and her other life long passion - as musician. For a few semesters, she was an Adjunct Professor in the Religion and Philosophy department at Shaw University (Raleigh, NC).
Candace is grateful to God for her wonderful and supportive husband, Jekelvin B. Laughinghouse and her daughter, Arianna Zoe Michelle Laughinghouse (17mo).
Rev. Ella Thompson, M.A., M.A., Ph.D. Candidate is the Director of Enrollment Services and Marketing at Regent University School of Divinity in Virginia Beach, VA. She provides oversight for the seminary's recruitment, financial aid, graduate services and alumni relations. A sought after Bible teacher, conference speaker, and workshop facilitator, Rev. Thompson is also the founder of Ella Thompson Ministries, an evangelistic ministry committed to spreading the Gospel.
Rev. Thompson is a Ph.D. candidate in Theology and Religion at King's College London, UK; holds a M.A. in Practical Theology, a M.A. in Organizational Leadership from Regent University; and a B.A. in Business Administration and Management from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is passionate about leadership development and the spiritual formation of others as they apply eternal truths to practical living.
Conference Worship Leader
Denise Graves is Worship Pastor at Covenant Church of Pittsburgh, a fast-growing, multi-cultural congregation located east of Pittsburgh, PA. She is a singer/songwriter who has traveled extensively over the years with Worship International, a subsidiary of Integrity Music, as well as Maranatha Music, and Saddleback Church (The Purpose Driven Church), leading Worship Leader Workshops across the country. Denise has also been a writer for Maranatha Music and has had material recorded on the Best of Promise Keepers and other Maranatha projects. Her latest recording of “Send Me” can be found on the CD accompanying Rick Warren's book, “The Purpose Driven Life.” Denise has been married 30 years this year and is mom to her 17-year old daughter, Dani.
Panelists
Nina Anderson is the chaplain for Regent University's School of Divinity where she is pursuing her MDiv in Practical Theology. An ordained minister, she enjoys family, traveling, and God's Word. She believes that God is poised to do great things in the days ahead and is eager to join Him as He moves in the Hampton Roads area and abroad. Nina lives in Virginia Beach with her husband, Chris. They have two adult children and one grandchild.
Reverend Joyce Rose Scott attended Norfolk State University where she successfully majored in Nursing Education. Subsequently, she enrolled at the Norfolk Community Hospital School of Anesthesia under the cooperative auspices of the Howard University School of Medicine and successfully completed the art of Anesthetic Care.
Currently employed at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center for the past 21 years, Rev. Scott has the distinction of being the first African-American female Chief Nurse Anesthetist, a position she has held for 16 years. She serves as the Unit Director of the Department of Anesthesia, and is a former director of the Surgical Admitting Unit and the Pre-admission Testing departments, respectively. Additionally, she has served as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) ombudsman for Chesapeake General Hospital. She is professionally affiliated with the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, The Virginia Association of Nurse Anesthetists, and is a state-certified Licensed Practitioner.
When Rev. Scott is not engaged in her extensive church duties and responsibilities, she enjoys serving as the Chief Operating Officer for E. L. Ministries, an evangelistic/empowerment ministry she co-founded with her husband, Bishop William Darryl Scott, Sr., senior Pastor at Pleasant Grove Baptist in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Rev. Scott also serves as the president of the Beautification Ministry; member of the Constitution Committee, and chair of the Wedding Ethics Committee. Currently she is the Pastoral Administrative Assistant, Director of Women's Ministry, and a participant in Regent University School of Divinit's Church Education Initiative.
Diane Chandler, Ph.D. has a passion for equipping women leaders and joins her husband and best friend, Doug, in equipping leaders cross-culturally. Having a diversity of experiences in church, parachurch, and academic settings, she desires to encourage women in their respective callings to lead lives of wholeness and holistic health through applying biblical principles for ministry and self-care. She enjoys the mountains, the ocean, and a good movie! She serves as an associate professor of Spiritual Formation, Christian Discipleship and Christian Leadership Development at Regent University School of Divinity. Diane holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership and an M.Div. degree from the Regent University, as well as an M.S. degree in Education from Canisius College.