Speakers
Who We Are
Sue Thurston
Keynote Speaker
Paula Sue Thurston began her pursuit of God at an early age. His call upon her life and her hunger for intimacy with Him have continually drawn her, keeping her passionately separated for His purposes and plans.
Sue is an ordained minister, author, and teacher. Having received an international ministry sharpened by decades of intercessory prayer, she and her husband travel extensively around the world, equipping the church as His ambassadors.
God has given Sue an ear to hear and to speak His heart. Sue has been humbled to see signs, wonders and miracles following, as they go forth into all the world making disciples and fulfilling the great commission.
Sue and her husband, Terry, have two grown children and five grandchildren. They reside in Hamilton, Ohio and attend Calvary Church.
Diane Vinyard
Diane Vinyard prayed the prayer to receive Jesus into her heart when she was 10 years old after being introduced to Him through her best friend. Later she gave her life to Jesus at Summit Baptist Church in Acworth, GA in 1997, when she was 27. She and her daughter, Pamela, were baptized together later that same year.
After being a single mom for 12.5 years, and two divorces, Diane married her soulmate, David, in 2014. They currently reside in Summerville, GA and are active members at Northside Church in Rome, GA where she co-leads the women’s ministry. Together, they have three adult children and five grandsons between the ages of 7 months and 22.
Diane is an entrepreneur of the business Vinyard Services, dba Living Life on Target, providing executives and professionals leadership development, training, and one-on one coaching so they can fulfill their God-given potential. She is also currently fulfilling an assignment from God to sub on Mondays at Rome High School.
Diane is currently at various stages of writing three books: When God Said No, Where is Jesus in Leadership? and the other, untitled. Diane serves as Board President for the Community Resource Center of Chattooga County, aka Foodbank and Estor’s Manor, which will provide housing and fundamental training for young women aging out of foster care or in great need of assistance.
Three of her favorite scriptures include: 1. Joshua 1:9, ‘Be strong and courageous…and I will be with you wherever you go.’ 2. Philippians 4:13, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’ and 3. ‘Love never fails.’ in 1 Cor 13:8.
Layne Stone
Layne Stone is a retired teacher of 30 years who taught English, French, and Spanish. She studied in Spain and has a master's degree in ‘Integrated Teaching through the Arts’. She enjoys studying languages and studied Hebrew to be able to read the Old Testament from the original text. She has been married to her husband for over 40 years and has three children, all grown and married, and four grandchildren.
She is on the Board of Directors for the Tree of Life Bible Society and creates teaching materials for them. She helped develop the Young Readers’ Edition of the TLV Bible for children. Believing that the key to a deeper relationship with God is to read the Bible, she works with the TLV Bible Society to advance Bible literacy and engagement.
Cleta Cook
Cleta Cook was saved when she was eight years old and has been teaching the Bible since she was thirteen. She has literally lived out Acts 4:13; just an ordinary, unschooled woman who has been with Jesus and anointed by Him.
Throughout the years, Cleta taught children, teenagers, young married couples, middle aged and older adults in church, and women in small group settings. She currently teaches at Northside Church.
She retired from the Floyd County School System as Director of School Bus Safety in 1999.
Cleta is a widow who was very happily married to two wonderful men, both of whom died of cancer. She has two sons and two daughters-in-law, and five fabulous grandchildren.
Angie Ward
Angie Ward has been walking with her Savior for 38 years.
She loves studying, teaching, and discussing God’s Word. She has been doing Bible studies for over 25 years, and has authored a book, Where’s the Proof? True Christianity Versus Religion, which challenges the reader to examine their life against the Word of God, so they can be certain of their salvation.
Angie is a Family Herbalist and has a passion to help people learn to take care of their bodies and families the natural way. She lives in Cartersville, Ga with her wonderful husband of 37 years. God has blessed her with six children, their wonderful spouses, and ten grandchildren.
Shelly Burkhalter
Shelly has served the local church in worship, discipleship, missions, and in administrative and executive roles for 29 years. In recent years, she has focused on mentoring and developing young leaders. Church revitalization and renewal is the passion of her heart.
Shelly is from Rome, Georgia and is delighted to be serving her home church, HBC Rome. She holds a B.S. in Education from Berry College and an M.Div. from The King’s University (Los Angeles).
Sylvia Howard
Sylvia Howard is a pastor’s wife who lives in North Georgia. She’s been married 35 years and has one grown son. She and her husband have served churches in Alabama and Georgia and were also internal missionaries with the International Mission Board for 8 years in Sao Paulo, Brazil. She currently writes and teaches Bibles studies to women in her local church and at women’s conferences.
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She is a former Bible curriculum writer for Lifeway Church Resources and has written devotionals, cover stories, and feature articles for Journey, Discipleship Journal, Missions Mosaic, and other periodicals.
Speaking, teaching, and writing are her greatest joys. She loves to see how God uses His word to change the lives of those who hear and respond to it.
Directors
Melissa Jansen
Melissa Jansen (Co-Director) is a board-certified Christian Life Coach, Speaker, Devotional Writer for thelife.com, author of two books, including 40 Voices of Grief and Gratitude, and former co-host for “Honey for the Soul.” Melissa spent the past 30 years leading ministries, facilitating Bible studies, speaking at conferences, and coaching women and couples. Additionally, she directed two crisis pregnancy centers and a homelessness prevention center. She currently co-directs the women’s ministry at Northside Church in Rome, Ga, where she lives with her husband, Paul. She has two grown daughters, and three grandchildren.
Dawn Booke
Dawn Booke (Co-Director) has a gift for leadership and serving. These are God- given gifts that are usually not found in one person. She has a master’s degree in leadership from Shorter University, which has been instrumental in this role of co-directing. Dawn has attended Northside Church for over 20 years, serves on the Worship Team, teaches at The Cove, and co-directs the Women’s ministry. Her heart is for other ladies to experience the grace and love that she has found through her relationship with Jesus Christ. Dawn lives in Cartersville, has two grown children, and four grandchildren.
