SPEAKERS AND ARTIST
Learn more about our inspiring guest speakers and artist.
GENERAL SESSION SPEAKERS
CHRYSTAL EVANS HURST
Chrystal Evans Hurst is an encourager who teaches people to love God, love others, and love themselves. Chrystal is a wife, mother of five and grandmother of three. She is also a speaker and the best-selling author of “She’s Still There,” “Kingdom Woman,” and the newly released, “The 28-Day Prayer Journey.”
Chrystal is an energetic, life-loving woman who loves encouraging others to fulfill their potential in Christ. With humor and vulnerability, Chrystal tells it like it is but does so with grace, integrity and love. You can find Chrystal regularly sharing encouragement via her podcasts and blogs, where she poignantly reflects on faith and speaks with frank honesty about the everyday experiences of women. 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 believe and apply that truth to their lives.
‘All In’ Worship Service with Chrystal Evans Hurst and Doe Jones
Wednesday, May 25 – 7:30 p.m.
Kariss Farris
Kariss Farris is an energetic, honest, and fun-loving “girl-next-door” who desires to encourage other young women to seek Jesus in their journeys as wives, mothers and businesswomen.
She is a gifted photographer, writer, and speaker. As co-owner of Pharris Photos & Philms, Kariss specializes in wedding and commercial photography. She travels the world photographing clients, educating other photographers and sharing Kingdom business principles. As the eldest grandchild of Dr. Tony and Lois Evans, Kariss has been surrounded by the word of God her entire life. She poignantly reflects her thoughts about her faith and day-to-day experiences with her children, husband and business through daily devotionals which can be found on her blog at karissfarris.com and on Instagram.
Most importantly, Kariss is a dedicated wife to Joshua and mother of three. In her downtime, you’ll find her gathered together with family at her home in Dallas, TX making messes and memories.
Grace Session I: ‘Taking the Plunge’ with Karris Farris and Doe Jones
Thursday, May 26 – 10 a.m.
Co-Pastor Susie C. Owens
Co-Pastor Susie C. Owens is a native Texan and a product of the Boston Public School System. Understanding her call to teach, she pursued the field of education, graduating from Brooks College in 1972 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education. In May of 1999, she received a Master of Arts degree in Religious Studies from Howard University School of Divinity. In June of 2013, she received her doctoral degree in African American Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA.
Co-Pastor Owens’ innate ability to deliver the word of truth, her passionate and intentional posture of prayer and her footing on the cutting edge of ministry has opened numerous doors and placed her on diverse platforms, such as the Top 10 Gospel Billboard, featuring two of her CDs entitled Prayers from the Heart Vol. 1 Faith and Vol. 2 Healing the Land. She is the wife of Archbishop Alfred A. Owens, Jr., who is the pastor of Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church in Washington, DC; a progressive, inner-city church. Co-Pastor Owens is the author of three books; Unless Two Agree, Memorable Moments and Soaring Above The Ceiling.
In her spare time, she enjoys the theater and reading. Finally, she is the proud mother of two children, Alfred Thomas and Kristel Moneek and grandmother of seven grandsons Nathan, Darian, Nicholas, William, Kaiden, Kiyson, Karter and one granddaughter Keiress.
Grace Session II: ‘Treasure in the Trial’ with Co-Pastor Susie Owens
Friday, May 27 – 11:45 a.m.
WORKSHOP SPEAKERS
Reverend Annie B. Darden
Reverend Darden is a member of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden (FBCG) in Landover, MD. At FBCG, she serves as one of the Associate Pastors and Staff Ministers; teaches in The Institutes at the church; the Women Focus Studies; and the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women in Jessup, MD.
Reverend Darden is the author of “The Ephesians Woman,” a teaching curriculum taught in churches across Prince George’s County for women’s retreats, conferences and Bible Study cell groups. This curriculum is for women who are passionate about deepening their relationship with Christ. Reverend Darden desires to pour back into women’s lives, give a wake-up call to their uniqueness, make a difference in their lives and community, and, most of all, know their position in Christ.
She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Management from the University of Maryland in College Park, Md. and a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies at the Lancaster/Capital Seminary.
Reverend Darden has two adult children, five grandchildren and three great grands. She loves the Lord and is a committed servant in His Kingdom.
Grace Girl Workshop II: ‘Sink or Swim’ with Reverend Annie Darden
Friday, May 27 – 11:45 a.m.
Reverend Esther L. Gordon
Reverend Esther L. Gordon is the Department Head for the Education and Training Ministries Department and an Associate Pastor at First Baptist Church of Glenarden. She has been a member for 29 years and served in various capacities, from the Praise Team to short-term missionary. Currently, she is responsible for The Institutes and 25 other ministries that serve and support the congregation in the areas of education, health/wellness and empowerment. Her passion is to see every believer fully equipped and engaged in pursuing their own distinctive spiritual journey.
Reverend Gordon is uniquely called to the teaching ministry and committed to the holistic approach to ministry – mind, body and soul. She is a teacher, preacher and facilitator, having presented workshops in the areas of Biblical Studies, Biblical Finances, Christian Lifestyle and Leadership Development.
Prior to entering full-time ministry, Reverend Gordon completed her government service career with the United States Senate as an Assistant Sergeant at Arms for Operations (COO). She had management oversight for all U.S. Senate operations, including the Senate wing of the Capitol.
She has an undergraduate degree from Howard University and has completed post-graduate work at Howard University School of Divinity and Bethel Seminary.
Reverend Gordon has a son, daughter-in-love and two grandchildren. She loves to travel and is an avid reader.
Her life scripture is Romans 8:18: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
Grace Girl Workshop IV: Shine Your Treasure with Reverend Esther Gordon
Friday, May 27 – 10:45 a.m.
Tiffany Simmons
Tiffany Simmons is an active member of The First Baptist Church of Glenarden, where she holds the position of Health Ministry Director under the Education & Training Department. She has been privileged to lead as the Assistant Chaplain of the United Voices in the Music & Arts Department. Simmons is also a 2017 graduate of Sister in Discipleship. As a Fall 2021 Women’s Focus Study Facilitator, she has led over 50+ women from across the globe in Winning the Battle in Your Mind, providing biblical strategies for everyday living. She has been featured by FBCG’s Grace Girls Gathering, helping women shift from being Fear-ful to Fear-less.
She routinely engages in support of others through various ministry collaborations and community service, including So Others Might Eat in Washington, DC. Simmons is currently continuing her education at the Catholic University of America.
Above all, Simmons is the proud mother to Tyriq Simmons, whom she raised as a single parent. He is following in her footsteps as an educator.
Grace Girl Workshop III: ‘Into the Deep’ with Tiffany Simmons
Friday, May 27 – 9:45 a.m.
Maria E. White
Maria E. White is the director of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden’s Wives’ Support Ministry. She is the originator of FBCG’s Grace Magazine and the Women’s Group Prayer Team. The author, blogger and podcaster also serves as a facilitator for the Women’s Focus Study Ministry, where she facilitates discussions on how to be godly wives, women and nurturers. For the past 33 years, White has been married to her college sweetheart. She is a grandma of one grandson, RJ, and the mother of two adult sons and a daughter-in-love.
Grace Girl Workshop I: ‘From Shallow to Deep Waters’ with Maria White
Thursday, May 26 – 11:15 a.m.
ARTIST
DOE Jones
DOE is a multi-layered artist who hopes to bless the world with her authenticity and undeniable musical gift.
Born in Washington State and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana, DOE grew up with a family that performed on the gospel circuit. At 16, she joined her parents and four siblings to create the septet, Forever Jones. The group released two albums on EMI Gospel, “Get Ready” in 2010 and “Musical Revival” in 2012, followed by their self-released “Prayer Tools, Vol. 1” in 2014. The family saw much success and was nominated for multiple Stellar and Dove awards and two Grammy Awards.
In 2014, she embarked on her solo career. DOE has since been featured on Jonathan McReynolds’ single “Cycles,” and she released her singles, “Deepest Part of You,” “Reach,” and the hit “Brighter,” from her self-titled EP.
The songstress is excited to share her sound with a broader audience to impact lives positively.
‘All In’ Worship Service with Chrystal Evans Hurst and Doe Jones
Wednesday, May 25 – 7:30 p.m.
Grace Session I: ‘Taking the Plunge’ with Karris Farris and Doe Jones
Thursday, May 26 – 10 a.m.
7 p.m. – ‘Light up the Night’ with Doe Jones and Asking for My Friend Panel
Thursday, May 26 – 7 p.m.