MomLife Speakers
How do we find MomLife Speakers?
We are always looking for experienced teachers who love to equip, encourage, and spur on moms toward Christ. We look for moms and other professionals who have specific stories or experience that will be helpful for each of our intentional topics. If you are interested in sharing the name of a great teacher or mom who has an encouraging story to tell, we'd love to hear! Unfortunately we are not able to accept every recommendation; but we don't want to miss a teacher/storyteller who could be a great fit for our MomLife mommas!
We ask that all of our teachers align to our mission and values and statement of beliefs.
Recommend a Speaker or Request a MomLife Team Member to Speak at Your Mom Event
2025-26 MomLife Speakers
Melanie Hill
Melanie is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of MomLife Ministries. With over 20 years of ministry experience, she has a heart for walking alongside women through the joys and challenges of motherhood. Melanie holds a master’s degree in professional counseling and is pursuing a second in biblical and theological studies at Denver Seminary. Through speaking, writing, and one-on-one encouragement, her mission is to help women embrace their God-given identity with confidence and joy. Melanie lives in Clarksville, TN, with her husband of 18 years and their middle-school daughter, and she never turns down pizza, ice cream, or family game night.
Christy Crosby
Christy is the Co-Founder and Strategic Development Director of MomLife Ministries and serves on staff at Grace Community Church in Clarksville, TN. With over 20 years of ministry experience, she is passionate about equipping women to delight in God’s Word in unique and meaningful ways. A lifelong learner, Christy is pursuing a master’s degree in biblical and theological studies at Denver Seminary. Married for 25 years, she and her husband are in the “almost” empty-nest stage with a young adult daughter and teenage son. Christy enjoys theatre, live music, knitting with audiobooks or podcasts, and a great cup of coffee.
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Chris Baxter
Chris is a wife, mother, grandmother, author, and speaker who is passionate about encouraging women in their “faith walk and prayer talk.” A former world-ranked swimmer and two-time U.S. Olympic Trials competitor, Chris learned perseverance in the pool that now shapes her faith, marriage, and ministry. Though raised in a Christian home, her faith deepened in young adulthood when God’s Word became her lifeline. She has authored The Heartbeat of God, Twenty-five Years Twenty-five Lessons in Marriage, Forty Day Journey of Peace, and Forty Day Journey of Prayer. Chris lives in Brentwood, TN, with her husband, Mac.
Janey Pitts
Janey is an author and speaker with a vivacious spirit and calling to serve the Lord. She has a Masters Degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and currently serves on staff at St. Andrew Baptist Church in Panama City, FL as Missions Minister. Janey passionately shares profound biblical truths using her knowledge of first century Biblical culture as well as translating the original Greek and Hebrew languages and puts it all into modern day relevance.
Check out Janey's book Deeply Defined: Understanding Who You Are in Christ.
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Kristen Wetherell
Kristen is a pastor’s wife, mom of three, writer, and speaker who loves helping women love Jesus, learn his Word, and live in light of the gospel. She is the author of Help for the Hungry Soul and Humble Moms, and coauthor of the award-winning Hope When It Hurts. Kristen also cohosts Front Row Seat—encouraging conversations for pastors’ wives through The Gospel Coalition. She and her husband, Brad, live in Chicagoland where they serve at The Orchard.
Tara Dickson
Tara knows what it means to walk through life’s hardest places and still find hope. After losing her husband to brain cancer at just 47, Tara heard four words from the Lord that carried her through grief: “Lift up your eyes.” Those words became her heartbeat and the foundation of the Seek and Savor podcast, where she encourages others to fix their gaze on Jesus instead of their circumstances. Tara is a mother to four grown children and a proud “Nana” to six grandchildren (with two more on the way). Her deepest desire is to help women discover that while life can be unbearably hard, God is always doing a new thing, shaping us through the holy work of suffering into vessels of beauty fit for the King.
Starr Cliff
Starr is a devoted speech and language pathologist who spends her days supporting students and mentoring other speech therapists in her local school system. Married to her best friend for over 25 years, she is the proud mom of three young adults. Starr is known for her warmth, compassion, and gift for walking alongside others through both the messiness and the beauty of life. She is passionate about encouraging growth, celebrating transformation, and meeting people right where they are with authenticity and grace.
Jen Oshman
Jen is an author, speaker, ministry leader, and sometimes-podcaster passionate about connecting God’s Word with who we are and how we live today. She especially loves equipping women and girls to embrace their God-given identity. She and her family served as missionaries and church planters in Japan and the Czech Republic before returning to Colorado, where they planted Redemption Parker in 2017. She has raised four daughters across three continents and she loves traveling, experimenting with global recipes, and cheering for multiple Olympic teams. Check out Jen's books on her website and her newest Lifeway Bible Study, Very Good: What the Bible Says About Being a Woman (coming April 2026).
Jess Connolly
Jess is an author, Bible teacher, coach, and church leader passionate about helping women step into their God-given place in the kingdom. She has written multiple books including:Â Wild and Free, You Are the Girl for the Job, Breaking Free from Body Shame, Tired of Being Tired, and her newest, What Comes Next: 40 Days of Healing After Heartbreak, Burnout, or Brokenness. Jess and her husband, Nick, lead Bright City Church in Charleston, SC, where they live with their four kids and unruly dog, Deacon. Her deepest desire is to leave her generation more in awe of God.
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Emily Jensen
Emily is the cofounder and content director of Risen Motherhood and coauthor of Risen Motherhood: Gospel Hope for Everyday Moments. Her newest book, A Million Tiny Moments: Reflections to Refresh a Mom’s Spirit, encourages women to see God’s grace in the midst of ordinary motherhood. As a writer, speaker, and Bible teacher, Emily loves helping women connect timeless gospel truths to their everyday lives. She and her husband live in central Iowa with their five children, where life is full of family meals, read-alouds, gardening, and plenty of everyday moments that point back to Christ.Â
Lydia Lucas
Lydia was born and raised in Spanish Harlem. She is a wife, mom, grandma, writer, and co-founder of the Latinas Loving Jesus ministry. She also works on the leadership team at City Relief, a faith-based organization that serves people experiencing homelessness in New York and New Jersey. Her favorite way to commune with God is spending time in her backyard garden. She currently lives in New Jersey with her husband and two boys.Â
Sadie Dodson
Sadie is a wife, mother, and grandmother who has spent her life helping families and faith communities grow in connection and resilience. She is a doctoral student studying the intersection of spiritual formation and interpersonal neurobiology, with a focus on how psychological safety shapes our walk with God and with one another. With a background in both Bible and psychology, Sadie brings deep insight and practical wisdom to mothers navigating the challenges of parenting and faith. As a parent, parenting coach, and ministry leader, she loves equipping moms to nurture safe, grace-filled homes where both faith and family can thrive.
Stephani Cook
Stephani has had a long career in school psychology, and she also loves writing and speaking. She serves on the Board of Directors of MomLife Ministries as Vice President. Stephani has been married over 30 years and has two adult kiddos. She is passionate about helping others to improve relationships and to discover intentional, abundant living. She especially has a heart for those in the field of education or in transitional seasons of life.Â
More Speakers from Previous Years
Dr. Josh Straub
Josh and his wife Christi are co-founders of Famous at Home: a treasure trove of resources to equip men, women, and children to become everything God has called them to be. With an extensive background in counseling, Josh aims to lead people home, acting not just as a coach, but also as a spiritual director and pastoral guide. He and his wife also host the weekly Famous at Home podcast; and together, they’ve authored five children’s books, as well as their bestselling parenting book, Famous at Home. Josh also regularly speaks at churches, conferences, and events nationwide.
Debra Fileta
Before anything else, Debra says she is a woman in love with Jesus. That love has been the driving motivator propelling her forward in her pursuits as a wife, mother, licensed professional counselor, speaker, and author. Her newest book is Soul Care: Find Life-Giving Rhythms, Live Restored, Discover Unspeakable Joy, Avoid Burnout. Debra is the founder of the Debra Fileta Counselors Network and the host of the podcast Talk To Me: The Debra Fileta Podcast, where she facilitates on-air authentic counseling-style sessions. Connect with her on Facebook or Instagram!
Dorena Williamson
Dorena loves coffee and a good story—whether it’s in the Bible, books, or on the big screen! She has put her psychology degree to work as a social counselor, a teen mom mentor, and in various ministry roles at the multiracial church she co-planted in 1995. She has been married for over 33 years, and she has four adult children. Dorena has written multiple children's books (including Brown Baby Jesus) with messages tackle important subjects with faith-filled storytelling that enriches the hearts and minds of both younger and older readers.
Megan Evans
Megan is a wife, mother, writer, and serves on the Board of Directors for MomLife Ministries. She is passionate about the Bible and learning to walk at the pace of Jesus. Megan offers encouragement for hurried hearts who want to be still on her website (unhurrymyheart.com), and on Instagram she offers little snippets of peace, joy, and calm into your day as you scroll.Â
Megan's newest book:Â Permission to Walk: a 40-Day Journey to Unhurried Peace
Heather Thompson Day
Heather is a speaker, bestselling author, and the host of Viral Jesus, a podcast with Christianity Today. She also works as an Associate Professor of Communication at Andrews University. She is passionate about supporting women, and runs an online community called I’m That Wife. Her latest books are I'll See You Tomorrow, and It’s Not Your Turn. She resides in Michigan, with her husband, Seth Day, and their three children, London, Hudson, and Sawyer Day. Follow her on Instagram and Facebook.
Sara Turnquist
Sara is a writer who desires to speak into the spaces of women’s lives where they are struggling: with momming, with faith, and/or with life in general. Sara has been married for 15 years and is a mom of three kiddos (ages 9-14). She loves sharing her story of how God continues to bring her through adversity and remains both faithful and personal. You can find her most days drinking coffee, researching, plotting, or writing.
Lauren Groves, LPC-MHS, NCC, RPT
Lauren is a mom of two and lover of Jesus. She is thoughtful and kind, and always looks to point women toward the wisdom of the Lord. She is a licensed professional counselor that specializes in trauma and children; she has a heart for helping others walk in the freedom that Christ offers.
Sissy Goff, M. ED., LPD-MHSP
Sissy is the Executive Director of Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee. She is a sought-after speaker andbestselling author of 13 books including her latest, The Worry-Free Parent: Finding the Confidence You Need So Your Kids Can, Too. Since 1993, she has been helping girls and their parents find confidence in who they are and hope in who God is making them to be. Follow Sissy on Instagram @raisingboysandgirls and @sissygoff.
Pepper Pratt, PHD, LPC-MHSP
Dr. Pratt specializes in helping with psychological trauma and couples therapy. He has trained at: the Allender Center (in Narrative Therapy) and the Gottman Institute; he also has advanced training in EMDR and EFT. He is a graduate of Union University, (BS), Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (MA), University of Memphis (MS) and Trinity Theological Seminary (PhD) and he is author of 5 Keys to Healing From Trauma: A Simple Guide to Process Pain and Get Your Life Back. For fun, Dr. Pratt enjoys golf and fly fishing.Â
Christi Straub
Christi is a wife and momma to three sweet kiddos. She and her husband Josh founded Famous at Home and they host the Famous at Home podcast. She is also a speaker, author, marriage and wellness coach. When she isn't working, she loves to spend time on the lake and watch her kids crush karaoke on a stage built in their dining room.
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Jeanne Stevens
Jeanne is one of the lead pastors of Soul City Church in Chicago’s dynamic West Loop neighborhood, which she and her husband, Jarrett, started in 2010. She is a sought-after speaker, leader, and writer. Her passion to develop people to live boldly & fully gives her a unique voice of hope and challenge.
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Hannah Conway
Hannah is a Social Media Marketing & Communications Coordinator and Women’s Ministry Director. She is also an author, speaker, and co-host of the podcast What’s Your Story? with Stephani Cook. Hannah is also a military wife, momma, former teacher, coffee and dog lover, and Kentucky Wildcats fan.Â
David Thomas, L.M.S.W. and Sissy Goff, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP
Between the two of them, David and Sissy have over fifty years of experience counseling kids and families. They’ve written seventeen+ books and have a podcast called Raising Boys and Girls. Mostly, they love getting to share what they’re learning on a daily basis from their work with kids of all ages.
Kristin Vanderlip
Kristin is a writer and writing coach with a creative, contemplative soul. She is passionate about helping others honor the hard, holy moments of life and draw near to the Lord in hope and healing. Kristin was a part of the MomLife team when she lived in Clarksville, TN, but she's now living in California with her husband, two boys, and new puppy Enzo.
Kimberly Wootten
Kimberly is an Army wife with two small children and she is the Communication and Development Director for the Journeywomen podcast. She desires to be a light in dark places, see others thrive in their God-given design, and she loves meeting new friends.
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PaToya Hall
When she’s not writing or speaking, PaToya works for Baylor University as Employee Experience & Engagement Manager. PaToya is a single mom; she adopted her daughter out of foster care. She is very passionate about God and seeing his magic in the mundane.
Amy Goen
Amy is the Curriculum Coordinator at Providence Christian Academy. She has been married for over 31 years; she and her husband have always served in churches in various states and even as a part of a church plant in Brussels, Belgium. She has 3 adult children and will soon be a grandmother. Amy is passionate about passing on the faithfulness of God to all generations.
