Meet our First 5 Writing Team
Lysa TerKeurst is a mother of five and the President of Proverbs 31 Ministries. She is the New York Times bestselling author of The Best Yes, Unglued and Made to Crave. Lysa was recently awarded the Champions of Faith Author Award and has been published in multiple publications such as Focus on the Family and CNN online. Additionally, she has appeared on the Today show as one of the leading voices in the Christian community.
Each year, Lysa is a featured keynote presenter at more than 40 events across North America, including the Women of Faith conferences and the Catalyst Leadership Conference. She has a passion for equipping women to share their stories for God’s glory through Proverbs 31 Ministries’ annual She Speaks Conference and writer training program, COMPEL: Words That Move People. Connect with Lysa!
Kellye Schiffner Carver is a wife, psychologist and Bible study leader in Mansfield, Texas. She’s also a proud granddaughter, daughter and sister of three inspiring military servicemen, which fuels her commitment to public service. She has a passion for digging into Scripture and exploring the deeper context and meaning of passages that sometimes seem all-too-familiar or unrelatable. In her free time, you can find Kellye volunteering at her home church, playing French horn in a community symphony, creating family documentary films and attempting to befriend her husband’s cat.
Lyli Dunbar’s burning passion as a writer, speaker and mentor is to fuel a wildfire faith in the weary hearted. She starts every weekday by digging into the Word verse by verse with thousands of women as a writer and mentor to 1,200 group leaders at Love God Greatly. A fireball at heart, Lyli is energized by singing karaoke in the car with her husband, reading 12 books at a time, and cooking Cuban food for a full house. Connect with Lyli!
Karen Ehman is a New York Times bestselling author and a Proverbs 31 Ministries speaker. She has written eleven books and Bible studies including KEEP IT SHUT: What to Say, How to Say It; When to Say Nothing at All, and Listen, Love, Repeat: Other-Centered Living in a Self-Centered World. Karen has been featured on numerous media outlets including FoxNews.com, Focus on the Family, Redbook.com, Crosswalk.com, and Home Life Magazine. Her passion is to help women to live their priorities as they reflect the gospel to a watching world. Married to her college sweetheart, Todd, and the mother of three, collecting vintage kitchenware, cheering for the Detroit Tigers, and feeding the many teens and young adults who gather around her kitchen island for a taste of Mama Karen’s cooking. Connect with Karen!
Kayla Ferris is the wife of a farmer, the mother of four daughters ages 12, 9, 7, and 4, and a friend to good books, fresh air, and dark chocolate. But first and foremost, she is a follower of Jesus. Kayla has been a stay-at- home mom for the past 12 years, where she has spent her time washing dishes, folding laundry and changing diapers. Kayla also has a passion and stirring in her heart to put words together to share God’s love and truth. Her blogs are honest and heartfelt, with a splash of humor for good measure. You can read more of what God has been teaching Kayla by visiting her website.
Denise J. Hughes is a teacher at heart. She connects with women through stories and biblically-based messages that meet women right where they’re at in everyday life. She’s the author of Deeper Waters and the Bible study series Word Writers, and she’s currently pursuing an M.Div. at Gateway Seminary. With an M.A. in English, Denise has taught composition at Azusa Pacific University and she enjoys writing for (in)courage by DaySpring. Denise lives in Southern California with her husband and three kids, and she always finds time for peach tea, old books, and a good football game. You can connect with her at denisejhughes.com and on Instagram: @DeniseJHughes.
Nicki Koziarz is a Proverbs 31 Ministries speaker and best-selling author of the book and Lifeway Bible study 5 Habits of a Woman Who Doesn’t Quit. She is wife to Kris, mom to three girls, Taylor, Hope and Kennedy and one slightly famous pug, Herman. Her family lives just outside Charlotte,NC where they own a farm affectionately called, The Fixer Upper Farm. Connect with Nicki!
Katy McCown is a writer, speaker, President of She Laughs Ministries and wife to NFL quarterback, Luke McCown. Katy left her job as a television news reporter to join her husband on their adventure in the National Football League. 13 years, 6 kids and 6 teams later, it’s safe to say the road has been anything but predictable. Through the ups and downs of life, Katy has found God’s Word to be her constant stream of security and strength; and she has a passion for teaching others these truths. The everyday Katy loves a strong cup of coffee – or two – and her car is never clean. Never ever. Connect with Katy!
Titania Paige, affectionately known as “Nia,” is the animated wife of her best friend, Gerald. She founded her blog and ministry LifeBeforeEternity.com in August 2016. There, she helps women embrace a lifestyle of faith by teaching spiritual habits that lead to wholeness in Christ. Known to shake things up with her passion and transparency, Nia’s messages are down-to-earth, energetic, and Bible-centered. When she isn’t writing or vlogging, she’s convincing her husband to take her out for Thai food, studying Japanese, and learning Korean pop dances.
Ann Swindell is a writer and speaker who is committed to seeing women set free by the love of Christ. She writes for multiple publications and is the author of Still Waiting: Hope for When God Doesn’t Give You What You Want. She has been joyfully married to Michael for over a decade and they are raising their two blue-eyed kids in the Midwest. Ann loves helping other writers share their stories beautifully and powerfully through her ministries, Writing with Grace and The Writing Mom Course. Connect with Ann here!
Additional Contributors
Wendy Blight is a wife, mom, author and attorney whose desire is to help every woman know with confidence she can tackle any problem life presents through God’s Word. Wendy has authored four books, Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner; Living So That; I Know His Name, and her newest book, I Am Loved: Walking in the Fullness of God’s Love. Wendy has been a featured guest on Oprah Radio, The 700 Club, Family Life Today with Dr. Dennis Rainey, Revive Our Hearts with Nancy Leigh DeMoss, and Building Relationshipswith Dr. Gary Chapman. She lives in Charlotte, N.C. with her husband and has two young adult children, Lauren and Bo. Connect with Wendy!
Whitney Capps is a wife and mom-in-the-trenches to four loud, wild and wonderful boys ages 12, 11, 9 and 6. She joined the Proverbs 31 Ministries speaker team in 2007. Leaning on her love of theology and honest in her struggles with sin, Whitney’s messages are funny, engaging and solid. Whitney is a regular gal with too-bushy eyebrows, rarely shaven legs and horribly pale cellulite. When not traveling or speaking, she serves her local church and formerly served her community as her local Bible Study Fellowship Teaching leader. Whitney loves to shop, read and nap. Connect with Whitney!
Leah DiPascal is a speaker, inspirational Bible teacher and devotions writer for Proverbs 31 Ministries. Her love of ministry centers around training women and helping them learn how to engage, understand and apply God’s Word to their hectic and oftentimes stressful lives. Leah and her husband, Keith, live outside Charlotte, N.C., where they stay busy running a family business and raising two teenage boys. Connect with Leah on her blog, Whispers for the Soul, where she shares what God is teaching her, along with real-life stories of adventure that are helping women around the world. Connect with Leah!
Suzie Eller is an author, Bible teacher, Bible Gateway blogger and a member of the P31 International Initiatives team. Her desire is to come alongside women with encouragement to live free. She is the author of nine books, including her latest Come With Me: Discovering the Beauty of Following Where He Leads. Suzie is a contributor to KLRC 90.9 FM Radio’s “Words That Make a Positive Difference”. She has been a featured guest on numerous TV and radio shows, including 100 Huntley Street, KLOVE, The Harvest Show, Aspiring Women, Focus on the Family and many others. Suzie lives in NW Arkansas, with her husband. She is mom to three grown children and their spouses, and “Gaga” to six littles under the age of six. Connect with Suzie!
Grace Fox is a passionate Jesus follower, wife, mom to three married kids, and grandma to eight littles with another due in May. She’s also a career global worker whose “yes” to Jesus has meant sharing His love in Nepal, Egypt, Russia, and Eastern Europe. The most recent “yes” meant purging her household to move aboard a sailboat in Vancouver, British Columbia where she’s His ambassador in a marina. Grace has authored nine books including her latest Bible study, Forever Changed and is a regular contributor to Guideposts’ Mornings with Jesus annual devotional. Her passion is to see women transformed by applying Scripture to their lives. Connect with Grace: www.gracefox.com
Camilla Griffith is an Atlanta native now living in Pineville, North Carolina with her husband, Luke, and their cat and dog. Currently she prefers her cat. She joined the First 5 team as the content manager in May of 2016. She has a graduate degree in marriage and family therapy and an undergraduate degree in fashion design, which, as has been pointed out, do not go together. She loves the creativity and beauty of God’s Word and is grateful for the opportunity to learn and teach through First 5 and Proverbs 31 Ministries.
Alexandra Hoover is a wife, a mother of three incredible kiddos, a daughter, a friend, a dreamer, and a reader & writer. Her heart is for the women who have either forgotten or have never known God’s love for them—the women who feel like it’s all too much and that they’re too far gone. She is passionate about sharing how her own wrestles and struggles in life and in sin have led her to see just how beautiful and redemptive the power of the Cross really is and her hope is to, through the telling of her story, empower women to boldly walk with Jesus and to encourage them in the truth of who they really are, in and through Christ Jesus.
Alexandra lives to share about God’s continuous faithfulness in her life, always proclaiming that the promise He holds for His daughters is abundant life, through it all. She spends her days loving on her family, cultivating her friendships, and working and serving at her local church.
Sharon Jaynes is the author of 21 books, an international conference speaker, and a devotion writer for Proverbs 31 Ministries. Her passion is encouraging women to live fully and free as they grasp their true identity as a child of God and a co-heir with Christ. Sharon has also been a contributing author for many books, such as the Women’s Devotional Bible, and magazines such as Focus on the Family. But truthfully, she’s just a simple gal raised in eastern North Carolina who loves the beach, drinks too much sweet tea, and is still crazy about her husband after 33 years. Together they have one amazing grown son, Steven, wh grew up without her permission and move 757.5 miles away (yes, she counted them) to Chicago.
Karen McNary is a Kentucky native now living in Matthews, North Carolina with her husband and three active, soon to be young adult sons. She is passionate about God’s Word and spends time equipping the Church through organizations such as Bible Study Fellowship and Jobs for Life. In April of 2017, she was excited to merge her career in human resources and her love of God’s Word as she joined Proverbs 31 Ministries as the Human Resources Manager. When she’s not working or teaching, you’ll find her uncovering overlooked jewels at the local thrift store.
Kaley Olson is the Senior Manager of the Creative Department at Proverbs 31 Ministries and has been on staff for almost five years. Her job involves overseeing the execution of all ministry promotions, co-hosting the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast and producing content and promotional video shoots. Occasionally, Kaley gets to sit on the other side of the camera and make an appearance in COMPEL and First 5 weekend teachings. She and her husband, Jared, both serve in full-time ministry in Charlotte, NC. Outside of work, they enjoy an extra cup coffee on Saturday mornings, taking their dog on walks and making their claim-to-fame guacamole for friends.
Wendy Pope is a wife to Scott, mother to Blaire and Griffin, author, speaker and Bible study teacher. Whether in the pulpit or on paper, her passion is Biblical application. She’s a published author of Out of the Mouths of Babes and Trusting God for a Better Tomorrow, and is a contributing author for God’s Purpose for Every Woman and The Reason We Speak. Wendy is also a content provider for iDisciple. Each year, Wendy leads women all over the world to life change through her in-depth online Bible studies. She is witty, down-to-earth and transparent. Wendy teaches in such a way that every woman feels that she is speaking directly to their heart. Connect with Wendy!
Hannah Schindler is the First 5 Project Coordinator at Proverbs 31 Ministries. As the First 5 Project Coordinator, Hannah oversees and organizes projects for the team, including our audio teachings. She is a newlywed to Brian, and you can often find them shooting weddings on the weekends or in a local coffee shop. A true Charlottean, Hannah was born and raised in the Charlotte area and loves calling North Carolina home.
Glynnis Whitwer is on staff with Proverbs 31 Ministries as the Executive Director of Communications, overseeing Encouragement for Today devotions, COMPEL Training and the content for She Speaks. She is the author and co-author of 10 books, including Doing Busy Better and Taming the To-Do List. Glynnis and her husband Tod, have five young-adult children and live in Glendale, Arizona. Connect with Glynnis.
Krista Williams is a Georgia girl through and through who believes she was created to help women love and live out God’s Word. She’s married to her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Art. She is also the mother of four married adult children and has six amazing grandchildren. Krista has been a Bible study teacher in her community for over 30 years, through both Precept Ministries International and Bible Study Fellowship. She believes some of the best talks happen on the porch, around the table or on a walk. She never gets tired of hearing how God is working in other people’s lives. Connect with Krista!