365 Day Devotional: Contributors

Carla Burton has been in ministry throughout her entire life, first as a PK and then a missionary kid to the Philippines. She met and married her husband, J. Kurtis Burton at JCM and they became the Pastors of The Turning Point Church located in Madison (North Nashville), TN in 1996. She is the author of several books and became a licensed minister with the UPCI in 2016. She is at UGST pursuing her Master of Divinity. She is the creator and founder of A Passion Approach, a digital, online resource center for Apostolic teaching resources (www.apassionapproach.com). Her ministry reveals her true passion; to see people’s lives transformed through illumination from the Bible!

I am first a worshiper of the everlasting God! I am blessed beyond words to have been married to my best friend , Mark for over 40 yrs. We have three awesome sons currently working with us in ministry, three wonderful daughters in law, and six of the smartest grandchildren on the planet! We have pastored at Landmark Worship Center in Bethalto, IL for 30 years. I served as Illinois Ladies Ministries secretary for six years and in 2019 began serving as Illinois Ladies Ministries President. I live everyday indebted to my God!

Sis. Leslie Crisler is a licensed minister with the UPCI. She serves as the Social Media Director for A Passion Approach and is currently writing her first book “Recovering Loudly.” Leslie attends Royalton Apostolic church in Royalton, IL, with her husband Jeff, where she also serves as the worship leader. Leslie is passionate about ladies ministries and has been a speaker at several local conferences. She loves teaching bibles studies, coffee, and traveling. Most importantly her desire is always “First, the kingdom!”

Annette (Hockensmith) Culp is blessed to be a fourth generation Pentecostal who grew up in Bagdad, KY, where she spent eighteen years of her life. After graduating from High School, she followed God’s leading and moved to New Port Richey, FL serving as a musician, Sunday School teacher, Youth worker, church secretary, and anything she was asked to do. During that time, she also worked full-time as a graphic artist. She married her sweetheart, Scott, in 1995 and in 1998 they moved to Tallahassee, FL where they both help in various ways not only in their church, Pentecostals of the Capital City (Pastor Daniel Huba), but in the community. Annette has been employed with an HHS agency for 21 years and Scott is a Lieutenant with the local Fire Department. Their two sons and daughter-in-law are the joy of her life, and she truly considers herself blessed. Although life is not always easy, Annette’s motto is and always will be “Still I will stand!”

Tere De la Rosa is a licensed minister and serves as the Spanish Ladies Coordinator for the FL District. She has spoken nationally and internationally at ladies’ conferences, as well as written and published several books. Sis. De la Rosa is the wife of Rev. Luis De la Rosa, Pastor of the Spanish Ministry at Life Covenant Sanctuary, Bradenton, Fla. She also served for 8 years as the National Ladies Liaison for Spanish Evangelism Ministries, UPCI.

Carla DePriest and her husband, Phil, enjoy living and ministering in Murfreesboro, Tn, where he is Bishop at Centerpointe Apostolic Church. They have two sons, two beautiful daughters-in-law, and five grandchildren, who fill their world with joy. Reading, gardening, teaching, traveling, and being with friends are favorite pastimes.

Caitlin Dykes lives in Nashville Tennessee with husband Travis Dykes. She earned a four year bachelors degree from Urshan College in Christian Ministries. She currently works as a songwriter. She is involved heavily in her home church, as the social media director and a mentor to young ladies within the youth and hyphen.

Nannette has been wife to The Sweetheart for nearly 45 years. Their three sons and three DIL’s have blessed them with eight precious grandchildren; the joys of their lives. Author of The Daniel Fast, A 21 Day Journey of Faith, she also blogs at Hope in the Healing and is obsessed with crocheting. Nannette and her Sweetheart, Douglas are Associates in Missions with the UPCI and attend Centerpointe Apostolic Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Andrea is blessed to be wife to the amazing LJ Harry and mom to beauties Makenna and Raylee. She works as an organizer and loves Restoration Church in St. Charles, MO! She also loves her Jesus, family dog Bingo, and writing devotions and hopes to someday grow up and take her coffee black.

Jerilynn Hall was raised as an MK to Hong Kong. She married her Bible School sweetheart, Jeff. They have been in continual ministry for 31 years and currently pastor a network of churches in Washington State. She loves her 3 grands and gorgeous English Lab, Dolly. She has a passion for the things of God, pursues Christ as a laborer and has one goal…. develop laborers.

Doris Jaynes is a former member of the Maine District Ladies committee, retired medical worker, and wife of Noah Jaynes, pastor of Oxford Hills Christian Fellowship, Norway, Maine.

Ginger is wife to Brian Labat and mom to Brielle and Ashlyn. For the last 23 years, she has served as First Lady and Adult Bible Teacher at Calvary UPC in Addison, IL. Ginger served on the Illinois District Ladies Committee for 15 years, and is a speaker for both local and international ladies conferences and events. She is a co-podcaster at The Moral Support Podcast, and her greatest passion is motivating and equipping people to live an abundant life through Christ.

My name is Hannah Marsh and I am from Heath, Ohio. I am 23-years-old and I have been married to the love of my life, Carson Marsh for almost one year. My husband and I attend Christian Life Center under Pastor Michael Enseyand Sister Rebecca Ensey. I am involved in multiple church ministries such as youth staff, connection/greeters team, community outreach, nursery staff, pastoral prayer team, and I am constantly looking for more ways to get involved. I love serving to see The Kingdom of God grow and my hearts passion is to serve others. I am a licensed social worker in the state of Ohio since graduating from The Ohio State University with my Bachelors of Science in Social Work with a minor in Substance Use and Addiction Behaviors, and I'm currently working on My Masters of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy. Currently, I serve my community through addiction recovery services such as individual and group counseling. I have dedicated my career, my church involvement, and my life to serving others to grow His kingdom.

Tisa majored in Music at Jackson College of Ministries and graduated from the University of Central Florida, where she is certified in Elementary and Music Education. She teaches music at a precious preschool two days each week, as well as teaching several piano and voice students each week. Tisa, alongside her husband Darrell, serves as a North American missionary. They are excitedly carving out new church works in Southern Maine. She has two wonderful young adult children who were recently married and serve the Lord vivaciously. Tisa came to the Lord in the power of His Salvation at 13 and was raised by an incredible single mom. Tisa comes from the experience of having a “not-so-perfect” home life and background. She has allowed the Lord to rewire her thinking through His Word and hopes to encourage other “not-so-perfect” ladies through the lessons she has learned.

Shara McKee is a Native of Houston, TX. She is wife to Pastor Rob McKee and they are proud parents of three beautiful daughters, Savannah, McKenna and Sophia. She currently serves as the Pastor’s wife and music director/worship leader of The Pentecostals of Katy. Shara holds a Bachelor’s degree in teaching from The University of Houston, and two Master’s degrees from Regent in University in Organizational Leadership and Psychology. She’s also a licensed practitioner with Everything DiSC (Wiley).

Cylinda Nickel grew up in the islands of the Caribbean. She was raised with a global vision and compassion for others. The people and circumstances she encountered during that time sparked a passion for changing the world. A graduate of Indiana Bible College, she focused on strengthening missionary kids for 20 years. She served as the assistant coordinator and office manager of MK Ministries for 11 years. She has traveled to 59 nations and is an international speaker. She authored the book

Paula Nilsen is author to two books, Hello New Life and Awestruck, a devotional. She works in the tech field. In her free time, she writes, reads, and travels. Her two grown sons, daughter-in-law, and grandsons are her ballasts and the loves of her life.

Mindy Page is a wife, mother, teacher and pastor’s wife among other things. Teaching the Word of God is one of her greatest passions. She also loves to cook but not the clean up and loves traveling but not packing. Mindy is most thankful for the love and mercy of her Good, Good Father.

Melinda was born in Alabama, raised in Ghana, and currently lives in St. Louis, Missouri. She has been many places and is grateful that God is the same in all of them. She lives to promote His name and fame in any and every possibly way. Writing is her favorite way.

Someone wise once told her that if she would write, it would enable others to run. That’s what she wants to do more than anything: enable others to run. So, she writes what she can from her own heart, ever praying that the Lord take them and turn them to fuel for someone else's. Check out her Book: Disaster Minister

Janice Sjöstrand, EdD, is a professional educator, vocalist, and musician. She has written numerous songs, among which is the Dove Award winning “Alabaster Box,” recorded by CeCe Winans and has performed at the National Prayer Service and two presidential inaugurations, opened for the late Ray Charles, and spoken at both professional and religious conferences around the country. Currently, Janice pastors with her husband at Christian Apostolic Church in Newark, Ohio, where she lives with her family. She continues to travel and is a featured speaker at numerous church conferences nationally and internationally.

Dr. Beth Jan Smith resides in Kennewick, Washington, and has been married to Kelly Smith for thirty-seven years. She is a licensed minister with the United Pentecostal Church and currently serves as the Washington District Section 3 Treasurer.She has a doctorate in Education Leadership from Washington State University and is a member of Christian Life College Board of Directors. She attends the Tower of Pentecost in Richland, Washington where her daughter, Janel Smith, is the Business Manager. Her daughter, Cori Lucas, is a UPCI missionary to Japan

First, I'm a daughter and follower of Jesus Christ, and I've been serving in ministry since I was 10 years old. Secondly, I'm blessed to be a wife to my husband and mother to my two sons (my favorite job ever!). I graduated with my Music degree from CLC, and my Masters from WGU in Business Management Sciences. When not assisting APA, I currently serve as Business Manager for Tower of Pentecost in Richland, WA, and my hope for the future is to use my 13+ years of corporate experience to serve HIS kingdom in any way I can. Also, I am a published children author and illustrator. Check out My Bible ABC's on Amazon!

Rev. Genessa Tory is a licensed UPCI minister as well as pastor’s wife of Apostolic Life Church of Carbondale, Illinois. Her first book, Hold the Lamb, is in process of publication. She is also a contributing author for A Passion Approach and The Pentecostal Pen. Aside from her role as pastor’s wife, Sister Torsy has worked with youth, children’s ministries, music ministry, and loves teaching bible studies. On a personal level, she is a strong proponent for clean eating and homeschooling. Couple that with a love for coffee, travel, and biblical archeology, and you have Sister Torsy in a nutshell!

Pat Vick is the pastor’s wife of Rushings Chapel Pentecostal Church in Camden, Tennessee. She has been a teacher of the gospel for over twenty-five years to all age groups. She is an avid reader, writer and blogger. Her passions are her Family, Teaching the Word of God, Ladies’ Ministries and Missions.