Spring Retreat 2023
April 27 – 30, 2023, Ridgecrest Conference Center
Register TODAY to secure your spot at the 2023 Retreat.

He Makes All Things New
After the trauma of abuse, we may find ourselves feeling shattered and longing for love more than ever before.
Registration is NOW open for our 2023 He Makes All Things New Women’s Retreat: April 27-30 in Black Mountain, North Carolina, at the Ridgecrest Conference Center.
Abuse of any kind is a soul crushing experience. It impacts the very essence of our being—body, mind, soul, and spirit. Without help, these effects can last a lifetime, but our God is a healer. His Spirit and Word provide truth, comfort, and hope to the afflicted. Nothing is too difficult for him. He is willing and able to restore our souls.
If you have experienced the trauma of abuse or want to learn to better support those who have experienced it, we invite you to join us in 2023 for our He Makes All Things New retreat. Our theme for this year’s retreat is He Restores My Soul, and we believe this event will be life-changing for many, as we share God’s path to healing for your body, mind, soul and spirit.
Main session speakers include Elyse Fitzpatrick, Beth Broom, Joy Forrest, Kimberly Parker & Tabitha Westbrook.
Healing happens in community, and we want to provide you with a protected oasis at our retreat to be seen, understood, and experience belonging and restoration. You will have the opportunity to participate in a small group based on a life circumstance or topic, such as survivors of childhood sexual abuse, homeschooling moms, parenting traumatized children, knowing your identity in Christ, and many more. You will have opportunities to engage in activities and teaching that encourage healing for every aspect of your being. Examples include art therapy, nature hikes, restorative movement, and many sessions centered around finding healing, wholeness, and redemption.
We hope you’ll join us for this special, life-changing event.
We have maxed out all Scholarships and only have Walnut rooms (dorm style) remaining at Ridgecrest.
(Scroll down for more information)
Tasha Layton will be hosting a special concert for us on Saturday evening. Author and performer of “Into the Sea (It’s Gonna Be OK)“
MAIN SPEAKERS
All Scholarships for the 2023 Retreat are accounted for. There are no Scholarships remaining.
We are excited with the massive response we have received for the He Makes All Things New Retreat this April 27-30th. Due to this high demand we only have Walnut Rooms (dorm style) for on-site lodging at Ridgecrest.
There are also many great and affordable hotel and house rental options very close to Ridgecrest that we encourage you to check out. You are able to register off-site for the retreat and still purchase a meal plan at Ridgecrest, so you can still enjoy all the meals on-site during the retreat.
We created a waitlist for Hotel style Ridgecrest lodging in case more rooms become available. Rooms may not be released until a few days before the retreat, so we suggest you register for off-site, and find lodging that you can cancel in the event that you later receive an on-site hotel style room through the waitlist.
Signing up for the hotel style room waitlist does not register you for the retreat or guarantee a registration spot. We can upgrade anyone who registered for off-site when a room becomes available, and you will only need to pay the difference between the costs.
BREAKOUT SPEAKERS
Georgia Shaffer
Coach, Author & Speaker
Rebecca Davis
Book Coach, Spiritual Coach, Author
BREAK OUT SESSIONS
Pre Conference
Be Encouraged with Linda Sheimo
General Conference
Walking Through the Pain of Sexual
Days till the 2023 Retreat
Day(s)
:
Hour(s)
:
Minute(s)
:
Second(s)
Support Called to Peace Ministries
Called to Peace Ministries serves to be a beacon of hope through Christ to women and their families trapped in the dangerous dynamics of abuse by offering help through our Emergency Fund.
The Emergency Fund exists as a source of last resort, to be used only after the client requesting assistance has explored all other possibilities of help from family, friends, savings, or investments. The Fund is intended to be a temporary help to help provide financial assistance to survivors during a time of crisis.

“By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. If anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need and has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:16-18)
What is Called to Peace?

2020 Billboard’s Top 5 female Christian artists of the year
Breakthrough single “Into The Sea (It’s Gonna Be OK),” which was among the biggest hits at Christian radio that year
Appeared on Season 9 of American Idol
Spent four years as a back-up vocalist for pop superstar Katy Perry.
Tasha Layton
Tasha Layton’s 2021 smash hit “Look What You’ve Done” reached the pinnacle of Billboard’s Christian Airplay chart and earned her recognition as one of the publication’s Top 5 female Christian artists of the year. She has been featured on ABC’s GMA3: What You Need To Know, discussing how past struggles have shaped her life and inspired her music; and Layton served as co-host of the 52nd GMA Dove Awards Pre-Telecast last year. Her six-song holiday EP This Is Christmas bowed in October and her guided prayer journal, “Boundless: Moving Freedom From Your Head To Your Heart,” also released last fall.
Show More
In 2020 Layton was first named one of Billboard’s Top 5 female Christian artists of the year on the heels of her breakthrough single “Into The Sea (It’s Gonna Be OK),” which was among the biggest hits at Christian radio that year. Prior to her solo career, Layton appeared on Season 9 of American Idol and spent four years as a back-up vocalist for pop superstar Katy Perry. A South Carolina native, her voice has been heard in productions for Disneyland and Cirque du Soleil; she has served as an instructor at the National Praise and Worship Institute at Nashville’s Trevecca Nazarene University; and Layton is featured in pro-audio company TC Helicon’s book, “The Ultimate Guide to Singing.”

Certificate in biblical counseling from CCEF (San Diego)
M.A. in Biblical Counseling from Trinity Theological Seminary
Authored 25 books on daily living and the Christian life
Elyse Fitzpatrick
Elyse holds a certificate in biblical counseling from CCEF (San Diego) and an M.A. in Biblical Counseling from Trinity Theological Seminary. She has authored 25 books on daily living and the Christian life. Elyse loves to proclaim the good news of the gospel: That Jesus, the Second Person of the Trinity, perfectly obeyed all the Law in our place, suffered in isolation and agony as punishment for our sin, died, and then rose again, all for our justification.
Show More
A frequent speaker at national conferences, she has been married for over 40 years and has three adult children and six really adorable grandchildren. Along with her husband, Phil, Elyse attends Grace Bible Church in Escondido, California.

Professional certified coach
Licensed psychologist in P.A.
Author, “Taking Out Your Emotional Trash”
Author, “A Gift of Mourning Glories: Restoring Your Life after Loss”
Author, “12 Smart Choices for Finding the Right Guy”
Recipient of the American Association of Christian Counselors Award for Excellence in Christian Caregiving
Mourning Glory Minute (YouTube series)
Georgia Shaffer
Georgia Shaffer knows what it’s like to bounce back after repeated challenges and abuse. Her passion is to support women and help them to develop the skills needed to move from reeling to resilient. As an author, professional certified coach and licensed psychologist in PA she offers individual and group coaching.
Show More
Some of Georgia’s zoom coaching groups include: ReBUILD after Divorce, Dating after Divorce, Taking Out Your Emotional Trash, Healthy Healing Relationships and Grieving Well. For free resources, to watch her video series the Mourning Glory Minute or to discover more about Georgia’s coaching groups visit www.GeorgiaShaffer.com
Here is what it was edited to be to fit in the program:
Georgia Shaffer knows what it’s like to bounce back after repeated challenges and abuse. Her passion is to support women and help them to develop the skills needed to move from reeling to resilient. Some of Georgia’s zoom coaching groups include: ReBUILD after Divorce, Dating after Divorce, Taking Out Your Emotional Trash, and Grieving Well.
Quick Facts
Professional certified coach
Licensed psychologist in P.A.
Author, “Taking Out Your Emotional Trash”
Author, “A Gift of Mourning Glories: Restoring Your Life after Loss”
Author, “12 Smart Choices for Finding the Right Guy”
Recipient of the American Association of Christian Counselors Award for Excellence in Christian Caregiving
Mourning Glory Minute (YouTube series)

Professional certified coach
Licensed psychologist in P.A.
Author, “Taking Out Your Emotional Trash”
Author, “A Gift of Mourning Glories: Restoring Your Life after Loss”
Author, “12 Smart Choices for Finding the Right Guy”
Recipient of the American Association of Christian Counselors Award for Excellence in Christian Caregiving
Mourning Glory Minute (YouTube series)
Georgia Shaffer
Georgia Shaffer knows what it’s like to bounce back after repeated challenges and abuse. Her passion is to support women and help them to develop the skills needed to move from reeling to resilient. As an author, professional certified coach and licensed psychologist in PA she offers individual and group coaching.
Show More
Some of Georgia’s zoom coaching groups include: ReBUILD after Divorce, Dating after Divorce, Taking Out Your Emotional Trash, Healthy Healing Relationships and Grieving Well. For free resources, to watch her video series the Mourning Glory Minute or to discover more about Georgia’s coaching groups visit www.GeorgiaShaffer.com
Here is what it was edited to be to fit in the program:
Georgia Shaffer knows what it’s like to bounce back after repeated challenges and abuse. Her passion is to support women and help them to develop the skills needed to move from reeling to resilient. Some of Georgia’s zoom coaching groups include: ReBUILD after Divorce, Dating after Divorce, Taking Out Your Emotional Trash, and Grieving Well.
Quick Facts
Professional certified coach
Licensed psychologist in P.A.
Author, “Taking Out Your Emotional Trash”
Author, “A Gift of Mourning Glories: Restoring Your Life after Loss”
Author, “12 Smart Choices for Finding the Right Guy”
Recipient of the American Association of Christian Counselors Award for Excellence in Christian Caregiving
Mourning Glory Minute (YouTube series)

Becky Lehmann
Becky is the Co-founder and Community Relations Director of Wildstream Experiential Resources,Inc., a non-profit ministry dedicated to helping individuals navigate through the “wilderness of separation and divorce.” She has spent many years leading Bible studies in her local church, is a retreat speaker, understanding listener and compassionate mentor.
Show More
These qualities have enabled her to be passionate in walking alongside women in the challenging aftermath of divorce. After going through various traumas which eventually led to the demise of her 29 year difficult marriage, “ I asked God to take this total mess in my life and, as I submitted it all to Him, to make it His MESSage of grace and redemption. I had no idea He would answer that prayer and redeem many ‘locust years’ above and beyond my imagination.”
Becky remarried 10 years ago and lives in the beautiful mountains of southern Tennessee with her husband Daniel. Both of them knowing firsthand the devastation of shattered marriages, felt called to start Wildstream Retreat at Eagles Rest in Monteagle, Tennessee in 2014 to help wounded people on their difficult journey by providing a safe place to rest, be restored and “re-storied”. Now, almost nine years later, Wildstream has served hundreds from all over the country through retreats, events, and online divorce recovery classes. Their large alumni team they have trained focus on helping hurting souls moving away from their painful past toward becoming healthy, single individuals validated by God. It is Becky’s joy and privilege to be available to come alongside women during one of the most challenging seasons of their life. “We have the opportunity to give them solid, biblically-based principles through a wide range of resources, a lot of heartfelt conversations, and our experiential faith-based curriculum. The crises of so many struggling souls navigating this journey needs to be addressed with a balance of grace and truth.” God put in Becky’s heart, “Perfectionism builds walls, but brokenness builds bridges, and I thank God every day for the opportunity to be a bridge to another broken soul. God truly can take the broken pieces of our life and make them a mosaic of His grace! “
Becky has five grown adult children together with Daniel, two son-in-laws, and enjoys time with their two adorable granddaughters and her bacon loving Cavapoo. She enjoys cooking, reading, traveling, entertaining and bargain retail therapy! She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Samford University and was recently honored with their prestigious Learning for Life award which celebrates the Kingdom work of education alumni.

Over 45 years training therapists and counseling children and adults who experienced child maltreatment and family violence
Author, “From Darkness to Light: Your Inner Journey,”
Author, “Through a Child’s Voice: Transformational Journaling,”
Author, “Eyes Wide Open: Help! with Control Freak Co-Parents”
Former faculty member at Regis University teaching psychology and counseling
Developed and taught a domestic violence counselor training curriculum at the University of Southern Colorado (now Colorado State University-Pueblo) from 1994 – 2001.
Debra Wingfield
Dr. Wingfield educates and trains professionals, community members, advocates, and therapists on coercive control, domestic and family violence, and the impacts of child maltreatment. Her work addresses both prevention and treatment of violence, abuse, and coercive control. She founded House of Peace Publications to provide virtual DV training.
Show More
Her work takes a two-pronged approach to address prevention and treatment of violence, abuse, and coercive control. She provides education to raise awareness and knowledge of these issues. In the past, her work provided treatment to stop the cycle of violence and abuse.
She is the author of From Darkness to Light: Your Inner Journey, a workbook to help adults heal from child maltreatment and family violence; Through a Child’s Voice: Transformational Journaling for tweens and up who experienced child abuse and family violence; Her book, Eyes Wide Open: Help! with Control Freak Co-Parents for Protective Parents to move their lives forward and stop being controlled by their abusive ex.
Dr. Wingfield was a faculty member at Regis University teaching psychology and counseling courses. She developed and taught a domestic violence counselor training curriculum at the University of Southern Colorado, now Colorado State University-Pueblo, from 1994 – 2001. She founded House of Peace Publications in 2009 to provide virtual training in Domestic Violence/ Coercive Control for professionals with clients impacted by these issues.

Rachel Gill
Rachel Gill is the executive director of Give Her Wings, overseeing financial and emotional support for women and children leaving domestic abuse within the church. She also facilitates and develops online education to help churches understand abuse and support victims in their midst.
Show More
Rachel and her family enjoy discovering new book series to read together and exploring new cities. In her free time, she enjoys the performing arts as a welcome refreshment in the midst of heavy topics.

ACBC certified counselor
M.A. in Biblical Counseling from The Master’s University
Shannon McCoy
Shannon is a retreat and conference speaker. She serves on the Biblical Counseling Coalition Council Board and is a contributing blogger for them as well.
Show More
Shannon is a Biblical Counselor certified with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC) and has a Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling (MABC) from The Master’s University. She’s the author of Help! I’m A Slave to Food and contributing author to Women Counseling Women.
Sessions
What Helps, What Hurts: Replacing Shallow Substitutes for the One True God
When we experience abuse, it can be difficult to make sense of what is happening. Our world feels turned upside down, and we may feel like we are going crazy. In times like this, it is easy to turn to other sources for comfort and meaning. We may seek out things or people that can give us a sense of control or power over our lives. But these substitutes for the One true God are counterfeit gods that cannot truly satisfy or heal us. In this session, we will explore some of the most common counterfeit gods and learn how to replace them with the Son of God.

Eileen Scipione
Eileen Scipione was born in 1948 to believing parents and was ‘born again’ by God’s Holy Spirit in 1970. Married to Dr. George C. Scipione, they have five children and two grandchildren. George passed into glory in 2020.
Show More
Experience:
– Special EducationTeacher, Montgomery Co. 1970-1972
– Supervised homeschooling network, San Diego 1984
– Director of Center for Unplanned Pregnancy, 1985-1994
– Biblical Counselor with IBCD and BCI, 1998-2018
– Hotel Hope, owner and manager of women’s shelter 2021-present
Education:
– B.S. 1970 Kutztown University, Special Education and Elementary Education – Graduate work for Visually and Multiply Handicapped at Univ. of Pitt 1971 – NANC certified 2004
– IBCD certified 2005
– MTS at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary 2019
Publications: Women Helping Women (two chapters within)
The Afternoon of Life (one chapter)
Book. From Duty to Delight: Sexual Intimacy for the Whole Woman
Lecture Topics:
Forgiveness is a Promise: being willing, eager and ready to forgive without actually making the promise never to bring up an offense to God, others or yourself .
Overcoming Fear Worry and Anxiety: how to replace ‘what if’ thinking with God’s promises and warnings.
A Gentle and Quiet Spirit: What it is and what it is not.
Inner man/ Outer man: how to balance bodily issues with spiritual issues. From Duty to Delight: sexual intimacy issues for married and soon to be married women Ministering to Victims of Sexual Abuse
Perfectionism or Perfect in Christ
Crisis Pregnancy Counseling and Post Abortion Counseling
When Your Parents Disappoint You/When Your Children Disappoint You Hypersexualization of Children and Teens
Device Addiction : “Help, my teen has been taken over by a machine”.
Friendship and Hospitality Avoiding gossip in Friendship Friendship with your adult children

Executive Director, Blue Ridge Christian Counseling
LPC
Ordained minister
M.A. in Counseling, Westminster Seminary
M.A. Biblical Studies, Westminster Seminary
Author, “After an Affair: Pursuing Restoration”
Author, “Anxious About Decisions: Finding Freedom in the Peace of God” (forthcoming, 2022)
Consulting editor, Journal of Biblical Counseling
Michael Gembola
Michael Gembola is executive director of Blue Ridge Christian Counseling in Southwest Virginia. He is a licensed professional counselor and an ordained minister. He holds masters degrees from Westminster Seminary in Counseling (MAC) and in Biblical Studies (MAR), and has done continuing education in trauma recovery.
Show More
He regularly teaches courses at Westminster Seminary and the Blue Ridge Institute for Theological Education. He is the author of After an Affair: Pursuing Restoration and several articles, and he serves as consulting editor for the Journal of Biblical Counseling. His most next book, Anxious about Decisions: Finding Freedom in the Peace of God, is forthcoming in 2022. He and his wife Kelly live in Roanoke with their two sons and daughter.
Sessions
Divorce & Mercy
“Divorce and Mercy” presents the Bible’s teaching on God’s mercy to those who experience profound suffering in marriage, and the nature of his provision of divorce, as well as common Christian understandings. We’ll consider how best to navigate the complex decision for ourselves or those we love.

Jessica Nagy
My world runs on coffee, Jesus & spicy chocolate; and it’s made entertaining by sarcastic banter. I also think pranks, shenanigans, and epic surprises make the best hobbies! I’m a mom of 2, a survivor, a Trauma Support Specialist, and an NLP Master Coach.
Show More
My passion is helping moms to build community and empower their children to navigate their destructive family systems. To that end, I have been building communities for over 20 years across all of North America, in English and in Spanish.

Juris Doctor, Campbell University School of Law, Raleigh, NC
M.A. in Clinical Psychology, NC Central University, Durham, NC
B.A. in Psychology, NC State University, Raleigh, NC
Tiffany Lesnik
Tiffany focuses on domestic violence, custody, including high conflict custody, stepparent adoptions, grandparent visitation, and the settlement and litigation of family law disputes. Tiffany was the single mother of two daughters and understands how challenging and expensive the legal process can be – having gone through domestic violence and a divorce herself.
Show More
She knows what it feels like to sit on the “client side” of the table and understands that it is frustrating when your attorney doesn’t communicate with you when you feel like your life is in their hands. It doesn’t make it easier when you are spending hundreds to thousands of dollars on representation and don’t even feel like you are an active part of your own case.
Tiffany is determined to make your experience a different one. She will walk alongside you even in your darkest of days.
Tiffany enjoys working with families and their children in conjunction with complex psychological issues and has networked with a team of experts to assist you with your case – regardless of magnitude. Tiffany is a child’s advocate and believes in the rights of children rather than parental rights.

Shari Ellis
Shari Ellis lives near Raleigh, North Carolina with her truly-amazing new husband and four children. She is a pianist and music teacher who recently completed a degree with Berklee College of Music. Shari enjoys making art and photo books in her spare time. After escaping her first marriage in 2018 with a life-saving divorce, she has slowly but surely begun healing from the trauma and is finding a life of joy and peace.

Licensed Professional Counselor
Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist
Care Minister, The Village Church, Denton, TX
Found and Director, Christian Trauma Healing Network
Podcast Host, Counsel for Life
Beth Broom
Beth Broom is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) and Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist (CCTS-I). She owns a private counseling practice specializing in trauma healing. She also serves as the Care Minister at The Village Church Denton in Denton, Texas.
Show More
Beth is the founder and director of Christian Trauma Healing Network, an international association designed to bring trauma care and healing to Christians in the Church and society. She co-hosts a podcast called “Counsel for Life,” engaging conversations about mental health and the Christian life. She is married to Kenny, and they have three children – Sarah, Levi and Elijah.
Liz Evans
Liz Evans, LMT is an emotionally destructive marriage survivor, a mom of 6 kids, a grandma, and has been practicing massage therapy and bodywork for over twenty years. She has pioneered an incredibly gentle & non-invasive form of bodywork called “Core Alignment Therapy” that she teaches to other bodyworkers.
Show More
She has worked with literally thousands of bodies and has been teaching her own style of fitness called Core Transformation for the last six years. She brings many unique insights to her workshop and will do whatever it takes to share with you her core purpose for living: “You are Never Stuck!” Come and be inspired! When she’s not busy with all of the above, she’s working in her wellness center, Wellspring Vitality, on the western slope of Colorado and writing a healing journey memoir centered on healing from C-PTSD in the wee hours of the morning. Her favorite game is human foosball and if her kids really love her someday they will build her a foosball stadium in the backyard.
Check out www.handsonbodyworks.com for more restorative movement tips from Liz Evans. Click on Wellness Matters and enjoy browsing the many suggestions for releasing pain & stress out of the body using the body.
Sessions
The ABC’s of Restorative Movement
So many of us live in our heads, playing the same records of self-doubt, filled with jarring notes of stress and anxiety. We are cut off from our bodies and stuck in fight or flight, frozen in chronic tension. Often we are not even aware of the insidious soundtrack of our lives, but our bodies are taking these messages in very deeply. Join Liz Evans of HandsOnBodyworks, to learn strategies to become aware of these stress patterns. Explore how to listen to your body and discover what it can tell you about your emotional health. Move with Liz as you take in these trauma-informed strategies for communicating with and calming the central nervous system with breath work, restorative movement, holistic self-care strategies and deep body awareness. Your body does not have to happen to you, let Liz teach you how to “happen” to your body.
C-PTSD: Mapping Your Way to Healing
Almost everyone has C-PTSD which is first and foremost an attachment disorder according to Pete Walker, the author of C-PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving. If the DSM-5 were to subtract all of the misdiagnoses that are actually C-PTSD, cites another expert in the field, it would be a pamphlet, not a huge tome of disorders. Most of us know that we have it. I am on the journey of healing from it’s insidious effects and it is powerful to know what it is, how it manifests and the beautiful healing process that can be yours as you become who you were fully created to be. Explore hands-on somatic strategies for walking this path and doing it in community. You will find that things you thought were just you, could be the C-PTSD.

Winifred Ereyi
Winifred Ereyi is the CEO of ThinkSTEM Foundation which is a subsidiary of
eWirecommunications. She is a Domestic Violence Survivor-Advocate. Diversity, Equity and
Inclusion Advocate, STEM Advocate , Leadership Development Consultant and Trauma
Integrated Brain Health Coach.
Show More
The mission of ThinkSTEM Foundation, is to inspire and empower minority female high school
and collegiate students to pursue STEM careers by connecting them to a supportive community
and accessible resources so that they can break free from the barriers to entry, retention and
promotion.
Our vision is to create a pipeline of minority women in STEM that will impact the society,
contribute to innovation and become part of the next generation economic workforce.
We provide Coaching, Advocacy, Leadership Training, Mentoring, SAT Preparation, College
Essay Review, Letter of Recommendation, College and Scholarship search services.
eWirecommunications provides Speaking, Coaching and Specialized leadership training to
current tech professionals so that they can develop the leadership, conflict resolution and
analysis skills needed to successfully navigate the tech environment. eWirecommunications is a
Women In Technology International (WITI) partner.
Winifred is a John Maxwell Certified Leadership organization with a double major Bachelors
degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering (Summa Cum Laude) and a Masters in
Telecommunications and Systems Engineering (Distinction). She has previously worked in the
Telecommunications and Oil and Gas Sector.
Rebecca Davis
With 20+ books under her belt, including the Untwisting Scriptures series, Rebecca Davis has been helping other authors produce their best work for more than a dozen years.
Show More
Rebecca specializes in the areas of the Christian Scriptures and trauma as she helps authors through book coaching, editing, and book collaboration. See more information and client testimonials at https://rebeccadaviswordworking.com.

Brooke Eggen
Brooke’s first passion is her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Lord in his mysterious ways saved Brooke when she was young and set her on a path to bring Him glory and draw her close to him.
Show More
While God never seems to tell the story we think he will, He has told a story of faithfulness and freedom in Brooke’s life. After many years of marriage, the Lord delivered her and her children and brought clarity and hope through Called to Peace Ministries.

Porscha Green
Porscha is a native of Fayetteville, NC and has been living in the RDU area since studying Political Science and Criminal Justice at the illustrious North Carolina Central University, graduating in 2008. She began her work with children and adolescents in a daycare environment at the age of fourteen and continued even after beginning her college experience. Porscha was introduced to the mental health field in 2006, as a residential counselor to at-risk girls. With further interests, she continued to work with young girls, as well as intellectually/developmentally disabled individuals.
Show More
Upon graduation from college, she became a Certified Associate Family Teacher working with at-risk young males by teaching them daily and life skills, as well as, working with their parents to transition them back into the community and home. Later, she gained experience working with adults in the community by providing them with guidance to meet their life goals.
In 2010, Porscha realized that pursuing law school was no longer her passion but she was gifted in counseling and guiding others in overcoming life’s trauma, challenges and meeting their personal goals. Porscha did some Masters education but it was interrupted by her rigorous work training while working with families. She continued work with families (adults and children in crisis) while becoming a Certified Family Centered Specialist and gaining intense Trauma Focused Training. Porscha’s experience with helping others change their lives ranges from various populations including but not limited to youth, juveniles, those experiencing abuse of many sorts, having mental health diagnosis, severe and persistent mental illnesses, homelessness, substance abuse, forensic profiles, etc.
She married Mr. Demetries L. Green, in 2011 and together they have influenced the lives of many by ministering through their marriage. Porscha went through vigorous training for years and became a Licensed Minister in 2013 and Ordained as an Elder in 2019. For many years, Porscha has ministered to youth and adults at her local church and community.
In 2017, she founded a Women’s Support and Empowerment Network by the name of, F.R.E.E. (FRIENDS REALLY ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER) along with a very close friend that continues to grow.
Porscha became a published author of her memoir, “This Makes Me F.R.E.E.” in 2022, sharing her experiences with overcoming her traumatic past. She has since continued her coaching practice to assist others with being free in life and relationships. Porscha aspires to continue to share her gifts and love for people wherever she goes.

Eileen Scipione
Eileen Scipione was born in 1948 to believing parents and was ‘born again’ by God’s Holy Spirit in 1970. Married to Dr. George C. Scipione, they have five children and two grandchildren. George passed into glory in 2020.
Show More
Experience:
– Special EducationTeacher, Montgomery Co. 1970-1972
– Supervised homeschooling network, San Diego 1984
– Director of Center for Unplanned Pregnancy, 1985-1994
– Biblical Counselor with IBCD and BCI, 1998-2018
– Hotel Hope, owner and manager of women’s shelter 2021-present
Education:
– B.S. 1970 Kutztown University, Special Education and Elementary Education – Graduate work for Visually and Multiply Handicapped at Univ. of Pitt 1971 – NANC certified 2004
– IBCD certified 2005
– MTS at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary 2019
Publications: Women Helping Women (two chapters within)
The Afternoon of Life (one chapter)
Book. From Duty to Delight: Sexual Intimacy for the Whole Woman
Lecture Topics:
Forgiveness is a Promise: being willing, eager and ready to forgive without actually making the promise never to bring up an offense to God, others or yourself .
Overcoming Fear Worry and Anxiety: how to replace ‘what if’ thinking with God’s promises and warnings.
A Gentle and Quiet Spirit: What it is and what it is not.
Inner man/ Outer man: how to balance bodily issues with spiritual issues. From Duty to Delight: sexual intimacy issues for married and soon to be married women Ministering to Victims of Sexual Abuse
Perfectionism or Perfect in Christ
Crisis Pregnancy Counseling and Post Abortion Counseling
When Your Parents Disappoint You/When Your Children Disappoint You Hypersexualization of Children and Teens
Device Addiction : “Help, my teen has been taken over by a machine”.
Friendship and Hospitality Avoiding gossip in Friendship Friendship with your adult children

Linda Sheimo
Linda Sheimo is currently the Interim Executive Director, Olive Branch International. This is a nonprofit, humanitarian organization serving international military, first responders and their families.
Show More
Linda has over 38 years of military experience and over 16 years working with women’s ministry. She has a passion for using her life lessons to encourage others about God’s faithfulness. She lives with her husband Shane Smith, in Wisconsin.

M.A. in Professional Counseling, Liberty University
B.A. in Psychology, NC Central University
Licensed Marriage Family Therapist (NC, TX)
Licensed Professional Counselor (SD, TX)
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (NC)
EMDRIA Certified Therapist
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional
Tabitha Westbrook
Tabitha teaches skills that help her clients feel better in their lives and work through the traumatic events getting in the way of their day-to-day life. Tabitha believes hope and healing is possible, no matter how bad circumstances have been. She especially takes joy in helping her Christian clients know God more deeply as they heal.
Show More
We live in a world full of stressors – just watching the news can provoke anxiety! Sometimes in our lives we’ve experienced really difficult and traumatic things. Those things can leave a mark on our soul and sometimes our past doesn’t just stay in our past. Maybe you jump at sudden sounds, have nightmares, or aren’t able to get away from the feeling that something bad will happen. You push those feelings away and keep trying to move forward, but some part of you feels stuck. Tabitha Westbrook is a therapist who helps people who have messy, funky pasts (and sometimes messy, funky presents) live amazing, empowered lives today.
Tabitha graduated with her BA in Psychology from NC Central University and her MA in Professional Counseling from Liberty University. Tabitha owns The Journey and The Process, a private practice with offices in Wake Forest, NC and Flower Mound, TX that specializes in complex trauma, with a focus on domestic abuse and coercive control. Tabitha is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in NC and TX, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in SD and TX, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) in NC, and a Registered Telehealth Professional in Florida. Tabitha is an AAMFT Approved Supervisor, EMDRIA Certified Therapist, a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT) Candidate, and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP). In addition to seeing her own clients, Tabitha oversees a team of therapists in her Wake Forest and Flower Mound offices. She also consults with churches on cases, as well as helping them craft written policies to properly care for victims of abuse. Tabitha is a coach, speaker, and author of the online course Taking Every Thought Captive, where she teaches practical, hands-on skills to help participants live in the present moment, survive any crisis, deal with all the feels, and work and play well with others. You can find Tabitha online at thejourneyandtheprocess.com or tabithawestbrook.com.

Sydney Millage
Sydney Millage, author of Sanctuary: Help and Hope for Victims of Domestic Abuse (Focus Publishing 2018), is certified with the Association of Biblical Counselors (ABC) and earned an MABC from Faith Bible Seminary in Lafayette, IN. She studied piano and voice in college and uses music as a source of life, joy, and comfort in her local church and public schools. Primarily, Sydney provides counseling, training, advocacy with Called to Peace Ministries and Family Resources of Iowa.

Renee Best
Renee Best is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist – Associate. Renee is Certified in EMDR – Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy and Certified in Trauma Focused – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).
Show More
Renee owns a mental health private practice with 17 therapists across three locations (Raleigh, Asheville, and Waxhaw/Charlotte).
Renee didn’t realize her purpose in the mental health field until 8 years ago and made the decision to go back to school and obtain her Masters from Liberty University
Renee works mainly with clients dealing with trauma and was able to support women and children leaving domestic violence homes by providing therapy support This is where Renee found her passion for trauma and continues that focus today by attending training and participating in educational events
In Renee’s spare time, she loves a good early morning gym workout, She loves to spend time with her family and friends, she loves to travel, She loves the game of basketball and keeps her channel on ESPN; Renee loves to read a good book, fictional of course. Renee has been married for 25 years and has been fortunate enough to raise five wonderful children, her own little blended family, who have blessed them with four grandchildren. Being part of a blended family has taught Renee the true meaning of love and understanding.
One little secret to leave you with, please don’t tell anyone; Renee only goes to the gym so she can eat cake, cookies, and chocolate 🙂

Jenny Serata
Hi, my name is Jenny Serata. I’m a domestic abuse survivor and overcomer, an advocate, and a certified health and life coach. I am dedicated to supporting, equipping, and inspiring women who have been impacted by domestic abuse.
Show More
Through individual and group coaching, women are empowered to discover their value, purpose, and identity, be transformed by the renewing of their minds, break free from oppression, and find their wings.
I am excited to share on the topic of healing through worship! I use a holistic approach in my coaching, and have found worship to play a big role in my own healing.

Carolyn Weaver
Carolyn “Charismata” Weaver loves to teach others to engage with God through the artist process, which brings healing and wholeness to hearts. She is a CTPSD survivor, who has written several books and blogs about her healing journey and how to develop your own intimacy with God.
Show More
She also enjoys creating her own unique artwork, as well as volunteering art classes at a local ministry, which assists people escaping the sex trafficking industry.
She is married to an amazingly patient man and has three children. She homeschools her last one at home, as well as serves in prayer ministry in different forms.
A Little More About Her
Carolyn has a BA in Education and taught for several years as a teacher, which led to her to develop several art curriculums for a Christian School and Homeschool organization, at which she also taught art for many years.
From her own healing journey, she has explored several ministries, from inner healing to deliverance style ministries. She has a ordination of ministry certification through Word of God ministries, and is currently receiving training in The Immanuel Approach.
You can reach her at www.blossomingheartsstudio.com.

Executive Director & Founder, Called to Peace Ministries
Author, Called to Peace: A Survivor’s Guide to Finding Peace & Healing After Domestic Abuse
M.A. in Biblical Counseling, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Joy Forrest
Joy Forrest is the founder and executive director of Called to Peace Ministries. She is author of Called to Peace: A Survivor’s Guide to Finding Peace & Healing After Domestic Abuse and the Called to Peace Companion Workbook.
Show More
She holds an M.A. in Biblical Counseling from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and has been active in counseling ministry since 2005. Joy held the position of Community Educator with a local domestic violence agency from 2000-2001, and is a certified advocate with the NC Coalition Against Domestic Violence. She has worked with over two thousand victims of domestic abuse since 1997. Joy is a presenter on both Divorce Care and IBCD’s Counseling Care for Domestic Abuse, and is a contributing blogger for the Biblical Counseling Coalition. In her spare time, Joy loves traveling and spending time with her family– especially her 10 grandchildren.

Speaker
Rachel Curtiss
I grew up in the Northwest, earned my bachelor’s degree from Washington State University, and moved out to the Midwest where I am currently raising my two daughters.
Show More
I grew up with a very controlling and abusive dad and have done a lot of healing work in my own journey. In the last year and a half, I became a functional single mom as my ex-husband chose to leave the marriage for his own sex addiction.
Through my journey of becoming a single mom I started my own business creating all natural products using essentials oils.
I love creating products that can be both a blessing and all natural. I also love helping others find healing and hope through Jesus the restorer of our souls

Speaker
Lori Estelle
Described as a modern day “Psalmist,” singer/songwriter, Lori Estelle has been harmonizing and plucking out tunes on the piano since before grade school. She began to lead worship as a teenager, and has a growing list of over 50 original songs in the works. She has a unique way of creating beautiful, dissonant sounds and rhythmic patterns as a backdrop to her simple, yet profound, lyrics.
Show More
Lori’s songwriting journey reflects her deepening relationship with God through the hardships of becoming a single mother. Many of her songs were born out of her wrestlings with suffering and joy– she has a unique vantage point that allows her to connect and empathize with her listeners and their own personal struggles. They can expect to be drawn into God’s presence and meditate on the many scriptures and prayers she puts to song– finding space to connect with God, to worship Him, and to find peace and healing.
Lori is excited to be releasing first single, “You Restore” which will eventually be one of many Psalms, scriptures, and prayers on her next project, which she is hoping to fund and complete in 2023. Lori and her 2 sons, Josiah and Ezekiel, reside in Raleigh, NC.

Therapist, Coach
Kimberly Parker
Kimberly Parker is a Licensed Therapist and holistic health coach, who is a group practice owner. Kimberly’s area of expertise is in PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Personality Disorders, Somatic Disorders, and eating disorders. Kimberly assists clients with healing their various parts of self with evidence-based treatment models such as EMDR & Brainspotting Therapy.
Show More
Kimberly Parker holds several degrees with a Bachelor’s in Sociology/Psychology, a Master’s in Clinical Social Worker, Master’s in Business administration with an emphasis in Information Technology & Security Studies, she is finishing her Ph.D. in Psychology.

Church Partnership Liaison, Called to Peace Ministries
ANDRE TURRENTINE
Andre is a pastor who refers to himself as a shepherd in the field; believing followers of Christ need to be equipped and encouraged to minister outside the walls of church. The aim is to express the same passion for people as Jesus demonstrated towards us all beginning with his wonderful wife, Judge Karlene Turrentine, and their home grown team of Matthew, MkKenzi, Phillip, and Judah.
Show More
He has a Master of Divinity degree from Campbell University Divinity School, Buies Creek, NC where the Lord led him to focus on chaplaincy, and counseling. While completing his Clinical Pastoral Education requirements, Andre served as a chaplain for InterAct’s Domestic Violence Shelter in Raleigh. Combined with his personal experiences, Andre’s interaction with the women and children in the domestic violence shelter solidified his desire to see more people and organizations willing to intervene and advocate for those in volatile relationships.
Andre served for six years on the CTPM and is now one of our Church Partnership Liaisons. He and Karlene reside in Wake Forest, NC and are charter members of a Revival Hub called the Shepherd’s Well.

Norma Digeso

Church Partnership Coordinator, Called to Peace Ministries
DAN BOECK
Dan grew up in Racine, WI and has served as an associate pastor in Baptist and Evangelical Free churches for the past 27 years. He is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute and has done graduate work at both Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Liberty University.
Show More
The majority of Dan’s professional career has been focused on student and family ministry with his underlying passion being to strengthen families. He has done this through creating ministries for single moms, establishing family discipleship programs, and providing support for marriages and parents. He has found that guided adventure sports are particularly effective in building resiliency in young people and improving family communication. He has assisted families facing tragedies involving loss, special needs, and abandonment throughout his time in ministry.
Having witnessed the upheaval caused by domestic violence in families, Dan is particularly passionate about helping churches intervene effectively in these situations. He has been a keynote speaker, seminar presenter, and conference trainer in the US, India, and Czech Republic. Dan and his wife, Shannon, have five daughters, three sons-in-law, and one grandson. When not spending time chasing his grandson, Dan is searching for glassy water so he and his daughters can go barefoot water-skiing.
Thank You To Our Partners

Disclaimer: CTPM provides education and resources to survivors of domestic abuse and educates people who desire to help them. In no way do we seek to be a substitute for the local church. Rather, our goal is to come alongside churches as they seek to support victims of abuse. We call on experts as we deem necessary from diverse professional disciplines and theological backgrounds to share expertise and solutions for survivors. Those invited to speak on issues of faith at our events agree with our statement of faith affirming historically essential doctrines of the Christian faith as set out in the Apostles Creed. We allow for freedom of conscience in the nonessential doctrines such as divorce, remarriage, and male headship.