G U E S T - Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

G U
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SPEAKERS
Carolyn O’Neal
Carolyn O’Neal has been a member of Houston’s First Baptist Church (HFBC) for
over 30 years where she served as Director of Women’s Ministry on a volunteer basis
for nine years and has been on full-time staff for ten years. Carolyn and her husband,
Les, have one son, Allen, a daughter-in-law named Dana and a granddaughter
named Hailey. They are also members of HFBC and are all serving in various ministries
of Houston’s First. Les is a deacon and serves as a Stephen Minister and is involved
in the Pray the Word Ministry. Carolyn serves as director of the Dayspring Life Bible
Study class, a large ungraded ladies’ class at HFBC. She was also involved with First Place, a Christcentered health program, for 20 years leading classes, providing leadership training and speaking at
conferences throughout the United States. Carolyn still serves on the Board of Directors for First Place.
Carolyn is a frequent speaker at other churches for luncheons, banquets and retreats. She has a heart for
women to be all that God wants them to be and it is her desire that they know her heart and how God
takes the most unlikely person to use for His glory. Her life verse is John 15:16, “You did not choose me, but I
chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last!”
Ashley Allen
Ashley Allen was born and bred in Dallas, Texas, and has served on staff with the Baptist State Convention
of North Carolina as the Senior Consultant of Embrace Women’s Missions and Ministries and Women’s
Evangelism and Discipleship since August 2009. She holds a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the
University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Arts in Christian Education and a Doctor of Philosophy in
Administration, both from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas. She has served on
the church staffs of Hyde Park Baptist Church in Austin, Texas, and the First Baptist Church of Dallas and
has been adjunct faculty and a guest lecturer at three different Southern Baptist seminaries. Ashley has
a deep passion and desire for women to be discipled in the things of the Lord Jesus and to live out their
faith in abandon in their everyday life circumstances. Ashley sincerely desires for women who are mature
in their walk with the Lord to reach out and disciple the next generation of believers in the things of God.
Elizabeth Faw
Elizabeth Faw is the wife of Scott Faw, pastor at Moons Chapel Baptist Church in Siler City, NC. Elizabeth
has served as the women’s ministry leader at Moons Chapel for many years and works part time as a
registered nurse at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill. She is also the mother of two girls, ages 12 and 7.
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Tammy Marion
Tammy Marion was born and raised in Sparta, NC, where she teaches math in the same high school
from which she graduated. As a member of Sparta First Baptist Church, she has served as church pianist
for over 30 years and until a couple of years ago had been an active member of women’s ministry
when she felt God calling her to step out of her comfort zone into a leadership role. Having the blessing
of a spiritually strong mentor and friend, God opened her eyes to His faithfulness and strength in her
weaknesses as well as how He blesses those who simply obey and make themselves available to Him.
She enjoys playing the piano, gardening, any outdoor activity, studying the Bible, and discussions on how
God is working in people’s lives. She treasures time spent with her husband, Buddy, and their two children,
Joshua and Sydney.
Kimberly Merida
WORSHIP LEADER
Kimberly Merida is the wife of Tony Merida, pastor of Imago Dei Church, Raleigh, and the author of
Orphanology. Kimberly is the mother of five adopted children, four from Ukraine and one from Ethiopia.
Kimberly speaks at various women’s conferences and justice ministry events. She serves as adjunct
instructor at Southeastern Baptist Seminary and as Justice Advocate with International Justice Mission.
She is also a musician, playing weekly at Imago Dei, and at other events. You can follow her blog at
www.betheglory.blogspot.com
Cathy Moffett
Cathy has a passion for helping teen girls and women discover the grace and love of Christ and grow in
their walk with Him. She has served in churches and a Christian school, as well as growing with many sisters
in life on life relationships. She earned a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Seminary in Ministry as well
as a Doctorate of Education. She and her husband Joel have three married children and one grandson.
Cathy enjoys spending time with her family, conversations with students, reading, playing guitar, and
exercising.
Denise O’Donoghue
Denise O’Donoghue serves as assistant professor of women’s ministry at Southeastern Baptist Theological
Seminary where she earned her Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling and graduated in December of 2013
with her Doctor of Education degree. She has served as the Women’s Ministry Coordinator at Bay Leaf
Baptist Church and previously served as the Director of Women’s Life at Southeastern. One of her greatest
joys is encouraging women and helping them as they seek answers from God’s Word. Denise lives in
Raleigh with her husband of 36 years, Rod. They have two daughters and four grandsons.
Eva Rice
Eva is a member of First Baptist Church in Sparta, NC, and has been in various ministries in the Body of
Christ for over 60 years. She currently leads the ladies’ Bible studies and is the missions coordinator for the
Embrace Women’s Ministries. Her greatest joy is to watch spiritual growth in those that God has given her
to disciple. Eva is married to Wayne.
embrace Women’s Missions & Ministries
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Rachel Routt
Rachel graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University with a B.A. in Cross-Cultural Ministry and a minor in
Public Relations. She served from 2004-2006 as a Journeyman in Yokohama, Japan. Rachel graduated from
Southwestern Seminary in 2010 with a M.A. in Missions and will graduate from Southeastern in May 2014
with a M.A. in Biblical Counseling. She grew up in a pastor’s home where she developed a passion for God
and His Word, the local church and missions. She hopes to use her passion for discipleship, counseling and
teaching in the United States or abroad. When she is not studying or working, Rachel enjoys meeting with
friends, baking, jogging and writing.
Marti Tidwell
Born in Tennessee, a childhood Kentuckian, and a Carolina girl since age 11, Marti considers herself versed
in all things Southern. She graduated with a degree in Business Finance from the University of North
Carolina at Asheville in 1999 and after 10 years as a stockbroker and a major life change in 2006, she
entered the world of Christian ministry in 2009. Currently, she works at First Baptist Charlotte in Charlotte,
NC, where she serves as Ministry Assistant to the Senior Pastor and Women’s Ministry Co-Coordinator,
organizing the Embrace Ministry at her church in 2011. Marti married her husband, Jason, this past fall and
they currently reside in Concord, NC. Through the best life has to offer and some of the hardest blows it
can deal, God has taught her the meaning of grace, mercy, and His never-ending love by finding the silver
linings of every dark cloud that passes our way.
Fayeson Tilley
Fayeson Tilley was born and bred in North Carolina. She put her faith in Jesus as a young child. She and
her husband met in kindergarten, married in college, and have three children and grandchildren. The
delight of her heart is to open her Bible and encounter the Living God of the Bible personally. Fayeson
explains, “It is so awesome to open my Bible and hear the God of the universe speak through His eternal
Word to ‘little me’ – addressing the issues/circumstances of my heart and life!” She taught a Bible Study
for approximately 400 women for 16 1/2 years and is presently teaching a Sunday School class of young
marrieds at her church as well as various ladies Bible Studies therein. It is her great joy to encourage and
inspire others to know and experience God personally for themselves.
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