Meet Your 2012 Conference Leaders:
Vonda Skelton
In 1998, the Lord took Vonda kicking and screaming into speaking when He called her to give a testimony at her church women’s retreat. It wasn’t a call she wanted to hear. She even reminded the Lord that she “didn’t do women,” to which He most likely laughed and said something similar to, “Is that so? Well, watch this!”
Today Vonda has a vibrant speaking ministry, sharing her messages with audiences around the country an average of 60 times a year for the past several years. And she loves teaching others how to do the same.
She is the author of four books, including her women’s book, Seeing through the Lies: Unmasking the Myths Women Believe. This book “takes a hilarious journey through all things female as we search for truth in a counterfeit world.” She is also the author of a children’s mystery series, The Bitsy Burroughs Mysteries. The third book in the series, Bitsy and the Mystery at Hilton Head Island, was a Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance Award Nominee.
Vonda is a former RN and freelance writer, and her articles have appeared in magazines such as HomeLife, ParentLife, Christian Single, and Focus on the Family publications. She’s a sought-after instructor at writer’s conferences and enjoys mentoring and encouraging new writers. She also teaches writing to public, private, and homeschooled students and has spoken to over 22,000 kids across the country. Vonda is a dramatist, playwright and lyricist, and loves to entertain through her messages. She is the co-director of the Teen Intern program at the Gideon Media Arts Conference and Film Festival (www.GideonFilmFestival.com). Vonda also is co-owner of The Story of a Woman’s Life Productions (www.TheStoryofaWomansLife.com).
She recently began speaking corporately, offering motivational, customer service, and team-building programs for businesses,
non-profits, and associations. Vonda is a member of the National Speakers Association, and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and is a graduate of CLASSeminars and She Speaks. She is represented by Christian Speaker Services (www.ChristianSpeakerServices.com) and Christian Speakers 4 You (www.ChristianSpeakers4You.com). She is founder and, along with Carolyn Knefely, is co-director of Christian Communicators (www.ChristianCommunicators.com). Visit Vonda’s website and writer’s blog, The Christian Writer’s Den, at www.VondaSkelton.com.
Vonda has been married to Gary for 42 years—and they’re still happy about it! They have two daughters and four grandchildren.
As one who tries—and often fails—to be like Christ, Vonda is thankful God can take her messes and use them for His glory!
Carolyn Knefely
Carolyn K. Knefely is an international speaker, certified etiquette consultant and professional development coach. As an international speaker and trainer, Carolyn has taught her professional development programs to educators and corporate directors from 29 countries. She is a repeat guest speaker for the American Marketing Association and International Toastmasters regional conferences. Her passion is to help people go beyond networking to connecting through building meaningful relationships. Her interactive presentations are described as “contagious,” “productive,” and “highly successful.”
As a people polisher, Carolyn teaches soft skills, core civilities, and bold faith living. Her polishing came through her education from the University of Texas, The Protocol School of Washington, and her career experiences with an international airline in sales and marketing; as program director and corporate relations officer at a major university; and as the director of women’s activities for a national non-profit organization.
However, it was Christ Jesus who polished her with His love and took her from beggar to teacher. She has a story to tell and a heart to share. In 2009, Carolyn and Helmut moved from Texas to South Carolina to be near their daughter and her family. It was the 19th move in 42 years of marriage and well worth of following God’s plan.
Carolyn is co-director, along with Vonda Skelton, of Christian Communicators (www.ChristianCommunicators.com). Visit Carolyn’s website at www.TeacupLiving.blogspot.com.
La-Tan Roland Murphy, Worship Leader
La-Tan Roland Murphy is a speaker, freelance writer, and worship leader with a heart for encouraging others. She has been leading worship through music and God’s Word since the Lord put the call in her heart in 1996.
La-Tan finds great joy in using her life stories as a way to open worship. Whether she’s speaking, leading worship, or both, her approach is challenging and inspiring. Her boldness and vulnerability in sharing her heart for Jesus through song and message create a refreshing invitation that makes you feel as though you have known her all of your life.
She says that nothing sets the stage for hearts to receive more of His glory, more of His power, more of His blessings as does offerings of praise and adoration to the Savior through worship.
La-Tan’s book, Becoming a Woman of Interior Elegance, challenges women to be refined by the power of God in everyday circumstance as they strive for internal beauty. Her CD, Assurance, ushers peace and calm, inviting her listeners to let go of their rushed and stress-filled lives in order to truly worship.
La-Tan and her husband, Joe, have been married for 28 years and have three children and a granddaughter named Sparrow Ann Murphy (her favorite little bird to watch these days!).
Learn more about La-Tan’s ministry and her resources at her website www.LatanMurphy.com.
Marcia Gaddis, 2012 Conference Assistant
Marcia Gaddis is a freelance writer, author, and speaker, and a Graduate of the October 2011 Christian Communicators Conference.
Marcia’s first book, When God Comes Near, is an award-winning non-fiction that chronicles the experience of receiving an incomprehensible diagnosis and waiting sixteen months for it to destroy the earthly life of her beautiful 27-year-old daughter, Megan. She writes a weekly column for her blog, The Olive Branch, and is published in the Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Newsletter.
Marcia also has a degree in Home Economics, having taught school and worked as a Home Economist for the University of Georgia. For two years, Marcia freelanced for the Ball Corporation and was the co-host for the gardening television show Backyard America.
Marcia and Mike have been married for 39 years and have three adult children. Learn more about Marcia and her ministry at her website at http://site.marciagaddis.com/Home.html.
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Carolyn’s passion is to help others shine with poise and purpose in their ministry as she cheers them on with much encouragement and inspiration.
As a certified consultant by the Protocol School of Washington, Carolyn offers her workshop participants a unique and fun opportunity to explore creative, motivational, and inspirational skills with immediate application. Her energy and joy for the Lord permeate every word, activity, and idea.
Carolyn and Helmut, her husband of over 40 years, reside in Greenville SC, where they share their empty nest with Toby, an adorable (and very spoiled) Miniature Dachsund.
Vonda Skelton is a speaker, author, and entertainer who praises God that He can take her messes and use them for His glory…and your entertainment! From black eyes to pink pigs and spider veins to webs of deceit, life is a stage—and every day offers a bounty of new material. You just can’t make this stuff up!
She loves training speakers and writers to share the messages God has given them through their own stories of life. In addition to being founder and co-director of Christian Communicators, Vonda is the owner of Christian Writer’s Den writing blog, co-director of the NCompass Writing Retreat, and co-owner of SCW Productions. Vonda and Gary have been married 42 years—and they’re still happy about it! www.VondaSkelton.com