An unstoppable desire to help the hurting led Kendra Roehl to become a social worker and then foster care parent of dozens and adoptive mom of three. Today, she continues to care for others as a founder of The Ruth Experience, frequent speaker and author of five books, including 100 Days of Kindness. She is a Single Moms Retreat advisor with Bridging the Gap and is excited to be returning as an event emcee.

Mykelti Blum is a speaker, podcaster, and founder of Heart of the Brave Ministry, which includes the Empower Hour Podcast, live messages, video devotionals, and the “Living In” women’s conference. Mykelti is also active in the Bridging the Gap community and hosts their E^3 Podcast. Mykelti loves helping women through personal reflection and building community with others. Her favorite activity is encouraging women towards pursuing their goals, dreams, and living in their purpose.

Could you use some inside advice on navigating the job search process, landing the ideal job for you, handling life on the job, or getting the most out of a career? If so, this session is for you! We will be covering seven practical career skills and tools, including the Enneagram assessment, to help you excel in the workplace.

Faith is very passionate about helping others find careers that utilize their God-given gifts, talents, and interests. She has over 20 years of experience in Recruiting Management, Consulting, and Career Development, working in large corporations and recruiting firms, providing search services to a broad range of specialized industries. Faith is currently CEO of Fitzgerald Recruiting, a professional search and contract staffing firm. She has a BSBA in Management from the University of ND.

Many of us have experienced challenges in the last few years that have resulted in fear, isolation, depression, addictive behaviors, and more. In this workshop, you will learn tools for how to increase joy in your life, overcome negative thinking patterns, and be more relational. These tools will help you have more joy–strength to enjoy life, even in the hard seasons.

Darlene Cook serves as the Program Director at Door of Hope Ministries where she ministers to women who have experienced trauma and abuse through support groups, individual prayer ministry, and teaching at conferences and workshops. She shares from her own experiences of loss and how she has found hope and healing through the Holy Spirit. Darlene is a mom of four adult children and grandmother of 17 grandchildren. She is a licensed minister with the Assemblies of God and is passionate to help others walk in the joy of the Lord she has experienced.

Lois will discuss and offer resources to women who are in or have come out of an abusive situation (mental, emotional, or physical). She will help you recognize patterns and offer boundaries to protect yourself in the future. This breakout will cover the following topics:

• What causes women to return (or be tempted to return) to an abusive situation?
• How to break an abusive family cycle.
• Where does your feeling of confusion, lack of confidence, or that you are going crazy come from?
• What is “gaslighting” (a devious form of abuse)?
• How can you recognize signs and set boundaries to avoid being “gaslighted?”

Lois Breit is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God and works as a U.S. Missionary to Single Moms. She raised five children as a single mom and uses her life experiences to bring a message of hope and life to all women. She writes books and articles, hosts podcasts on her website singlemamas.org, and trains church leadership to better reach their single parent community. 

See more: loisbreit.com or singlemamas.org. (Lois has resources available in English and Spanish.)

As the son of a single mom, Pastor Nick Grey will share some of his own story and life experiences, as well as insights into raising sons to be young men who are deeply committed to their faith in Jesus.

Nick Gray is the lead pastor of Reach Church in Alexandria, where his wife, Reba, also serves as the Connections Pastor. Nick loves his family, is a huge Minnesota Vikings fam, and enjoys mountain biking.

Let’s debunk myths of self care and look at ways to incorporate self care into our lives with intentionality and accessibility. Through this session, we will also discuss how well-done self care is also soul care.

Pamela was raised by an amazing single mom (Lois Breit). She is an ordained minister, former foster parent, and a Licensed Graduate Social Worker. Pamela is a school social worker and lives with her family in the Twin Cities.

If you’re ready to date, are thinking of dating, or are already dating . . . this breakout is designed to help you and your children navigate the dating process in ways that benefit the whole family. Lois will share tips on the importance of including your children in this decision, ways to avoid repeating past mistakes, watching for red flags (run), courage to break things off (be bold), and signs of a healthy relationship (hold).

Lois Breit is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God and works as a U.S. Missionary to Single Moms. She raised five children as a single mom and uses her life experiences to bring a message of hope and life to all women. She writes books and articles, hosts podcasts on her website singlemamas.org, and trains church leadership to better reach their single parent community. 

See more: loisbreit.com or singlemamas.org. (Lois has resources available in English and Spanish.)

Do you feel like you’re going round and round in circles of dysfunctional relationships? Whether you might find yourself controlling others or being dependent on a controller, this class is for you! Join me as we unpack codependency and learn what tools we can put into practice to bring us to a healthier place.

Sonja is a wife of 21 years, a homeschooling mama, and a volunteer advisor for Bridging the Gap. God has used His Word, mentors, and life’s circumstances to drastically transform her heart, mind, and soul. Now, she wants to help others on their journey of discovering Him and seeing their life dramatically transformed by the power of His Holy Spirit!