Seminars Speakers cont . from page 11
Barbara Neher has been teaching sewing and cooking classes for 48 years . She has written two cookbooks and a sewing instructional book . She is cofounder and national director of the “ It ’ s My Very Own ” and “ Bags of Love ” ministries . These ministries are now in five countries and 42 states . For the fourth year of her seminar , she has planned new and additional information on gardening , cooking , and food preservation .
Alan Parker is a professor of religion at Southern Adventist University , where he is also director of the Pierson Institute of Evangelism and World Missions , and coordinator of the graduate program in religion . He recently authored an article in Ministry entitled , “ Five Keys to Locking the Back Door ” where he draws from his twenty years of experience in evangelism and church planting to talk about effective strategies for church retention .
Nelson Silva has been a youth worker in churches and public schools since 2003 . In the public school system , he counseled inner-city youth and their parents , and served as a liaison between 17 schools and homes . He collaborated in the creation of after school programs to target inner-city youth development and discipleship . In 2013 , Nelson completed a doctor of ministry in Youth , Families , and Culture which allowed him to delve deeper into inner-city ministry in the context of the Seventhday Adventist Church mission in public schools . The creation of an after school children ’ s ministry in two public schools gave way to a church plant . Nelson serves as the associate youth director for young adults , public campuses , and Hispanic youth ministries in the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference .
Melissa & Vaughn Weisner Melissa Weisner is an English teacher at Springfield High School . She was in youth ministry with her husband , Vaughn , for almost 10 years when God called her to prayer ministry . She has been in prayer ministry for 4 years , not only as the prayer ministry leader at her home church , but also as an assistant in prayer ministry at the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference . Melissa has spent 2 years mentoring other ladies in prayer ministry , speaking about prayer , and speaking about praying for your husband . She brings an interest in military to the forefront as a daughter and wife of former military men .