YMC Summit Speakers
Countless young married couples, individuals, and organizations have been impacted by the words and wisdom of DeAndre & Porsha Riley. As ministry leaders, entrepreneurs, and parents they are a constant source of encouragement and empowerment. Together they are the founders of Strive Church, a cutting edge ministry in Metro Detroit. In addition, they are the founders of Strive Empowerment Services, where they provide coaching, consulting, and family and business empowerment resources. Individually, they've accomplished quite a bit that has not only impacted others but also has strengthened their union.
Porsha currently serves as the Director of Growing Minds Learning, Inc. in Detroit, MI. She is a graduate of Wayne State University (B.A. Corporate Finance - 2011), and is currently pursuing her Masters Degree in Education Leadership from University of Detroit Mercy.
DeAndre also known as D.R. Speaks is a certified speaker, coach, and consultant, lending his voice and expertise to organizations, ministries and couples. In addition, he is the author of two books, Greatness Unleashed: Inspire, Inform, Instruct, Impact and Good Success: God's Blueprint for Successful Living. His areas of expertise is communication, empowering people professionally, spiritually, and personally
MARRIAGE UNCUT: Many spend weeks, if not months, planning for the big day! The perfect wedding dress. The most exquisite flowers and bouquets. The most quality linen and the finest cuisine. Yet, once the big day is over, many realize that they've said, "I do!" but they don't even know to what! This session deals with the real-life stories of Jermaine & Tenita Johnson who realize that marriage is about much more than the first dance and cutting a cake! Prepare to experience Marriage Uncut!
(Tenita): From losing a set of twins the day after she and her husband were married, to years of unemployment, suicidal thoughts and blended family woes, she soon learned that the only way out of every fire is to go through it. After going through the fire numerous times, and coming out unscathed, she realized that every fire was orchestrated by God to burn some things off of her to make her better. Not only that, every fire gave her a greater testimony to share with others who may be encountering the same things.
Through her books, Tenita encourages readers nationwide to know that with every test comes a predetermined victory. The young girl who once thought she wasn’t good enough has blossomed into a woman of faith who knows that, with God, she is more than just enough. She makes a deliberate choice to live her best life now and walk in her God-given purpose daily, and encourages others to do the same.
(Jermaine): While many men marry for reasons that are self-serving, he knows that the true art of marriage is found in serving your spouse. For Jermaine Johnson, author and mentor to many, the verse, "Husbands love your wives as Christ loves the church" isn't to be taken lightly. It's his mandate. His mantra. It's what he stands on when times get rough and what he teaches to men young and old when he's presented with a problem. As a visionary and true man of God, he seeks to heal broken marriages and families to restore God's original intent of marriage back to the Kingdom of God.
MONEY & MARRIAGE: How did Maurice & Laneetra pay off $14,000 in credit card debt from the time of their engagement to just 4 months into their marriage? How have they been able to stay debt free while living the life they desire? All of this and more will be discussed during their session. Having been married for 7 years, with 4 children to their union, all while building a successful business has allowed this couple to be an example to many.
(Maurice): An alum of Bowling Green State University, Maurice has spent more than 14 years in the financial services industry. Three of those years, he served in operations, while he’s been a financial advisor/planner for the past ten years. He’s spent the last three years building his independent financial planning practice. He holds a B.S.B.A. in Finance, Series 7 & 66 Securities License, State of Michigan continuing education instructors license for CPA’s and other licensed professionals, and the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (™) designation.
(Laneetra): has always been committed to maximizing her gifts and potential. She served as the praise and worship leader at Pentecostal Temple COGIC for several years and has also participated in the recording of several albums with local artists. She has a bachelors degree in psychology from Concordia University and a Masters degree in counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary. Since taking on the calling of wife and mother Laneetra works inside the home while homeschooling her and Maurice's 4 children and building their business and ministry endeavors.
FAITH & FERTILITY: Joseph & Roslyn were happily basking in the honeymoon stage of their marriage when Roslyn found herself plagued with fertility issues and a miscarriage. Through the monstrous ups and downs of this process, blaming God was easy to do. Maintaining trust in God was difficult, but eventually their faith in God helped them to overcome. God would eventually turn their sorrow into joy, allowing them to realize the dream of become parents. Their story of tragedy turned triumph will surely elevate your faith to the next level. Roslyn has since turned this story into her first book, I Am Hanna: Trials of Faith and Fertility.
Joseph and Roslyn are world-changers and are great example to young couples worldwide. They are the founders of Building Better Marriages Ministry. They are also committed to fulfilling God's purpose for their lives in ministry, business, and professionally. Joseph is a Project Manager at Trinity Health, a Grad Student at Walsh College, a graduate of Oakland University (B.S. Health Science), and an ordained Elder in the Church of God in Christ, Inc. Roslyn is an educator, author, grad student, and advocate for women's health and early childhood literacy. She holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from Oakland University.
MENTAL HEALTH & MARRIAGE: Brian & Shanika Morgan have been married for 10 ½ years. Introduced by a family member of Brian who worked with Shanika, Brian is adamant that it was love at first sight. “I remember meeting Shanika knowing that she was the one after spending weeks getting to know her on the phone.
Brian & Shanika have two daughters Serena (9) and Brooklin (7). Shanika currently works for Beaumont Hospital as a Nurse Assistant, and will enter Nursing School this year. Brian works for Goodwill Industries as a Program Director, where he oversees the servicing of 55 adults’ with DD and MI diagnosis. Brian has his BA in Human Services Administration and is currently in grad school pursuing a Masters in Organizational.
Brian has worked in the mental health industry for the last 11 years while serving in ministry with Shanika as youth & associate pastor for 11 years as well. While going through life’s ups and downs in marriage, maintaining good mental health has been a vital point of growth and personal crisis management. Their belief is, there's nothing wrong with attending therapy or having mental health check-ups. Counseling, therapy, accountability partners, along with the Word of God have allowed the Morgan's to build a marriage that has and will last.
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MARRIAGE, MINISTRY, & BUSINESS: Apostle Dontez and Pastor Sheri Williams are exceptional leaders with a wealth of ministry, leadership, and business experience. Their efforts have not only yielded awesome results in ministry, but also in their marriage.
(Apostle Dontez Williams): Serving as the senior pastor and founder of Saved by Grace Christian Ministries in both Flint and Detroit, and the chief apostle of Saved by Grace Alliance of Five-Fold Ministries, his
work has led to both local and national recognition. His accolades span from receiving the Spirit of Detroit Award to receiving the Nonviolence in Action Award from PhiBeta Sigma Fraternity to being featured on the Word Network. Apostle Williams is not only known for unapologetically preaching and teaching the Word of God—but also his extensive experience in business and finance acumen. Teaching finances and business from a biblical perspective, his efforts to help people start businesses and non-profits is second to none.
His books: Finding True Love God’s Way!; Manna 101: The Prerequisite to the School of Life; But My Feet Almost Slipped: For Anyone Who Has Ever Questioned Their Faith; and Get Up and Walk: Why Some Christians Don’t Get Their Healing have led people across the nation to healing, wholeness and victory in all areas of life and business. As a graduate (summa cum laude) of Marygrove College with a bachelor’s in business finance, he also owns and operates MySheri Enterprises, LLC. From small business and 501c3 startup, to working miracles, signs and wonders in the lives of thousands, it’s crystal clear that he is both called and chosen to ministry and the marketplace—and beyond.
(Pastor Sheri): is a licensed Evangelist, an ordained Pastor, Author, Recording Artist, and Entrepreneur. Pastor Sheri is the owner of Divine Worship School of Dance where she teaches dance as well as makes worship and praise flags and streamers. In 2014, Pastor Sheri was blessed to release her first EP Album entitled "Move Into Your Destiny", available on all digital media outlets. She is the author of Dance Ministry 101 Training Manual. Pastor Sheri holds a Bachelors of Arts in Language Arts and a Masters of Education with a focus on curriculum, instruction and early childhood education.
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