Conference Schedule
Friday, April 28, 2023
3:45 p.m. Doors Open
4:00 p.m. Registration begins
5:30 p.m. Dinner catered by Cracker Barrel
6:45 p.m. General Session
8:15 p.m. Ignite Commitment
8:30 p.m. Conclude
Saturday, April 29, 2023
9:00 a.m. General Session
11:00 a.m. Breakout #1 (Download Descriptions below.)
12:00 p.m. Breakout #2
1:00 p.m. Breakout #3
(Boxed lunches available for pick-up during Breakout sessions.)
2:00 p.m. General Session
3:20 p.m. Send out
*Youth Track on Saturday will include a mission project off-site
*Kid’s Camp on Saturday from 9:00 AM-3:30 PM.
Conference Leaders
Keynote Speaker: Julie Busler
Julie Busler is currently serving as the Oklahoma President of WMU and is active in the women’s ministry at Immanuel Baptist Church in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Julie understands the pain of mental illness and has learned that trials not only humanize us but increase our capacity to be used by God. She loves to use her experiences alongside Scripture to discuss and teach how to thrive in spite of mental illness and that joy and sorrow can coexist. Julie and Ryan have been married 16 years, have 4 children, and have served overseas in Canada, Mexico, Germany, and Turkey. Her book, Joyful Sorrow: Breaking Through the Darkness of Mental Illness, can be found where books are sold online, Kindle, and on Audible.
Worship Leaders: RK Praise
Husband and wife duo, Russell and Kristi Johnson, are on a mission to encourage and equip the Church. As they travel throughout the US and abroad, whether they are leading worship or leading a marriage seminar, people can see their passion for Jesus and their genuine love for people.
Originally from Conway, SC, Russell and Kristi have been musicians all their lives and in ministry together for more than 20 years. Prior to the couple combining their talents, Kristi sang professionally for family variety shows including The Carolina Opry and the Alabama Theatre/Opryland USA while Russell served in multiple local churches as a worship leader and Creative Arts Pastor.
Although Russell and Kristi grew up in the same town, they didn’t begin dating until college at Coastal Carolina University and were married a year later. This year they will celebrate 29 years of marriage! They have a son, Will, and a daughter, Sidney. They reside in their hometown of Conway, SC where they enjoy life on the family farm when they aren’t on the road. Get to know them and you will see that they are a match made in heaven - in their marriage, their music, and their ministry.
To find out more about this couple and their ministry visit: www.RussellandKristi.com
Special Guest: Connie Dixon, National WMU President
Connie Dixon was elected as the 24th president of national WMU® in June 2021 at the WMU Missions Celebration and Annual Meeting.
Over the years, Connie has served through WMU in a variety of roles, including executive
director of New Mexico WMU (2007-2020) and as president of New Mexico WMU (2003-
2007). With a passion for serving and encouraging others, she’s also led many years through Christian Women’s Job Corps/Christian Men’s Job Corps.
Additionally, Connie is a certified Spiritual Leadership Coach with Blackaby International.
A native of Elida, New Mexico, Connie is a graduate of Wayland Baptist University and ran a family business with her husband, Herschel, for more than 40 years.
Proud parents of two daughters and three grandchildren, the Dixons are members of First Baptist Church Elida where Connie has been an active member since she was 8 years old. There, she led Acteens for 20 years and currently leads Children in Action. In addition to local missions opportunities, Connie has served on missions trips to Zimbabwe, Thailand, China, Canada, England, and across the United States.
Conference Flyer
(Click Image to Download pdf)
