Havilah Cunnington is a sought-after communicator, published author, top-rated podcaster, and has been in full-time ministry for over 25 years. In addition to being the Women’s Pastor at Bethel Church, she and her husband Ben lead a nonprofit called Truth to Table. They’re obsessed with reaching the world with Bible studies, messages, and lifestyle leadership tools. Havilah and Ben live in Redding, California, with their 4 sons: Judah, Hudson, Grayson, Beckham and their 2 dogs: Barkley & Teddy.
Annie F. Downs is a New York Times bestselling author, sought-after speaker, and successful podcast host based in Nashville, TN. Engaging and honest, she makes readers and listeners alike feel as if they’ve been long-time friends. Co-founder of the That Sounds Fun Network—which includes her aptly named flagship podcast, That Sounds Fun and newest podcast Let’s Read The Gospels—and author of multiple bestselling books including Chase the Fun, That Sounds Fun, 100 Days to Brave and Remember God, Annie is the friend who will shoot straight with you, remind you that God is good, and still manage to make you laugh in the process.
Cindy Godwin is your event hostess! If you’ve ever met her, you know she’s a true inspirer who passionately cares about people. Her heart’s desire is for people of all ages, races, genders, and backgrounds to discover who they are in Christ and know they are chosen to be part of God’s awesome plan. Cindy is married to Rick, and together they pastor Summit Church in San Antonio, Texas. They are exceptionally blessed to have two grown daughters and two precious grandchildren.
Sandy Ross is a devoted wife of 51 years, mother of 3 loving daughters, and loving grandmother of 10. Sandy is also a dynamic teacher of God’s Word who passionately wants people to experience the goodness of God through obeying His Truth. More than 40 years ago, through the direction of Pastor Cindy, God planted the vision for Chosen Women’s Ministry in Sandy’s heart. Today, she serves as the founding pastor of this fruitful ministry that reaches hundreds of women every month. Chosen Women’s Ministry is the women’s ministry of Summit Church, where Sandy and her husband, Randy, have faithfully served since 1984.
Chrissy Bruggeman is a passionate follower of Jesus, wife, and proud mom of two. She has a heart for helping people realize their God-given potential and walking alongside them in their faith journey. She serves as a Pastor at Summit Church and uses her gift in communication to connect people to the heart of God.
With over 20 years of experience in marketing, public relations, business development, and organizational leadership, Chrissy has held influential roles at Saks Fifth Avenue, WOAI News 4, and more-always driven by a deep desire to encourage, uplift, and equip others. Whether on stage, behind the scenes, or one-on-one, she leads with kindness, creativity, and unwavering faith.
Lauren Burns is an author, speaker, podcast host, and physical therapist based in San Antonio, Texas. Host of The Redeemed Podcast and author of STOLEN: Kidnapped, Rescued, and Redeemed, Lauren shares messages of faith, healing, forgiveness, and redemption with audiences across the country.
At seven years old, Lauren was kidnapped by her father and taken to Jordan, an experience that became the foundation of her powerful testimony of resilience, restoration, and God’s faithfulness. Her story was made into the NBC television movie Desperate Rescue: The Cathy Mahone Story, starring Mariel Hemingway.
Known for her authenticity and ability to connect deeply with women, Lauren encourages others to overcome fear, heal from past wounds, and discover that no story is beyond the reach of God’s redeeming grace.
Michelle is wife and best friend to Victor for 3 decades, proud mom to Victor, 3rd, Alyssa and Nathan, and devoted “Gramma” to Isabella. She has served grieving families at Summit Church in ministry, and professionally since 2008. She has hosted “Groovy Girls” section at Chosen for over a decade.
Professionally, Michelle is a bereavement educator, certified in Thanatology as a Fellow: Death, Dying and Bereavement through the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) since 2012. She is an end of life and grief support advocate, transplant/donation advocate, disaster, crisis-response trained, suicide prevention and mental health advocate. She is the founder of Hope for Grievers Bereavement Education.
In her professional past, Michelle has designed, implemented and/or managed Donor Family Bereavement Support Programs, annual memorial support services for grieving parents, suicide loss survivors, and donor families, crisis response grief support following mass violence, and outreach and engagement for bereavement organizations.
She was the founding chair for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention South Texas Chapter and served on the ADEC board for six years.
Michelle is a griever of traumatic loss herself, so compassionately empathizes with families she supports.
Jirzia Blackman, LCSW-S, is the Founder and CEO of Rhapsody Counseling & Wellness Center, a mental health practice she established in 2018. As a wife, mother of three, therapist, and educator, she is passionate about helping individuals, couples, and families heal from trauma, strengthen relationships, and achieve emotional wellness.
She earned her Master of Social Work from New York University’s Silver School of Social Work and is currently pursuing a doctorate in Clinical Psychology. With experience across community mental health, hospital, nonprofit, and crisis intervention settings, Jirzia has worked with diverse populations facing trauma, anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, and relationship challenges.
Jirzia is a Clinical Trauma Professional and is certified in EMDR, Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), and Imago Relationship Therapy. She also facilitates Imago Workshops for couples and individuals.
Her work is grounded in a holistic approach to healing and inspired by her own journey of transformation—an Isaiah 61:3 story of beauty from ashes.
Ashley-Taylor Barnes is a Worship Leader and Vocal Director at Summit Church in San Antonio, Texas. She carries a deep passion for the presence of God and longs to see people encounter Jesus in a way that transforms their everyday lives. Whether leading worship, preaching, or discipling others, Ashley’s heart is to help people know Jesus more deeply and resemble Him in all that they do.
Having served in ministry across Australia, Canada, the Philippines, and the United States, Ashley has been blessed to preach, teach, and lead worship across cultures and generations. With a passion for communicating both the truth and power of the Gospel, she seeks to teach Scripture in a way that is both relatable and deeply rooted in God’s Word. Ashley studied Biblical Studies and Theology at Hillsong College and loves encouraging the Church toward authentic worship and wholehearted devotion to Christ.
When she’s not serving in ministry, Ashley enjoys photography, floral design, event planning, and finding the beauty of God in everyday moments. Above all, she considers it her greatest privilege to serve Jesus and build His Church.
(pronounced “Sha-Lean”)
BIO: Shelene Bryan is a former Hollywood Producer who left her job in Hollywood to start Skip1.org, a charity that builds kitchens and provides food and clean water to children and families in need. She has appeared on the Steve Harvey show, Home & Family and Oprah’s Own show.
She is an accomplished speaker, the creator of @thesplashpodcast and is a best-selling author of Love, Skip, Jump and Ridiculous Faith. Shelene resides in Southern California with her husband Brice of 34 years, she’s a mother of two adult children.
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Childcare for your baby begins at 2 months old through Pre-K. We provide a safe environment and well trained staff and volunteers to take care of your little one while you have fun at Chosen!
We provide childcare for your kids from K to 5th grade. We will have fun activities and various learning opportunities for them while you enjoy the conference!
If you are interested in being a community sponsor for Chosen 2026, click below.
