About the Authors

Tonya is a redeemed, daughter of God the Creator with a desire to join Christ in His work.   Tonya and her husband Jonathan (Fitz), live in North Texas and work throughout the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.  She beams when she talks about Princess and AJ.  She and Fitz take great pride in the abundant family and friend tribes around the globe they have cultivated together!  They love all things multicultural. Tonya is an international speaker, vision-caster, trainer, and writer. She has served the ministry of Hope Farm in Texas, since 2019.  

For fun, she authors and designs curriculum and program frameworks for non-prots, schools, and training companies globally. She is a highly trained educational and behavioral specialist, with a unique niche as an international diplomat and antiterrorism conict resolution specialist. Her degrees are in education, leadership, psychotherapy, neurobiology, and diplomacy.  She is a cancer and transplant survivor, six times over.  She is forever thankful for her amazing team at HANDS Int’l, HANDS Int’l UK, OPAL, Christmas Tree Ranch, Wonder Warriors, the UN MAWE Project, and The Olive Branch. She has served as a director and advisor on the board for educational and non-prot organizations around the world. 

Aimee is a wife, a dog mom, the world's best aunt and so many other roles. Aimee is an entrepreneur, counselor, and co-owner of her private practice Transform & Renew PLLC in San Antonio, TX. 

She holds a doctoral degree in Global Training and development and looks forward to utilizing that knowledge to further the kingdom of God by blending her expertise in mental health, education, and business. She works as a counselor in private practice serving those who have been impacted by childhood and relationship trauma. 

She lives life with an autoimmune disorder and knows the impact of trauma on human existence. She knows a thing or two because she has seen a thing or two. When she isn't working, she attempts to maintain some balance with friendships,  spending quality time with her husband, Peter, getting in nature, and finding humor in the small things.

If you or a family member, is needing counseling services to further your growth,

please reach out to her practice at

www.transform-and-renew.com

Emily Bryant is married to James Bryant and is a mom of 4 kids ages 15, 12, 9, and 6. She has a master's degree in Kinesiology from Texas Christian University. She taught preschool-aged children in a special and general education blend format in Arlington ISD for 5 years. 

For now, she is a full-time mom.  

She tries to add humor through all the ups and downs of parenting and enjoys meditating to grow in her faith and relationship with God. 

She finds the most precious moments to be found when she is still.  She teaches yoga at a local studio, volunteers for the PTA at the younger kids’ elementary school and enjoys teaching kids’ yoga once a month in a local, underprivileged school. 

She and her family also host a small group for their local church. 

She strives for authenticity in herself and her parenting and hopes that her love for God will flow out into her community and loved ones. 

Kate Jordan is a traveler, mentor, gardener, and mom to three grown adults, each of whom has chosen a mate and expanded the family. 

Kate has worked in just about all sides of the nonprofit sector, from ministries to churches, to universities, and from starting small nonprofits to overseeing multiple organizations simultaneously.  She recently accepted a position working for a philanthropic foundation and is learning what it's like to be on the grant maker rather than grant seeker side. She is loving the opportunity to be a part of funding some amazing work across the country and around the world. 

Travel is Kate’s particular joy, and she has visited over forty-five countries. Whether the journey is for work, ministry, or pleasure, she loves experiencing new cultures and people groups. Some of the titles Kate has worn through the years are military wife, cross-cultural trainer, team leader, mentor, study abroad coordinator, administrator, executive pastor, missionary, Bible study leader, and most importantly daughter of the most high God and seeker of His face. Currently single and an empty nester, Kate lives in Fort Worth, Texas with her two little French bulldogs, Star and Luna. 

Natalyia Rutherford is blessed by her Father, is married to her best friend, and is “mom”/“bruh”/ chauffeur/chef to her two awesome children. Laughing is her favorite. 

She has a degree from Oklahoma State University in Human Development and Family Science with an emphasis in Child and Family Services. She has worked for ChristianWorks for over ten years collectively (with a few years break to have kids) and considers it an honor to work for an organization that she believes in with her whole heart. 

When she’s not working or running kids around, you’ll find her outside getting vitamin D therapy or inside crafting or reading. She’s learned that her greatest testimony hasn’t been from one or two life-changing events, but that God reveals himself in the everyday – in the mundane, ordinary tasks that fill our days. When we recognize He’s there in those moments, we never doubt He’ll be there for the big ones. He is good, all the time. 

Ann Sullivan is a wife, sister, aunt, daughter, and friend but most importantly a child of God. 

She grew up in Illinois and Indiana where her family still resides.  She has had the privilege of working all over the world as a Physician Assistant in multiple specialties during the last 20+ years. Her passion is serving others, especially in medical/surgical missions.  She has been honored to work across the globe alongside several world-renowned non-profit organizations. She and Bill, the love of her life, have been married for just over 15 years.  

Ann says she is thankful that Bill is super intelligent and so flexible, it has turned out to be an important combination when partnering in ministry as they enjoy the journey God has brought them on.  One of her greatest joys is the title of “aunt” to her 16 nieces and nephews. 

When she’s not traveling for missions or to see family and friends, she enjoys daily life in the Florida sun and picking up new hobbies such as languages, guitar, and piano. 

Amy Isom was born and raised in Dallas, TX to immigrant parents from Nigeria. 

Amy surrendered her life to Christ and has not looked back since. She has several degrees in Bible, social work, and counseling. She’s a life coach who loves working with couples, families, and trauma work.

She is passionate about soul health and is a joyful wife of 9 years and mother of 1 son. Amy loves laughter and people, is a hugger at heart, a vintage shopper, and an outdoors lover.  

Shari Walker has been the Communications Director for Alsbury Baptist Church in Burleson, Texas for the last ten years. Before that, she was a children’s minister and pre-teen / youth camp organizer. She has served professionally in ministry for over thirty years. 

Her passion is video arts and helping people tell their stories through video. She has also worked on national and global campaigns for 5 Star Conference and Expo and See You at the Pole™.  Shari is the wife of a graphic designer and marketing consultant and the mother of two young adults. She received her Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Howard Payne University. She is a Texas native and resides in Burleson with her husband.