Vicki Voyce — Director
Vicki served as Director of Women’s Ministry for 15 years at NPHX Baptist Church. Graduating from ASU with a degree in Education, she taught elementary school for 25 years along with teaching workshops and providing ongoing teacher training for her school district. Being a lifelong learner and training is something she values. That’s why she has loved being a part of LIFT for the past 15 years; seeking to continually grow and learn as she leads in different ministries. She and her husband of 48 years taught and mentored young married couples and now lead a Bible study for Empty Nesters. She is also a MOPS Mentor and loves to practice hospitality as she opens her home to many different groups. Spending time with her three married adult children and six grandchildren, all of whom live in the same neighborhood, brings her great joy. She is passionate about serving the Lord and encouraging women of all ages and stages of life. Her desire is to “Love each other with brotherly affection and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically. “ (TLB)
Pat Cannon – Event Support Coordinator
Pat has been married to her husband for 38 years and has one grown son. All her family is in the eastern U.S. and she makes several trips a year to North Carolina. She retired from the telephone company after 31 years and subsequently served on the Women’s Ministry leadership at North Phoenix Baptist Church for 14 years. She continues to serve on Sunday morning in Bible Study and on the First Impressions Team as well as several ministries in the community. As a longtime member of LIFT she shares the desire of the LIFT leaders to equip and encourage women who are serving in their churches to grow in their faith and in their ministries.
Cruz – Prayer Coordinator
Alicia and her husband Daniel have been married for 24 years and are blessed with 4 children. She is an Arizona native and currently serves as Hospitality Leader at Grace Walk Church. Her hearts desire is to be a blessing by encouraging and serving others. Alicia has lead mission teams, served in children’s ministry and has lead a women’s bible study. Her life verse is Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path.”
Michelle Linden – Community Liaison
Michelle stands boldly in her faith and loves sharing the message of Jesus’ saving grace. She has a passion for prayer and is involved in missions and evangelism. It is her joy to serve God while serving others. Michelle has volunteered in the educational system serving on various boards and committees. Her desire is to reach women by working together with the local church and other like-minded leaders. She equips, encourages, and supports women to fully trust Jesus in all areas of their lives. Currently Michelle serves in women’s ministries, hospitality, congregational care, and as prayer team coordinator for her church. “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14
Susan Loller – Networking Coordinator
A Christian since 1975, Susan has followed her heart and served in some capacity since that time to bring others the hope she has received from having God in her life. Psalms 139 has been the cornerstone of her faith. Knowing that God has known everything about her from the day He formed her and that she is fearfully and wonderfully made, has gotten her through the many trials and hurts in her life. She has used that verse as the basis for her life and the ministries she has been a part of through the years. She started Secrets of the Heart ministry for sexually abused women when she lived in New York and now serves in many ministries in Phoenix. In her 20 years of serving the Lord she has been a Church board member, Women’s Ministry and Bible Study Coordinator, a member of a Multi-state retreat committee, and is currently the Women’s Ministry Coordinator within her Singles bible study. Her desire is her passion for Women’s Ministry and seeing the wonderful transformation women undergo when they realize the truth found in Psalm 139:14.
Maria Rodriguez – Membership Director
Mary T. Rodriguez is one of the founders and director of the Unique Women of Grace Ministry. In 1974, Mary found the love of Christ. Serving God and helping others to further God’s kingdom have become Mary’s main passion in life. God’s word has awakened her spirit to the urgency for all women to find the love of Christ. Mary has a distinguished career in education. She graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and earned her Masters of Education at Northern Arizona University. Mary has also lead groups of educators in analyzing teaching styles and addressing different modalities of learning. Her interests include writing short stories, Zumba, reading, worshipping, and most of all, serving in ministries. Mary states, “In my journey I will never stop learning about God’s love and His plan for me. I will do whatever God has planned for me’–I just need to listen!”
Carol Smith – Administrative Assistant
Carol loves to worship God and music is a passion for her. In addition to serving on the worship team, Carol is currently leading and walking alongside the women at her home church, The Church At Arrowhead. She believes is it critical that we raise up the next generations to know, love and serve God through a growing knowledge and a personal relationship with Jesus. Carol is also a retired nurse with experience in management at the hospital level and clinical informatics at the corporate office. She has been happily married to husband Kurt since 1976 and raised 2 exceptional children. Her favorite verse is I Corinthians 10:13 “ No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”
Jennifer Sorcinelli – Church Liason
Jennifer believes in looking to see where God is already at work and joining in. She is thankful to be a part of LIFT where God is clearly equipping and encouraging women for His kingdom cause. Jennifer has been married to her wonderful husband Lee for 25 years and they have one adult son. Her desire is to be used by God to lead women to a saving knowledge of Himself and to encourage them in the freedom He provides. She has been involved with ministries for women at The Church At Arrowhead for many years and also finds great joy and is humbled to get to serve regularly at a women’s group home in downtown Phoenix. Jennifer’s life verse is Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” jsorcinelli@cox.net
LIFT Table Leaders
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 501(C)(3)
Cari Apostol – Treasurer
Cari has served in Women’s ministries for more than 40 years as a teacher, mentor, leader, speaker, worship leader and curriculum writer. Cari particularly enjoys coming alongside women to encourage and strengthen them in becoming all God created them to be. Her other admitted passion is numbers. She is fascinated by the precision of numbers and likens them to the simple truths of God: 2+2 still equal 4 today as they did in the beginning just as God is still the same God today as He was in the Beginning. His truths never change. Cari was married 47 years to her Sweetheart, Ted, before he changed his address to Heaven; they have 3 kiddos, 3 kiddos-in-love and 8 amazing grands. Cari’s life verse is: He re am I, Lord. Send me (Isaiah 6:8). Cari is very grateful that God provided the opportunity to serve on the LIFT team at just the right time in her life.
Kristin Beasley, D.Min
Kristin is the founder of International Leadership Ministries (formerly Greater Reach Ministries). Prior to ILM, she was the Dean of Women at Phoenix Seminary, and is now an adjunct faculty member. In addition to developing the women’s studies program, she also founded the seminary’s Women with Vision Conference. She was the women’s ministry director at Scottsdale Bible Church, where her husband, Fred, is a Pastor of World Outreach. Dr. Beasley’s “can do” enthusiasm is to equip and empower women for life and ministry. Her extensive knowledge of the issues and concerns of women make her a sought-after speaker. She is the author of the book, “Who Do You Think You Are? Good News About Your Identity”, which can be ordered by contacting Dr. Beasley. Kristin@live4impact.com
Pat Davis
Pat’s passion for Women’s Ministries was developed at Bethany Bible Church in Phoenix, Arizona where she served as Chairman of Women’s Ministries for three years. After moving to Orange County, California in 1984 she became involved in NEWIM (Network of Evangelical Women in Ministry). Moving back to Scottsdale in 1990, Pat served as Director of Women’s Ministries at Scottsdale Bible Church for three years. During that time she became one of the founders of LIFT (Leaders in Fellowship Together) to encourage and equip leaders in Women’s Ministry. Pat served as Director of LIFT for fourteen years, retiring in June 2008. Pat was one of the contributing authors of a Focus on the Family book, Leading Women to the Heart of God, published by Moody Press. Pat and Tom Davis have four grown children and 11 grandchildren. patricia.davis@cox.net
Tami Engram
Tami graduated from Arizona Christian University with a dual major in Bible and Elementary Education. She went on to teach school and coach the Varsity Girls Basketball team at Paradise Valley High School. This kept her busy till she met her husband, Steve Engram. They served at Palmcroft Church as Executive Pastor until God called them to a struggling church that asked for help. That has turned into 25 years of senior pastoring Desert Springs Community Church in Goodyear,AZ. Tami and Steve love being a team in ministry. Tami’s passion for ministering to women has led her to serve as Women’s Ministry Coordinator. Their weekly Bible Study averages 250 women. She also gives leadership to the women of Southwest Church Connection which is an Association of 85 churches. She leads the annual Women’s Retreat with over 500 in attendance.
Her greatest accomplishment and privilege has been to raise three wonderful adult children who love and serve Jesus! Her oldest son is married to a beautiful daughter-n-love that have produced four grandkids. Spending time with them is a huge priority that brings her great joy!
Margi Galloway
Margi is currently the Director of the Women in Leadership Development (WILD) program at Scottsdale Bible Church, and until very recently she served on the executive team as the Minister of Spiritual Life there at SBC. In that role she oversaw several teams responsible for connection, discipleship, evangelism, local outreach, women’s ministry, counseling, congregational care, safety and security. Prior to taking on that role, Margi served as Minister of Connection and Minister to Women at Scottsdale Bible for 10 years. It was during that time, she established the (WILD) program. This program has trained up a multitude of women leaders since its inception.
Prior to coming to Phoenix, Margi and her husband Dale founded New Hope Community Church in Portland, Oregon. There she served as Director of Women’s Ministries for 23 years and Minister of Music. Additionally, she had the opportunity to serve as the Director of Spouse and Family Ministries at Asbury Seminary.
Margi and Dale have been married 42 years and have four adult children and five grandchildren. Margi is passionate about connecting people through small groups, discipleship, service, as well as building leaders who will impact others for God’s kingdom. People who have worked alongside Margi in ministry describe her as a friend, leader, teacher, woman of faith, and giver of love who has a passion for serving Jesus.
Maggi Garrison
Maggi is the Women’s Ministry Director and the Missions Coordinator at Palmcroft Baptist Church. She has served at the church for 9 years. It is her desire to see the Lord glorified through the obedience of the body of Christ to the Great Commission. Maggi has been married to Brent, the president of Southwestern College in Phoenix, AZ, for 33 years and has four children. missions@palmcroft.com
Beth Hancock
Beth loves to see women come to an understanding of the Gospel and fall in love with the Word of God! She had the privilege of serving as Director of Women’s Ministries for 11 years at East Valley Bible (Redemption) Church in Gilbert. She also served for 10 years on Phoenix Seminary’s Women with Vision Conference committee, and for 15 years as a board member and program coordinator for Christian Business Women’s Association. She is a graduate of Center for Biblical Training, Mesa, AZ and has been a sporadic enrichment student at Phoenix Seminary. She is currently pursuing her National Association of Nouthetic Counseling certification through the Biblical Counseling Training Center of AZ.
In addition to people, Beth loves books, films, music, and is a foodie.
Beth’s husband, John, is her favorite theologian and partner in culinary crime! They have been married for 27 years and reside in Gilbert with one sassy Maine Coon cat named Savannah, AKA – Her Hairy Highness. beth@women4truth.com
Marilyn Nash
Marilyn grew up in a small town in the panhandle of Texas. She attended Texas Tech University where she graduated with a degree in Speech and Language Pathology. She worked in the public-school system as a speech therapist. She became very active in the Single Adult Ministry at North Phoenix Baptist Church soon after arriving and was asked to join the staff in October 1981 serving as Single Adult Minister.
She currently continues to work on the church staff through adult ministries to reach single adults in the community by providing Sunday morning Bible Study groups, mid- week groups, also DivorceCare, DC4K (DivorceCare for Kids) and GriefShare.
Through the many years of participating in the Single Adult Ministry and on staff 38+ years she has seen God send the single adults literally throughout the world as pastors, missionaries, teachers, prayer warriors and people who find sharing their faith a normal part of their daily walk and conversation.
Marilyn’s greatest joy and passion is to provide a place where people can serve in their giftedness. One of her favorite Bible verses is Romans 12:12, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need and practice hostility.”
Marilyn is single, never married. She enjoys entertaining in her home, spending time with her family and friends in Texas and her faith family in Arizona.
She enlists leaders in all of these ministries, provides training, promotes the ministry to the community, encourages fellowship through activities and building healthy relationships through reaching others for Christ while caring for one another.
Kerri Willoughby
Being born in the heart of the Rocky Mountains to a father with wanderlust set the tone of travel and adventure for Kerri’s life. Graduating from high school in Arizona and college in Louisiana, and through 9 years of travel with Women of Faith, she has been blessed to be with God’s people and experience firsthand every state (save 2) in this great Nation, and 3 Canadian Provinces. Kerri stands in awe of the Lord’s amazing Creation, His lands, His many animals, and His great care, especially for the hearts of women. Blessed with two amazing daughters and her Mother who lives with them, they manage Providence Farm north of Dallas, Texas, a place where people and animals of all kinds are rehabilitated and refreshed. Kerri is excited to be a long time member of LIFT and serve on the Board of Directors.
ADVISORY BOARD
Pam Lyons
Pam has served in Women’s ministries for over nine years. Her leadership roles have been at Shiloh Community Church, in Reaching Out, Missions, and Women’s Bible Studies. Pam is also a gifted Bible teacher and retreat speaker. Her heart’s desire is to partner with women as they grow into a deeper relationship with Christ. She can be reached by email rlyonsden@cox.net or website www.pamlyons.com