#Stand
October 19, 2024 | 9am-4pm
Kallet Theater, Pulaski, NY
​Upcoming Events
"Some trust in chariots and others in horses,
but we depend on the Lord our God.
They will fall down, but we will stand firm"
(Psalm 20:7-8 NET).
Conference Line-Up
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Welcome & The Ministry of Activ8Her
Activ8Her Chapter Mini-Meeting
Worship
Keynote Speaker - Pastor Jordan Carter
Lunch In (price is included in ticket price)
Testimonies of Activ8tion
Worship
Stand Courageous: Shirley Hartnett
Stand Connected: Jodi Cullen & Heather McIlrath
Stand Confident: Pastor Jordan Carter
Break
Take a Stand
Conference Speakers
We are excited for you to meet our speakers for this year's conference! God has put together a rich day that will affirm His call to STAND and OCCUPY! We will share speaker profiles over the next few weeks! Stay tuned....
Stand Courageous in Faith
Shirley Hartnett
As a dedicated member of Activ8Her and a co-coordinator of the North Syracuse, NY chapter, Shirley Hartnett is a passionate advocate for empowering women and creating positive change. A frequent blogger for Activ8Her, she shares her insights and experiences, inspiring others to live their fullest potential.
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Shirley is also a talented writer and a recent second-place winner in the international speech contest for Toastmasters, showcasing her exceptional communication skills and ability to connect with audiences. Her journey has been marked by resilience and faith, especially as a mother of three who tragically lost her son in 2014.
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Her unwavering discipline has been demonstrated through her participation in numerous races, including the grueling Ironman. She draws strength from her steadfast faith and pursues the voice of God during moments of doubt as well as moments of debate.
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Over the past year, Shirley has embarked on a profound personal journey, exposing her own lies and fears to live a freer, more authentic life with God. Her unwavering faith has been her guiding light, leading her to participate in two mission trips to Honduras, where she worked tirelessly to make a difference.
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With a heart full of compassion and a spirit of determination, Shirley continues to inspire and uplift those around her, embodying the true essence of what it means to live a purpose-driven life.
Her enthusiasm for Math and Physics is contagious as she teaches at Onondaga Community College.
Stand Connected in Relationship
Jodi Cullen & Heather McIlrath
Jodi
Heather
Jodi and Heather are Activ8Her Coordinators for the Alexandria Bay, NY Chapter. They are dear friends and sisters in Christ. They will team up as this year's Connect in Relationship speakers!
Jodi is wife to her best friend, Matthew and mother to her adult daughters Madison & Kelsey, two of the greatest joys of her life. She has been an educator at Alexandria Central School for the past 30 years where she has taught in general education & special education classrooms. Most recently, Jodi provides academic support and guidance to students in grades 7-11 who struggle academically & socially.
Jodi was raised in a small town, where the church provided a place for her to discover and use her gifts to teach & care for children. Although Jodi has always been a believer, her journey with the Lord has taken a winding path. Only in the past few years has Jodi's heart for service and a desire to share her gifts as a leader become apparent to her even though throughout her life, people have shared with Jodi that she is one.
Jodi currently has many roles in life. She is a mentor to other teachers, an advisor of students in Student Council & National Honor Society, Treasurer of the Alexandria Central Faculty Association and committee member for the Educational Planning Team & Principal’s Action Committee. Jodi has a passion for the growth and development in the sport of ice hockey, particularly for young women. She represents New York State at the annual Women’s Leadership Summit, is chairperson for parent education on the “Grow the Game” committee, sits on the girls development committee and is the camp director for a weeklong development camp hosted annually in Buffalo.
Jodi displays a positive presence and has a certain diplomacy that allows her to communicate with others. As her relationship with her heavenly Father has grown, so has her confidence in sharing the gifts that she can only now see in herself. As noted in Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths.” Jodi’s trust in the Lord, trust in her friendships and confidence in her own abilities has brought her to a place where she is excited to share her gifts as a conference speaker.
Heather is passionately in love with her Savior Jesus Christ and she loves to revel and delight in the impact her Lord and Savior makes. Heather wears a lot of hats and each one provides a venue for her to see God at work. The roles include pastor’s wife, worship leader, mother of four, grandmother of two, and High School English teacher, but her favorite role is beloved disciple of the One True Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Raised in a Christian home, Heather confessed faith in Jesus at a young age, and God has been deepening that relationship ever since. She recently lost her mother to a ten year battle with Lewy Body Dementia. She has been greatly comforted by the truth she learned from her mother that our greatest comfort in life and death is that we belong to God through faith in Jesus Christ.
Heather believes her life is a testimony of the faithfulness of God. Through the challenges of three decades of demanding church ministry, struggles with anxiety and depression, being the parent of an 8-month-old with deadly AML Leukemia (who by the grace of God survived), and everything else in life both big and small, God has been faithful, gracious and good.
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During her time at Trinity Christian College and Wheaton College, majoring in English/Secondary Education, Heather spent a summer in Poland teaching English and sharing the gospel with summer camp students. Upon settling in New York, with a desire to teach in the local school district, she returned to school. She obtained her accreditation in elementary education and a Masters Degree in inclusive and Special Education.
Heather desires to be a place where God’s light can shine and she is humbled and blessed to share about Christ centered friendship with her co-coordinator, Jodi Cullen.
Our Keynote Speaker
and Stand Confident in Leadership Speaker
Pastor Jordan Carter
Pastor Jordan Carter is a dedicated family man, loving husband to Faith, and proud father of their two children, Summit and Shiloh. He is an experienced leader and communicator with a rich background in both religious and secular organizations.
Serving as the Executive Pastor at Abundant Life Church in East Syracuse, New York, Pastor Jordan has played a pivotal role in guiding the church's mission and outreach efforts. He is also a Certified Leadership/Teams Coach, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to team development and leadership training.
With a Master's degree in Organizational Leadership from The Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine and a Bachelor of Arts in International Community Development from Oral Roberts University, Pastor Jordan is well-equipped to guide and inspire others. His educational journey has equipped him with skills in organizational leadership, strategy, problem-solving, consulting, team building, volunteer management, and public speaking.
Pastor Jordan earned his chaplaincy and became an ordained minister at Abundant Life Church, where he is passionate about empowering individuals and communities. His personal motivation to improve team-building processes stems from his experiences in leading and participating in team development programs.
His professional strengths, combined with his commitment to his family and faith, make him a truly inspiring leader and speaker.
Our Worship Leaders
Christina Bishop
Jolie Andryshak
Christina and Jolie are a mother/daughter worship team from Elmira, NY. Cris is a 6th grade teacher at Foundations Christian School and a worship leader at her home church, The Love Church, in Horseheads, NY. Jolie is one of her four children.
Jolie is a homeschool mom with five children and a worship leader at her home church Emmanuel Community Church in Elmira.
Cris and Jolie served together in their local MOPS (Mothers of preschoolers) group for several years. Cris as the mentor mom and Jolie as coordinator.
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The Bishop family has been involved in music ministry for decades, and served on the mission field in Mexico. Cris and Jolie love to worship and have a passion to bring God's people into His presence through music ministry.