We invite you to join us even if you were unable to meet the pre-registration deadline. However, we can't guarantee there will be a lunch available for those who didn't pre-register to be in the lunch count. Please bring a lunch or snack with you to be safe.
V E N U E: Real Life Church 1545 S Avenue C Yuma, AZ 85364
NOTICE TO ATTENDEES:
If you have special dietary needs please bring what you need.
8am – 9am: Check in
9am – 10am: Worship / Opening Session
10.15am – 11.15am: 1st Session
Thanks to our 2025 1st Session Speakers
Jacqueline Chatman-Pugh
Breakthrough
(abuse & divorce)
My journey has been one of profound transformation and resilience. It's a story of rising from the ashes, breakthrough, finding solace in adversity, and embracing the newfound sense of purpose that God has emerged from the depths of my hardship. If there's one thing I've learned, it's that even in our darkest moments, God gives potential for growth and renewal. My experiences through abuse, divorce, job losses and gain, no money, between homes and struggling as a newly single mother have sharpened my faith, reshaped my understanding of community, and taught me the immeasurable power of perseverance. God is Great!
“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all” Proverbs 31:29
Barb Sulfridge
Who Says You’re Not Worthy?
(Rejection)
Have you ever been judged and found wanting? Barb understands your pain, and so does her Jesus.
Despite being raised attending church, she did not understand what it meant to be fully loved and accepted by God. She didn’t realize that her creator only wanted a personal relationship with her. Instead, she felt obligated to earn her acceptance by doing good deeds—deeds that never seemed to be enough.
Barb also used to be a self-professed people-pleaser, trying to second-guess what others expected her to do and be. It was an exhausting way to live. But God, in His faithfulness, helped her accept His truth. She is a unique creation, made in God’s image. She now lives free from self-worth issues and loves to share her message of overcoming with others.
She invites you to live, released from unhealthy mindsets, knowing that Jesus considered you worth dying for. You are a masterpiece, chosen, adored, and His precious child. Come and be blessed by God’s promises.
From victim to victor, Barb’s new purpose in life comes from 1 Peter 3:15.
Always Be Prepared to Share the Reason for Your Hope. 1 Peter 3:15
Come and be blessed.
Elva Diaz
“Refresca tu mente, corazón y alma con amor”
(abuse)
La vida de Elva estuvo marcada por el abuso, primero por su padre y luego por su esposo, un evangelista que ocultaba su verdadera naturaleza. A los 12 años, mientras alababa a Dios, tuvo una visión de Jesús, quien le dijo: “Nunca te dejaré ni te desampararé, y nadie te arrebatará de mis manos”. Estas palabras la sostuvieron durante su adolescencia y matrimonio abusivo. Ambos abusadores incluso le rompieron guitarras en la cabeza, intentando silenciar su don. Sin embargo, Elva, ungida por Dios como compositora, guitarrista y líder de adoración, perseveró. Hoy, viaja por el mundo difundiendo la palabra de Dios a través de su música, compartiendo cómo el Señor transformó su dolor en propósito y la acercó más a Él.
“… Mi porción es Jehová, dijo mi ama; por tanto, en el esperare …” Lamentaciones 3:24
11.30am – 12.30pm: Lunch
12.45pm – 1.45pm: 2nd Session
Thanks to our 2025 2nd Session Speakers.
Linda Livingstone
Life Out of Control
(abuse & neglect)
My first wounds came as a young child. I lost my mother to mental illness, but the complete break happened after severe abuse when I was 9 years old. This began vacancies in my life: a lack of upbringing, a lack of life skills, a lack of love and nurture, and left me to fend for myself in ignorance, and hurt. As a child these lacks led to abuse, poor self-image, and to poor choices as an adult, which in turn led to alcohol, the loss of a child, even living on the streets. I lived in suicidal thoughts, depression, anger, bitterness, and guilt.
But God… through the miracles of people, prayer, and Himself, rescued me from myself. I learned to read, study and understand the scriptures. I learned to take both past and present circumstances of my life to God and allow Him to give them new meaning. I learned when a door closes, God opens another. Through prayer and God’s direction, my own mental health improved. He set my feet on solid ground.
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” Psalm 147:3
Christine Reese
Finding Identity Through Christ
(identity)
I grew up in a lovely, God centered home with both parents, a beautiful life from the outside. So, I did not understand why God would abandon me when I was sexually abused and chose to completely turn away from any believe of a God. I spent much of my life turning away from the Lord and turning to the world.
I had a perfect family that did not understand my pain, hurt, and shame, which made me feel alone and like an outsider. I struggled with mental health issues and continued to question my value and worth as I got older. I would continuously look to men (often older like my abuser) for validation and relationship instead of my heavenly father. This led to me becoming pregnant as a teenager and dropping out of high school. Many failed marriages, a lot of abuse, and me constantly questioning why I was not worth anything.
The message I will be discussing in on self-worth and our identity in Christ. How He will use any circumstance to bring us closer to Him and how we are never too far gone and how truly valuable we are to him.
Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. Ephesians 1:4
Bertha Alvarez
Un Duelo con Esperanza
(duelo)
Me convertí a los 17 años en San Luis, AZ, en un hogar sin violencia ni alcohol, pero con un padre emocionalmente distante debido a una relación extramarital. A los 20 años, me casé y me mudé a Mexicali, B.C., donde mi esposo comenzaba una obra. Participamos en actividades cristianas como conferencias y campamentos. Más tarde, trabajé en un centro para mujeres maltratadas en El Centro, CA, donde presencié el impacto devastador del abuso, las drogas y la degradación en las familias. Esto me hizo salir de mi entorno cristiano protegido para enfrentar una realidad de pecado extremo.
En el Center for Family Solutions, aprendí sobre procesos legales y compartí esperanza a través de Cristo, viendo a Dios obrar incluso en un ambiente secular. Mi esposo y yo iniciamos estudios bíblicos, alcanzando a muchas personas del centro, quienes encontraron a Cristo, reconciliación y sanidad emocional.
“… Jehová el Señor es mi fortaleza …” Habacuc 3:17-19
2.00pm – 4.30pm: Worship / Keynote / Closing
Thanks to our 2025 keynote Speaker
Jan Mattson
Ordinary women touched by God
(overcoming depression)
My life was radically changed in my 20’s. There was a longing in my spirit that I didn’t recognize then. I had become jaded about religion and church. A fall walk changed everything. In just a few months, my emotional and mental depression gave way to spiritual despair. I was lost and alone. Then God revealed Himself to me.
I would like to share my journey out of depression. And honor the Lord who made it possible.
“To bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor” Isaiah 61:3