PhD in Rhetoric from Texas Woman’s University
M.A. in English from Texas Woman’s University
B.S. in Biblical Studies from Southwestern A/G University
Ordained Minister with the Texas Louisiana Hispanic District of A/G
Under 40 Executive Presbyter for the Assemblies of God
TX LA Hispanic District Girls Ministries Director
Board of Directors, Christ Mission College (San Antonio, TX)
Serves on National Girls Ministries Task Force Team
Blogger for Healthy Kid Min
Blogger for Melissa’s Memoirs https://pastormalfaro.wordpress.com/
*Facebook and Instagram
Author of Book The Day the Princess Cried, which was revised and rereleased in April 2017 with a complete study guide/small group guide.
During her time at T.W.U. she was awarded the Edgar Dean Literary Endowment for her excellence in academics and for her exposition on a piece of literature. Her Master’s degree was awarded to her after successful completion of her thesis entitled, The Oppression and Deliverance of Women in Sandra Cisneros’ The House on Mango Street. Her thesis focuses on the treatment of women in various ethnic communities and discusses the cultural constraints that hinder women from reaching their full potential. In 2008, Pastor Melissa published her first book, The Day the Princess Cried: The Diaries of the Biblical Princess of Lamentations and has been a contributing author of Nuestra Gente, a magazine directed to the Latin community in the Houston area. In 2012 she received her PhD in Rhetoric from Texas Woman’s University after completion of her dissertation entitled, Breaking the Silence: A Rhetorical Analysis of Selected Works by Sandra Cisneros and Toni Morrison Through the Lens of Northrop Frye's Rhetorical Theories of Speech and Style where she examines the topic of the female voice through various literary works by ethnic writers, applying the rhetorical theories of Northrop Frye as a means of enlightening and empowering the audience to examine their communities and realize the ramifications of silence and the power that exists in the utterance of one voice.
Dr. Alfaro has over 10 years working in education as a teacher, staff development presenter, motivational speaker and District Middle School ESL Coordinator. In collaboration with public school districts, she has initiated mentoring leadership programs for at-risk teens.
Presently Dr. Alfaro, and her husband of 15 years, Pastor J. Alfaro, serve as the Senior Pastors of El Tabernaculo A/D in Houston. TX. She often refers to Houston as her "place of purpose." She also serves as the Girls Ministries Director for the Texas Louisiana Hispanic District as well as sits on the National Girls Ministries Lead Team for the Assemblies of God. She is a writer and blogger for the Assemblies of God publication resource Healthy Kid Ministries and loves to chronicle her personal journey on her blog Melissa’s Memoirs. She is the author of the book The Day the Princess Cried. Above all other titles, she is most excited about joining the mommy club in April 2018 with the arrival of her baby boy. It is her desire to help individuals draw closer to God through prayer and empower them to live out their God-given purpose. She has weathered many storms in her life, but one thing she has learned is that God never wastes a season, and it is with that hindsight that she is now committed to encourage others...to enjoy the journey.
Alton Garrison serves as the director of the Acts 2 Journey Initiative which helps churches renew their spiritual vitality and reach their full kingdom potential.
Garrison served previously as the assistant general superintendent of the Assemblies of God from 2007-2019; as executive director of U.S. Missions from 2005-2007; as superintendent of the Arkansas District from 2001-2005; and as pastor of First Assembly of God, North Little Rock, Arkansas, from 1986-2001. Garrison also served as an evangelist from 1968-1985.
He has authored the books: Hope in America’s Crisis, Building a Winning Team, Acts 2 Church, and The 360° Disciple. Johanna Garrison authored the book, Tangled Destinies, an account of her family’s hardships through the Nazi holocaust and an Indonesian revolution and their subsequent immigration to the United States.
Garrison and his wife, Johanna, have one daughter, Lizette, and one grandson and one granddaughter.
David oversees Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge (BGMC), the children’s missions program for the denomination he belongs to. He and his wife, Mary were full-time children’s pastors in three great churches for seventeen years. The Boyds have been involved in children’s ministry for over thirty years.
David is a graduate of North Central University with a BS in Pastoral Studies. He also has an MA degree in Theological Studies from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary.
David’s passion is to instill a heart of compassion for missions in kids. He believes that kids can make a difference in the world through praying, giving, and being willing to go. Kids can be challenged to pray for missionaries, for countries, and for people groups. Kids can be challenged to sacrifice for missions so missionaries can have the supplies they need and so the needs of those less fortunate can be met. Kids can also be challenged to keep their hearts open to the call of God to become missionaries and to reach the world with the gospel message.
David has been the guest speaker at numerous conventions, retreats, camps, and other children’s ministry endeavors both here in the US and around the world. He has a big heart for missions, training teachers, and touching the lives of kids.
Yancy is a worship leader & songwriter. Her popular worship resources are used in thousands of churches around the world. Yancy is passionate about discipling kids to be the worshippers God made them to be. Yancy and her family live in Nashville, TN.
Pre-con session: Discipling Kids in Worship
Description: This session will teach you the whys and hows of explaining worship to your kids and your team, and then the process of setting an environment that allows them to practice their learning. Yancy will share practical tips on leading various ages as well as the process of choosing songs and crafting worship sets. You will leave challenged and ready to develop a heart of worship in kids. If you want to STOP doing songs and START having powerful, authentic worship, this is the session for you.
Jim Wideman is considered one of the fathers of the modern family ministry movement. He is a speaker and author, with over 40 years of hands-on experience in the local church. Jim serves as the Executive Pastor Of Families and Volunteers at The Belonging Company in Nashville, Tennessee.
Pre-con session: Leadership that Lasts
Description: Leading you, Leading Others, Leading Parents, Leading when you’re not in charge.
Jean Thomason has more than 35 years of experience as a musical performer, worship leader, author and conference speaker. She is the living embodiment of the joyful children’s musical character, “Miss PattyCake.” Her recently published book is, “Sharing God’s BIG LOVE with Little Lives.”
Pre-con session: AMAZERIFFIC Preschoolers
Description: Let’s talk about Preschoolers - those BEAUTIFUL babies, the TERRIFIC toddlers, the 3s and 4s and 5s who are so very ALIVE! Join “Miss PattyCake” (Jean Thomason) who draws on many years of experience as a Bible teacher, worship leader, singer, songwriter, MOTHER, and early-childhood minister who has worked in this AMAZERIFFIC age group for 28 years and talk about: The Superpower of 'Babysitters', Making Early Faith STICK, Coaching Parents of Young Children, Managing Media for Families with Young Children.
After serving as a children's pastor for over 10 years, Josh transitioned all his vocational energies toward KidMin Science. Josh is a seasoned educator with BA in Chemistry Education, a MA in Effective Instruction, and earned National Board Certification in Young Adult and Adolescent Science. As a former High School chemistry teacher, Josh melded his love for Science and Christ, creating “The Amazing Chemistry Show”, a traveling gospel-centered stage show with fire, explosions and foam. Carrying this Ministry of Chemistry even further, Josh created three “Science VBS” curricula.
Pre-con session: Lead Volunteers: Get Organized. Retain Volunteers. Stop Burnout.
Description: Without volunteers, we do it alone. Without volunteers, the mission falls. Your effectiveness is in direct relationship to your success at recruiting, training and retaining volunteers. You will leave this 4-hour intensive changed, inspired and equipped with a practical plan you can immediately implement. Part 1 - Recruit. Part 2 - Train. Part 3 - Retain. Part 4 - Multiply.
Josh and Jennifer Wellborn have come back to their hometown of Springfield, Missouri to serve in the Assemblies of God Youth Ministries after 17 years in full-time ministry. Josh attended Evangel University and Jennifer, Missouri State University.
After pursuing a career in broadcasting, Josh became a youth pastor in 2001 and has served in Brussels, Belgium; Seattle, Washington; and Michigan. Their youth ministry at Mount Hope Church in Lansing, Michigan was nationally ranked in the Top 10 for Speed the Light giving.
In 2015, Josh was appointed as the Michigan District Student Ministries Director, where he oversaw both youth and children’s ministries. Then, in January 2018, he was appointed National Director of Assemblies of God Youth Ministries. Josh and Jennifer live in Ozark, Missouri with their four children—Isaac, Symon, Liza, and Stella.
Pre-con Session: Reaching and Understanding Preteens & Youth
Description: Join the National Youth Department as they cover these valuable topics in the preteens and youth of today: Transitioning, A Heart for Missions, Youth Discipleship, Understanding Gen Z.
