Michele Telfer

Retreat Keynote Speaker

Born to non-Christian parents in Zambia, Africa, Michele Telfer grew up in the neighboring country of Zimbabwe. It was there that she met her husband, Colin; and the couple were married in 1983. During their first year of marriage, Michele and Colin relocated to Botswana, another South African nation. It was there—after living a life far from God—that they both became totally committed followers of Jesus.


Michele first began teaching Bible classes in Botswana; and when she and Colin moved to the U.S. in 1999, the Lord opened up new opportunities in their new homeland (the Telfers became U.S. citizens in 2008). Within a few years, Michele was teaching hundreds of students in multiple Bible study groups in Southern California. Invitations started to come in from around the globe, leading to speaking engagements in places across Africa, Australia, Canada, and the U.K., as well as other parts of the U.S. Michele still presents weekly Bible classes to large groups and she leads short-term missionary trips to Uganda each year with a focus on Biblical teaching and pastor training. She has also been the guest teacher on several trips to Israel.


Michele is the founder of Michele Telfer Ministries as well as In The Word Ministries, both of which are devoted to communicating the two greatest realities of all—the Living Word of God, Jesus Christ, and the Written Word of God, the Bible. To her, “In The Word” means being in Him, and being in His Truth. Michele’s in-depth Bible studies and video teachings are designed to guide and encourage students as they “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).

 

Additionally, Michele is partnering with The Strategic Communications Group and their VOICE OF HOPE missionary radio stations. VOICE OF HOPE will be broadcasting Michele’s thirty-minute English messages out of their Africa and South America stations (with a footprint of 2 billion people). Some of Michele’s mini-messages have also been translated into five-minute Arabic broadcasts which are currently aired on the VOICE OF HOPE ISRAEL station, reaching people in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Egypt and Morocco.


Mary Wong

Workshop Speaker & Retreat Worship Leader

Mary Wong is a second generation Taiwanese American who grew up as a PK or pastor's kid.  With her beloved father's recent promotion to glory, she is devoted to honoring and carrying on his legacy of faithful love and service to God's people.  In ministry, Mary is most passionate about two things:  women and worship.  From leading worship as a high school youth to currently one of the worship leaders at Redeemer Bible Church plant, her desire is to connect others to His heart in the corporate worship of God in Spirit and in truth.  


Mary first developed a love for studying Scripture with women as a young mom.  Now as a substitute teaching leader in Bible Study Fellowship she enjoys experiencing God's transforming power through the disciplined study of His Word among other women and training leaders. She is committed to equipping believers to prepare as His bride by reaching the lost and making disciples of Christ in womens' ministry.  She is a graduate of University of California, Berkeley, Loyola University Chicago School of Law and currently pursuing a Master of Divinity at Fuller Theological Seminary with an emphasis in Asian American contexts. 


Mary is married to her husband, Bryan, for 14 years and together they raise three growing children, Josiah, Kiah and Isaiah. Her most recent favorite activities are racing sprint triathlons, rowing with Casitas rowing and learning to surf in Ventura where they live.