Meet Our Refresh Writing Team
Rebecca Barton
Raised in a minister’s home, Rebecca was called into ministry at an early age. An Evangel University graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in English Education and a minor in Spanish, Rebecca has been a teacher, piano tutor, worship leader, office administrator, and bookkeeper. Rebecca currently serves with her husband, Scott, as lead pastors of Eldon First AG. They have been married 34 years--30 of those as pastors in Texas and Missouri. Besides being a pastor’s wife, Rebecca serves as the Publishing Team Leader for Refresh Ministry Women. Her interests include singing, playing keyboards, reading, genealogy, gardening, foraging, and crafting. However, her favorite activity is keeping up with her 3 adult kids, their spouses, and 3 active granddaughters.
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Kimberly Boley
Kim serves alongside her husband, James, as Chi Alpha missionaries at Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO). They have two daughters, Abbi & Lizzie, and one fur baby named Natasha. Kim attended Missouri State University in Springfield, MO, where she was introduced to Chi Alpha Campus Ministries. After she graduated in 2006, she served 7 years as a missionary associate with Chi Alpha at the University of Missouri in Columbia. In 2013, she and James felt led to pioneer a Chi Alpha, and God led them to Cape Girardeau, MO and the campus of SEMO. Since then, they have both become ordained ministers, learned even more about life and ministry, and fallen more in love with God and each other. Kim is a huge fan of coffee, dogs (especially labs), books, and college kids. She loves doing Chi Alpha with her whole family by sharing life together.
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If one word could depict a life, Julie Davenport’s would be “redemption.” As a child, Julie’s character was forged within a legacy of faith, godliness, and ministry, so when she married a charismatic young pastor on the fast-track to prominence, life was everything she’d dreamed it would be...on the outside. But inside, alone and hidden from view, Julie endured abuse, betrayal, and infidelities that spiraled to include miscarriage, cancer, divorce, mental illness, and eventually suicide. Julie is now an ordained AG minister who through speaking engagements and two daughters continues the legacy of ministry, God is using Julie’s life-story to validate His immeasurable grace and prove His power to redeem what Satan tried so hard to destroy.
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Kelly GodzwaKelly and her husband, Dave, have been Southern Missouri District missionaries since 2006, currently serving in the role of Mexico Area Directors. She also has been active online in the Refresh Connect groups and leadership team, recently receiving her ordination with the district. They have 3 adult children and a mini schnauzer.
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Tamie Bixler Lung
Raised in Springfield, Tamie experienced much of what the Missouri Ozarks had to offer, including a few years at Evangel College, where she met her now husband Tim in a college Sunday School class. During their 38 years of marriage, they have raised and Tamie has homeschooled 5 children, served in various ministry positions in Illinois & Missouri, and owned several small businesses. They currently own a gourmet seasonings company called Crawdad's Classics, which they purchased from Tamie's father. Presently, they attend Oak Grove A/G. Tamie is an inspirational speaker, business owner and author. She wrote a 31 Day inspirational devotional called "This Life We Live" and is currently finishing a recovery book called "Knowing Your 'Why'," which she hopes to publish in 2024. Tamie can often be found entertaining her 9 grandchildren and looks forward to enjoying 3 new ones coming in 2024.
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Terry MagnessNow an ordained AG minister, Terry Magness was once a broken, wounded, angry, and abuse-hardened woman, until God’s redeeming love confronted, delivered, healed, and transformed her life. In 1995, Terry founded Grace Harbour Ministries, a not-for-profit, Biblically based teaching, prayer, and discipleship ministry to women. Through Biblical counseling, coaching, and mentoring, she helps soul-wounded women come to know God in a personal way, conquer sin, overcome life challenges, and live Spirit-empowered lives. Throughout her global ministry she has witnessed God’s captive-freeing power at work. Terry has authored two books--Ever Increasing Grace and Azadiah Reynolds: God’s Jamaica Man—and three booklets in her Pocket Scriptures series. She enjoys people, writing, photography, art, nature, and relaxing on the water while fishing with her quick-witted husband, Don, who keeps her laughing. Their amazing children and three priceless granddaughters remind them to be ever thankful for God’s blessings.
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Vicki MillerVicki and her husband, Don, have been in ministry for more than 35 years. They have four daughters, four sons-in-law, four grandsons, and three sweet granddaughters who keep their lives full of joy and laughter. After pastoring the same congregation for more than 25 years, they now serve in ministry to SOMO District ministers and their spouses. Traveling is a shared interest between Don and Vicki, especially as they connect with churches and church leaders across our state and around the world. Encouraging ministry wives in their unique role and their walk with Jesus is one of Vicki's passions. For fun, she loves to read, sleuth décor ideas on Pinterest, drink iced tea (no coffee for her) especially with a friend, and take car rides in the country.
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Amber MillsAmber is a SOMO girl through and through. She was saved, baptized with the Holy Spirit, and called into ministry at SOMO Kid’s Camp, and now serves with her husband, Greg, as lead pastors at Camdenton 1st AG. Amber fills her time by homeschooling their four boys, serving as the children’s pastor and women’s leader at the church, and also serving as the sectional women’s and girls' ministries rep for the district. Her heart is in working with women and girls, and as a children’s pastor for over 15 years, she believes kids are the key not only to our survival as a church, but also to our endless pursuit to evangelize our world.
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Majetta MorrisMajetta, a licensed minister with the Assemblies of God, began her first Sunday School teaching assignment when she was twelve. With husband, Wayne, and daughters, Scarlett and Keena, she ministered throughout the southwest U.S. in Kids Krusades for ten years before going to Okinawa, Japan to minister in schools, churches, and the local community for a total of sixteen years. After retiring in Springfield, MO in 2007, she began professionally editing as a freelancer at the request of a friend. Majetta loves reading, writing, crafting, teaching, and editing. Contact Majetta at [email protected] for assistance publishing your writing projects.
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Pam MortonPam, her husband, John, and two teenaged daughters packed up their fulfilling, understood Midwestern lives and moved to Cairo, Egypt in 2008. Her dream of serving overseas became a shocking reality of daily cultural encounters that often left her wondering if she’d actually landed on Mars instead! From Cairo to Khartoum to Upper Egypt to Israel, Pam learned, lived, and thrived in a sandy, sweaty, hospitable land. Pam and John's new assignment provides support to MKs and their families through TCK International Academy and parent mentoring. Pam loves to connect with her church family to encourage, laugh and inspire. (www.johnandpammorton.com). Pam and John have two married daughters and are smitten with their three granddaughters.
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Nora RossNora Ross is a licensed minister with the AG. She and her husband, Dan, have been in ministry for 30 years, the last 17 years as pastors of New Hope Fellowship, a loving and growing church in St. Louis. They have two married children, one grandchild, and hopes of many more. Nora is currently directing the women's ministry group, REAL Sisterhood. She has a passion for helping women reach their full potential in Christ, and believes God has a plan to reach our communities through the Church as we care for the physical and spiritual needs of people.
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Jill St. JohnJill St. John, once a high school English teacher, is an ordained minister in the Assemblies of God. She serves as Co-Pastor alongside her husband, Jason. For the last 29 years, they have served at Evangel Church in Kansas City: 6 years as youth pastors, 23 years as lead pastors. Jill has a passion for Jesus and a zeal for teaching God’s Word-- helping others walk in God’s love and purpose. As a 4-time cancer survivor, she knows the goodness of God through the highs and lows of life and ministry. Jill is an authentic, enthusiastic messenger of God’s joy and hope. Teaching, cooking, gardening, laughing and hanging out with friends, her husband and two young adult kids and kids-in-law are the delights of her life!
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