Impacting Women Worldwide
***Azmera is a registered 501(c)3. Donations are tax deductible. Thank you!***
Partner with Azmera's INDONESIA Volunteers
SPEAKER - Becca Gray
Becca met her husband Paul on a blind date, where he shared his desire to serve on the mission field. That began their preparation for a life overseas, and they lived in Ethiopia for six years where Paul trained African Christian doctors in surgery and together they discipled the doctors' families. Becca knows firsthand many of the challenges that come with ministry, and she is passionate about serving people in local or overseas ministry.
Becca and Paul have three children: Nathan (11), Lydia (9), and Elizabeth (2). Becca has a masters degree from Dallas Theological Seminary in Cross Cultural Ministries. She spends her time volunteering for her kids’ school and teaching Bible classes at their church.
Partner with Becca:
WORSHIP LEADER - Joy Beless
Joy has a heart for leading worship and encouraging women in their faith journey. Having lived internationally, she brings a unique perspective to both. Joy leads worship weekly in the Dallas area, where she lives with her husband Roger, and at retreats and conferences globally. She understands third culture kids, and is inspired by her children’s choices to serve in the military and with Every Village, a ministry based in South Sudan. She is “JoJo” to her four young grandchildren.
Partner with Joy:
RETREAT MANAGER - Judy Armstrong
Judy enjoys using her skills to listen and provide encouragement to women in the ministry field as they fulfil their ministry. She is finishing up obtaining a Bachelor's Degree in Leadership and Ministry. She lives in Vancouver Washington with a wonderful dog named Buddy.
Partner with Judy:
Crystal Boecker
Crystal was a worker in East Asia for 22 years. She has an MA in Counseling and a seminary certificate in Spiritual Direction and is a nationally certified Pilates instructor. She enjoys finding Creative Ways to combine her love of prayer and Connection to our bodies into retreats where women can explore ways to invite God into both of these areas in their lives. She has 2 daughters 21 and 18 and has been married to an amazing husband for 32 Years.
Partner with Crystal:
Karla Childs
Karla is a retired social studies and English teacher. After being overseas with the DoD Education Activity for thirty years, she and her husband moved to Manchester, TN, where she taught Adult Education for ten years. She has led women's Bible studies for many years, as well as participated in church choirs. In her free time, Karla enjoys reading, water aerobics, and puzzles. Karla and Mike are blessed with eight delightful grandchildren; their son's family lives in Nairobi and their daughter's family is in Knoxville.
Partner with Karla:
Susan Collins
Susan has a passion for listening to women and reminding them that God created them for a unique purpose. She lives in Oregon with her husband of 28 years. During her free time in those years, she has been a librarian and preschool teacher. Susan has recently become an empty nester as the youngest of her four daughters just got married. She looks forward to what God has in store for her next!
Partner with Susan:
Patti Holland
Patti is a Registered Nurse and lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest in Corvallis Oregon. This is her first Azmera Haven retreat and she is so excited to be able to support and encourage the women who will come for this time of refreshment. Patti loves working with the youth at her church and spending time with her family and friends, as well as outdoors in God's amazing creation.
Partner with Patti:
Mechelle Larson
Mechelle loves the Lord and serves Him in many venues. She teaches ESL at her church to Internationals, was a leader in Bible Study Fellowship and now studies Precepts at her home church, Coppell Bible Fellowship. As a single and an art teacher, her students were her children, all 800 of them over the past 30 years. There must be thousands.
Now in retirement, she offers classes in her home studio, participates in service to the teens at the Center of Hope women’s shelter, has a (Bed & Breakfast) haven, Airbnb, a home business that brings in many internationals. She cares for an Alzheimer’s patient in the neighborhood. Her heart’s desire is to use her gifts and talents to show God’s love to others in meaningful tangible ways that bring honor and glory to the Lord. She loves family, friends, and her dog (Hattie), cat (Ashy), and a bunch of fish. Truly God has given her the desires of her heart.
Partner with Mechelle:
Melanie Moxness
Melanie grew up walking the streets and jungle paths of Indonesia, a mango in one hand and a papaya in the other. She has a passion for asking the question, "What does the Gospel mean for me today?" and jumping in with God with where He is at work in peoples' hearts. She currently calls Colorado home base, walking the streets of a different kind of "cement jungle" as she serves on a college campus with The Navigators. She is thrilled for the opportunity to dig her heels once again into Indonesian soil and hear the stories of other womens' footsteps in Asia.
Partner with Melanie:
Annette Nicholl
Annette Nicholl served with CRU campus ministry for 20 years, 8 Years in Irkutsk, Russia. Currently, she and her husband Spencer direct a small ministry in Ohio City Colorado called Big Horn Ministries. Their mission is to help people take their next step in life and toward Christ. They offer a place in their remote Colorado location for respite and rest for those who are in crisis, burned out or just need a break. She has two kiddos, Andrew (22) and Kate (18).
Partner with Annette:
Britta Shaub
Britta has a heart for women to feel seen, known, and loved by Christ and His Church. She is thrilled to join Azmera Haven Retreats to encourage women who spend their lives encouraging others in the gospel! Britta served as a missionary to university students in Athens, Greece and loved the difficult challenge of dying to self and learning to communicate God’s love cross-culturally. Britta is a creative small business owner, yoga teacher and foster mom, living in Fort Worth with her husband, Kenny.
Partner with Britta:
Heidi Shepard
Heidi has spent over ten years working and ministering in Asia. Most recently Heidi and her family served in China where Heidi helped businesses and her husband, Harvey, served as a physician. An entrepreneur at heart, Heidi loves to come alongside others and help get microenterprises launched. For 30 years she has owned a company specializing in cross-cultural training/reentry and destination services, with the area of third culture kids is her passion. She has four children ranging in age from 19-25, with the youngest being adopted.
Partner with Heidi:
Amy Young
After nearly two decades in China, Amy Young has returned to her Colorado roots. With an MA in TESL and another in Counseling, she held many leadership positions during her time in China. She’s the author of Looming Transitions and Love, Amy and helped to found Velvet Ashes, an online community for women serving overseas. Bottom line, she is a life enthusiast who loves Jesus and the Denver Broncos and TV. Oh, and Diet Coke too!
Partner with Amy:
***Azmera is a registered 501(c)3. Donations are tax deductible. Thank you!***