speakers & Team

Barbara is a child of God, wife of 40+ years, mother of six daughters and grandmom. She loves Jesus, art, music, writing, singing, dancing, horseback riding, the outdoors, being surrounded by family and having dinner parties with interesting people. She love camp. She hopes you will enjoy your time together. ​ Wanted Campference vision is for women to retreat in a camp setting. The hope is that everyone who comes and experiences camp leaves knowing they are wanted by God. Today and always.

Kathy is a mom of six children and now grandma . She is a Certified Personal Trainer with the National Academy of Sports Medicine and a Personal Pool Trainer Specialist with Aquatic Exercise Association. Kathy also carries a Special Populations Certifications with Coopers Institute that allows her to work with folks who have auto-immune diseases. Kathy is also licensed in Life Style Weight Management, Kickboxing, TRX Suspension Training, and International Fitness Leaders of America in Cycling and facilitates Fitness Boot Camps in Ingram, Texas!

Holly Wood, lifelong crafter, enjoys greater appreciation of our Father’s World through painting natural objects like rocks, gourds, tree bark and walking sticks. Wife and mother of three, BBA from Texas A&M, has been a Texaco oil and gas accountant, church pre-school teacher, Sunday school teacher, PTO past president, Girl and Boy Scout leader, UM ARMY volunteer, lifelong Methodist, Garden Club member, and Junior League volunteer. She enjoys ranching, traveling, ancestry, and playing the piano, ukulele, banjo, harmonica and accordion now that she has retired. She has resided in Houston, Anchorage, Midland, Spring, Liberty Leakey, and Harper, Tx. Holly also sponsors most and all the craft projects from a generous heart.

Holly is a blessing to Wanted Campference and to so many. A natural teacher, mentor and encourager, delegator and problem solver, Holly’s got your back and she does it all with a smile on her face and a song in her heart. Married to the love of her life, Rick, they reside in Tuscola, TX. Recently retired from teaching Holly would like to go into full time ministry working with and helping others reach their potential however God leads her to help. When Campference was birthed there was only one person to call to help organize, lead and minister.

Singer/songwriter Katie Drake is a wife of a cowboy, mom to three amazing kids and a knitter extraordinaire! She is passionate about helping lead women into the presence of the Almighty God through worship and music. Katie’s days are filled with homeschooling those amazing kids, working as a family photographer, leading worship at her local church and connecting with as many friends during the week as possible. Katie loves to create, whether it’s a new pair of earrings, writing a song or thinking up the best use of space in their small two bedroom house, she is most happy when her days include some kind of creative venture. Katie also loves Wanted Campference. Katie led worship at the second Wanted Campference and hasn’t missed a year since! Katie is excited to have the opportunity once again to lead the women of Wanted Campference in worship, and can’t wait to meet each and every one of you!

Paige is Barbara Collins' sister and best friend. She is a mom of five and grandmother to sixteen and one of the best teachers of the Word ever. She is an author, worship leader, and homemaker extraordinaire. She is AMI certified in teaching and training teachers in Good Shepherd and Montessori Education. Paige brings a wealth of knowledge and years of experience to camp. She is passionate about her work especially when it comes to teaching women and kids.

Janet Newberry is an educational consultant and an unshakeable believer in the transforming power of love. Janet is the founder and curator of John 15 Academy, a 501c3 not-for-profit answer to the call of redeeming childhood and revolutionizing education. After serving almost 30 years in public and private education, Janet has spent the past fifteen years studying educational philosophy, adolescence, neurology - specifically how the brain responds to fear and love, and theology - specifically the power of grace. She is a self-proclaimed love researcher. Her experiences with families and children continue to offer evidence that our current education system is upside down. Performance-obsessed cultures can never promote healing. She helps people live loved instead of afraid. Janet is also a “Bookie” — currently writing a new book with her agent, Cynthia Ruchti at Books and Such Literary Agency. Janet and Doug share the practical hope of brave love on their LOVE IS FEARLESS podcast.

Child of God, Redeemed Hippy Chick, Creative Entrepreneur, Film Producer. Thankful for my girls Amanda, Shelby, and Ashley. Retired homeschool mom, Enneagram 7 with a strong 8 Wing. I love rooftop views, France, beautiful design, smiles, strong convictions, adventures and chasing big ideas. Favorite books of the Bible-Isaiah and the Gospel of Luke. Life verse: Colossians 3:23 Put your heart and soul into every activity you do, as though you are doing it for the Lord himself and not merely for others.

Lesley currently serves as Mercy Gate Ministries’ Restoration Program Director. Mercy Gateis a 501c3 non-profit organization in the Hill Country of Texas that serves female victims 18 years and older who have experienced human trafficking, sexual exploitation or sexual trauma. Mercy Gate has multiple programs, The Journey is the residential, non-residential and aftercare aspect of the ministries restoration programs. Lesley has led the ministry with the creation and implementation of the curriculum taught to our residents. She also manages, supports, advocates, and leads our direct care staff, interns and the participants in our programs. Since 2013, Lesley has been dedicated to supporting women overcoming addiction and trauma, as well as survivors of human trafficking and exploitation through a trauma-informed and holistic approach. Being a survivor herself, she understands and can relate to the trauma that our residents and those she assists have been experienced. She wholeheartedly sacrifices and serves and she always stops for the one.

Nicki Dechert Carlson is a Christian blogger, speaker, and author of Grace-Faced: Pursuing the Life-Changing Perspective of a Loving God. She lives in the heart of the Texas Hill Country with her husband, three children, and beloved dog. She enjoys playing tennis, participating in women’s Bible studies, and trying to keep her vegetable and flower gardens alive. Learn more about her at nickicarlson.com.