On the morning of September 11, 2001, Cheryl McGuinness kissed her husband good-bye as he headed off to work. She never saw him again... Tom McGuinness was the co-pilot of American Airlines Flight 11 - the first airplane to crash into the World Trade Center. On that day, Cheryl's world fell apart. But since that day, Cheryl has learned how to hope again. Through her powerful story, others can find hope as well. Cheryl's message of renewal, recovery and faith is a message that resonates. In response to overwhelming needs Cheryl sees in her audiences, she has launched the ministry of Beauty Beyond The Ashes as an avenue to share her message of courage, determination and love. Cheryl is a widely sought after national speaker. Through appearances on programs such as MSNBC, CNN, Life Today, Good Morning America, The 700 Club and Fox News, Cheryl has shared her experiences and her faith. She has also been featured in the Boston Globe, the Chicago Tribune, the New York Times as well as Newsweek and Focus on the Family. Her story is compelling - her message is life changing. "The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor." (Isaiah 61:1-3)

An actress for twenty-five years, Nancy has starred in numerous movies and TV series, including five years as Andy Griffith's law partner, Michelle, on "Matlock", and three years on the Emmy-award winning "St Elsewhere". She starred in the ABC series"Sidekicks", and began her television acting career as a regular in a dual role on the NBC daytime drama "The Doctors". She has been a guest star on numerous shows, with recent appearances on "The Mentalist","Judging Amy", and "ER", starred in several TV movies, including "Moment of Truth: A Child Too Many" and "Deadly Invasion", and co-stars with Randy Travis in the the feature film "The Wager". Her book, Beauty by the Book: Seeing Yourself as God Sees You(Multnomah Publishers, 2002), now in it's sixth printing, has been called by ASSIST News Service reviewer Ron Brackin "one of the most valuable Christian books to be published in decades". Nancy shares her story of God's healing and transformation in her life from insecurities and unworthiness to wholeness and acceptance. She shares the scriptural truths we need to know to find freedom from our pasts and freedom from the bondage of our culture's standards. "Everyone has beauty and value", says Stafford, "but not everyone sees it. I want you to see it." In her latest book, The Wonder of His Love: A Journey into the Heart of God, Nancy offers a fresh glimpse into the nature of God's heart, and invites you to venture deeper into the mystery and majesty of His love. "If you could grasp the depth of God's love for you... it would change you. I want you to know that the God of the universe is wild about you, enthralled with you, completely consumed with love for you." Author and teacher, Beth Moore, says of Nancy's book: "THE WONDER OF HIS LOVE is like a warm embrace from God Himself." A popular speaker, Nancy travels extensively sharing with women's groups, colleges, churches, corporations, and other organizations. She speaks with warmth and transparency, and her passion is to help others grasp their true identity and worth. In corporate and campus settings, she motivates, inspires, and challenges others to live lives of significance and pursue their dreams with excellence. She frequently works as a corporate consultant, helping executives and information specialists improve their corporate and media presentations. Her longstanding interest and love for the Middle East led her to visit Egypt, Lebanon, and Cyprus, and host "Partnering for the Impossible" about SAT-7 satellite television’s impact in the Arab world. She’s visited Israel where she filmed the TV specials "Where Heaven and Earth Meet" , "On Wings of Eagles", and "Operation Isaiah 58". She co-hosted the first season of syndicated talk show "Love, Marriage, and Stinking Thinking" with Mark Gungor, the live daily talk show "Great Day America" for PAX-TV, and was guest-host of "At Home Live" for Family Net. For ten years Nancy hosted "Main Floor", the network-syndicated fashion, beauty, and lifestyle magazine series airing in over 40 countries around the world. A former Miss Florida in the Miss America Pageant, Nancy is a native of Ft. Lauderdale and is a journalism graduate of the University of Florida. In New York she became a top model with the Ford Model Agency and appeared in over 250 commercials before beginning her acting career. Off the screen Nancy serves on the US Board ofSAT-7, a Christian Satellite television network with programming developed and produced by and for Christians in the Middle East and North Africa. Each week 9 million people watch SAT-7, broadcasting 24/7 on three channels in Arabic, Turkish, and Farsi languages. She serves on the Advisory Boards of Hollywood Connect --a ministry that offers spiritual and practical resources and guidance for young film and television professionals arriving in Hollywood, Biola University Studio Task Force, Damah Film Festival Reference Board, The Dove Foundation, Westside Pregnancy Resource Center, and is a frequent speaker at media events nationwide. Nancy's husband, Larry Myers, is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary. He has been a pastor and worship leader since 1975 when he helped establish the original Vineyard Christian Fellowship. Subsequently he has helped establish three other churches in the Los Angeles area. The focus of his ministry has been teaching, counseling, and the pastoral care of artists and musicians. He was a member of the Chuck Girard Band from 1975-80, and as a concert musician appeared with Greg Lake (Emerson, Lake and Palmer), Bernie Leadon (Eagles), Chris Hillman (Byrds), T-Bone Burnett and many others. He has recorded with numerous artists including Bob Dylan, Johnny Rivers, Chuck Girard, Anne Herring, Kevin Prosch, David Ruis, Andy Park. In addition, he has appeared frequently on the Vineyard worship series "Touching the Father's Heart". Nancy and Larry have been married for 20 years, and are fulfilling their longtime dream of providing a serene and private place for others to come for retreat... their ranch, Rancho Monte Nido www.ranchomontenido.com just outside Los Angeles, has been used by many to work on creative projects, as well as seek God, and experience His healing and restoration.

Veteran comedian David Dean will bring more than just comedy to an event he’ll bring truth! A Christian since he was in high school, David cut his comedic teeth at the famous Second City School of Improv in Chicago. From there, his lightning speed wit and ability to communicate scripture to people have made him a sought after comedian and speaker at various events around the country. Over the last 19 years, David has been the featured speaker at Promise Keepers as well as numerous outreach, youth and family conferences. David also frequently performs and tours with fellow clean comedians Ken Davis and Chonda Pierce. David and his wife Betsy live at the zoo with their two teenagers and all their friends in Huntington, IN.

Betsy has been married for 30 years to her husband, Brian. They have two grown daughters, Sarah and Laura. She has a Master's Degree in Elementary Education, and taught for 30 years in the Norwalk City School District. Betsy is listed in the Bilmore Who's Who Among Executives and Professional Women, Honors Edition. She was named in Who's Who Among America's Teachers for three years. Betsy was presented the Norwalk Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year Award in 2002 and was also nominated for the Disney Teacher of the Year Award.

Betsy has served as a Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher, and was director of a LOGOS Youth Choir for seven years. She was a Chancel Choir member for 30 years and has also served on many church committees. Betsy has written over 50 original praise and worship songs, and is in the process of recording them. She has authored and presented workshops, served as a featured vocalist, and has delivered inspirational messages to congregations and women's gatherings state-wide.

Praise-Apella is a vocal band that sings for the praise of God's glory. The group imitates instrumentation through their gift of voice. A band without instruments! Praise-Apella has opened for and performed with Contemporary Christian recording artists Michael W. Smith, AVALON, Natalie Grant, Brandon Heath, Leeland, The Katinas, Superchic[k], Tammy Trent, Zoe Girl, George Rowe, John Ruben and Kristy Starling. Praise-Apella is frequently heard on Cleveland's largest Contemporary Christian Radio station 95.5 The Fish.