Like the women who attend Rise & Shine Women's Retreat, the Rise & Shine Leadership Team are women of different ages, in various stages of life and we're even from different places. Although the event is held at and supported by Orchard Hill Church, not all of us attend that church or even live close to it. Each of us have a passion for serving Christ and drawing women into a personal and thriving relationship with Jesus Christ. We are ordinary women blessed to be part of something so extraordinary. We are praying for the women who will attend and hope to see YOU there!
Leanne Anderson resides in Nashua, Iowa and has been a part of the Rise & Shine Leadership Team since the beginning. Leanne owns and operates her own pattern company, where she designs quilt patterns and also designs fabric for a company in New York City. In addition to this she serves part time at Orchard Hill Church where she is a part of the high school ministry team. Leanne and her husband Ed have 3 grown children who are all married and one very special grandchild. Leanne loves working with the Rise & Shine team and feels very blessed to be a part of something that is growing God’s kingdom
Judy Walsten resides in Cedar Falls. She is the wife of Mike, an agricultural journalist, who writes about farmland; mother to Sarah and Tim (Sarah, Aaron, and family live in Grimes; Tim, Shelby and family live in Cedar Falls); grandmother to Henry, Hudson, and Tobias (undoubtedly, the most wonderful "role" a person could have; and "retired" (or as I say, "rewired for new adventures") from leading Children's Ministry at Orchard Hill Church. I am passionate about ministry work in Haiti and growing faith in children. It is an honor and privilege to serve on the Rise & Shine Team as we follow God's plan!
Rachel Beran lives near Elma, Iowa. She is a small town Indiana girl turned Iowa farmer’s wife. Married to Alan, she is blessed to be a stay at home mom with two precious little boys, Andrew and Noah. She lives near and attends a small church in Saratoga, Iowa (1 1/2 hrs north of Cedar Falls). She enjoys writing, leading Bible studies and serving as the local MOPS (Mother's Of Preschoolers) group coordinator. She has been a member of the Rise & Shine Women’s Retreat leadership team since the retreat began in 2009 and is very passionate about serving in this role. She loves helping others see God in the ordinary, everyday moments of life. You can connect with Rachel on her blog by
clicking here.
Polly Lilly and her husband, Dan, lives in the old school of the ghost town, Bailey Iowa. They have 3 sons (Brett, Curtis, and Grant) and a daughter(Bethany). The Lord has blessed their oldest son and his wife with Polly and Dan's 2 grandaughters and 1 grandson. She was a stay-at-home mom and homeschooled her children. She now teaches GED classes through NIACC College, is a consultant for Homemade Gourmet, and a health coach for the Take Shape for Life/Medifast foods company. She is involved in the Women's ministry of her church and loves inviting people into her home.
Tammy Krohn resides in Cedar Falls, IA with her husband Rex and their three children, Abby, Matthew and Hope. She is an Army veteran who has been a stay-at-home mom for the last 12 years. Tammy enjoys reading, crafting, walking, spending time learning from her children, strengthening her marriage, and trying to change the world in a positive way by loving and serving Jesus. She is passionate about helping women, especially moms, tear down stereotypes and be the women God created them to be. It is a blessing for her to serve with such incredible women on a committee that wants to do those same things and so much more.
This year we are also blessed to have sub-committe leaders and teams in place!
Worship Team Leader: Becky Bartlett
Prayer Team Leader: Sally Baker
Decorator/Team Leader: Dianna Geiger
Producers: Dave and Lori Seawel
We also have a Support Team, women who offer prayer, support and encouragement to our leadership team. These 13 women are from various communites and churches throughout the state of Iowa (and one from Nebraska).
Rise & Shine could not happen each year without many gifted people coming together to offer their God-given abilities to honor and serve the Lord in various volunteer roles.
