October 16-17, 2026 | Murrieta Hot Springs Resort | Murrieta, California
When She Serves Conference 2026 (formerly When She Leads) is created for every woman who leads and serves—in ministry, in the workplace, at home, and beyond. This year’s theme, “Gospel Grit: Where Passion meets Perserverence,” calls women faithfully serving Christ and His church when ministry is costly, emotionally draining, spiritually difficult, and often unseen. Inspired by Hebrews 12:1-2, we’ll gather to seek God together, be equipped for the next step in our calling, and hear from our executive team and other influential voices who are passionate about empowering women serving and leading in ministry.
When She Serves 2026 is packed with powerful worship, prayer, main sessions, breakouts, round tables, panels, and more!
We are encouraging ministry leaders to bring their teams and use this time as a team retreat!
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT)
Regular Price: $129
SPEAKERS
Main Session Speakers
Brenda Leavenworth is an author and speaker based in Temecula, California. Her passion is to help women grow in their knowledge and understanding of Scripture as they pursue Christian maturity. She enjoys traveling the globe to share God’s Word and has written several in-depth Bible studies, including her 2016 release of Proverbs 31 study, Far Above Rubies. Brenda holds a master’s degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Christian Leadership from Calvary Chapel University and has joined their staff as an adjunct professor. As the host of When She Leads podcast, Brenda actively and passionately discusses the complexities and realities of leading ministry as a woman. Married to Ted Leavenworth, who serves as the Senior Pastor of Reliance Church, together they share three adult children and ten grandchildren. Brenda currently serves and loves her community as the Director of Women’s Ministry at her home church.
Sonia has been married for 32 years and has 3 adult children and 6 grandchildren.
Sonia Trujillo is the Senior Pastor’s Wife at Calvary Chapel South Los Angeles. She has been ministering in the inner city for over 25 years. She now spends her life bringing hope and change, through the message of Jesus Christ, to an area affected by the very things Jesus rescued her from.
Sonia has written and published an autobiography entitled, Casper: A God Story.
Janie was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, one of four children. Her parents were missionaries in Brazil. She accepted Jesus as her Savior when she was 18 years old while on a date with Justin. They have been married 55 years and have 5 daughters. Their fourth daughter Ashley is in heaven. They have 9 grandchildren, 3 boys and the other 6 are girls. Janie loves teaching God’s word and encouraging sisters in the Lord.
Breakout Session Speakers
Director of the Women’s Ministry at Calvary Murrieta. Kelly is a Bible teacher, devotional writer, and author of the “Reasons to Rejoice” Bible study series. With a heart to see women grow in their faith and live it out, she is also passionate about justice, actively advocating for the oppressed and leading efforts to combat human trafficking in her church and community.
As a former missionary and the wife of a church-planting pastor, Grace helped plant Paradise Calvary Chapel in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she and her husband, Timothy have served for the past twelve years. Grace and Timothy also have five children, ranging in age of twelve to twenty.
Grace now teaches high school theology, apologetics, and Old Testament studies. She holds a Master’s degree in Applied Biblical Leadership and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry (DMin) in Christian Faith, Reason, and Apologetics. Passionate about equipping believers to understand and defend their faith while growing deeper in biblical truth and leadership, her experience in women’s ministry and ongoing academic pursuits inform her teaching and speaking on Scripture, apologetics, and faithful Christian living.
Grace now teaches high school theology, apologetics, and Old Testament studies. She holds a Master’s degree in Applied Biblical Leadership and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry (DMin) in Christian Faith, Reason, and Apologetics. Passionate about equipping believers to understand and defend their faith while growing deeper in biblical truth and leadership, her experience in women’s ministry and ongoing academic pursuits inform her teaching and speaking on Scripture, apologetics, and faithful Christian living.
Shannon Deane is the Women’s Ministry Director and pastor’s wife at Cornerstone Community Church in Wildomar, California. She is passionate about hospitality and creating spaces where women can show up as they are, grow in their faith, and build genuine, lasting relationships. Shannon and her husband Andy have three kids, ages 14, 12, and 10, and she enjoys coffee, traveling, and spending time with her busy family.
Rosemary is a pastor’s wife serving at White Fields Community Church in Longmont, Colorado. A Southern California native, she spent 14 years as a missionary in Hungary, helping plant churches with Calvary Chapel. She and her husband Nick have four children and she loves sharing God’s Word.
Tami Peña has served faithfully in the children’s ministry at Reliance Church since 2009 as the Reliance Kids’ Director. Tami has extensive experience in her position, as she has served over 20 years in children’s ministry leadership. She loves Jesus and His kids. Fittingly, Tami became a Christian at the age of 4 while attending a Vacation Bible School. She has carried with her a lifelong passion to help children know and to serve Jesus.
Kim Case is a licensed mental health counselor, Bible teacher, senior pastor's wife, mom, grandmother, sister and Jane Austen fan. She has been in ministry for 43 years, including a decade traveling parts of the globe with the gospel in music evangelism with her husband and friends. And, just like you, she is on the road of sanctification, with its setbacks and joys. It is an honor and privilege to care for God's people, and she is grateful to do so. Born and raised in Washington state, she serves alongside her husband, Robert, at Calvary Chapel Eastside, in Bellevue, WA. Currently, she is the When She Serves Washington Charter coordinator.
Sonia Trujillo is the Senior Pastor’s Wife at Calvary Chapel South Los Angeles. She has been ministering in the inner city for over 20 years. Having come out of a life of gangs, drugs and incarceration, she now spends her life bringing hope and change, through the message of Jesus Christ, to an area affected by the very things Jesus rescued her from. She has been married for 29 years and has 3 adult children and 2 grandsons.
Kathy Morales serves as Women’s Ministry Director at Fervent (formerly Calvary Chapel Lone Mountain). Kathy’s passion is seeing women establish an authentic, enduring relationship with Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. As an author and speaker, she is grateful for the opportunity to write Bible studies for women and travel globally to share God’s Word. She is committed to teaching the uncompromised truth of God’s Word in a relevant, inspiring, and practical way.
A graduate of Calvary Chapel University, Kathy holds a Master of Divinity degree (MDiv) and a Doctorate of Education from Liberty University. Kathy is married to Pastor Jimmy Morales, and together they have three adult children and three precious grandchildren.
A graduate of Calvary Chapel University, Kathy holds a Master of Divinity degree (MDiv) and a Doctorate of Education from Liberty University. Kathy is married to Pastor Jimmy Morales, and together they have three adult children and three precious grandchildren.
Round Table Discussion Leaders
Originally from Denver, Krista served as a missionary in Brazil for 8 years, where she and her husband planted a church and led women’s ministry. She developed the Proverbs 24:11 ministry, now used globally to support those impacted by human trafficking. With over 16 years in ministry and a background in counseling, she now equips churches in trauma-informed, biblically grounded care.
Amy Nunnally is a pastor's wife and mother of three young adult children. She and her husband have been serving together at Legacy Christian Fellowship in Colorado for 14 years. Amy leads the Women's Ministry and has spent many years mentoring teenage girls, youth, and young adults. Amy also works full-time as a Dean at a local community college and enjoys the privilege of being a voice for Jesus in academia.
Faith is a worship leader, artist, and Third Culture Kid who loves Jesus, people, and a good single-origin pour-over. By God’s manifold grace, Faith has led in worship, creative, and youth ministries across different denominational spaces since 2004 and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Theology. She serves as the Worship Director at Reliance Church, makes music with friends as REVO Collective, and loves championing Christic artists through The Table Art Society. She and her husband, Thales, love building a beautiful life with their son, Thomas, and border collie Ahsoka, wherever God leads.
Jasmine is a mom of a 15 year old daughter and 13 year old son who has the privilege of raising them with her husband of 17 years as she serves at the director the children’s ministry at Calvary Murrieta. She has been on staff for almost 9 years and took on the role of director in 2021. She loves children and has the honor of teaching them about God each Sunday. Jasmine oversees 75 adult and student volunteers alongside Alyssa Cress. Together they choose curriculum, plan events and celebrate their volunteers.
Nicole Leitz is passionate about following and serving Jesus and helping women grow in their love for Him! She has been a pastor’s wife for over 20 years and loves serving in ministry alongside her husband, Dan, at their home church, Calvary Chapel Oceanside, where she currently serves as the Women’s Director. Together, Nicole and Dan have three sons and one daughter, all of whom Nicole has had the joy of homeschooling for over 14 years.
BREAKOUT TITLES
Unshaken: Leading with Conviction in a Compromising Culture
How to stand firm in truth without losing humility or love. Gospel courage in a world that pushes back. (1 Cor 16:13).
Held in the Fire: God’s Care for Anxiety & Depression
Caring well without simplistic answers, walking with hurting people patiently, the difference between condemnation and conviction, and offering
biblical hope in long suffering.
The Long Game: Building Ministries & Teams That Last
Preventing burnout through healthy structures, raising up dependable
leaders, building ministries that outlive you, and leading with both wisdom and care.
Who Me?: Imposter Syndrome and the Call to Continue
Serving from calling instead of comparison, letting Scripture define your identity, the difference between humility and insecurity, and trusting God’s strength in weakness.
Open Doors, Open Hands: Hospitality that Costs Something
Hospitality as ministry, not entertainment, opening your life, not just your home, serving people when you’re tired yourself, and using hospitality to strengthen the church body.
When the Yes Gets Heavy: Persevering Through Ministry Disappointments
Unmet expectations, hurt from people, doors that close, honesty about the cost of ministry, and how to endure without becoming cynical. (Gal 6:9).
The Wounds We Carry: A Biblical Approach to Trauma Recovery & Restoration
Helping without enabling, compassion rooted in truth, understanding suffering biblically, and pointing hurting people toward Christ over self.
Steady in the Silence: When God Feels Distant
When the emotions fade, and God feels distant, how do you keep showing up? Tackle spiritual dryness with a biblical framework.
Round Table Discussions
In lieu of choosing a breakout session, you’re invited to join a round table discussion to explore various important topics within our church communities. These round table discussions will take place during our breakout session times. Let’s share our experiences, ask questions, and collaborate on how we can strengthen these vital aspects of our church ministries together. When She Serves leaders will be present to guide the conversations. Round table discussions are available for:
- Children’s Ministry
- Mentoring Women
- Women’s Ministry
- Mentoring Youth/Young Adults
- Worship/Creatives
WORSHIP
We are thrilled to have Reliance Worship leading us in worship at this year’s When She Serves. Reliance Worship is a diverse ministry of Christ followers at Reliance Church who desire to worship God in Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Since the start of 2024, the ministry has released four lofi instrumental EPs titled Glory, Revival, Mercy, and Grace, featuring songs like “Holy Forever,” “Gratitude,” “Good Ground,” and many more. From 2008 to the present day, Reliance Worship continues to motivate the gathered church to cherish God’s presence and proclaim the Gospel in Temecula, California.
Regular Pricing
$129
Group Rate of 15% off the standard price will be available beginning September 1st for groups of 7+.
*Conference pricing does not include lodging (see link under Accommodations for suggested stays). Tickets are non-refundable after September 1st. Ticket transfers are available.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Special Group Discount at Murrieta Hot Springs
We’re excited to offer an exclusive group discount for select rooms at Murrieta Hot Springs. All resort fees are waived when you book using our special discount code.
Rate: $259
Booking Deadline: Friday, October 3rd
Book your room at a discounted rate HERE!
Your Stay Includes:
- 24-hour access to our signature soaking pools
- A curated Sleep Ritual Tray
- Wellness activities throughout your stay
- Unlimited towel and robe exchange
- Fitness center access and discounted classes
- Two complimentary refillable water bottles at check-in
- On-site spa access
- Complimentary self-parking
Book early to take advantage of this special offer and make the most of your time at Murrieta Hot Springs! For more information, please contact Murrieta Hot Springs directly at 951-290-0887.
Check out our most Frequently Asked Questions.
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Schedule
FRIDAY
4:00 pm – Check In + Resource Opens
5:00 pm – Dinner (pre-purchased)
6:30 pm – Main Session #1
