2023 - 2024 Speaker Schedule
We are excited to be able to join together in person and live via streaming for this season. A season pass is required to attend Esther Women events in person. A Live Streaming pass is available for those who cannot attend in person but want to participate.
* Denotes the presentation will take place in the Sanctuary at St. Luke’s and tickets will be available for just those events.
September 6: Rita M. Murray, PhD
Dr. Rita is a national speaker, educational psychologist, certified speaking professional, executive coach, and generational expert. Her experiences as a former CEO of a national energy services company and her research on the Millennial Generation underscore her compelling generational insights and practical tools. She joins Esther Women with a serious Christian perspective on exploring a professional and personal look at our lives for “such a time as this.”
Lunch Menu: Caesar Salad, Lasagna Rolls with Bolognese Sauce, Green Beans, Garlic Breadstick, Tiramisu
October 4: Madeline Manning Mims, DMin
Author, speaker, recording artist, and soon-to-be Oklahoma Hall of Famer, Madeline is a Gold and Silver Olympic Medalist in track. She pioneered the 800-meter run by being the first American woman to bring back a Gold Medal in this event, along with the Olympic Record, World Record and American Record. In 2022, Madeline was named one of the ten “Most Distinguished Christian Women in America,” she also received “The Jesse Owens Lifetime Award.”
She is the founder and president of the United States Council for Sports Chaplaincy and has served as a chaplain at nine Olympic Games.
Lunch Menu: Romaine Salad, Honey Garlic Pork Loin, Bistro Vegetables, Potato Medley, Rolls, Cookies
November 1: Lee Woodruff
A national author, journalist, and speaker, Lee communicates life lessons from her heart. Woodruff’s career in journalism includes roles as a contributing reporter for ABC’s Good Morning America and, more recently, with CBS This Morning. Woodruff and her husband, Bob, the ABC “World News Tonight” anchor who was injured in Iraq, co-founded the Bob Woodruff Foundation. The non-profit organization assists post 9-11 injured service members and their families with the transition to the home front. Lee has received numerous honors for this work on behalf of our nation’s veterans.
Lunch Menu: Spinach Salad, Beef Tenderloin, Mashed Potatoes, Carrots, Rolls, Cookies
SPECIAL DAY
Wednesday, November 29: Michael W. Smith*
A well-known songwriter, singer, and pianist, Michael W. Smith is one of the most iconic names in Christian music. He continues releasing new music and performing worldwide to sold-out crowds.
Michael has been honored with three Grammy Awards, 45 Dove Awards, an American Music Award, and has sold more than 18 million albums. About his upcoming tour, he says, “I feel God moving through His Church, and He is calling us together to be one voice, one heart. One bride. Every nation. Every tribe and every tongue. Every social class. Every denomination.”
If you are not a Season Pass holder you can attend the concert by purchasing a ticket. Cost is $20 each.
Lunch Menu: Holiday Reception
January 3: Anne Graham Lotz
Called “the best preacher in the family” by her father, Billy Graham, Anne speaks around the globe with the wisdom and authority of years spent studying God’s Word. She will deliver a specific lesson to “Esther Women” from her home in North Carolina. The New York Times named Anne one of the five most influential evangelists of her generation. Her “Just Give Me Jesus” revivals have been held in more than 30 cities in 12 countries to hundreds of thousands of attendees. Anne’s aim is clear – to bring revival to the hearts of God’s people.
Lunch Menu: Mixed Green Salad, Roll, Roasted Chicken, Asparagus, Beet and Butternut Squash Quinoa, Cakes
February 7: Donnie Strack, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT, ATC
Vice President of Human and Player Performance for the NBA’s Thunder team, Strack’s career in the NBA began in the 6th grade when he became a ball-boy for the Indiana Pacers. Today, he is responsible for leading the medical and performance staff in providing comprehensive, evidence-informed services for Thunder players. Donnie has a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. He serves on the Board of Directors for Life.Church, is married to Sarah and has seven children. Donnie will share tangible takeaways on food, exercise, and sleep – how to care for our bodies and how that affects our ability to live the life the Lord has designed for us.
Lunch Menu: Mixed Green Salad, Chicken Alfredo, Vegstables Primavera, Garlic Bread, Brownies
March 6: Rev. Dr. Serene Jones
A scholar, a public speaker, an author, and the sixteenth president of the Union Theological Seminary in New York City, Dr. Jones is the first woman to head the 186-year-old institution. Jones also occupies the Johnston Family Professor for Religion and Democracy.
She is a Past President of the American Academy of Religion. For seventeen years, Jones taught theology at Yale University. Her most recent book is a memoir, “Grace: Finding Meaning in a Fractured World.” She graduated from Enid High School, the University of Oklahoma, and Yale University.
Lunch Menu: Mixed Green Salad, Pot Roast, Rolls, Carrots, Roasted Potatoes, Cookies
April 3: Michael G. Strauss, PhD
Dr. Struass is an experimental particle physicist currently doing research on the ATLAS detector, at CERN near Geneva, Switzerland. He has been a professor at the University of Oklahoma in Norman since 1995. Strauss believes that as a practicing scientist and a Christian, he may have something to offer in the discussion concerning the relationship between Christianity, science, and objective thought. He has a strong motivation to discover truth in both the physical world and the spiritual world. His most recent lecture is about the resurrection of Jesus and what the evidence reveals about this fundamental chapter of the Christian experience.
Lunch Menu: Spinach Salad, Ham Steaks, Scalloped Potatoes, Green Beans, Rolls, Cakes
May 1: Mark Victor Hansen and Crystal Dwyer Hansen
Mark is best known as the co-author of the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” book series and brand, setting world records in book sales, with over 500 million books sold, making it the best-selling non-fiction book series of all time. A sought-after keynote speaker and entrepreneurial marketing maven, Hansen has spoken to over 6,000 audiences worldwide. His wife, Crystal, is also a best-selling author, speaker, researcher, corporate consultant, and entrepreneur. Together they have written a new book, “Ask! The Bridge from Your Dreams to Your Destiny.”
Lunch Menu: House Salad, Pulled BBQ Chicken, Buns, Pasta Salad, Fruit Salad, Cookies