Leaders inspiring leaders: Women of faith conference
Sept. 29–Oct. 2
Elkhart, Indiana
Conference speakers
Ann Jacobs
I’ve been with Mennonite Mission Network for 20 years. I began my work in 2007, as the church relations resource and network associate. My role at Mennonite Mission Network as training and resource specialist is to advance biblical and theological training and advocacy that inspire and support members of their faith communities. I’m a licensed minister, teacher, motivational speaker and group facilitator. I share the inspiration of leaders who seek to hold space for the difficult questions that deepen their core values and principles for social justice. My work has been best developed through grassroots initiatives, growing out of the Black and African American traditional Mennonite voice , who desire more than imagination — to make available partnerships that support the work of mission and ministry in the African American communities that compliments the diversity of the Mennonite church.
I’m a member of the New Life Fellowship Ministry in South Bend, Indiana. I received my business administration degree from Davenport College in Mishawaka, Indiana, in 1982. I am inspired by my Womanist and Black studies work at Indiana University, in South Bend, Indiana. I received my Master of Divinity (M.Div.) in Christian faith formation in 2021 from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) in Elkhart, Indiana.
My husband, Booker, and I live in South Bend, Indiana.
I believe that networking is an invitation to experience the body of Christ—infused by God’s love, peace, healing and salvation—to strengthen our witness to the world.
Cyneatha Millsaps
Cyneatha Millsaps completed her undergraduate study at Bethel College in Mishawaka, Indiana in 2000 with a double major in Psychology and Sociology. Cyneatha graduated from Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Indiana with a Master of Divinity degree in May 2008.
Cyneatha is a co-pastor of Prairie Street Mennonite Church in Elkhart, Indiana.
Cyneatha is Executive Director of Mennonite Women USA. She provides leadership for women’s groups and individuals domestically and internationally. In her role she oversees the education, resources and spiritual direction of the organization. She has also served with Mennonite Central Committee as a program director for the Great Lakes in which she was responsible for programming in areas such as restorative justice, mass incarceration, youth/young adults service and various social justice initiatives. Cyneatha spent the 12 years serving as Pastor of Community Mennonite Church in Markham, Illinois.
Cyneatha spent several years working directly with victims of domestic violence. Cyneatha has trained specifically in the area of dating and family violence. Currently, she is working with Multicultural Churches in the Mennonite community providing education and information about the blessings and challenges of worshipping in diverse communities of faith.
Cyneatha has served as a columnist for The Mennonite publication, and currently provides a monthly blog for Mennonite Women USA.
Cyneatha is very active in her local community. She is the founder of BAPS (Black American Princesses) a mentoring program for young African American females between the ages of 8-17.
Cyneatha is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. She serves on several non-profit boards in her local community.
Cyneatha is a community activist and advocate for the needs of women and children in the areas of violence, education, and spiritual development.
Cyneatha is married to her loving husband of 26 years, Steven. Together they have seven children and 20 grandchildren.
Angie Nelson Deuitch
Angie is a Certified Diversity Professional with more than 25 years of management experience in the utility and telecommunications industries. Angie launched her own consulting firm, I & D Squared Consulting, LLC in 2017, focused on improving diversity and inclusion in the region. Her goal is to work with local non-profits and businesses on improving relationships and services to diverse customers, attracting, and retaining top talent, and building an inclusive leadership culture. She is a certified facilitator with the Cultural Intelligence Center. She left NiSource after ten years to work full-time on her business and newly formed non-profit, The Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Academy (IDEA).
She is also very active in the community and with several nonprofit organizations. She is on the board of directors of the Unity Foundation of LaPorte County, LaPorte County Career and Tech Center Advisory Board, and United Way of LaPorte County. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Indiana United Way. She is an at-large member of the Michigan City Common Council where she serves as President.
Angie has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the FAMU/FSU College of Engineering. She also has a Master of Public Affairs (Public Administration) from Indiana University.
Angie is a member of several women’s civic organizations that include: The Drifters, Incorporated, The Links, Incorporated and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. All these organizations focus on scholarship and mentoring programs.
Angie has received several accolades and was selected as the Humanitarian of the Year in 2018 from the Michigan City Human Rights Commission. She was named the United Way Volunteer of the year for 2017. In 2014 she was named Influential Women of Northwest Indiana’s "Up and Coming" Businesswomen of the year. In the same year, she won South Shore Leadership’s "Leaders as Heroes" award. Angie also received the Lester Radtke Community Service Award in 2013. She also received the Community Service award from Leadership LaPorte County in 2016.
CreAnne Mwale
CreAnne Mwale of Niles, Michigan, is a gospel music organist, pianist, songwriter, recording artist and director.
She studied music at Lake Michigan College, Central Michigan University, earning a scholarship to attend, and organizing the University’s first Gospel Choir in 1982. She also attended Indiana University South Bend where she started and organized the Indiana University of South Bend’s first Gospel Choir. The Indiana University choir toured in states such as North Carolina and Ohio under her directorship. The choir lead her to receiving a Leadership Recognition Award from the University under Dr. Marvin V. Curtis, Dean of the Ernestine Raclin School of the Arts, at Indiana University South Bend.
CreAnne also organized and set up the entire music department as the Minister of Music of Bible Based Fellowship Church Tampa, Florida, in the late 1980’s through 1996. Under the pastoral ship of the late Dr. Arthur T. Jones and the Florida, Mass Choir, the church grew to over 3,600 members within a period 5 years. The music department consists of a sanctuary choir, young adult choir, youth choir, male chorus, children’s choir and hand sign choir. She was recently honored again for her work in the music ministry at the church’s 30th Anniversary Celebration with guest artist J.J Hairston and Youthful Praise.
She has recorded gospel songs written and arranged by her with her former church choirs and her group called "Deliverence" as well.
CreAnne was also Director of Music at Dr. Lester Sumrall’s Lesea Ministries Christian Center Church in 1997 under his son Stephen Sumrall, Pastor. It was there she met her husband Charles and is married with three children.
CreAnne received the Choir Director of the Year Award at the 2019 Chrio Music Awards in Indiana. On May 12, 2018, she received an Appreciating Certificate as Choir Director of the 100 Voice Women’s Choir in South Bend, Indiana, from the Inspirational Music Connection.
She has built and directed many choirs and helped many church leaders build their music ministries since the age of 12. She has traveled around the United States, South Africa, Canada, England, Ireland, Spain, Italy and other countries, teaching and singing praises to God. She has traveled and sung with choirs at the White House in Washington, DC and in Carnegie Hall in New York City.
She has brought many women together with the Victorious Worshiping Women’s Group, in which she is the founder.
CreAnne Mwale is currently a member of Granger New Salem Church in Granger, Indiana, where her husband Charles Mwale pastors.
Vikki Pruitte-Sorrells
Vikki Pruitte-Sorrells is a native of Cleveland, Ohio.
She graduated from Regina High School. She studied at The University of Akron, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in English, and at Case Western Reserve University, receiving a Master of Science in Organizational Development and Analysis. Vikki also received a Master of Ministry degree from Ursuline College.
She is an ordained minister at Lee Heights Mennonite Church of Cleveland Ohio and is referred to as Pastor Vikki.
She has served on several boards including Mennonite Church USA, Ohio Conference. She was a member of the Ministry Development Leadership Team, the Leadership Team for the Peace & Justice Support Network, and was a Damascus Road Anti-Racism facilitator.
Vikki is an educational administrator for the Maple Heights City School District, and is passionate about helping others to grow in their relationship with God. She is the wife of Mark R Sorrells and the mother of Kamaal and Cynthia.
