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About Us
Cherished Women's Conference
Cherished Women's Conference is a two day conference hosted by First Free Will Baptist church of Hayesville, North Carolina. A weekend filled with vibrantly anointed speakers and singers who are sure to bring unity and encouragement to Christian women.
Meet our speakers
Olivia Parsons
Olivia Parsons, twenty-eight years old from Goshen, Indiana, accepted Christ as a young girl and has been called, along with her family, to share the Gospel through song in a full-time music ministry. She feels blessed by the Lord to get to work for Him over the past fourteen years. Olivia loves all of life's adventures and especially getting to share those adventures with her parents, two sisters, and two yorkshire terriers.
She is thrilled about the chance to be with everyone and see what God has in store for all of us in Hayesville!
Geneva Foster
Geneva is a twice retired wife, mom and grandmother. She is the wife of Pastor Johnny Foster formerly of Hayesville, NC. She is mom to two sons, and stepmom to Johnny’s three sons. Together they have six grandsons and two granddaughters and a quiver full of extra grands God has blessed them with!
Geneva retired from The University of GA where she served as an Academic Advisor for nearly three decades. After moving to Hayesviile she served as an assistant to Director Crystal Rumfelt at Carolina Christian Academy for six years. She continues to support the Academy as a Board Member. After her husband retired from pastoring they moved back to her home state of Georgia where she babysits her grandchildren and enjoys time with her mom and family.
She and Johnny are members at Grove Level Baptist Church in Maysville, GA. She enjoys women’s ministry and studying God’s word and serving in the nursery.
Geneva surrendered her life to Jesus Christ on a Sunday evening at the age of 14. While longing to be a ‘Mary’ she says she struggles most of the time as a Martha’! She is continually humbled at how God chooses to use her brokenness to teach her and encourage others.
Her life Bible verse is: Jude 1:24
“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,” (KJV)
Jody Duncan
Jody is a preacher’s wife, mom of two sons, and Christian educator. She has been a principal for over 20 years and loves working with teens and families .
Meet our singers
Rebekah Jakab Fernando, a.k.a. Becky Jake, lives in Southern California.
When she was a member of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Nashville Songwriter’s Association Int’.l, she honed her songwriting skills. When she submitted her CD, “Never Give Up’, to The Recording Academy, she was made a voting member. She attended Grammy Award Shows and other events sponsored by The Recording Academy. Becky Jake wrote all the lyrics and melodies to the songs on her CD, “Never Give Up”. Her songs, “Dear Lord, Thank You”, and “Still Amazed” (Mary’s Song) were considered for Grammy nomination. In 2002, Becky Jake was awarded second runner up for “New Artist of the Year” by the Country Gospel Music Connection.
In 2002, Becky Jake founded a child sponsorship program for the non-profit 501(c)3 organization, Christ for India, (CFI). This organization serves the disadvantaged living in rural villages of India. In November 2022, she helped dedicate a new church located on CFI’s headquarters in Elumyian Kottur, India.
She thanks God for every opportunity to share God’s love through her music; and she counts it an honor and privilege to be here today.
Calista Rumfelt
Calista was anointed at a very young age. Taking the stage by storm and singing solos at two years old. She loves Karen Peck, Amber Eppinette, Tammy Jones Robinette, and the Parsons. Calista sings lead, soprano, and alto for the Rumfelt Family. She enjoys playing softball, basketball, baking, and dressing up. Calista was recently Miss North Carolina for her age group and competed nationally in pageantry.
Jessica Coleman
A native of Rabun County, Georgia . She moved to Hiawassee in 2009. Jessica has been married to Jared Coleman for 10 years , together they have two sons Joel Luke(8) and Jameson (3). Jessica is a First Grade Paraprofessional at Towns County Elementary School. She enjoys singing and traveling with her husband working along side him in ministry.
Emma Grace Ruryk
Emma is the 15 year old daughter of Andrew and Kristy Ruryk. She gave her heart to Jesus when she was 6 years old and is active in youth classes and events and volunteering at church functions. Emma also enjoys singing, reading, art and writing.
Sarah Elizabeth Ruryk
Sarah is the 13 year old daughter of Andrew and Kristy Ruryk. She gave her heart to Jesus when she was 7 years old. Sarah enjoys singing, participating in youth events/classes at church and hanging out with her friends and family.