Main Speaker:
Deena Taylor
Deena Taylor is a Southern California native and grew up in Carson, California with her parents and two younger sisters. After graduating College at UC Santa Barbara and getting a degree in Communication, she returned back to Los Angeles to pursue a career in Marketing, one that would ultimately land her at Mattel - working on her dream brand, Barbie. Apart from Education & Career highlights, Deena is most proud of her relationship with Jesus Christ. She currently co-leads the Young Adult Ministry at Arise Christian Center with her husband, Pastor Ronnell Taylor and their mission is to encourage, equip and empower Young Adults to live a God-purposed lifestyle. Deena and her husband currently live in Los Angeles, CA.
Workshop Leader:
Jarvis Taylor
Jarvis Taylor is a member of Citizens of Zion MBC where he fulfills the role of Bible teacher for the young adult Sunday school class, youth and young adult bible study, as well as teaching on the Spiritual Awareness staff. He also helps oversee and lead the MIME dance ministry. His passion for seeing real spiritual growth through the knowledge of God and His word in the lives of believers of all ages can be seen as he teaches with a great deal of enthusiasm and love for God and His people.
Workshop Leader & Panelist:
Chandler Corzine
Chandler Corzine was born in the Los Angeles area and was raised in Northern California with his older brother Taylor by his parents, Blayne and Mellynn. He graduated from San Diego Christian College with a degree in Communication Studies and played soccer for the college. Chandler serves as the Student Ministry Director at Christ the King Community Church in Bellingham, Washington.
Panelist:
Nona Carter
Nona Carter has been helping with the CheckUp Conference for 2 years now. She started off as a volunteer because she wanted to help in any way that she could. She didn’t really have a specific role, but if the ultimate goal is to serve the kingdom, a role didn’t matter to her. This conference serves the entire kingdom of God from little children all the way up to the seasoned saints, and whatever she can do to help better serve the body of Christ, she will do so. This conference has helped build her faith, as well as her growth in leadership. It’s a beautiful thing to answer God’s call and allow Him to change your life. In her own words, “I am who I am because of what He’s done for me.” In addition to working behind the scenes, she will also be a part of this year's panel.
Worship Leader:
Monique Harris
Monique was born and raised in Sacramento Ca, and she moved to San Diego in 2010 to attend college. She is currently working towards licensure to become a marriage and family therapist and has a huge passion to work with children and youth! She currently serves as a worship leader for The Rock church and is also a part of Awaken the movement, which is an all girls ministry in which she gets the awesome opportunity to lead with an amazing group of ladies! She loves worship, and is so grateful for where the Lord has placed her these past couple of years!
She's very excited to be with y'all this conference!
Workshop Leader
& Panelist:
Bianca & Sammy Ramirez
Sammy and Bianca got married in 2018. They both lead a leadership ministry back in San Diego called, Leadership Collective. Bianca is also the founder of a women’s ministry, Awaken the Movement. Both Sammy and Bianca have a passion to see people fully walk in the freedom and authority of Christ! They not only feel called to reach those who are lost but also help the body of Christ find complete emotional and spiritual healing.
Workshop Leader:
Pastor Ronnell Taylor
Ronnell Taylor is an Associate Pastor of Arise Christian Center located in Los Angeles CA. He is the son of Ron and Gina Taylor, Senior Pastors and Founders of Arise Christian Center. Along with his wife, Deena (Sweeney) Taylor, Ronnell oversees “Arise Young Adults” which is a ministry dedicated to young adults ages 25 –40. Through this ministry, Ronnell desires to help a lost generation return to God the Father, through connection with Christ, and walk in their divine purpose. Ronnell attended Jackson State University in Jackson, MS, where he earned a degree of Business Administration, and later went on to obtain a Master’s of Business Administration. He is currently a Contracts Manager with the Northrop Grumman Corporation, located in Redondo Beach, CA. Although he enjoys his career, Ronnell has always sensed a higher call to ministry in his life. He officially answered that call in October of 2017, when he was ordained as a minister of the Gospel through Arise Ministries. As Ronnell continues to remain faithful, God has increased his anointing to teach the Bible in a unique manner that is relevant and applicable. In addition to Young Adults, Ronnell regularly ministers to the main congregation of Arise, and has been recognized for his ability to reach across generations and ethnicities. Ronnell and his wife currently reside in Los Angeles, CA.
Panelist:
Kayla Riley-Matthews
Kayla Riley - Matthews was born and raised in Sacramento, CA. She received her Christian foundation under the leadership of Dr. Ephraim Williams at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. As a youth at St. Paul, Kayla participated in the youth choir, serving as the president, participated on the praise team and was a member of the youth leadership team. After graduating from Sacramento High, she went on to Saint Mary's College of California and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Marketing. Kayla served as the first female Youth President of the California State Baptist Convention and currently serves as vice president of the Ignite young adult ministry and helps teach the young adult Bible study at her home church. In addition to continuing her career with the state of California, Kayla will be pursuing a Masters in Christian Education at Dallas Theological Seminary starting fall of 2020. In her free time, Kayla enjoys quiet time with God, writing and spending quality time with family and friends.