Due to prior commitments to home and church, as well as her writing schedule, Elyse is no longer accepting invitations for 2007-2008. Please do not ask.

After prayer and counsel with leaders, other women in ministry, and her husband, and in response to direction from her elders, Elyse is only able to accept invitations in 2009 under the following conditions: That your conference does not coincide with her regularly scheduled conferences in February, June, July or October. Elyse is also not available during August or December due to prior commitments to her home and family, which leaves only January, March, April, May, September or November of 2009 available for booking.

Her elders and husband have also directed her that she may not travel out of the Pacific Time Zone for a conference of less than 500 people. She is able to travel within her time zone for conferences of not less than 250. We understand that puts a burden on many smaller chuches that would like to have her and for that, we are truly saddened. Please let us suggest that you watch her website for conferences in your area or that you join with other churches in your area in order to attain the number they have suggested.

Elyse travels ONLY on a Friday morning, speaks Friday evening, Saturday morning, and Saturday afternoon, and returns home Saturday afternoon/early evening. If your conference is unable to accomodate this schedule, Elyse will be unable to come to you. Please do not ask her to come in early or stay over on Sunday. Because Elyse takes the call to minister to your whole group very seriously, she is unable to do to do any counseling at your conference. Please do not ask.

Although she does not request a set honorarium, she does believe that around $10 per attendee (up to $1500) is reasonable. If you are unwilling or unable to accomodate this expection, please indicate your disagreement in the appropriate space on the Request Form. This will not disqualify you as a potential host site, but will give Elyse a better picture of your expectations and goals. The host organization also pays any travel, board and lodging costs. Elyse needs a private room in a hotel (or at the conference center), so that she can rest and prepare. Elyse flies in and out of San Diego, CA and strongly prefers non-stop or one-stop flights. Please also keep in mind when designing your conference schedule that Elyse will be on Pacific Time.

Thanks for understanding Elyse's need to conserve strength and carefully choose her venues.

If you agree with the above criteria, you may begin the process of scheduling Elyse to be with your group by contacting Jessica at womenhelpingwomen@cox.net and requesting that a Conference Request Form and Speaking Request Information Letter be emailed to you. Once you have completed the Request Form, and obtained a Statement of Faith from the sponsoring organization or church, please mail them directly to Jessica Thompson, c/o Women Helping Women Ministries, 13215 Neddick Ave. Poway CA 92064. You may also contact us at (760) 512-0734, and leave a message for a call back. Once these items have been received and reviewed by Elyse's husband and elders, you will be contacted within one month and plans may then proceed to schedule a definite speaking date, if mutually agreeable.

Elyse usually presents on any one of the following topics (in either a 3 or 4 session format):

• Because He Loves Me: How God's Love Transforms Our Identity and Life: Although all Christians are aware of John 3:16 and God's love for them in Christ, the places where this love actually intersects with their daily lives is sparse. In other words, after walking through the door of the gospel, the incarnation, sinless life death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ, loses significance and growing in godliness is where the action is. In this three or four session presentation, Elyse will call women back to the cross and the empty tomb, to see themselves as they should, with an entirely new identity and life.
• Women Helping Women: An Introduction to Biblical Counseling for Women: Many women are interested in helping other women with their problems. In fact, one of the primary functions of our role as women is to nurture and strengthen one another. And yet, many women are intimidated by "professionals" and problems that seem too difficult to understand. In this four-session presentation, Elyse will present the foundational truths that undergird the practice of Titus 2 mentoring. Elyse may also be booked with former psychiatrist, Dr. Laura Hendrickson, to discuss the principles of Bible-centered counseling and the problems of treating emotional pain as a "disease."
• A Steadfast Heart: Experiencing God's Comfort in Life's Storms: Although it's never our choice, God frequently brings His children through times of difficulties. Even though these times are hard to understand, we can rest assured that He is completing His work in our lives and through our lives. In these presentations, Elyse will examine David's cry for mercy and His ultimate joy in Psalm 57. Together we'll discover God's gracious help and goodness, especially through stormy times, and we'll seek to find His encouragement and blessing.
• Three Portraits of Mary of Bethany: Although most Christian women tend to identify with Martha, her sister received commendation from the Lord on two separate occasions. What did she do that so pleased Jesus and what lessons can women learn from her today? Sitting at His feet was where she could be found and this intimate union with Him enabled her to see what the disciples missed. This study shows the importance of a deep theology for women -- knowing God as He is isn't just for men in seminaries or pastors in the pulpit, it's for every woman who wants to grow in her vibrant, dynamic, worship and humble, passionate service.
• Idols of the Heart: Learning to Long for God Alone: Although much of the Bible is filled with teaching prohibiting idolatry, very little is heard about these topics in modern America. Is that because idolatry is no longer a problem? The face of idolatry has changed but the reality of other loves that take Christ's place hasn't. Elyse will look closely at what it means to long for God alone and how our false gods generate sins like anger, discontent, self-pity and self-indulgence; she'll then furnish practical steps to overcome these sins and the loves that motivate them.
• Overcoming Fear, Worry and Anxiety: Becoming a Woman of Faith and Confidence: Elyse will take a look at how biblical characters struggled with fear, beginning with Adam and Eve's first experience of it in the Garden. She'll take a closer look at the most common roots of our worries and fears: the desire to control, perfectionism, and living for the approval of others. Through Bible and case study she'll develop and illustrate God's answers to our fears: faith in His Fatherly care and sovereign rule, a holy and loving fear of God, and learning to delight in grace and growing in faith.
• Helper By Design: God's Perfect Plan for Women in Marriage: The Bible teaches that both men and women are created equally in the image of God, but does that equality mean that there aren't fundamental differences in the way that men and women image Him? Elyse will explore those differences and how they play out in a woman's struggle with sin and search for joy. God created all women with a very specific calling: that of being her husband's helper. Elyse will examine how women reflect God by being helpers (whether single or married), what that helping looks like, and will build a model of true biblical womanhood.
• Developing Christian Contentment: Biblical contentment isn't mere stoicism; it's an active desire to embrace all of God's sovereign will with joy. Elyse will look at a biblical definition of contentment, using the Puritan Jeremiah Burroughs' book, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment. She will examine how our personal search for joy frequently conflicts with contentment and true happiness; how we can find contentment in all our afflictions; and then will encourage women with practical steps for growth in contentment.
• Am I My Sister's Keeper? The hustle and bustle of our lives have formed a disturbing alliance with the belief in our individualism resulting in a disconnect among people in God's very instrument for fellowship, caring and growth: the church. An overview of godly relationships among women in the body including mentoring, forgiveness, and accountability will be presented and practical encouragement to become Women Helping Women will be given.
• Preparing for the Battle: Since there is so much questionable teaching on spiritual warfare and the Christian's armor in our age, many Bible-believing Christians remain unaware and unarmed in our fight against Satan. Elyse will present an introduction to the biblical view of spiritual warfare, our weapons, Satan's devices and God's victory using the Puritan book, Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices by Thomas Brooks.
• Introduction to Biblical Counseling: A brief introduction to the philosophy and methods of biblical counseling and how it differs from modern psychology including brief discussions of anger, fear, and depression.