JERSEY CITY, N.J. -- Pastor Saroya Byrd Founder of WISE will be speaking May 3 at the Women Doing It Big Conference in Jersey City. The title of her conference will be Demanding Your Destiny/Protecting Your Ministry. Her organization WISE will be hosting the Gospel Brunch at the Conference the same day.

About Pastor Saroya Byrd

Pastor Saroya M. Byrd McKinney

Pastor Saroya Byrd McKinney is Founder and Pastor of Gospel of Peace International Ministries where she has served as Pastor for the past ten years. She is Founder/ Executive Director of GOPI HOUSE; a Re-entry and transitional housing facility which provides holistic services of healing and restoration for individuals in crisis, specifically to those returning from the criminal justice system. She has preached and taught extensively both nationally and internationally in Ghana West Africa, London England, Canada and throughout the United States. As Staff Chaplain at Nassau County Correctional Center, she teaches trains and ministers to over 2,000 men, women and youth the reconciliation of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit utilizing individual and group counseling methods.

She is a graduate of Lehman College from the school of Health Service Administration where she received a Bachelor’s degree magna cum laude with departmental honors and was inducted as life member to the Golden Key National Honor Society. Pastor Byrd continued her secular education at New York Law School where she majored in corporate law specializing in contract negotiation with a minor in entertainment and sports management. Some of her numerous certifications include domestic violence counseling, CISM training (critical incident stress management counseling) and Evangelism Explosion teacher trainer specializing in world evangelism where she trained leaders globally. She was awarded the 2009 “Pastors of Distinction” award receiving citations from various local, community and political officials including Mayor Wayne Hall – Mayor of Hempstead, New York, Govenor David A. Patterson – Govenor of New York State and Mayor Michael Bloomberg – Mayor of New York City, along with a host of other endorsements for her work in community activism and spiritual enrichment.

Pastor Byrd received her Pedagogical degree in Theology for teaching from the Mount Carmel Bible College where she taught Evangelism as a faculty member and was most recently awarded an honorary PhD for community service and inducted as Ambassador at Large to the United Nations. She is a graduate of New Greater Bethel Bible Institute where she is completing her Masters of theology degree and pursuing her doctoral degree in Pastoral Care Counseling. The Spiritual mother and mentor to many men & women of God, she believes that we receive power to be witnesses not only in the House of the Lord but throughout the world and the Kingdom of our God. Most grateful for salvation, she began ministering in song in gospel choirs where she became lead psalmist. She experienced the resurrection power and baptism of the Holy Spirit and today has a ministry of Prayer, Teaching, Leadership Development and Deliverance.

She is grateful for WISE (Women in Spiritual Excellence) where she serves as Founder/CEO and Chief Mentor providing mentoring, counseling and empowerment services to women nationally primarily to those returning from the criminal justice system and hosts an annual economic & empowerment conference, “Let Her Speak”. Pastor Byrd is a nationally and internationally sought after motivational and transformational speaker and has launched her latest project GOPI Center for Change Family & Children’s Center. Pastor Byrd stands on Genesis 24:60: “…and they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, ‘Thou art our sister; be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gates of those which hate them.”

About WISE
WISE is a ministry/organization that mentors, counsels, empowers, trains and supports women to attain spiritual excellence in all they do. We provide housing for women returning out of the criminal justice system and other social crisis as well as mentoring them behind prison walls until they reach their God given potential. We reach them by seminars, conferences and social media walking them through their journey to wholeness mentally, spiritually, emotionally and economically.

An incredible and inspiring experience awaits at theWomen Doing It Big (WDIB) Conference, Expo and Luncheon. In its fifth edition, this exciting event founded by Dr. Tiana Von Johnson will take place May 1-4, 2015 at the Culinary Conference Center at Hudson County College in Jersey City, New Jersey. More than 500+ people are expected to take part in this life-changing gathering that will feature Celebrity Master Classes, invigorating mind/body sessions, networking, among other activities.

“Women Doing It Big is about honoring fearless females, those women who are ready to take a risk, invest in themselves, make meaningful connections, and learn something that just might take their lives to the next level. The Women Doing It Big Conference, Expo and Luncheon happens over four days, but the wealth of information and experiences that everyone leaves with will last a lifetime. I am incredibly excited and honored to partner and support these women on this important journey,” says Dr. Tiana Von Johnson, founder of Women Doing It Big.

WDIB will feature a dynamic and engaging program from start to finish. Enrichment, enlightenment, entertainment and education are all part of the unforgettable experience. Attendees can expect an amazing line-up of speakers and honorees representing movers and shakers from the worlds of business, television, music, publishing and personal development. The Power of You: Celebrity Master Classes on Saturday, May 2 will include Star of R&B Divas: LA, Singer Lil’ Mo, Power 105.1 The Breakfast Club’s Angela Yee, Best-selling Author Teri Woods and Founder of Miss Jessie’s Miko Branch with a special dedication to Titi Branch.

The momentum continues on Sunday, May 3 when WDIB invigorates with the Mind, Body and Spirit Master Classes. The day starts with an empowering Gospel Brunch and Concert featuring Preachers of LA’s Myesha Chaney, a live performance by Pastor and Gospel Recording Artist Fondrea Lewis, followed by exhilarating sessions that will get everyone moving including Belly Dancing, Zumba, Hip Hop Dancing and Yoga.

WDIB will feature fabulous hosts and entertainers including Co-Hosts Comedian Del Harrison, Legendary MC Pebblee Poo and Chief of Destiny Designers University and Empowerment Specialist Dr. Stacie N.C. Grant who will also host a special Saturday Early Risers Visionaries Tea Party complete with the chance to work on vision boards, goal-setting and personal development. Special Guest DJ Jazzy Joyce will also be on hand to entertain the crowd.


Media Contact
Bridget O'Brien
917-780-5589
bridget@bridgetobrienprandevents.com