Rev. Michelle Loyd-Paige, PhD founded Preach Sista! in 2000 as a response to the burden on her heart for the many women in Christian ministry who had been wounded by the church. Preach Sista! first began as an informational website. However, beginning in 2002, Preach Sista! has been hosting summer conferences and other events designed to embrace, encourage, and equip women for ministry.

Speaker. Educator. Worship Leader. Dancer. 

Dr. Michelle, as she is affectionately called, is a gifted speaker. She speaks nationally before corporate, academic, and faith-based audiences. She enjoys "speaking a word in due season to those who are weary" and helping organizations live into their vision of being a diverse and inclusive organization.  

Michelle would be the first to admit that she is not the best liturgical dancer in the world, but she loves dancing on a Sunday mornings as part of worship or for any public event that invites her to dance for the Lord. Why? "Because," she says, "I am determined to give all of me to God. My best, my worst, and all that is between. I am not a trained dancer and I know that I am not as polished as those who have been trained. But, I don't dance to impress people. I dance as an act of surrender of my self to God. I dance to praise the Lord. I dance because it is an act of worship for my God, Creator, and Redeemer."

conference Host

"In 2002 I hosted the first Preach Sista! conference, back then it was called 'a Preach Sista! conference for women'. But in 2003, the conference re-branded as a 'Fresh Anointing Conference' and was opened to women and men. Those beginning years operated on just a little bit more than faith. We certainly didn't have the money or the people to operate at the level I had always envisioned. But God had been faithful. Every year we have dared to believe God when spoke to our spirit saying He would provide; He would fill the gap between what we have and what we need. (okay, insert a shout about here, because when I think about God's faithfulness; it brings me to tears and brings abundant exuberant praise to my lips). But, Preach Sista! is more than just a conference once a year. We have and will continue to host workshops, mini-retreats, book groups, and other empowering spaces for women in ministry -- be it preacher, Sunday school teacher, greeter, choir member, praise dancer, etc.  (and for the men who love and support them)." - Michelle, Founder

preach Sista! is bigger than Michelle

Joining Michelle in planning and carrying-out Preach Sista! sponsored events are a group of seven trusted advisors. This group convenes for the purposes of “Advice, Accountability, and Transparency.” Additionally, they are prepared to carry on with the conference if, for some reason, Michelle is unable to host the conference herself.  There is also a group of volunteers who help with everything from preparing food for the Soul Care Retreats - to promoting Preach Sista! events on their social media platforms - to praying on behalf of Preach Sista! - to stuffing conference bags. We could not as much as we do without our volunteers. And, last but not least, Preach Sista! is all of you who participate in our events. Whether it’s participating in our WOW Bible Studies, attending our conferences, replenishing at our Soul Care retreats, or watching our Refill show on our YouTube channel — we exist because of you. We would not exist if it were not for you!

Preach Sista! is bigger than one person. Preach Sista! is a community of like-minded believers who are working together to provide a supportive environment for women to discern, grown into, and celebrate their calling. Preach Sista! is the community of women who have benefited from participating in Preach Sista! events.