OUR TEAM

One of the arms of the UPCI is Ladies Ministries. Ladies Ministries is an exciting, vibrant ministry made up of women across North America. We have sister groups around the world who work faithfully and untiringly for the sake of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ in their own and other lands.

It is exciting to know that God included a place in the body for women and that we have been given freedom to work in the various missions and ministries for which we have a burden.

OUR TEAM

It is exciting to know that God included a place in the body for women and that we have been given freedom to work in the various missions and ministries for which we have a burden.

Ladies Ministries Presidents District Ladies Ministries Presidents

Michele Penton, Alabama

Cathy Bagwill, Alaska-Yukon

Elisabeth Sansom, Arizona

Erica O’Connell, Arkansas

Dana Hood, Atlantic

Leanne Garrett, British Columbia

Brenda Chacon, Southern California

Karen Thunder, Canadian Plains

Jane Fortaleza, Central Canadian

Shannon Bohrer, Colorado

Marie Brown, Connecticut

Aimee Myers, Florida

Pam Hodge, Georgia

Judie Wasson, Hawaii

Laura Jackson, Idaho

Michelle Cox, Illinois

Valerie Carter, Indiana

Tammie Allison, Iowa

Vanessa Cornwell, Kansas

Terri Griffis, Kentucky

Mikelle Maxwell, Louisiana

Jackie Little, Maine

Alice Wright, Maryland-DC

Rebecca Robidas, Massachusetts-Rhode Island

Jerusha McGhee, Michigan

Sarah Brooks, Detroit Metro

Renee Feiler, Minnesota

Teresa Davis, Mississippi

Joann Thornton, Missouri

Tina Pierce, Nebraska

Renee Hinton, New Hampshire-Vermont

Belinda A. White, North Central Jersey

Lela Cooper, New Jersey-Delaware

Angelene Wahler, New York

Hazel Mitchell, New York Metro

Meme Scarboro, North Carolina

Melea Boles, North Dakota

Sharon Cole, Nova Scotia

Christine Stark, Ohio

Donna Fuller, Oklahoma

Sherie O’Donnell, Ontario

Jill Sargeant, Oregon

Debbie Cluster, Pennsylvania

Jolie Kakudji, Quebec

Raquel Guerrero, Rocky Mountain

Nilah Gann, South Carolina

Bethany Peters, South Dakota

Mitzi McElhaney, Tennessee

Diane Green, Texas

Amanda Elms, Texas North

Tracey Prieto, Texas Gulf Coast

Cassie Huslage, Texas South Central

Lucy Garcia, Texico

Donna Linville, Virginia

Martha Alanis, Washington

Patty Zimmerman, West Virginia/Western Maryland

Stephanie McDonald, Western

Karen Bailey, Wisconsin

Ladies Ministries Staff

Jane Buford

Ladies Ministries President

God had a plan for Jane Buford’s life even before she was born. Jane’s parents received the Holy Ghost in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, during a revival held by Kinzie’s Evangelism Team. Vera Kinzie, who served as the Ladies Ministries President from 1964 to 1994, was a part of this team. Jane is deeply grateful to Sister Kinzie for bringing the truth to her parents. Ladies Ministries played a significant role in Jane’s life even before birth.

Jane and her husband, Dr. P. Daniel Buford, reside in St. Louis, Missouri. They have been involved in ministry for over forty-five years, traveling nationally and internationally. Jane served as the national secretary for Ladies Ministries for ten years before becoming President. The Bufords have two sons: Brandon (Brianne), who pastors in O’Fallon, Missouri, and Brad (Tempie), a paramedic and youth pastor in Union City, Tennessee. They are blessed with six wonderful grandchildren.

Ashlea Ison

Ladies Ministries Secretary

Ashlea Ison pronounced (ash-lee) (eye-sun), hails from Wynne, Arkansas, where she and her husband, John, pastor a beautiful congregation recently celebrating 15 Pastoral years there. In 2021, they became the pastor of a second beautiful congregation in North Little Rock, Arkansas, where God has blessed and multiplied the kingdom over the past five years.

Although she is a Registered Nurse by profession, she fulfills her God-given calling by raising her four children. Two boys and two girls call her mom, and what a daily adventure they provide! Twenty-two years have been spent with the Ison’s serving the Arkansas District UPCI in several departments, and this has brought much joy to their Kingdom ministry. Ashlea counts it her life’s honor to serve the UPCI as the Ladies Ministries Secretary.

Julie Long

Editor, Reflections Magazine

Julie was raised in Pakistan as an MK. She is a writer who would rather read, a speaker who would rather listen, a joyful wife to Peter, and a determined mother of two. She shares her talent as the Reflections magazine editor and is the More to Life Ladies Ministries program director. The Longs pastor the Pentecostals of Miramichi, New Brunswick.

Julie Stewart

Executive Secretary

Julie is married to Brian, a Critical Care Paramedic, and they have two children, Bethany and Andrew. Andrew is in the military, and Bethany is married to Mark, and they have four beautiful children. Julie and Brian have three adorable granddaughters and a handsome grandson, whom they adore! Julie loves family game nights with lots of laughs. She loves to travel and meet new people. Julie and Brian enjoy having people over for dinner and giving Bible studies. Julie has an identical twin sister.

Duana Sargent

Administrative Assistant

Duana Sargent was born and raised in Texas. She and her husband, Darin, served in pastoral ministry in the Southern California District for 16 years before relocating to St. Louis from San Diego in 2021. Together, they now travel across the United States teaching marriage retreats, investing in couples and families. They have three children—two of whom are married—and one precious grandbaby who brings them great joy. Duana has long been involved in Ladies Ministries, serving in various roles in the SoCal District, from decorating to Promotional Director. Her deep love for ministry and her heart for women have made Ladies Ministries an integral part of her life, and she is honored to serve on the national Ladies Ministries team.