Dr. Sheryl Giesbrecht

Exchanging hurt for hope is Sheryl's life focus.

Through more than twenty-five years of marriage to a pastor, parenting two children, overcoming addictions, beating cancer and enduring losses. Sheryl loves life in Christ and chooses to live each day in abundant freedom and hope. Sheryl's speaking and writing encourages women with her practical presentations in growing toward wholeness. Her powerful messages testify of God's transforming power.

Internationally known speaker, Sheryl Giesbrecht is passionate about sharing how God takes the ashes of our losses, bitterness or mistakes, and turns them into something remarkably beautiful. Her own story began with her conversion to Christ over 30 years ago. Once a rebellious teen-ager, alcoholic and drug addict, Sheryl knows what it is to overcome physical addictions. Bearing the emotional scars of sexual sin, Sheryl understands the agony of abuse and how it affects marriage and other relationships.

In ministry, Sheryl has endured changes and challenges, forcing she and her husband to move on to new levels of faith, trust and dependence on God. Recently healed of stage 4 lymphoma, Sheryl knows the heartbreak of disappointment, discouragement and disease. From the depths of these experiences, her desire is for women to understand their identity in Christ, to be set free from past hurts, and to be healed and whole emotionally as they understand the truth of Isaiah 61:1-7. Sheryl's messages sparkle with hope and healing for the times.

The joys of Sheryl's life are her husband and two adult children. Sheryl has been a columnist, discussing ministry, parenting and life as a pastor's wife for Focus on the Family. She has written hundreds of articles, which have appeared in varied publications, including Pastor's Family Magazine, Discipleship Journal, Just Between Us, CCM Magazine and Walk Through the Bible. Since 1998, her radio ministry, "Kindred Moments with Sheryl Giesbrecht" has broadcast daily to thousands of listeners. Sheryl holds a bachelor of arts from Biola University and completed her post-graduate work with Summit Bible College, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a master's of theology and a doctorate of divinity..

Topic Descriptions

The Ingredients of a Leader
What makes a leader? Classes? Reading the right Christian books? This message is a study of why Jesus called the disciples and how Jesus trained them for leadership.

The Making of a Leader
Does a leader learn to lead by studying the life of Donald Trump? No, but by studying the life of Moses. This message from Exodus examines Moses' call into ministry and how God used the wilderness as his seminary.

The Time Crunch
Ever felt crunched for time? Find out what to do when you can't do it all. Managing your time is a misnomer. We must learn to manage ourselves and our priorities in the time we have. Time logs, humorous quotes, vision statements and practical helps will be shared.

H.O.P.E. For All Time
Ever felt overwhelmed by change? God never changes, though our circumstances do. We must ask ourselves, will a time of transition become an obstacle or opportunity? God's Word gives us all the answers we need. This message inspires and encourages audiences to embrace change.

Loving Your Life Story
'We are all products of our past but don't have to be prisoners of it.' says best selling author, Rick Warren. Hear Sheryl's remarkable testimony and learn how to encourage those in your ministry to be set free. People can experience freedom from the "prisons" they may be in.

Giving Up the Grudge
Is freedom through forgiveness possible? Can we really give up the grudge once and for all? Find out what God's word says and receive practical application for your life.

Finding Faith in Adversity
Trials are inevitable. Pain, trouble and heartache strike every person on the road of life. Sometimes we feel like we are between a rock and a hard place. Discover how we face adversity through faith.

Finding Balance in Life
Is balance possible in the constant spin of this crazy world? Discover three foundational principles to maintaining your life's stability, refocusing your priorities, and glorifying God in the midst of your hectic schedule.

New Retreats!

Draw Me Nearer
God's passion and pursuit of us is never-ending. Hebrews 2:1 warns of paying careful attention to what we have heard or we may drift away from God. A discussion of reasons why we might feel distanced from God and practical steps to regain fellowship. (John 5:1-15)

Strength for Today, Hope for Tomorrow
"Hope, it's been said, is like a bird that senses dawn and carefully
starts to sing while it is still dark." Struggles with shame, guilt, despair, fear, doubt and worth to God are common among women. Sheryl shares practical, biblical truths that bring victory in the darkness, restoring hope for the future. (John 5:1-15, Is. 61:3-7)

A Girl's Guide to God
An exciting journey through the Old Testament with an intriguing study of the names of God. This eventful trip will wake up a quiet time and enhance the worshipper's walk with God. The voyage begins with a premise of why a study of the names of God is essential for every Believer, continues with an overview of the many names of God. The satisfying conclusion is practical applications of the New Testament promises and how to apply the names of God to life situations.

To include: Elohim-Creator, El Elyon-God Most High, Jehovah-Our Most Personal God, Jehovah-Jireh-The God Who Provides and many more. This is an interactive retreat, seminar or experience of God's names as they coincide with His promises.
(Genesis, Exodus, Psalms, Ezekiel, selected New Testament verses)

God is Absolutely Crazy About You
We'll be reminded of God's passion for us as we study Psalm 139. Most of us know the God of the universe created us with a plan and purpose, but does it really make a difference in our daily choices? Do we like who God created us to be? Not always. We will be reminded of God's passionate love and the impact this can make on how we accept ourselves while we embrace God's perfect plan for our lives.

From Ashes To Beauty
Have you ever felt as if your fairytale seems to be a Cinderella story? Are you stuck scrubbing the embers of the fireplace? Ever been surrounded by ashes of loss or the death of dreams? Do you feel covered with cinders of disappointment, discouragement and despair? In this inspired, practical message, three steps will be shared to encourage women to see themselves as the princess God made them. (Psalm 45:11-15)

The Extreme Journey
What a wild ride! Life in Christ involves extreme acceptance, extreme freedom and extreme passion. Find out how much God loves you and why He chose you before the foundation of the world. Discover His plan and purpose through accepting your losses, bitterness and mistakes as you experience healing and hope in His Word, by His spirit. (Exodus 3, Ephesians 2)

Retreats can be fashioned into a day or evening message for any event.

Each presentation is 60 minutes in length; however, full day or weekend retreats are available.

Rave Reviews:

"Sheryl's message at our Women's Fellowship's Christmas luncheon was clear and her challenge brought with love and gentleness. Mary Younger, Director of Women's Ministry - Riverlakes Community church, Bakersfield, CA
Sheryl has such an amazing gift, she uses her life's testimony to show you how to find God and hold on to him. Our ladies were very blessed by her presentation."
Carolyn Kurz, Womens Ministry Director, Porterville, CA

Sheryl is the best speaker I have ever heard.
Anonymous at a Women's Luncheon

"Sheryl's messages have wide appeal - recovery from drugs, struggle with illness and hope for the future."
Sharon Hopper, Porterville EV Free

"Sheryl's passion for God's truth and freedom in Christ is evident in the way that she shares her powerful testimony and calls people to move beyond hurt and find healing in the love of God. Sheryl is approachable and real. Students feel they can connect to her story and appreciate her genuine honesty."
Lauren McCartney, Chaplain - Biola University

"Sheryl reached out to our high school girls on our retreat to Catalina by sharing her testimony to start out the trip. This was huge in making the girls feel comfortable and connected to her. I think it was so important for them to know that even though we can make bad decisions in our past God has the power to cleanse us from all our sins and we can be made new. Another highlight was Sheryl's teaching the girls that God created and loves them just how we are and no matter what. This is so important especially when we live in a society that tells us we are never good enough the way we are. The girls felt special when Sheryl sought out one-on-one time with each of them and were thrilled when she got right in the mix with them during their silly antics. For some of them, having an adult give them this much positive interaction is a new experience and definitely something they are missing. The trip was a huge success!"
Jennifer Kirstine, Youth Pastor's Wife and HS Girls Retreat Planner, Bakersfield, CA

"Sheryl's ability to share her life experiences along with the wisdom God has given her, has not only made her a gifted speaker but a devoted wife, mother and mentor to many."
Kathy Bethell, Women's Ministry Director, Community Christian Fellowship

"Whether behind a microphone of a radio studio or in front of a sea of faces at a women's retreat, Sheryl's love for the Lord and passion for encouraging women from all walks of life are evident. When you see her enthusiasm for life and her joyful attitude, you would never know the difficulties she has faced in recent years, including her own personal battle with cancer. Yet, through these difficult times she has allowed God to use her testimony to change the lives of countless women. Each time I hear her speak, Sheryl combines her knowledge of the Bible with her love for teaching and her passion for changing lives. Sheryl's desire to see revival in the hearts of women across our country is apparent each time she steps up to the podium. The only regret you will have after hearing her life-changing messages is that you didn't invite more of your friends to hear her speak."
Janet Ables, President and Founder, Heart of the Home Ministries

"Sheryl is an accomplished teacher and speaker, speaking regularly in conference settings and on several occasions has teamed up with her pastor husband to bring the message in our own church during Sunday morning services. Sheryl's deep life experiences from her own personal testimony, the raising of a family, leadership in the Christian community, marriage to Paul and other faith journeys give her wide appeal to many diverse audiences."
Dr. Mike Popovich, Senior Pastor, Olive Drive Church

"Years of experience in ministry as a pastor's wife, Sheryl has experienced the joys and trials of motherhood and recently an overwhelming struggle with cancer. Her sincere walk with the Lord and life experiences have seasoned and prepared her for ministering to people in her own precious way. Anyone who has the pleasure of sitting under Sheryl's teaching will not be disappointed, they will be blessed and encouraged in their walk with Christ."
Becki Stine Saltee, Director of Women's Ministries, Hume Lake Christian Camps

Sheryl has a way of encouraging ladies in a multitude of ways to desire a closer walk with the Lord. She is eager to show them God's love and working in all aspects of their lives. She shares the truth of God's Word in a relevant fashion for today's Christian women who desire a deeper walk with God. Sheryl is the perfect example of a woman who desires to be used of God.
Cheryl Burke, Ministry Coordinator, Heart of the Home Ministries