EQUIPPED
Women's Conference
July 17-18, 2026
Mankato, MN
Laura Harstad is a wife, mom, entrepreneur, and daughter of the King who is passionate about helping Christian women be anchored in God’s Word and equipped to stand firm in His truth.
Laura and her husband, Eric, were lay missionaries in Asia from 2007-2008, and they have also volunteered for many mission projects through the organization Kingdom Workers.
As a creative entrepreneur, Laura serves as a speaker, joyful mindset coach, musician, and educator. She is known for creating spaces where Christian women can slow down, reflect honestly, and focus on God’s truth. Laura’s heart is to encourage women to live with courage and joy. Laura is also the Founder and Director of the Mankato Homeschool Choir and enjoys creating an opportunity for homeschool students to learn and perform music together.
Laura homeschools their two teenage boys who joined their family through adoption. Family life is centered on growing in faith together and preparing their sons to step into adulthood with confidence in their identity in Christ.
Amber Albee Swenson
Amber Albee Swenson is an author, speaker, and podcaster who is passionate about spurring women to know and love God more. She is unabashed about her love for her husband, four children and sweet grandson and fiercely advocates for the need for female friendships and community. She is thrilled to be on Team Jesus and plans to use whatever time, resources and energy God gives her to further the kingdom in whatever ways God deems her useful. You can follow her podcast here: There's More To The Story.
Meet Our 2026 Keynote Speakers
Laura Harstad
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Pastor Jim Aderman
Pastor Jim Aderman is the chairman of the WELS Spiritual Warfare Committee. He is a retired parish pastor. He has also served as the director of development at Wisconsin Lutheran College, as the executive director of 316NOW (a ministry that trains Chinese house church leaders) and as a leader of a number of other WELS-related commissions and non-profits.
He has authored five books that Northwestern Publishing House published. He writes regularly for Forward in Christ, the WELS monthly magazine. He has taught in the WELS pastor training schools in Malawi and Nepal. He has spoken at a variety of WELS-related men's conferences, evangelism workshops, and women's conferences.
He and his wife of 54 years have three daughters and ten grandchildren. He enjoys photography, exploring how best to use technology to advance the Great Commission, writing, travel, and adventures with his grandchildren.
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Sharon Buck
Sharon Buck is a retired nana (seven grandkids) who resides in Peachtree City, Georgia with her husband, Drew, of 49 years. They raised their three children in New Ulm, MN, where Drew was a professor/coach.
Sharon has always been passionate about sharing the gospel: growing up, she actually wanted to be a pastor. God had better plans and steered her to a 40-year career with Mary Kay, where she could share the gospel with lots of women from all over the world!
In 2006, her son Russ was killed in an auto accident, and the Russell Buck Fund was born. It exists to follow where God is working in Asia and beyond - training pastors, planting churches, and more... anything that supports the spread of the gospel. Sharon is always on the lookout to see and seize the opportunities that God provides to share, serve, and glorify Him.
Breakout Session Speakers
Katie Hartwig
Katie Hartwig has been a church musician for 26 years. She has a passion for music that is Scriptural, singable, and beautiful. She directs the choir at Peace Lutheran Church and plans to sing with Kingsfold at the June 2026 LWMS Rally in Wisconsin.
Katie is also a Mental Health Counselor for Christian Family Solutions, serving people in the greater Mankato community. She assists her Christian clients as they find avenues towards healing that incorporate evidence-based practice and faith in Jesus. Katie volunteers as one of four mental health counselors serving on the WELS Spiritual Warfare Committee.
She and her husband, Tim, have been married 26 years. Their marriage has been blessed with seven children, three sons-in-law, and one grandchild.
Laura Harstad
See bio at top of page.