Daphne Collins is the Lighthouse Keeper and host of the In the Lighthouse podcast, An Encouraging Word shorts as well as the narrator of Let Us Pray for Carry the Light Ministries. Daphne was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and has lived in various states. The middle child from a large, Roman Catholic family with twelve children, Daphne first heard the gospel from her grandmother at a young age; however, many years would pass before she turned from religion to relationship. The vision for Carry the Light first came to her in 1990 and has burned in her heart for decades—only to take shape at the Lord’s timing and pleasure. “I have learned through waiting that the things that leave a lasting legacy will require time and patience. God’s ways are not our ways—He will always get the glory! He is the potter, and I am the clay.” Daphne received a BA in Human Resources Development from Notre Dame College of Ohio, and an MA in Adult Learning and Development from Cleveland State University. She entered full-time ministry after 38 years working for Fortune 500 companies and across several industries. “I wanted to control my own destiny, but God had other plans. All that I thought I knew needed to be changed.” In 2015, Daphne began online biblical studies at Liberty University Baptist Theological Seminary, and in 2018, she achieved a MAR in Homiletics. “The fact remains, the Lord told us to ‘Go and make disciples of all nations,’ so I take this command seriously. Carry the Light is obedience to the Great Commission—an opportunity to share the gospel message with the world, one light at a time. These ministries represent our own creative ways of carrying that light. We will soon offer courses for evangelism and discipleship with our upcoming online educational ministry, Walking in His Steps.” Additionally, Carry the Light will present other ministry offerings to “equip the saints . . . for building up the body of Christ.”

Fun Fact about Daphne: I enjoy listening to audiobooks and watching fantasy and science fiction movies. For those who know me well, I have a tendency to quote lines from some of my all-time favorite books.

Melissa Saenz is The Lady With the Lamp for Carry the Light Ministries, author, and presenter of the Eternal Treasures devotions. She was born and grew up in El Paso, Texas, and has been residing in Phoenix, Arizona for the last 24 years. Married for 30 years, Melissa and her husband, Jimmy Saenz, are blessed with three sons, one daughter, and nine grandchildren. “I have walked with the Lord for the past 30 years and received Jesus as my Lord and Savior on Easter of 1992. He has been with me through many storms in my life. He has been so good and faithful to me throughout my lifetime.” When asked how she can impact the Kingdom through Carry the Light Ministries, Melissa responded, “I want to impact the Kingdom of God through my devotionals. I passionately believe that the Word of God is living, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword. It brings healing, nourishment, wisdom, and encouragement. It gives us hope in this fallen world we live in. Through my devotionals, I want to primarily honor God. I would not be the woman I am today without him. I also want to offer my readers encouragement with the truth that can only be found in God’s word. My intention through these devotionals is to offer some challenging, pivotal questions so that his word is not just being read, but is practically applied in everyday life. Extra scriptures are given for those who have a desire to dig deeper. I pray that as the Holy Spirit leads my writing, your lives will be blessed immensely, and your walk with Jesus strengthened.” In addition to holding her lamp high for Christ through her devotions, our Lady With the Lamp is an occasional featured voice on the In The Lighthouse podcast; commenting on the lives impacted by the presence of the Lord amid their torrential storms.

Fun Fact about Melissa: When I was a little girl, I dreamed of becoming a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. Here I am instead, writing devotionals. To God be the glory!

Cherese Collins is the Torch Bearer for Reignite Worship: the Worship and Arts partner for Carry the Light Ministries. She was born in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, a small town on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Cherese’s family moved from Mississippi to Ohio in 1989, where her love of music flourished. She became involved with choir and theatre throughout her years in school as well as college. In 2004, Cherese graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education from Cleveland State University and pursued a career as a music teacher and choir director. On an early wintry morning in January 2007, in Lakewood, Ohio, Cherese got down on her knees in her little apartment while speaking to her mother over the phone and gave her life to Jesus. Later that same year, she moved across the country to Phoenix, AZ, after accepting a teaching job from a simple phone interview. This is where the Lord captured her full attention, and her “desert experience” began. In 2012, Cherese started singing with praise teams, and her fervor for worship music changed. “I got my first glimpse of worship music attending church as a girl, singing in church choir in catholic schools, but this was different.” She started leading worship and began to experience the Holy Spirit in a different way. She likened her experience to David’s way of worship before the Ark—an abandonment with the whole heart. “I feel the same bubbling up inside of me when I praise the Lord with my whole heart. The way I worship is vertical between me and God.” Cherese desires that those involved with Reignite Worship would love the Lord with their whole heart, and agree that it is proper to “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come before His presence with singing!” (Psalm 100:1-2). The Lord will bring forward the true worshippers. I pray that the Lord will bless those who hear and believe the words we sing. ‘Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!’ (Psalm 150:6).”

Fun Fact about Cherese: If I could have Christmas year-round, I would! I love watching Christmas movies, even when it isn’t the holiday season. I just think everyone seems a little nicer at Christmas; we should carry that spirit year-round!

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