Confirmed Keynote Speakers for HOPE2022
Dr. Julie Hamilton
Dr. Julie Harren Hamilton is a licensed marriage and family therapist in private practice. She is a former Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Graduate Counseling Psychology program at Palm Beach Atlantic University (2004-2009). Dr. Hamilton served as President of the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality. She has provided a number of interviews in various media outlets including video documentaries, radio programs, and television shows such as the Dr. Oz Show. She speaks in churches, colleges, and schools and also conducts seminars for pastors and Christian leaders. She is also the co-editor of The Handbook of Therapy for Unwanted Homosexual Attractions: A Guide to Treatment.
Dr. Paul Hruz
Paul W. Hruz is an academic pediatric endocrinologist (hormone specialist) and tenured physician scientist with faculty appointments in both Pediatrics and Cellular Biology and Physiology at Washington University in St Louis. He received his MD and PhD degrees from the Medical College of Wisconsin. He completed residency training in Pediatrics at the University of Washington in Seattle and fellowship training in pediatric endocrinology at Washington University. Dr. Hruz has over 20 years of clinical experience in caring for children with disorders of sexual development. He has received certification in Healthcare Ethics from the National Catholic Bioethics Center and is a regular contributor to his University's course on Research Ethics for graduate students. He has served as a consultant for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and is an active member of the Catholic Medical Association. Dr. Hruz has also assisted the Christian Medical and Dental Association in reviewing scientific evidence for the medical management of sex-discordant gender identity. He has authored over 60 peer-reviewed manuscripts, scientific reviews and book chapters. Most importantly, together with his wife Anne, he has raised his five children in St Louis.
Tamika Sanders
Tamika Sanders is the founder and executive director of Coming Out, Inc. She is a public speaker, spiritual mentor and a prophetic voice for this generation. She surrendered her life to Christ in 2007 in Detroit, MI, during her sophomore year in college at Eastern Michigan University. After years of serving in various ministry capacities, she answered her call to full time ministry in January 2016, after relocating to Dallas, Tx to join The Potter’s House Church.
After experiencing the delivering hand of God from generational strongholds in her own identity, and forgiveness of childhood abandonment which yielded the restoration of an estranged relationship with her father, Tamika grew a passion to see all people completely whole, set free and delivered. In 2009, she began mentoring women one-on-one who approached her with an expressed desire to find freedom in Christ from lesbianism and gender confusion that was triggered by childhood abuse, neglect and other traumas. After hearing their stories and stories of others who’ve tried to overcome in this area, she found herself relating to the root causes of their brokenness more than she’d ever imagine, while quickly learning their number one hurdle in staying the course to wholeness was finding adequate support within their local churches--leaving them feeling isolated, judged and alone in their struggles.
Though she does not have a past in homosexuality, Tamika has a huge heart for hurting people and could not ignore the call from God to provide a safe haven for those coming out of homosexuality; a place to be healed, restored and renewed. Tamika is also committed to becoming an added resource to the church by equipping leaders with the proper tools to offer compassionate support, without compromise, while effectively ministering Biblical truth in love to those impacted by same-sex desires.
Jeff Simunds
Jeff Simunds is the founder and Executive Director of Tower of Light Ministries. After having spent time in counseling and group working through many issues in his past, he has spent the past 19 years ministering to those with unwanted LGBT desires, supporting family members of LGBT-identified loved ones, and speaking in churches, equipping them to minister to those dealing with LGBT desires in a loving, biblically appropriate way.
Spending years looking for help for his own unwanted same-sex attractions and was unable to find it, Jeff dealt with deep shame and self-hatred, wanting to live a life that honored God yet struggling to walk that out. He eventually found help and support through a local ministry and now counts it an honor to help others with unwanted LGBT desires pursue holiness and wholeness with Jesus.
From a varied professional background, Jeff pursued degrees in Chemistry, Computer Science and an MBA in Finance and International Business. He worked in mid-management for a large company for 9 years. He also has a passion for missions and was the President of the American Friendship Foundation for 5 years, an international humanitarian organization that uses highly skilled American development workers to meet the needs and concerns of the poor. He’s been a missions director, led a young adults ministry, and oversaw the planting of 2 churches for a large church in Seattle.
He has taught on sexuality at a number of Youth With A Mission counseling schools around the world which has combined his love for helping those struggling with sexual and relational brokenness, missions, and travel (he’s been to 104+ countries).
Jeff is single and serves on the Board of Directors of Restored Hope Network.
Emcee -- Georgene Rice
Georgene has been a talk show host with KPDQ for more than 30 years and has traveled internationally as a station correspondent.
In 2003 Georgene served as the chief spokesman and debater for the Defense of Marriage Coalition, which successfully amended Oregon’s constitution. She has lectured on university campuses and is a frequent speaker and worship leader at Christian conferences and retreats.
Georgene has served on several Boards and regularly volunteers for charitable organizations. A musician Georgene and husband Dan have traveled around the world teaching and performing Gospel music.