What if God’s Word really is true?
What if God really is in control? What if he’s truly with us and for us? What if this world isn’t all there is? Well, that would make quite a difference, wouldn’t it?
Hi, I’m Shannon. As a speaker, I love the laughter that bounces across the room after I share a funny story. I also love the tears, smiles, and nodding heads, when I share an experience women can relate to. But most of all, I love to see their eyes light up with fresh faith and commitment, when I invite them to live like God’s Word is true.
I would love to be considered as a speaker for your next event, retreat or conference.
It would be a joy to partner with you in ministering to the women God has entrusted to you. Please use my contact form to get in touch, and let me know how I might be able to serve your group. I look forward to hearing from you!
Warmly,
Speaking Schedule
January 17-18, 2020 – Renelly Women’s Retreat, Metamora, MI
January 20-25 – The Storytellers Conference with Flourish Writers
March 7, 2020 – Rooted in Christ Women’s Conference, Morrison, IL
March 14, 2020 – First Central Church of the Nazarene Women’s Retreat, Flint, M
April 18, 2020 – Eastpointe Bible Church Ladies’ Retreat, Peru, IN
April 24-26, 2020 – Cran-Hill Ranch Women’s Retreat, Rodney, MI
April 29, 2020 – Westwood MOPS, Kalamazoo, MI
May 22-23, 2020 – G4 Women’s Retreat, Seaford, DE
July 9-11, 2020 – Speak Up Conference, Grand Rapids, MI
September 24-26, 2020 – Camp Lebanon Women’s Retreat, Burtrum, MN
October 2-4, 2020 – Camp Lebanon Women’s Retreat, Burtrum, MN
October 17, 2020 – SALT Women’s Conference, Grand Haven, MI
October 23-24, 2020 – Faith Community Women’s Retreat, Vacaville, CA
November 11, 2020 – Genesis Church, Petoskey, MI
November 16-18, 2020 – SEPA Summit with Editorial Portavos, Cancun, Mexico
2021
March 13, 2021 – True Woman Conference, Meadsville, PA
April 23-24, 2021 – Cran-Hill Ranch Women’s Retreat, Rodney, MI
April 18, 2020 – Eastpointe Bible Church Ladies’ Retreat, Peru, IN
October 1-3, 2021 – Bair Lake Bible Camp, Jones, MI
Speaking Schedule 2019
2019
September 9, 2019 – Alpine Baptist, Comstock Park, MI
September 13-15, 2019 – Lake Ann Women’s Retreat, Lake Ann, MI
September 27-29, 2019 – SpringHill Women’s Retreat, Evart, MI
October 12, 2019 – G4 Women’s Retreat, Seaford, DE
October 18, 2019 – Breathe Writer’s Conference, Grand Rapids, MI
October 24, 2019 – “She Found Joy” tour @ Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, MI
October 28 – November 10, 2019 – Speaking Ministry Trip to the Middle East
November 18, 2019 – Central Baptist Church, Jonesboro, AR
November 19, 2019 – Family Life Today, Little Rock, AR
November 20, 2019 – Central Baptist Bible Study, Jonesboro, AR
November 30, 2019 – Riverside Women’s Christmas Event, Three Rivers, MI
December 5, 2029 – Life Change Women’s Event, Dorr, MI
December 7, 2019 – Lakeside Community Christmas Brunch, Alto, MI
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March 1-2, 2019 The Chapel Women’s Retreat, Wadsworth, OH
April 12-13, 2019 – Southside Bible Women’s Retreat, Denver, CO
April 26-27, 2019 – Lincoln Lake “Flourish” Women’s Retreat, Gowen, MI
July 10, 2019 – Maranatha Bible Conference Women’s Luncheon, Muskegon, MI
July 11-13, Speak Up Conference, Grand Rapids, MI
July 26-27, GEMS Leadership Conference, Grand Rapids, MI
Speaking Schedule 2018
January 10, Allendale MOPS, Allendale, MI
March 2-3, 2018 – County Line Church Women’s Conference, Andrews, IN
March 9-11, 2018 – Women’s Retreat at Cran-Hill Ranch, Rodney, MI
April 10, 2018 – “Bloom” at Chapel Pointe, Hudsonville, MI
April 19, 2018 – Calvin Seminary Wives Dinner, Grand Rapids, MI
April 21, 2018 – Robinson Baptist Church, Grand Haven, MI
April 26, 2018 – Moms Connected @ Chapelstreet Church in Geneva, IL
April 28, 2018 Red Brick Church in Stilman Valley, IL
May 1, 2018 – MITT @ Hastings Baptist Church, Hastings, MI
May 5, 2018 – Standale Baptist Church, Standale, MI
May 19, 2018 – Forest Hills Baptist Church, Forest Hills, MI
June 5, 2018 – Ada Bible Church, Summer Bible Study Kick Off, Cascade, MI
June 28-30, 2018 – Speak Up Conference with Carol Kent, Grand Rapids, MI
September 20-22, 2018 – Gitche Gumee Bible Camp, Eagle River, MI
September 27-29, 2018 – True Woman Conference (Blogging Team), Indianapolis, IN
October 5-6, 2018 – Bridge Bible Women’s Retreat @ Camp Geneva, Holland, MI
October 12-14, 2018 – Grace Adventures Camp Women’s Retreat, Mears, MI
October 23 – November 3, 2018 – Speaking trip to Asia
November 15, 2018 – Ridge Point Community Church MOMS Group, Holland, MI
December 3, 2018 – Cornerstone Church Christmas Women’s Event, Caledonia, MI
December 6, 2018 – Women’s Christmas Event, Liberty Bible Church, Chesterton, IN
Speaking Schedule 2017
January 12, 2017 – Lowell MOPS, Lowell, MI
January 26, 2017 – Control Girl Launch Party @ Baker Book House!!! Grand Rapids, MI
February 2, 2017 – Ada Bible Thrive Gathering (Knapp Campus), Grand Rapids, MI
February 9, 2017 – Book Signing at Kregel Parable Christian Store, Grandville, MI
February 16, 2017 – Book Signing at Liberty University Barnes & Noble, Lynchburg, VA
February 24-25, 2017 – Friend Retreat, Metamora, MI
March 10-11, 2017 – Christian Ministry Conference, Grand Rapids, MI
March 13, 2017 – Alpha Women’s Center Volunteer Appreciation Banquet, Grand Rapids, MI
March 15, 2017 – Trinity Lutheran MOPS, Clinton Township, MI
March 23, 2017 – Ada Bible Thrive Gathering (Cascade Campus), Cascade, MI
April 12, 2017 – momLife at Mount Pleasant Community Church, Mount Pleasant, MI
April 21-22, 2017 – Ravenna Baptist Retreat @Maranatha Bible Camp, Muskegon, MI
April 28, 2017 – Winning at Home bus trip, Chicago, IL
May 6, 2017 – Grandville Bible Ladies’ Tea, Grandville, MI
May 13, 2017 – Millington Church of God Ladies’ Tea, Frankenmuth, MI
May 16, 2017 – Ada Bible Church, East Paris Campus, Grand Rapids, MI
May 19, 2017 – Kilpatrick MOPS, Woodland, MI
May 20, 2017 – First Baptist Church of Newberg, Jones, MI
June 14, 2017 – The Rock, Grandville, MI
July 13-15, 2017 – Speak Up, Grand Rapids, MI
September 9, 2017 – “Come to the Table” at Hudsonville Reformed Church, Hudsonville, MI
September 16, 2017 – Homefront Church, Jenison, MI
September 28-29, 2017 – Maranatha Christian Writers’ Conference, Muskegon, MI
October 6-7, 2017 – Breathe Christian Writer’s Conference, Grand Rapids, MI
October 24, 2017 – Mom to Mom at River Terrace Church, East Lansing, MI
October 26, 2017 – Lowell MOPS, Lowell, MI
November 4, 2017 – Immanuel Church “Ladies’ Day”, Holland, MI
November 11, 2017 – Living Life Women’s Retreat, Muskegon, MI
November 16, 2017 – Thornapple MOPS, Grand Rapids, MI
November 28, 2017 Jamestown Baptist Ladies’ Tea, Hudsonville, MI
December 2, 2017 – The Chapel, North Canton, OH
December 13, 2017 – Kilpatrick MOMSNext, Woodland, MI
December 20, 2017 – Trinity Church, Lansing, MI
Speaking Schedule 2016
January 29-31, 2016 Springbrook Community Church Ladies’ Retreat, Huntley, IL
February 25, 2016 Lowell MOPS, Lowell, MI
March 7, 2016 – Calvary CRC Mom & Co., Holland, MI
March 12, 2016 – Women’s Day at Grace Evangelical Free, Rockford, MI
March 16, 2016 – Ada Bible Church, Kentwood, MI
March 23, 2016 – Hope Church MOPS Group, South Haven, MI
April 15, 2016 – Highland Hills Baptist Church, Grand Rapids, MI
April 22, 2016 – MomBreak, Grandville, MI
April 29-31 – Lifestream Ladies’ Retreat, Allendale, MI
May 3, 2016 – Lake Center MOPS, Portage, MI
May 5, 2016 – Home Front Bible Study Group, Jenison, MI
July 7-9, 2016 – Speak Up Conference, Grand Rapids, MI
September 9, 2016 – REAL Sisters at Kentwood Community Church, Kentwood, MI
September 13, 2016 – Coffee Break at First Christian Reformed Church, DeMotte, IN
October 4, 2016 – Corinth MOPS, Byron Center, MI
October 7-8, 2016 – Breathe Writer’s Conference, Grand Rapids, MI
November 8, 2016 – MUMS at Calvary Baptist, West Branch, MI
November 17, 2016 – Hudsonville Reformed Church, Husdonville, MI
December 1, 2016 – Lake City MOPS, Lake City, MI
December 11, 2016 – The Lakes Women’s Christmas Event, West Bloomfield, MI
Speaking Endorsements:
Speaking Topics for Women’s Events & Retreats
Comparison Girl: Me-Free Living in a Measure-Up World
Do you compare yourself? On social media, in the neighborhood, at church, or the school drop-off lane—do you constantly glance sideways and ask, “How do I measure up?” Your enemy loves to use comparison against you, first by driving you to prove you measure up, then shaming you when you don’t. But Jesus offers you freedom by inviting you to live as he did—lifting others up and pouring ourselves out.
With humor and candor, Shannon will share about her own comparison struggles, and how adopting Jesus’s me-free way of living is restoring her confidence, freedom and joy.
Check out Shannon’s book on this topic at ComparisonGirl.com.
Control Girl to Jesus Girl
Control Girls aren’t trying to exasperate anyone; they’re just trying to make everything turn out right! Yet the woman who lives life repeatedly lunging after control tends to make everybody miserable–herself included.
Shannon Popkin can attest to that. As she shares about her journey from Control Girl to Jesus Girl, Shannon will invite you to find the peace, security, hope, and joy that comes–not from gripping, clamping, and clawing after my own version of perfect, but from surrendering to the One who truly is in control.
Check out Shannon’s book on this topic at ControlGirl.com.
How to Have a ‘Mary’ Christmas
From pies to decorating to gift-giving, women tend to put a lot of effort into making everything turn out “right” at Christmas. But our drive to create the ‘most wonderful time of the year’ often turns us into exasperating Control Girls, who cause everyone to cringe instead of savor the season.
With humor and passion for celebrating Jesus, Shannon Popkin will help you consider Mary, the mother of Jesus, as a beautiful example of relinquishing control at Christmas. Come find the hope and joy that Jesus offers to any woman who chooses to make Christmas all about Him.
Check out Shannon’s book on this topic at ControlGirl.com.
A God Who Leans Low
He’s got the whole world in his hands, but what about my little world? Does God see? Does He care? Is he for me? If I see God as distant and uncaring, I won’t surrender control; I’ll grip on even tighter. Yet this is how the skeptics responded when Jesus came to town, and they missed out on seeing the signs that were clear to everyone else: God truly does lean low.
With compassion and conviction Shannon shares about several stories of watching God involve himself in the details of her small life, but only after she surrendered. Are you ready to surrender to the God who leans low?
↓ More Speaking Topics for Moms’ Groups ↓
↓ More Speaking Topics for Influencers/Leaders/Youth ↓
Revive Our Hearts with Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth
It was such a privilege to spend a day with Nancy Wolgemuth at Revive our Hearts studios, where we taped three radio broadcasts (below) related to my new book, Control Girl–which Nancy was kind enough to endorse. Nancy is an expert interviewer and did such a great job of directing these three conversations. Also, check out the video segments (to the left), which Revive Our Hearts produced!
Moms in Prayer Podcast – with Lee Nyenhuis
Do you have a control problem? Control issues in motherhood are easy to detect in others, but can mask themselves in our own lives. Today, Lee and best-selling author, Shannon Popkin get real about fear, anger, and loosening our grip on families. Quick spoiler- it involves prayer!
“Making Your Life Count” with Steve Douglas, President of Cru
I love the ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ, or Cru–as it’s known in the US. Here are several two minute radio interview clips with Steve Douglas, president of Cru.
“Grit ‘n’ Grace” with Amy Carroll and Cheri Gregory
It’s hard for reforming perfectionists and people-pleasers to give up control! Amy and Cheri believe that every good girl can grow her grit, embrace God’s grace, and learn to break bad rules. I LOVED talking with them about how control is one of those “bad rules” we need to break.
The Harvest Show
So thankful for the opportunity to talk about the topic of control on the Harvest Show. “It’s a burden, people!” Valerie said in closing. Yes, indeed. But aren’t you so thankful that we don’t have to carry this burden of control? God carries it, so we don’t have to.
TV8’s “Where You Live” with Maranda
Thanks to WOTV4Women and Wood TV 8 for having me on the “Where you Live” show with Maranda! Maranda is a delightful host, and such a supporter in our community. It was truly an honor to be on the show.
Bible Study Expo with Marni Swedberg
Marni is a sweet, energetic host, filled with wisdom and insight. It was a joy to talk with Marni about Control Girl, and an honor to be included in her annual “Bible Study Expo”! Marnie interviewed twelve authors about their newly released Bible studies. You can listen in to last year’s guests, and sign up for next year’s expo at biblestudyexpo.com.
Topics for Moms Groups
Control Girl Mama
Control Girls can be uptight, overprotective, angry, fretful, pushy, frantic, irritable Mamas—but only because they’re trying to make it all turn out right! Yet trying to control everything tends to make everybody miserable (including the Mama). As Shannon shares about her journey from Control Girl to Jesus Girl, she will invite you to find the peace, security, hope, and joy that comes–not from gripping, clamping, and clawing after your own version of perfect, but from surrendering to the One who truly is in control.
Comparison Girl Mama
Comparison isn’t a game; it’s a trap set by Satan. He knows that when we measure ourselves against other moms we emerge feeling either inferior or superior—and both lead to bondage. But Jesus invites us to be part of His kingdom, where freedom is found—not in measuring up, but in pouring your life out.
With humor and candor, Shannon will share about her own comparison struggles, and how participating in Jesus’ upside down kingdom is restoring her confidence, freedom, and joy.
Treasure Maps that Lead Little Ones to God
Left to themselves, our kids will spend the rest of their lives hunting the empty treasure of this world. So how can we draw a ‘treasure map’ that leads our little ones to God (especially since they can’t see God, and they can see Thomas the Tank Engine or whatever else they momentarily fixated on)? Fortunately, we don’t have to turn our kids into treasure hunters; they already are treasure-hunters! God placed an insatiable desire for more inside our kids to draw them toward Himself, knowing that He is the only one who can ever satisfy them.
With the perspective she’s gained from parenting her kids into their teen, Shannon Popkin will give you six guidelines for drawing a treasure map that leads your little one (or older child) to the one true treasure–God.
Why we have “MOPS”, not “POPS”
There’s a reason we have MOPS instead of POPS. It’s because God embedded in YOU a unique drive and desire for relationships. He designed you to be the relational expert of your home! But that doesn’t mean your work is easy. You won’t be able to distance yourself from problems or hope things fall into place. No, relationships will be the most challenging work of your life; but also the most rewarding!
In her humorous, yet encouraging way, Shannon Popkin will share several biblical patterns for creating extraordinary relationships between the people who matter most: your family.
Contact Shannon
Writers, Speakers, Leadership, Youth, Ministry Conference Topics
5 Platform-Building Questions Every Christian Speaker or Writer Must Ask
Social media offers more opportunities to spread the light of Jesus than ever before–but it also presents new and unique challenges. We set out with a passion to serve others, share truth, and give of ourselves. Yet our good intentions are easily eclipsed by desires to promote ourselves, receive affirmation, and gain recognition.
Is there a way to gather followers and still follow Jesus? Is there a way to both take up our cross and build up our stats? Shannon Popkin believes there is. Come get guidance on these five questions, every speaker and writer must ask:
- How can I make noise, and still be humble?
- Does Jesus want me to be strategic?
- How can I weigh my own motives?
- Should I become a platform-builder, or just trust God?
- Am I self-serving when I try to network?
Preparing for Spiritual Attack in Ministry
Many new writers and speakers are caught off guard by the spiritual gloom or added temptation, which often accompany a writing/speaking project. When we—as writers and speakers—cast words of light and truth out into the darkness, we also throw rocks at the enemy’s hornet nest. And Satan doesn’t fight fair. Yet God has not given us a spirit of fear. Come develop a step-by-step plan for protecting against and overcoming spiritual attack in ministry.
Participants will:
- Learn to identify the enemy’s condemning attack vs. conviction from God
- Define the unseen spiritual battle—God’s goals vs. Satan’s
- Develop an offensive plan (physically, spiritually, emotionally) for times of intense ministry
- Create a defensive strategy for times of attack—how to fight back
Comparison Game War
Comparison isn’t a game; it’s a strategy of war used by an enemy who loves to divide us. Satan knows that when we compare, we pull away—with either a sense of inferiority or superiority. Division. Jealousy. Pride. Unworthiness. Each one has “Satan was here” graffiti spewed all over it. But what if we showed Satan to the door and ushered King Jesus to His throne at this conference?
Jesus invites us to a kingdom where greatness is achieved—not measuring up, but by pouring yourself out. And Jesus invites us (the leaders) to go first. As we huddle up and collaborate on how to better share truth and spread the gospel, let’s link arms in solidarity. Let’s enjoy the sweetness of unity. Let’s empty ourselves—as Jesus did, and be free!
Control Girls in Ministry
Control Girls aren’t trying to be inflexible or exasperating; they’re just trying to make things turn out right. But by clamping onto their own ministry ideals, they work against God, not for him. Discover God’s way to respond, either to your own inner Control Girl, or the Control Girls you minister alongside.
Threatened or Thriving: How Control Strangles Ministry
Controlling leaders are turf-oriented, defensive, and inflexible. Out of fear of losing their grip on control, they strangle a ministry, rather than breathing life into it. Come discover five ways to cultivate a thriving ministry by surrendering control to God.
Building a Platform to Elevate Jesus (Not Me)
In a media driven world, does God approve of our efforts to build a platform and expand our reach? Are we compelled by the Great Commission or a great need for affirmation and recognition? Is there a way to gather followers and still follow Jesus? Get practical help on examining motives, relinquishing control to God, and developing godly strategies for growing your platform.
Are you a Comparison Girl?
(Great for Teens/ Middle School/ Youth leaders)
“How do I measure up?” a girl intuitively begins to wonder, as her eyes flutter open to differences she never noticed. And that’s when Satan pounces–tempting her to compare. Jealousy, pride, inferiority, self-loathing, and mean girl tactics are some of comparison’s bitter fruits which can poison a girl’s life for decades. Thankfully, King Jesus came offering a cure.
With humor, compassion, and passion for God’s word, Shannon will share her own struggles with comparison, along with the immense freedom, joy, and connection she’s found from living inside Jesus’ kingdom–where the last are first, the greats are servants, and measuring up comes from pouring your life out.
