Speakers Bio

Pastor Arthur R. Branner II & Esmie G. Branner Ph.D.

Pastor Arthur R Branner II was born in Pontiac Michigan. He is a graduate of the Theological Seminary at Andrews University, in Michigan.

He is currently completing his doctoral studies in Christian Counseling, from the Trinity Theological Seminary in Indiana.
Arthur is a retired Captain in the US Army and National Guards. He served a tour of duty from 2004-2005 as an Army Chaplain in Iraq. Pastor Branner is the overseer of two local churches in the Northern California Conference. He specialises in family mediation and crisis counselling, and believes that the future of our society is to a large degree determined by the quality of our families. He is an accomplished writer and author of the Book “Is God in your Bedroom?” He also sits as a valid board member for “Amazing Facts ministries ”

Dr.Esmie Branner is a servant of the Lord. She earned a Ph.D. in Research Psychology; her expertise is in cognitive neuroscience, and emotional intelligence. She has worked as a college professor, counsellor and therapist. Currently, she is a consultant in the area of mental health, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Emotional Intelligence.

Esmie and Arthur have 5 adult children and 12 grandchildren. Dr. Ez is a published author; her Book “Beyond The Veil Of Darkness” unfolds her life testimony and spiritual experience while living in Saudi Arabia.

Their ministry “Families For Him” takes them nationally and internationally empowering individuals, families, and relationships through a range of educational seminars in spiritual and mental health.

Catherine Anthony Boldeau

Catherine Anthony Boldeau is a freelance English Lecturer, writer and Public Relations Consultant. While she was the Communication Director for the South England Conference, she co-founded Adventist Writers and Editors. In addition to this, she is a trained mediator, specialising in community transformation and is also the co-chair of Adventist Mediation (UK). She studied English and History at undergraduate level and then went on to specialise in Creative Writing as an MA.Her research interests the use of memoir as a transformative tool and transformational mediation. Her book, Too Proud to Beg, Too Dumb to Steal; Bible Stories for Grownups was published by The Story Room in 2014. Her hobbies are composing music, silversmithing and knitting. She is married to Dr Desmond Boldeau and they have a teenage daughter, Arianne.

Philippa Smith

Philippa Smith is a Singer, Musician, Theatre Director and Performance Arts tutor in Gloucestershire, who works with people of all ages and abilities.

Philippa provides singing lessons at a well-known performance arts academy in Gloucestershire and also works privately from home.

As well as working with individuals, Philippa also enjoys leading choirs and groups of various sizes.

Philippa has worked professionally in the industry since 2001 and has worked with and for a variety of organisations such as the Bath Theatre Royal, Everyman Theatre in Gloucestershire and the British Council in Malaysia.

As a music and arts practitioner, Philippa has experience working with a large spectrum of people, ranging from individuals with learning difficulties, mental health and various other disabilities. Philippa has a keen interest in helping people to develop confidence as well as emotional healing.

Philippa is a Christian who believes that her skills and talents are to be used to help others achieve their goals.