Speaking

I have a passion for talking with women about God’s intimate love for them. As I share my story, music, and life lessons, I continue to see God at work bringing comfort and freedom to women who are hurting and hungry for more of God.

"Deb Mantel has an amazing ability to weave her personal testimony with her music, much of which she has written, inspiring us to bring our deepest sorrows to the compassionate, life-giving Son of God. She allows us to look into her real-life stories, where she gets real and is touched by the Lord in personal, life-changing ways. Deb has ministered at several of our events and I recommend her highly." (Mary Ann Leland, Ann Arbor, MI)

I'm excited to see all that God is doing in the lives of women. In addition to sharing my story, Found By Love, I also speak on a number of topics related to living our lives as Christian women.

Themes range from our identity as daughters of God to simplifying our lives so we can make room for what is most important. Some examples of my talk titles are: Found by Love, Soulful Living, From Orphans to Daughters, Our Lives-A Gift to Give Away, Simplifying Christmas, Intentional Living, and Consistency in a Woman's Life.

As a professional organizer, I have years of experience helping women simplify their homes and their lives. Often I am asked to include a workshop on organization during a retreat.

Theologian Frederick Buechner once said, "Your vocation is where your greatest passion meets the world's greatest need." I am so blessed to be able to do what I do. Sharing about Jesus through my speaking and my music thrills my soul, and is how I connect deeply with God. In His mercy, God is using all of my life, all of my experiences, to shape me into the woman He created me to be. And it's even sweeter knowing that He is able to use these things to impact the lives of others. He can use both the broken pieces and the stories of healing. None of it is wasted.

"I just want to say again how much I enjoyed your presence with us and your wonderful, worshipful music. I've loved knowing you even a little. We have each experienced a fair amount of pain, and God has used that in our expressions of worship - in word and music. I hope we meet again." (Carolyn Nystrom, co-author with J.I. Packer of Praying: Finding Our Way Through Duty to Delight.)

I would love to partner with you in blessing and leading the women of your church or group. If you would like more information, please contact me. May God encourage you as you serve Him.

FAQ’s

  • I've been speaking to groups since 2002. Before that I taught bible studies and classes and did informal group presentations.

  • The Well, Grand Rapids, MI

    Northeastern Baptist Church,
    Kalamazoo, MI

    Women's Retreat, University Lutheran Chapel, Ann Arbor, MI

    "Life after Breath" Widows Retreat, Maranatha Conference Center

    Orchard Grove Community Church, Grace Adventures, Mears, MI

    University Reformed Church, Advent Tea, Ann Arbor, MI

    Woodside Bible Church, White Lake, MI

    Marnie's Friends Online Talk Radio

    ALI Chelsea, MI

    Second CRC of Kalamazoo | Women's Retreat

    Organize! Living Water Church, Riverview, MI

    Oakwood Community Church, Ortonville, MI

    United Methodist Women Annual Retreat, Onsted, MI

    Ann Arbor CRC Advent by Candlelight , Ann Arbor, MI

    Knox Advent by Candlelight, Ann Arbor, MI

    Bedford Alliance Church, Beford, MI

    Oak Pointe Church Women’s Ministry Kick-Off, Novi, MI

    Knox Church getREAL Prayer & Praise, Ann Arbor, MI

    Living Water Community Church, Ann Arbor, MI

    Homemakers Club of Chelsea, Chelsea, MI

    Grace Point Women's Retreat, Adrian, MI

    St. Matthew’s Women’s Retreat, Grand Rapids, MI

    United Methodist Women’s Retreat (Ann Arbor District)

    Peace Lutheran Women’s Event, Ann Arbor, MI

    St. Paul’s United Methodist Advent Tea, Monroe, MI

    Salmo Baptist Women’s Retreat | British Columbia

    Woodside Bible church, Farmington Hills, MI

    Hope Fellowship Women’s Retreat, Courtice, Ontario

    Chelsea Free Methodist Women’s Event, Chelsea, MI

    Chelsea MOPS, Chelsea, MI

    Knox Church Advent by Candlelight, Ann Arbor, MI

    Chelsea Women’s Service Club, Chelsea, MI

    Chelsea MOPS, Chelsea, MI

    Chelsea Wellness Center Women’s Expo, Chelsea, MI

    St. Andrew’s United Ladies Tea

    First Baptist Spring Banquet

    Chelsea First Congregational Mother’s Day Event, Chelsea, MI

    Harvest Orthodox Spring Brunch, Grand Rapids, MI

    Knox Church Women’s Retreat, Gull Lake, MI

    Corinth CRC Women’s Retreat, Grand Rapids, MI

    Blythefield Hills Baptist Church Women’s Retreat, Maranatha Center , MI

    Shalom Lutheran Women’s Day Retreat, Pinckney, MI

    Assemblies of God Advent Tea, Taylor, MI

    Connection Church Christmas Tea, Canton, MI

    Living Water Community Church Retreat, Perrysburg, OH

    Bell Creek MOPS, Livonia, MI

    St. Andrew's United Church of Christ Ladies Tea, Dexter, MI

    Guardian Lutheran Church Women's Luncheon, Dearborn, MI

    Arise Church Women's Spring Event, Pinckney, MI

    Home School Connection Annual Event, Ann Arbor, MI

    Knox EPC Get Real, Ann Arbor, MI

    Peace Lutheran Annual Women's Event, Ann Arbor, MI

    Concert at The Common Cup Coffee House (with Jenny Jones), Ann Arbor, MI

    Living Water MOPS, Whitmore Lake, MI

    Prairie Edge Church Christmas Tea, Portage, MI

    Faith Bible Church Christmas Tea, Livonia, MI

    Detroit First Church of the Nazarene Holiday Event, Livonia, MI

    Christ the King Lutheran Advent by Candlelight, Southgate, MI

    Living Water Women's Retreat, Howell, MI

    Witnesses to Hope, Ann Arbor, MI

    Dexter United Methodist Women's Brunch, Dexter, MI

    Ida Prince of Peace Lutheran Retreat, Ida, MI

    Knox EPC Church Retreat, Gull Lake, MI

    Alger Park Christian Reformed Church Women's Retreat, Grand Rapids, MI

    University Christian Outreach Regional Prayer Gathering, Lansing, MI

    Ward Presbyterian WOW Christmas Brunch, Livonia, MI

    Chelsea Free Methodist Faithful Fitness Christmas Celebration, Chelsea, MI

    Berkley Community Church Women's Christmas Event, Berkley, MI

    Trinity EPC MOPS, Plymouth, MI

    Fellowship EPC Women's Christmas Event, South Lyon, MI

    "Simplify Christmas" Chelsea Community Education, Chelsea, MI

    "Organize Your Life 101" Chelsea Community Education, Chelsea, MI

    Prairie Edge Women's Retreat, Portage, MI

    Women's Brunch, Greystone Golf and Banquet Club, Romeo, MI

    "Worn Out Woman" Chelsea Community Education, Chelsea, MI

    Christ Our King Lutheran Church , Saline, MI

    Fellowship EPC Women's Retreat, South Lyon, MI

    Ore Creek Community Church Advent Event, Hartland, MI

    St. Paul Lutheran Women's Advent Event, Hamburg, MI

    Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Advent by Candlelight, Brighton, MI

    Capital Baptist Women's Retreat, Sterling, VA

    Our Savior Lutheran Women's Outreach Event, Chelsea, MI

    Cornerstone EPC MOPS, Brighton, MI

    New Beginnings Women's Retreat, Hillman, MI

    Concert at the Chelsea Gallery, Chelsea, MI

    Concert at The Common Cup, Ann Arbor, MI

    Huron Hills Baptist Church Advent Celebration, Ann Arbor, MI

    Ward EPC Women's Advent Tea, Livonia, MI

    EPC REAL Training (Worship Leader) Knox Church, Ann Arbor, MI

    Peace Lutheran Women's Event, Ann Arbor, MI

    Oakwood Church Women's Ministry Kick-Off, Saline, MI

    EPC National Women's Conference, Worship Leader for Prayer Session, Nashville, TN

    Covenant Church Service (Music and Speaking), Chelsea, MI

    Peace Lutheran Church Women's Retreat, Ann Arbor, MI

    Dundee United Methodist Church Mother/Daughter Banquet, Dundee, MI

    Concert with David Mosher at Chelsea United Methodist Church, Chelsea, MI

    St. Luke Lutheran Church Women's Event, Ann Arbor, MI

    North Lake United Methodist Church, Chelsea, MI

    Grace Bible Church Women's Christmas Gathering, Ann Arbor, MI

    Christian Reformed Church Advent by Candlelight, Ann Arbor, MI

    Family Life Services Annual Fundraiser, Ann Arbor, MI

    St. Luke Lutheran Women's Event, Ann Arbor, MI

    Ypsilanti Free Methodist Women's Retreat, Gull Lake, MI

    Concert with David Mosher and Friends at The Ark, Ann Arbor, MI

    Arise United Methodist Church Sunday Service, Pinckney, MI

    University Christian Outreach Year-End Finale, Ann Arbor, MI

    Keystone Community Church Women's Brunch, Saline, MI

    WDEO Radio Show "Notes From Above," Ann Arbor, MI

    Concert with David Mosher and Friends at The Ark, Ann Arbor, MI

  • I do all kinds of events! I speak at 2-3 hour events such as Ministry Kick-Offs, Brunches, Teas, Women's Night Out, etc. I also do half-day, full-day, two-day and three-day retreats. I've spoken at small churches and very large churches (5000+ members). I've done presentations at MOPS groups, Home School groups, Senior Groups and taught classes for Community Education programs. You can scroll through “Past Events” to see the many places I've been.

  • I have personal references upon request so that you can personally speak with women who have worked with me at events. Here are some kind words from past events:

    “Having Deb Mantel lead our retreat was such a blessing. From the beginning she was praying for our group of women and working out all the details with us. She was very invested in seeing the women grow in receiving God’s love for them both in her talks, sharing her music and being available to pray. She was very approachable for the women who were new to her ministry. She is professional and personal. She is gifted for this type of ministry.”

    — Tricia Wise, Women's Ministry Coordinator, University Lutheran Chapel, Ann Arbor, MI

    “Deb provides a perfect mix of personal stories, Biblical encouragement, and musical gifts. It was obvious that our retreat participants found her engaging, personable, and inspiring. I’m hoping we can make this a yearly event!”

    — Michelle Armbruster, University Lutheran Chapel, Ann Arbor, MI

    “I can’t say enough good to describe Deb. She is very professional, her messages and music were deep and heartfelt, and she is also fun to sing songs around the campfire! We had a great Retreat and I would recommend Deb Mantel all day long.”

    — Vicki Cramer, Director of Women's Ministries, Orchard Grove Community Church, Walled Lake, MI

    “Our experience with Deb Mantel was positive in every way. Her interest in how we were putting the workshop together and what we were teaching at our church leading up to the organizational workshop revealed that she genuinely cares about making a difference with the gifts and skills God has blessed her with. She sought to work with us to make things turn out great. She is a gifted speaker, she certainly knows her stuff, and she was very easy to work with. She offers thoughtful, straight-forward teaching that helps people in practical ways.”

    — Dave McWhorter, Pastor of Living Water Church, Riverview, MI

    “Deb Mantel spoke at our fall Women’s event and she definitely exceeded our expectations. Her presentation on Decluttering Your Soul was very timely with what God has been doing in the lives of the women at our church. Her presentation was engaging and motivating. She was friendly, relaxed and relatable. Her music was such a wonderful addition to the presentation. Her songs written from her own heart had a way of opening our hearts to the message as well as our minds. She was gracious to interweave her own personal story into the presentation which made you feel like you were sitting down and having coffee with a friend. It was just what our women needed to be refreshed and blessed.”

    — Candi Beemer, Women's Ministry Coordinator, Oak Pointe Church, Novi, MI

    “Thank you for an amazing event! So many women have come to me over the last few days to tell me how fantastic you were...a wonderful balance of practical and spiritual, which is refreshing beyond measure! Personally, I was thoroughly impressed by how you presented your testimony and your ideas. You brilliantly showed all of us that you are REAL—not perfect, not all-together, but real. And beautiful and loved. Which is what we all so dearly need to hear. Several women have asked me to invite you back for a retreat!”

    — Wendy Shanders, Woodside Bible Church, Farmington Hills, MI

    “I talked of the retreat Saturday evening with my husband and could not get much past “I am so thankful” without constantly tearing up. Even Sunday...so thankful. Here are some of the comments I have received:

    Wonderful speaker

    Relates so well with women today

    Very easy to listen to

    An inspirational and beautiful speaker

    A very brave and giving woman

    Interesting and inspiring

    Blessed to hear this great speaker

    Loved her serenity in her speaking and singing

    Very meaningful, gentle and humble

    Powerful! Great application to our walk with the Lord!

    Hope she can come back!

    Thank you!”

    — Joan Doorenspleet, Hope Fellowship, Ontario, Canada

    “I just want to say again how much I enjoyed your presence with us and your wonderful worshipful music. I’ve loved knowing you even a little. We have each experienced a fair amount of pain, and God has used that in our expressions of worship - in word and music. I hope we meet again.”

    — Carolyn Nystrom, co-author with J.I. Packer of Praying: Finding Our Way Through Duty to Delight

    “Deb Mantel has an amazing ability to weave her personal testimony with her music, much of which she has written, inspiring us to bring our deepest sorrows to the compassionate, life-giving Son of God. She allows us to look into her real-life stories, where she gets real and is touched by the Lord in personal, life-changing ways. Deb has ministered at several of our events and I recommend her highly.”

    — Mary Ann Leland, Ann Arbor, MI

    “Deb was the perfect choice for our retreat. Her testimony is riveting - tragedy turned triumphant through God’s healing and grace. Her message gave us a fresh reminder of God’s love for us and His desire for us to live as accepted and beloved daughters of the King. She was warm, genuine, and gracious - a true vessel of Christian love. I would highly recommend her”

    — Pam Spires, Women's Ministry Director, Capital Baptist, Annandale, VA

    “Dear Deb, I never got to speak to you, but your ministry is deep. I could have listened to you all night.”

    — Susan, participant at the EPC Women in Ministry Conference, Nashville, TN

    “Deb has a very natural, “easy-to-listen-to” style that motivates and encourages women. She speaks with undeniable sincerity. As she offers practical tips and strategies for women, she also shares stories of the struggles and pains in her own life. This makes her a very vulnerable and credible speaker. Her faith, her music, her professional skills, and her likeable personality combine to provide a powerful message of hope and inspiration for women.”

    — Karen Bruinsma, Director of Women's Ministries, Alger Park Church, Grand Rapids, MI

    “I attended a presentation by Deb Mantel and knew immediately I wanted my church family and friends to have the opportunity to hear her message. I invited Deb to present at Shalom Lutheran Church in Pinckney, she accepted, and we had an amazing event. The response and feedback has been extremely positive. Deb is truly inspiring and motivating. Her presentation on uncluttering your spiritual, emotional, and personal life is uplifting and applicable. She breaks the process down into pieces allowing everyone to relate and find a place where they can start their journey to organization!

    Deb Mantel’s presence is professional, comfortable, heartening, compassionate and stimulating, and anyone who spends time with her will walk away feeling blessed and inspired.”

    — Kim Larrow, Shalom Lutheran Church, Pinckney, MI

    “I highly recommend Deb to other groups who are looking for a well-prepared, talented, very personable, and genuine speaker with a special message to share about her relationship with Jesus and how that affects her life and ministry”

    — Chris Chauvin, Event Coordinator, Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church, Brighton, MI

  • We are members of Crossroads Bible Church (CBC) in Grand Rapids, MI. We moved to Michigan in January 2022 to be nearer to our sons and grandchildren. All of our sons and their families are members of CBC.

  • I have a lot of experience planning events at my former church as well as working alongside event planners. I am more than happy to help clarify vision and goals, work together to come up with a good flow for the event or retreat, give ideas about how to increase attendance, promote event participation, etc. Feel free to ask me questions!

  • I have usual or standard fees for different types of events. These vary based on how many talks I'm giving, how far away the event is, whether I am providing music as well, etc.

    Fees also include travel expenses, meals, and lodging if the event is more than 2 hours away or is an overnight retreat.

    I always try to work with a group's budget if it seems we are a great fit and God is leading us to work together. So, if you have budget concerns, please talk with me.