Chonda Pierce highlights Healing Hearts conference
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Pierce will appear at the Friday concert beginning at 7 p.m. The Saturday conference program, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., will be highlighted by the special speakers, drama and music.
Pierce is a best-selling comedian with an audience of 1.5 million nationwide. She’s worked with Billy Graham, wowed the Grand Ole Opry, made major television appearances, written eight books and has four gold-certified comedy videos.
“All my projects have Christian content,” Pierce pointed out. “They all talk about what I’m learning about God and his love.”
Her interest in comedy began during a six-year stint at Opryland, USA in Nashville.
“I was a Theater Arts major at Austin Peay University and wound up in a show called Country Music USA. I didn’t know anything about country music, but had to memorize a couple of pages of jokes from Grinder’s Switch and impersonate Cousin Minnie Pearl. I loved the sound of an audience laughing, more so than the applause after a song or dramatic sketch.”
The conference sponsor, Healing Hearts, is a non-profit organization helping people through Christian counseling. Dede Vines is a licensed clinical social worker, and Sandy Epperson serves as executive director.
The main goal for them and two additional counselors is to help people obtain permanent change by helping heal spirits, emotions and the physical body. Their work includes clients dealing with alcohol and drug issues, sexual abuse and suicidal tendencies, among a range of other major life problems.
To obtain tickets for the April event, call 931-474-HOPE. Tickets priced at $25 includes the Friday concert; Saturday conference and lunch. Premium tickets set at $50 includes a pre-concert reception with Chonda Pierce and reserved seating.