Fanning the Fire speakers

Maria Vadia was baptized in the Holy Spirit in 1987 and consecrated her life to the Lord Jesus Christ and to the preaching of the Gospel. In spite of great adversity, the Lord has been with her like a “Mighty Warrior” (Jeremiah 20:11) Active in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of the Archdiocese of Miami, Maria has spoken at many conferences and has traveled extensively around the world to numerous nations bringing a message of faith, salvation and healing.

As Founder of The Glory of God Foundation, Maria is committed to making Jesus known to the nations by the preaching of the Gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit. It is her desire to see the Catholic Church restored to the beauty of the Bride of Christ with miracles, signs, and wonders. Maria and her team, have been helping God’s people enter into deeper worship and experience the Glory of God. Together with Fr. Tom di Lorenzo she sponsors the School of the Holy Spirit and Days of Glory conference.Maria has authored seven books and she is mother to four grown children: Ricky, Victor, Eddy, and Rosario, and grandmother to seven: Victoria, Alejandra, Eduardo, Micaela, Guillermo, Andrea, and Lulu (Luisa Maria).

Deacon Larry Oney is a permanent deacon for the Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans serving at Divine Mercy Parish in the New Orleans area. Deacon Oney is the founder and president of Hope and Purpose Ministries. The mission of Hope and Purpose Ministries is to participate in the New Evangelization through preaching, teaching, and helping people foster the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Through Hope and Purpose Ministries, Deacon Oney is working to further his global ministry to proclaim the Kingdom of God (Matthew 10:7), encourage others that God has a plan and purpose for their lives (Jeremiah 29:11), and to help heal the broken-hearted (John 10:10b).

Deacon Oney is the Chairman of HGI Global and lives with his wife Andi, who collaborates with him in ministry. Deacon Oney’s dynamic preaching style and message of hope and purpose has led him to ministry engagements across the globe; from Europe to Africa to Brazil to Canada and throughout the United States. Actively involved in the community, Deacon Oney serves on the Board of Directors for Renewal Ministries, serves on the Board of Trustees for Franciscan University, and is a member of the New Orleans Chapter of Legatus—an international group of Catholic CEOs and their spouses. Deacon Oney is the author of three books: Amazing Grace Overcoming Race, Reflections on the Kingdom of God, and UP FAITH! God loves a faith that is always looking up! He also co-authored a book with Fr. William Maestri—Preaching Jesus in the Time of the New Evangelization. Deacon Oney has appeared on many EWTN shows; including: Women of Grace with Johnnette Benkovic, The World Over with Raymond Arroyo, The Choices We Face with Ralph Martin, EWTN Live with Fr. Mitch Pacwa, Franciscan University Presents, EWTN Bookmark, and Crossing the Goal with Danny Abramowicz. He has also been a guest on FOCUS TV, Franciscan Radio, Ave Maria Radio, Relevant Radio, Redeemer Radio and many other great media outlets.

Mark Nimo was born in 1964 and comes from Ghana in West Africa. He had a profound conversion experience at the age  of twenty when he fathered a child out of wedlock. He became actively involved in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement. Mark Nimo represented all English and Portuguese speaking countries in Africa on the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services in the Vatican from 1994- 2004. This position gave him the opportunity to minister in 37 countries on all the continents of the world.

Mark started studies at the Catholic Theological Union, Chicago in September of 2004 and graduated in May 2006 with a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies. He currently serves as Director of Religious Education at St. Columbanus Church and also teaches at St. Dorothy School. In 2008, Mark received a Bernadin Scholarship to undertake studies for the Ecumenical Doctor of Ministry degree, with a concentration in Intercultural Studies. Mark completed his doctoral studies in May, 2012.  Mark is married to Mercy and has three daughters, Elizabeth, Michelle-Marie and Noelle.

Rev. Robert Miller has worked for more than 23 years on Chicago’s south-side black Catholic community, and is presently Pastor of St. Dorothy’s Church there. Ordained a Catholic priest in 1976, he joined the Chicago Archdiocese in 1995 after 20 years of religious life as a Redemptorist, including 8 years of full-time preaching. His ministry has been wide-ranging and extensive – he has preached missions & retreats nationally, celebrated healing & charismatic Masses, and taught Church history in the Archdiocesan Deacon Formation program. Fr. Bob is also the founder (1997) and chair of Genesis Housing Development Corporation, a faith-based group building affordable housing and working with homeowners on foreclosure & ownership issues on Chicago’s southside. He has written six books, including a popular Lectio Divina trilogy of Scripture reflection/meditation books.

Rev. Jeffrey Grob, J.C.D. was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1992. He received a Master of Divinity degree and a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Il. He has served various roles in the Archdiocese of Chicago including, associate Pastor of Saints Faith Hope and Charity in Winnetka, Pastor of St. Celestine in Elmwood Park and Vicar of the Archdiocese. He is currently the Cardinal’s Liaison to the Lay Movements of the Archdiocese of Chicago, which includes the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and is a popular conference speaker.