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International

2011
“Creativity, Communication, and Cultic Groups: Using Communication Models to Explore How Members Cope, Create, and Communicate.” International Cultic Studies Association, 2011 Conference, Barcelona, Spain. July 7-9, 2011. Read more about

2010
Co-presented with Dr. Miriam Boeri. “Hegemonic Communication Model: The Power Dynamics in the Emergence of a Secret Creative Self.“ Paper presented at the International Cultic Studies Association annual conference, Psychological Manipulation, Cultic Groups, and Harm. Also, panelist with panel moderator Dana Wehle, L.C.S.W. “The Impact of Cults on Creativity: Psychological, Sociological Aesthetic/Philosophical Views.” New York, NY. July 3. Read more about

Video interview at ICSA New York by Stephen Hassan, national cult expert, with attorney Paul Grosswald and Karen Pressley. View video


National

2010
Presenter. “Scientology Today: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.“ Two-day workshop coled with Dr. Tal Davis, Interfaith Evangelism Manager, North American Mission Board, Alpharetta, GA. September 17-18. Karen's powerpoint was also presented Oct. 16 at a similar training event in Nashville, TN.
View presentation

2009
Guest speaker. “A Life of Entrepreneurship,” Management 4121 Entrepreneurship & Creativity class, KSU, Coles College of Business, Professor Herbert.

Guest speaker. “Memoir and Ethics,” PRWR 6000 Issues & Research class, KSU. Master of Arts in Professional Writing, Associate Professor Anne Richards.

2008
Guest speaker, interviewed by President Phil Roberts. “Living Through Scientology.” Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, St. Louis, MO.

2007
Team speaker. “Siegel Institute’s Role in Ethics Across the Curriculum at KSU.” The Oxford Conclave on Global Ethics III. Sundance, Utah.

Plenary speaker. “Scientology: A View from the Inside.” The Church as a Change Agent in Culture Conference. Evangelical Ministries to New Religions, Birmingham, AL.

Guest speaker, “Understanding Scientology.” World Religions and Cults Conference, produced by Watchman Fellowship. Calvary Baptist Church, Clearwater, Florida.
> CD Recorded: “Escaping Scientology: A Woman’s Remarkable Journey.” CD and DVD. Watchman Fellowship Production.

Keynote speaker, “What is Scientology?” Live broadcast interview by Dr. Jerry Johnston. First Family Church, Overland Park, Kansas.

Guest speaker. Session One: “What is Scientology?” Session Two: “Working with Scientology in the Community.” 57th Annual Shiloh Baptist Association Conference. Plant City, Florida.

2006
Guest speaker. “Scientology and a Christian Response.” Modern Cults and World !Religions class. Guest of Dr. Phil Roberts, President, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, St. Louis, MO.

Breakout session leader. “Scientology Celebrities: War of the Worlds or Peaceful Revolution?” A Clash of Cultures: The Marketplace of Religions Evangelical Ministries to New Religions annual conference. Southeastern Bible College, Birmingham, AL. www.emnr.org/conference.html
> CD Recorded: "Escaping Scientology: An Insider's True Story"

2005
Guest speaker and breakout session leader. “What is Scientology?” Collegiate Week Baptist
Conference. North American Mission Board, Glorietta, NM.

Guest speaker and breakout session leader. “Secrets of Scientology Revealed.” What People Believe Student Conference. Holston Baptist Association, Ridgecrest Conference Center, Ridgecrest, NC.

Guest speaker. “Celebrity Spirituality.” Breakout session leader, “Scientology and the Christian Response” presentation. Good News for Perilous Times Conference. Kansas/ Nebraska Baptist State Convention, Kansas City, KS.

Guest speaker. “Scientology and the Christian Response” presentation. Gulf Coast Baptist State Convention. Gulfport, MS.

Breakout session leader. “Five Smooth Stones: Finding Your Courage.” Three Sisters Women’s Conference. Northwest Baptist Association, Highland Baptist Church, Redmond, OR.

Guest speaker. “Secrets of Scientology Revealed,” Christianity in a World of New Religions Conference. Evangelical Ministries to New Religions Conference, Biola University, Los Angeles, CA.

Workshop co-leader with Dr. Tal Davis. “Scientology’s Theory of the Reactive Mind and Sin.” Christianity in a World of New Religions Conference for Evangelical Ministries to New Religions. Biola University, La Mirada, CA.

Breakout session leader. “Secrets of Scientology Revealed.” Counterfeits and Countercultures Conference. North American Mission Board Interfaith Department. Tempe Mission Palms, Tempe, AZ.

Breakout session leader. “Five Smooth Stones: Finding Your Courage.” Nevada State Annual Women’s Conference. Green Valley Baptist Church, Hendersonville, NV.

Guest speaker with Dr. Tal Davis. “Chasing After the Wind in Scientology.” Refining Responses to New and World Religions in the 21st Century Conference, Evangelical Ministries to New Religions, Southern Seminary, Louisville, KY.

2001    
“A Commission for Life.” The Net video interview. Distributed by LifeWay Christian Resources, Nashville, TN. for the North American Mission Board, Alpharetta, GA.









 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regional/Local

2010
Part 1 - Presenter. “Not in My Backyard: Cults, Communities, Concerns.” Slides presented at the Georgia Sociological Association annual conference, Healthy, Just, and Sustainable Communities. Decatur, GA. Oct. 29, 2010. View presentation
Part 2 - Panel discussion,
. View videos

2009
Keynote speaker, “What is Scientology?” Dunwoody Baptist Church, Dunwoody, GA.

2008
Guest speaker, “What is Scientology?” The Youth Gathering. Mount Paran North Church of God, Marietta, GA.

2007
Breakout session speaker. “Your Life Portfolio: Investing in Yourself.” Shaping a Legacy of Leadership: Investing in Yourself for Ultimate Results Phenomenal Women’s Conference. Siegel Institute for Leadership, Ethics and Character, KSU.

Guest lecturer, “Deviance in Religion: Deviance from What?” Instructor Robyn Bartlett, Sociology 2201 class, April 11. KSU.

Keynote speaker, “Escaping Scientology,” Seniors Live, Fall Conference. Kingswood United Methodist Church, Dunwoody, GA.

Keynote speaker. “Shaping a Legacy of Character.” Couples Fall Retreat. Peachtree Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, at Brasstown Valley Resort, Young Harris, GA.

Keynote speaker. “Your Life Portfolio: Shaping a Legacy.” Lunch Encounter Women’s Conference. Peachtree Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, GA.

Keynote speaker. “Your Life Portfolio: Shaping a Legacy.” Young at Heart Luncheon. Dunwoody Baptist Church, Dunwoody, GA.

Keynote speaker. “Escaping Scientology,” Women’s Lunch Conference. Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA.

2006
Keynote speaker. “Scientology: The Cult of Celebrity Spirituality.” Women’s Enrichment Conference. First Baptist Church, Conyers, GA.

Keynote speaker. “Walking Upright in an Upside Down World.” Fall Women’s Conference (two days). McLaurin Heights Baptist Church, Pearl, MS.

Guest lecturer, “Deviance and New Religious Movements: A Look at Quakers, Krishna Consciousness, Wicca, Scientology, and Christian Counter-Cult Apologetics.” Instructor Robyn Bartlett. Sociology 2201 class, Nov. 2006. KSU.

2005
Guest lecturer. “What People Believe: Understanding Scientology” presentation. Student Searching for Truth Conference. Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, Roswell, GA.
> CD Recorded:  “Can a Christian be a Scientologist? The Battle for the Mind and Soul.” (May 21, 2006)

Guest lecturer. “What People Believe: Understanding Scientology” presentation. Student Ministry Conference. Piedmont Baptist Church, Marietta, GA.

Guest speaker. “Scientology’s Attraction to Hollywood” presentation. Corinth Baptist Church, Jonesboro, GA.
> CD Recorded, "Out of Cruise Control" (Sept. 18, 2005)

Keynote speaker. “Scientology: A Cult of Celebrity Spirituality.” Women’s Fall Celebration Conference. Mt. Harmony Baptist Church, Mableton, GA.

Keynote speaker. ‘Living Like There’s No Tomorrow.” Women’s Fall Conference. First Baptist Church Jackson, MS.
> CD Recorded: “Guardians of Life: Protect Your Loved Ones from Scientology’s Lure.”

Keynote speaker. “You Want to Be a Writer?” World of Writers Event. Atlanta Community Ministries, Atlanta, GA.

Guest speaker and award recipient. First Annual Gospel Connection Awards Ceremony. Gospel Connection magazine. Georgia International Convention Center, Atlanta, GA.

Guest speaker. “Scientology and the Christian Response.” World Missions Celebration Conference. Crestview Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA.

Keynote speaker. “Scientology: The Cult of Celebrity Spirituality.” Women’s Missionary Union Conference. Calvary Baptist Church, Austell, GA.

2004
Guest speaker. “Scientology and the Christian Response.” Global Impact Celebration Conference.
Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, Carrollton, GA.

Keynote speaker. “Scientology: The Cult of Celebrity Spirituality.” Cult Proofing Your Church Conference. Rehoboth Baptist Church, Tucker, GA.

Guest speaker. “Understanding Scientology in Your Community” presentation. Carrollton Baptist Association Pastor’s Conference. Carrollton, GA.

Guest speaker. “Finding Your Voice.” World of Writers Event. Atlanta Community Ministries, Atlanta, GA.

Guest speaker. “Finding Courage to Start Over.” The Christian Women’s Network Conference. Sheraton Hotel, Atlanta, GA.

Guest speaker. “Understanding Scientology.” Kaleidoscope of Missions Conference. Crestview Baptist Church, Marietta, GA.

Guest speaker. “Secrets of Scientology Revealed” Confronting Cults and World Religions in the 21st Century Conference. Rehoboth Baptist Church, Tucker, GA.

Guest lecturer. “Scientology and the Christian Response” presentation. World Religions and Cults Series. First Baptist Church of Atlanta, GA.

Guest lecturer. “Secrets of Scientology Revealed” presentation. World Religions and Cults Series. Piedmont Baptist Church, Marietta, GA.

2003
Guest speaker. “Comparison of Scientology and Christianity.” World Religions and Cults graduate class. Southeastern Seminary Satellite Center at First Baptist Church, Woodstock, GA. Professor Tal Davis.

 Workshop co-leader with Stacy Buchanan. “Fulfilling the Divine Design of Your Life.” Heart of Atlanta Lunch Workshops. Network. Atlanta, GA.

2002
Guest lecturer. “Secrets of Scientology Revealed” presentation. World Religions and Cults
Series. First Baptist Church, Canton, GA.

Guest speaker. “Escaping Scientology.” Singles Conference. North Lanier Baptist Church, Cumming, GA.

Guest speaker. “What is Scientology?” World Missions Conference. Second Baptist Griffin, Griffin, GA.

Guest lecturer. “Narconon Drug Rehabilitation and Scientology” presentation. Carrollton Baptist Association Pastors Conference. Carrollton, GA.