Why Attend? Uplift Communities is designed to support churches and faith communities in helping people struggling with Mental Health & Substance Misuse.
Who Should Attend? This event is ideal for pastors, lay leaders, youth leaders, Sunday School teachers, and those involved in women’s or men’s ministries.
What to Expect? Uplift will feature local resources and presentations on mental health and recovery to equip you with practical tools for serving your community.
Keynote Speaker: Randy Dyson
Discover to Recover
Randy Dyson serves as President of The Jesus Infusion, a Florida-based nonprofit ministry dedicated to sharing the hope of Christ with incarcerated women and supporting their restoration and reentry into the community. Randy brings nearly 35 years of personal recovery experience, using his testimony to encourage spiritual growth, healing, and lasting transformation.
Speaker: Brandi Heaton
“Chained by Addiction, Freed by Faith; A Story of True Redemption”
Brandi shares her powerful and unfiltered story of trauma, addiction, loss, and redemption. From a childhood marked by abuse and instability to becoming a teen mother, Brandi’s life was filled with both responsibility and brokenness at an early age. Despite working hard, pursuing education, and trying to build stability, addiction eventually took hold—leading to loss of her job, her home, and custody of her children. After years of struggle, grief, and isolation, including the devastating loss of her daughter’s father and a season of deep relapse, Brandy found herself completely broken and without support. Arrests, incarceration, and overwhelming shame followed. But in the middle of prison, everything began to shift. Through a chapel class and faithful mentors who showed her unconditional love and introduced her to Jesus, Brandi began to experience true healing for the first time. She discovered forgiveness, freedom from shame, and a new identity rooted in Christ. Today, Brandi is walking in sobriety, restoration, and hope—testifying that no life is too far gone for God to redeem. ✨ “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17 This is a story of brokenness, grace, and transformation.
Trainer: Christopher King,
Detective Sergeant Gainesville Police Department and North Florida ICAC Commander
1:20 pm – Empowering Safe Adults: Protecting Children Online & Beyond
Christopher King has more than 16 years of law enforcement experience, with much of his investigative career focused on child abuse and sex crimes. After becoming a sergeant in 2018, he supervised detectives handling child abuse, sex crimes, and domestic violence cases. Since 2019, he has served as North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Commander, supporting more than 50 law enforcement affiliate agencies in combating online child exploitation and solicitation. He also supervises the Gainesville Police Department’s ICAC unit and serves as co-chair of the North Central Florida Human Trafficking Task Force. His specialized training includes internet crimes against children, child abuse and exploitation, trauma-informed interviews and sexual assault response, and human trafficking. His work is centered on protecting children and strengthening coordinated responses to exploitation and sexual violence.
Emergency Response Panel
Discussing collaboration with the Faith Community to respond Compassionately, Reduce Stigma, Support Families and Strengthen Long-Term Care.
Your investment in Uplift Communities goes directly to serving the people of Bradford County — funding event production, speaker honoraria, resource materials, and the follow-up outreach that connects attendees to ongoing care. Every level of support is honored and meaningful.
