Relationship Conference 2026
Connected By Design
God’s Blueprint for Thriving in Faith, Family & Friendships
April 18, 2026
Join our Pastor, First Lady and a host of dynamic speakers as they explore God’s design for relationships and connection. Tap into every session and learn how to develop thriving, lasting and vibrant relationships.
Conference Host
Pastor & First Lady Herndon
Conference Presenters
(Row One L-R) Missionary LeQuita Peel, Deacon Chris Payton, Sister Denise Poston, Supt. Rex & Lady Melissa Peel.
(Row Two L-R) Missionary Lorraine Hitchcock, Lady Iris Reed, Deacon Reginald Robinson, Brother Ivan Kennedy.
Presenter Bios
Missionary LeQuita Peel is a passionate educator, creative leader, and devoted servant of God who has dedicated over 35 years to impacting the lives of others through ministry and public service.
LeQuita’s love for music and ministry began early, as she has been directing choirs since the age of twelve. She holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Music Education and currently serves as a middle school music teacher, teacher leader, and Music & Performing Arts Director. Through the arts, she inspires excellence, builds confidence, and cultivates creativity, helping young people grow and develop their gifts.
LeQuita is currently pursuing her principal endorsement, preparing to expand her impact in educational leadership. She also served in the Catholic Church for over 20 years as a choir director and cantor, further expanding her musical ministry and service.
LeQuita has faithfully served in her local ministry in many capacities, including Minister of Music, Children’s & Youth Ministry, Sunday School teacher, and program coordinator. She uses her creative gifts to support the ministry through programs and church communications. LeQuita currently serves as Minister of Music for the Edward Booker Memorial District and Assistant Minister of Music for the First Jurisdiction – Illinois Music Department. In 2025, she was licensed as an Evangelist Missionary in the Church of God in Christ, further affirming her call to ministry.
With a heart for service and a passion for God’s people, LeQuita is committed to uplifting, encouraging, and helping others grow in their walk with Christ. Anchored in the truth that the joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10), she strives to serve with excellence and be used by God to make a lasting impact in every life she encounters.
Christopher L. Payton is a devoted servant of the Lord and a committed leader within the Church of God in Christ (COGIC), faithfully serving in ministry for over two decades. Having accepted Christ as his personal Savior, he has dedicated his life to advancing the Kingdom of God through both spiritual service and administrative excellence.
He currently serves as the Director of the Office of Conferences, Events & Travel and as Vice Chairman of the AIM Convention, where he works diligently to support the vision of the leadership and ensure that the gatherings of the saints are executed in a spirit of excellence, order, and unity. His work reflects a heart for ministry and a passion for creating environments where lives can be transformed and God is glorified.
In 2026, Christopher was elected to the Board of Directors for the Religious Conference Management Association (RCMA), a premier multifaith nonprofit organization representing leaders in religious meetings, conventions, and event management. He also serves on Customer Advisory Boards for several Tier-1 destination cities, contributing strategic insight to strengthen Convention and Visitors Bureau initiatives and enhance citywide engagement with faith-based organizations.
Licensed as a Deacon in 2001, Christopher continues to serve with humility and faithfulness. He also serves as Chief Operating Officer of New Birth Church of God in Christ in Chicago, Illinois, where he supports the mission of the local church through stewardship, leadership, and strategic oversight.
Christopher’s ministry is marked by integrity, diligence, and a deep reverence for the work of God. He believes that every assignment is an opportunity to serve God’s people and to strengthen the Body of Christ. Whether working behind the scenes or alongside leadership, he remains committed to being a vessel fit for the Master’s use.
He is happily married to Missionary Jasmine Payton, and together they are committed to serving God and His people. Christopher holds a Bachelor of Business Administration, Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), and is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Specialist, using his gifts and training to bring structure, excellence, and accountability to the work of ministry.
Dr. Denise Poston is an educator, leader, and dedicated servant in ministry with over 20 years of experience in education and community leadership. She currently worships at Hallelujah Temple Church of God in Christ in Park Forest, Illinois, under the leadership of Dr. Astead N. Herndon.
Throughout her ministry journey, Dr. Poston has served in multiple leadership roles including intercessory prayer leader, women’s ministry leader, Bible study teacher, and outreach coordinator. Her passion for teaching began early and continues to shape her work both in the church and in education.
Professionally, she has held a range of teaching and leadership positions, including supervising instruction and leading professional development for a high school district serving over 5,000 students.
Dr. Poston holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership & Superintendency from the University of St. Francis, Joliet, IL, along with multiple advanced degrees in education and curriculum. She also serves as a Planning and Zoning Commissioner for the Village of Park Forest.
Since retiring, she enjoys gardening and undertaking DIY projects in her spare time.
Pastor Rex Alexander Peel is the Pastor of The Greater Love Church of God in Christ and is a man that loves the Lord with all his heart. Pastor Peel is a husband, father, teacher, youth motivator, educator and servant of Jesus Christ and his people. Pastor Peel was born to his very proud parents, the ever present Missionary Lucille C. Peel and the late Founder Pastor Ollie Lee Peel. Pastor Peel began serving as Minister of Music at The Greater Love Church of God in Christ at the age of thirteen. Desiring to enhance the gifts God gave him, Pastor Peel attended Chicago State University and received his BA in Music Education and his Masters in Leadership Administration from Valparaiso University.
Pastor Peel considers it an honor and a privilege that God has favored him to serve in the fields of music and teaching. He has taught Gospel Music courses at Loyola and Valparaiso Universities, served as Music & Band Director and as Youth President for 1st Jurisdiction-IL from 2008-2014, conducted music & leadership workshops and serves as the Superintendent of the Edward Booker Memorial District in 1st Jurisdiction Illinois. In April of 2026, Supt. Rex Peel was elevated to Administrative Assistant.
Missionary Melissa D. Peel is the First Lady of The Greater Love Church of God in Christ and is Saved and Holy Ghost filled wife, mother, mentor, role model, motivator and counselor. Missionary Peel wears several hats in and outside of ministry and has served under the leadership of the late Founder Pastor Ollie L. Peel, as Choir President from 1999-2003, and with the permission of her late Pastor she renamed the Greater Love Choir with the name, Greater Love’s Love Ensemble. Missionary Peel was the Assistant State YPWW Chairlady from 2005-2008 and was also a contributing writer in the official Young Women of Excellence Manual.
Missionary Peel served in the United States Army and was honorably discharged. She attended Chicago State University where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Marketing Management. She completed her Masters of Arts Degree in Psychology, with a concentration in Community Counseling, from Chicago State University in May, 2008. She is a Licensed and Board Certified Professional Counselor. She worked as the Director of Permanent Housing for Olive Branch Mission from 2008-2010. Missionary Peel received her Missionary license in June 2013.
Pastor Peel married Missionary Melissa D. Peel in September of 1989, and twenty-one years later God blessed their union with daughter Aria and son Joshua. Missionary Peel works tirelessly and effortlessly with her husband praying, encouraging and supporting him as he continues to do the work that God has placed in his charge. Together they are serving in the ministry as God orders their steps imploring all to, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths”. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Missionary Lorraine Hitchcock is a devoted servant, leader, advocate and prayer warrior. With over 15 years of experience in case management, Missionary Hitchcock has dedicated her career to helping individuals and families navigate life’s challenges with compassion, strength, and dignity. Her commitment to justice and fairness extends beyond her professional role—she also serves as a union steward, standing up for the rights and voices of her colleagues with integrity and courage.
A licensed missionary in the Church of God in Christ since 2015, Missionary Hitchcock, ministers with passion and compassion, sharing the Word of God and encouraging others to walk boldly in their faith. As a Sunday school teacher, she pours wisdom, love, and enthusiasm into every lesson, nurturing both young and seasoned believers in their spiritual growth.
Above all, Missionary Hitchcock is a woman who loves the Lord with all her heart. She is saved sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost, living each day as a testimony of God’s grace and healing power. Among her many titles and roles, she treasures her roles as a mother of three and a grandmother of six.
Missionary Lorraine Hitchcock can be found encouraging others and sharing testimony of God’s goodness in her life as she daily praises God for healing her.
Ivan Kennedy is a husband, father, leader, and man of faith with over 15 years of experience developing people in the workforce and building meaningful relationships within his community. He is passionate about mentoring others, encouraging purpose-driven living, and helping individuals grow in faith, character, and community. Ivan is committed to using his journey to uplift and guide others toward stronger, more intentional relationships.
