Dana McCartney-Candillo

Women’s Missions & Outreach Pastor

She’s on a mission. Dana was  the founder and executive director of the survivor-led ministry, Lion’s Beauty Queens, for a decade. Since 2013, our church has partnered with her ministry focused on preventing human trafficking and the exploitation of women. In January 2022, Dana launched Girlz in the GodZone, taking her mission to reach, empower, and provide hope to at risk women to the next level. Dana joined our staff in 2021 and is a key leader in our women’s ministry outreach efforts, developing leaders and conferences.

With a Bachelor’s of Science from Graceland University and as a Registered Nurse, Dana served women as an ultrasound nurse at a pregnancy resource center. And now, she’s a fully credentialed minister with the Assemblies of God and a published author. Her passion for Jesus and experience advocating for women fuel her message of the value placed on us by our Creator. Dana’s complete testimony of God’s rescue and redemption is documented in her book, Surrendered Showgirl.

Any chance she gets Dana and her husband of more than 20 years head to the ocean. For her, it’s the best place to take in the majesty of God’s creation – coffee in hand, another of God’s beautiful creations. When she’s not traveling, she’s here in the Midwest with her family and two pups Fabulous D’Louise and Dovey D’Josephina. When you catch her at church, be sure to ask about those names because the stories are awesome.