•Family Church•
The Speakers
Tammy Linn Harris is a native of Des Moines; known in the city as the Founder and Director of the J&J Gospel Community Choir, who blessed not only this community and state, but traveled throughout the United States for over 20 years. Tammy has served as Minister of Music and Choir Director for several churches and conducted several choir workshops for the edification of “Gospel Music in the Church” and “The Purpose and Power of Praise and Worship”, through her personal ministry “Perfecting Purpose”.
Being obedient to the voice of the Lord, Tammy left Des Moines and united with World Changers International Church in Atlanta, Georgia, under the Leadership of Pastor Creflo Dollar, where she served in New Members
and the Music Ministry Department. In December 2004, Tammy returned to the place where her “heart carried a burden”, founded and served as CEO of Elpis Ministries, Inc., a faith based social ministry, providing
services to “the least, the lost and the left out” . In 2005, she answered the call to preach the gospel, and was licensed and ordained on April 29, 2007, in Buffalo, New York, by her spiritual father, The Most Reverend Doctor T. Anthony Bronner, Presiding Prelate, Turning The World Upside Down Covenant Fellowship, Buffalo, New York. It was on August 18, 2007, in Des Moines, Iowa, that Installation Services were held, and Bishop Bronner introduced to the members and the city the Pastor of Elpis Christian Fellowship.
Over the years, Pastor Tammy not only served as the CEO of Elpis Ministries, Inc., serving the least, the lost and the left out; but fulfilled the need to birth another social ministry specifically for troubled youth, Culture of Recovery YOUTH. Very active in the community, Pastor has served as Faith Based Coordinator with the Department of Labor; Faith Based Mentoring Consultant for Altarum in Washington, DC; member of the State of Iowa Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant Advisory Council, and served on several Boards, including The Harbor of Hope Recovery House.
Under Pastor Tammy’s leadership, Elpis has acquired 4.2 Acres of land in the heart of Des Moines, preparing to build a community of faith edifice at 2700 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, in Des Moines, Iowa, that will serve as
the home of Elpis Christian Fellowship, along with a Community Event and Resource Center.
In 2016, Pastor Tammy was appointed as an Overseer in the Lord’s House by Presiding Prelate and Chancellor, The Most Reverend Doctor T. Anthony Bronner, Turning the World Upside Down Covenant Fellowship, (“The
Turning Fellowship”), Buffalo, New York; in 2020, appointed to the Office of General Overseer, and in 2024, appointed Bishop Designate; with Consecration services in August of 2025. Under her leadership, the church continues to thrive, and the Word of God continues to be taught with
integrity and clarity. Pastor Tammy selfishly lives by the beat of her own drum and declares “that the live she lives is not her own, it belongs to God”.
She is the proud Godmother to Dominique, NeShaun, Jaythan, James and Jenesis.
Susan Beck, DO, FACOS
GUEST SPEAKER
Bishop-Designate Tammy L. Harris,
Sr. Pastor
GUEST SPEAKER
Dr. Susan Beck, breast surgeon at MercyOne Katzmann Breast Care, graduated from the University of Osteopathic Medicine & Health Sciences (now Des Moines University) in 1984. She went on to complete a surgical internship and residency at Des Moines General Hospital until 1989. After completion of her residency, Dr. Beck joined a private practice surgical group in Des Moines. In 1997, she joined Mercy Surgical Affiliates and, in 2000, she became part of the team at Katzmann.
Since joining Katzmann, Dr. Beck has received Breast Ultrasound Training with certification from the American Society of Breast Surgeons, (2009, recertified in 2014) as well as certification in Oncoplastic Breast Surgery, with advanced training in minimally invasive techniques in breast surgery (2006 to current). In 2016 she received certification for the Invuity Hidden Scar™ Surgery program.
Throughout her career, Dr. Beck has been, and still is, involved in medical and surgical education. She was part of the teaching faculty for the surgical residency at Des Moines General and now MercyOne since 1989. She has also welcomed medical students and physician assistant students for rotations on a regular basis. Dr. Beck served as Chair of the Department of Surgery at Des Moines University from 2006-2009. Dr. Beck has been a member of the American Society of Breast Surgeons since 1999 and is a member of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons and has been awarded Fellow.
In addition to her professional achievements, Dr. Beck has been involved with many women’s health activities and organizations for the last decade.
Locally, she has worked with the Des Moines affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation, Hoops 4 Hope, an Iowa Department of Public Health outreach program at the women’s correctional facility in Newton and served on the board of the free clinic at Innervision in West Des Moines where she also volunteered time to help women with a basic screening test. Dr. Beck has also worked with Logos Holistic Ministries in developing countries around the world. In her spare time, Dr. Beck is working toward a master’s in public health and participates in global medical missions.
Dr. Jackie Darby is a Licensed Psychologist and Certified Group Psychotherapist. She is the
owner of The Unconscious Shift, a wellness consulting agency that focuses on providing
trainings on mental health wellness to community organizations. Dr. Darby is a contributing
editor of the textbook "Black Millennials: Identity, Ambition, and Activism" and the author of
“A Year of Self-Care: a Self-Care Planner.” In addition to speaking on both the national and
international stage, Dr. Darby serves on the board of multiple mental health organizations which
allow for her to promote mental wellness in various capacities.
Dr. Jackie Darby
WORKSHOP SPEAKER
MarrGenea McMillion
Breast Cancer Overcomer
Workshop Speaker
