“Friends bring warmth into our life. It is a glimmer of the Trinity after whom we are shaped.”
Speaking Requests
Although my job as the CEO at Orchard: Africa keeps me busy, I do accept a limited amount of speaking invitations.
As you know, choosing a speaker is a crucial part of any event’s success and should be prayerfully considered. Like you, I have listened to speakers of all varieties and we know that the measure of good communication is not whether the audience is bored or entertained (although bored never helps). The measure is whether or not the audience is inspired and helped to change in some way.
I am a contemplative person so prayerful preparation for each unique audience is standard practice for me.
Typical Topics
Being a vessel that carries the Sacred God into a broken world
Gentleness & kindness – powerful virtues that are steps to deep joy
Worship is a continuous posture of the heart
Living on purpose and with purpose
Relationships
Leadership
Engaging the Church with the poor, the disadvantaged, the forgotten
Fill out the form below to check Michelle’s availability.
What Others Had to Say
Michelle Tessendorf spoke at our conference with a wonderful blend of biblically-informed compassion, rich field experience, and intelligence. She has so much to offer the world Christian community concerning cross-cultural collaboration. Many thought her plenary presentation, both substantive and interactive, was the most valuable of our gathering. I highly recommend Michelle as a conference speaker. You will certainly be challenged and inspired.”
— Werner Mischke – COSIM Resource Team; Executive VP, Mission ONE
“Michelle and her husband Mike, were my pastors for ten years during my tenure as Treasurer of the North West Province in South Africa. In her various leadership roles, she has indeed been an embodiment of diligence, enthusiasm and a spirit of excellence. Blessed with exceptional communication skills, she has the rare ability to deal with difficult subjects in a sensible yet sensitive manner. ”
— Martin Kuskus, former CEO of the South African Beruea of Standards, former Chair of the ISO.
Michelle Tessendorf is a seasoned leader who communicates the love of Christ in clear and compelling ways. She is equipped to communicate on a myriad of topics from cross cultural missions, to the ups and downs of leadership to the love of Christ in everyday activities and much more. I’ve seen her amongst the rural and urban poor of South Africa and I’ve seen her with the affluent elite in the U.S. No matter where she is Michelle is clear, kind and compassionate. She doesn’t just talk about these virtues she lives them. I highly recommend her.”
Chad Moore – Lead Pastor, Sun Valley Community Church
Michelle is a relevant, warm, compassionate and experienced speaker. She endeavors to touch, develop and mentor Church Leadership with particular emphasis on imparting the skill and expertise needed to care for the poor and destitute.
— Magistrate, South African Department of Justice and Constitutional Development