Biola University teamed up with the Barnabas Group and the Masters Program to host a women’s luncheon featuring best-selling author, Katie Brazelton, and co-author, and Biola alumna, Shelley Leith, presenting topics from their newly released book Character Makeover: 40 Days With a Life Coach to Create the Best You.

The luncheon was held at the Pacific Club at Newport Beach and attracted nearly 150 Christian women in leadership. Special guests included women from Sheepfold, an organization that serves to help battered women and children by providing them with shelter and care while restoring their dignity and self-worth. The women represented all received their own practical makeover baskets including gift certificates for haircuts, clothes shopping, dinner and more, compliments of a Biola donor who provided financial support.

Organizer of the event, Kristen Hahn, associate director of corporate relations at Biola University, said, ”The collaboration of three ministries all working for the kingdom of God is a real blessing. It’s the first time we’ve partnered and I look forward to more opportunities in the future.”

Shelley Leith (‘80) co-author of the book Character Makeover, and co-presenter at the event, said, “It felt so wonderful to be a part of Biola and from Biola. I am so thankful for my Biola education and the 30 units of Bible. I earned a business degree, and felt equipped from my Biola education to develop the concepts and processes in this book.”

The luncheon marks the first of many future collaborations that Biola will make with other like-minded organizations, such as the Masters Program and Barnabas.

Stay tuned for the next Biola women’s luncheon, honoring Women’s History Month and Biola’s role in developing godly women, The Ruby Slippers Luncheon, on March 5, featuring entertainment from Dove award-winning artist Crystal Lewis and a special message for Biola University Talbot alumnus Jonalyn Fincher, author of “Ruby Slippers: How the Soul of a Woman Brings Her Home.”