Announcing a new way to fuel the mission of The Influence Lab and Influence Women! We recently set up an online shopping experience with +ShopWithPurpose. Built to benefit nonprofit organizations, up to 40% of every purchase on the platform is donated to the causes you care about, with the opportunity to choose The Influence Lab as your favorite nonprofit to benefit.
+ShopWithPurpose was created with a vision that enables people to give back to their communities when they shop. Founder and CEO Steve Dueckshares, “Retail has traditionally been understood to be based on selection, price, and convenience. +Shop introduces a fourth consideration: Who benefits?” Nonprofits are guaranteed a minimum 5% commission for all purchases made in their +Shop.
Dueck adds, “We want to create an environment where shoppers give schools and nonprofits a brighter and more sustainable future that will in turn make our communities stronger and healthier.”
What Kind of Products Can I Shop For?
Next time you’re thinking of shopping on Amazon, check out +ShopWithPurpose first. Shoppers will find favorite brands like Ninja, Shark, Apple, DeWalt, Garmin, Audubon, and more. Plus, the amount that will be donated to your chosen nonprofit is displayed clearly so you can shop… with purpose! This is a great place to find gifts for the home, baby showers and weddings, toys, pet items, outdoor gardening supplies, and so much more!
You can also add a donation to your shopping cart that will go directly to The Influence Lab/Influence Women (less payment processing fees.) As a 501(c)3, your gifts are tax-deductible and are the fuel that keeps us moving forward in the mission!*
Who will benefit from your shopping in 2026?
Visit +ShopWithPurpose and choose the Influence Lab/Women as your benefiting nonprofit. It’s easy!
➡️ Sign up now and designate Influence Lab/Women as your benefiting nonprofit of choice.
Just want to give a gift?
Your partnership impacts nations! We’re gearing up for trips to Jordan and Australia in 2026, and we need your support! These upcoming trips are tremendous opportunities to train the pastors, ministry leaders and Christian communication professionals in these nations.
➡️ Add your financial support here and help us empower the Church to transform culture through media.
* Your charitable giving to The Influence Lab is tax-deductible. We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit and a recipient of the 2026 Candid Silver Transparency Award, a recognition that translates into trust and confidence for partners who support our work.Considered the most widely adopted symbol of transparency for nonprofit organizations in the U.S., GuideStar’s Candid has promoted nonprofit transparency since 1994 through a searchable online database of nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations, allowing potential donors to verify an organization before donating. Millions use GuideStar data to make decisions about nonprofits and their work. Find The Influence Lab on Candid here.
Influence Women had an incredible gathering at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center during the National Religious Broadcasters 2026 Convention!
We are so grateful for our dynamic presenters: Futuria AI co-founder Emma Sharma; award-winning actress Jen Lilley; award-winning filmmaker/actress Kelsey Cooke-Guerra; producer/artist Nina May; author Tammy Battaglia; and award-winning producer/director Sheila Hart. Each shared practical insight, creative production, and AI strategies, and encouragement for building a life and career anchored in Biblical truth. Kathleen also shared a powerful reminder about the Biblical city of Ai found in Joshua 6–7: you cannot steal from God; honor Him with your first fruits; don’t take shortcuts or presume; and move forward with His guidance.
A special thank-you to IW board member, Leslie Callaway who opened us in prayer, along with four of our current ten Chapter Directors: DeAnna Kane (Hollywood), Brandi McDaniel (Houston), Sue Detweiler (Dallas), and Cyndi Galley (Nashville), who encouraged attendees, reminding them why Influence Women gatherings are essential and that they are never alone in their artistic endeavors.
Did you miss the annual gathering? Watch for the event recap coming soon on our YouTube channel. In the meantime, tune in to the February Influence Women Podcast with filmmaker Cyndi Bond, as we chat about her latest film, I Can Only Imagine 2, join us for the Online Chapter gathering on March 17th, or an in-person chapter event near you. See the IW website for information and registration.
You can also help fuel the mission of Influence Lab and Influence Women by shopping online with +ShopWithPurpose, and designating Influence Lab/Women as your nonprofit recipient when you register. Use this site as an alternative to Amazon for your purchases and watch as every purchase supports the mission of Influence Women!
Let’s continue to Connect, Collaborate, and Create for Christ!
Artificial intelligence is quickly reshaping the landscape of film, television and the arts. With over 100 women in attendance from across the nation, the Influence Women event at the 2026 NRB International Christian Media Convention was a powerful time of equipping members to navigate AI with confidence—and biblical truth.
Here’s the recap report from Kathleen Cooke, founder and global director of Influence Women:
Influence Women had an incredible gathering at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center during the National Religious Broadcasters 2026 Convention in Nashville! We are so grateful for our dynamic presenters:
Emma Sharma shared AI strategies for women in media, entertainment and the arts.
Each woman shared practical insights, creative production and AI strategies, along with encouragement for building a life and career anchored in Biblical truth.
My message to those gathered included a powerful reminder from the city of Ai mentioned in Joshua 6–7, that we cannot steal from God. We are to honor Him with our first fruits; to not take shortcuts or presume; and to not move forward without His guidance.
A special thank-you to our Influence Women Chapter Directors who attended: DeAnna Kane (Hollywood), Brandi McDaniel (Houston), Sue Detweiler (Dallas), and Cyndi Galley (Nashville) who encouraged and reminded us that Influence Women gatherings are essential. We are never alone in our artistic endeavors.
If you missed the NRB gathering, watch for the event recap coming soon on our IW YouTube channel! Stay connected by tuning in to the Influence Women Podcast and join a local or Online Chapter for more interaction with Influence Women
Brand New Opportunity with +ShopWithPurpose!
You can also help fuel the mission of Influence Women by shopping through +ShopWithPurpose and designating Influence Lab/Women as your nonprofit recipient when you register.
As an alternative to Amazon, every purchase supports artists who are changing the culture for Christ through the creation of effective media, entertainment, music, art, and leadership. Sign up here and designate Influence Lab/Women as your benefiting nonprofit.
Let’s continue to Connect. Collaborate. Create for Christ! —Kathleen Cooke
A mission of The Influence Lab, Influence Women creates a pathway for Christian influence in entertainment and media. Find out more and become a member at InfluenceWomen.org
Shop with purpose! Support The Influence Lab and Influence Women As an online shop, every purchase on +ShopWithPurpose benefits the mission of The Influence Lab and Influence Women. Plus, it’s easy to sign up! Find out more here. *Designate Influence Lab/Women as your benefiting nonprofit of choice.
Are you experiencing FOMO in the world of AI? AI is reshaping the world of media and entertainment—and it’s moving fast. For Christian creatives and communicators, Influence Women announces an opportunity to get ahead of the curve!
Lights, Camera, Courage: Navigating AI in Media, Entertainment and the Arts
Influence Women at NRB 2026 Nashville, February 19, 2:30-4:00pm
Join us for this powerful gathering of faith-filled women creatives as we explore the opportunities and controversies of AI in storytelling, production, and content creation. From AI-generated performers like Tilly Norwood to the risks of AI-distorted truths, you’ll gain practical strategies for integrating AI while staying rooted in your faith and values.
Hosted by Influence Women Global Director Kathleen Cooke, meet our key speakers:
Emma Sharma – Co-Founder of Futuria AI
Emma Sharma, Co-Founder of Futuria AI A global business executive and entrepreneur, Emma is skilled at tackling messy challenges with courage and strong empathetic leadership. An AI expert, Emma will equip you to approach AI with confidence.
Krissy Miles, Executive Pastor of Nfluence Church/CEO-Co-Founder of Miles Media A skilled media executive, sought-after speaker and wife of Lucas Miles (Sr. Director TPUSA Faith), Krissy is a powerhouse of wisdom and spiritual insight. She will help unleash the power of God in your life! https://krissymiles.com/
Krissy Miles – Exec. Pastor Nfluence Church, CEO-Co-Founder Miles Media
Additional speakers include: Alexandra Boylan — Writer-Producer-Director, “Identity Crisis” Nina May — Writer-Producer “Jesus Freaks,” Chairman, Renaissance Women Foundation Jen Lilley — Actor-Producer-Author, “Wake Up Your Faith” Tammy Battaliga — Author “Written in Heaven” Kelsey Cooke-Guerra — Writer-Actor-Producer, “Re-Opening”
Plus, attendees will have a chance to meet Influence Women Chapter Directors from across the nation:
DeAnna Kane – Hollywood
Brandi McDaniel – Houston
Sue Detweiler – Dallas
Cyndi Galley – Nashville
Join us at NRB 2026 for this exclusive Influence Women session, where top women in film and television will discuss how to use AI wisely and effectively to advance your creative work without compromising Biblical truth.
Sign up today and receive a promo code for a discounted Expo Only Pass to NRB 2026! (Expo pass gives access to the Expo Floor, NRB Worship Service, Crown Awards and the Influence Women event.)
Sponsorship opportunity! Special events like these are made possible by the generous support of our partners. If you’d like to help sponsor this event, please reach out to Kathleen at info@influencewomen.org.
A mission of The Influence Lab, Influence Women creates a pathway for Christian influence in entertainment and media. Find out more at InfluenceWomen.org
2025 has been a year of continued growth and impact, all made possible by our generous partners! Walking through God-given doors of opportunity is not always easy, but the end results are always amazing.
“Saying ‘yes’ to God leads to interesting places, but ultimately, they are places of joy and wonder.” —Kathleen Cooke, Co-Founder, The Influence Lab/Global Director, Influence Women
Here’s a very brief Impact Recap of 2025—but first, let’s look ahead to 2026!
“Remember the wonders he has done…” Psalm 105:5
“Wonder” is our word for the new year. We invite you to pray with us and look forward to God’s “wonder” in 2026 for The Influence Lab and Influence Women.
The digital age has placed an increased demand on ministries to elevate their media and digital strategies to share the gospel.The Influence Lab has stepped up to meet that need, going to places where strategic training is not readily available or accessible.
We’re looking ahead to the opportunities in 2026 to teach, train and encourage, but saying “yes” to these requests requires ramping up funding to meet the need. (Scroll below to look ahead with us to 2026.)
Your partnership is critical! Will you join us?
We invite you to give your best year-end gift here.
“To fully express the gratitude of people and the impact Phil Cooke has had on the Russian-speaking world would require writing an entire book of its own.” —Matts-Ola, Russia
“There are very few people with that caliber who come and pour their heart out just to help [creatives and media teams] out there in the field, maybe in India, maybe in Africa, maybe in some other parts of the world. Phil and Kathleen Cooke are impacting so many people and I am one of them.”—Ashvin, Managing Director, Good News, India
2025 Impact Recap
Phil and Kathleen met with influential pastors and marketplace leaders in Greece, 2025.
Long-term Relationships Fuel Ministry Growth in Russia
Phil’s books are used for training Russian pastors.
This year, we celebrated the 30th anniversary of our contact’s church in Russia and Phil was invited to send a congratulatory video to Moscow for the landmark event. Watch Phil’s video here.
One of our Russian contacts writes: “Phil Cooke’s books in Russian have become essential reading in many churches and non-profit organizations. I regularly see Maximize Your Influence on pastors’ desks when I visit influential churches. Ideas on Deadline became the most-read book of last year, providing vital support to entrepreneurs and creative individuals during a challenging period.” —Matts-Ola, Russia
Kathleen Cooke Awarded Woman of Distinction from She Leads Tennessee Kathleen Cooke received the She Leads America Tennessee “Woman of Distinction” award for her transformative leadership in media, entertainment, and faith-based initiatives for women. She was also invited to the 2025 She Leads America and UK Summit held at Windsor Castle. Read more here.
Women gather in at the Hollywood Influence Women event.
Kathleen attends White House Faith Office Meetings in DC Kathleen was invited to attend meetings of the White House Faith Office in Washington, D.C., advocating for women creatives in their artistic endeavors. Read more.
Influence Women Expands and Encourages Unshakeable Faith in Filmmakers 2025 has been a challenging year for the film and television industry in Hollywood, and many filmmakers have relocated to production hubs such as Atlanta and Nashville. With Influence Women chapter groups in these cities and more added this year in Houston, Baton Rouge, Dallas and Phoenix, we’re able to inspire female creatives to create God-honoring works. Read more.
“Influence Women is shifting and shaping the culture for women in media everywhere at any age. With a focus on empowering women, they’re building a vibrant community where support, encouragement, and networking thrive.” —Jaclyn Quisenberry, Producer/Entertainment Marketing, Biola University Alumni
On the Calendar—Upcoming Opportunities in 2026:
January 2026 – United Kingdom Phil and Kathleen will teach a series of masterclasses for Christian university students in Europe.
March 2026—Houston, TX An invitation-only global gathering of 300 pastors and high-profile marketplace leaders. Phil and Kathleen will have opportunity to interact, encourage, and teach some of the most innovative and pioneering pastors in the world.
May 2026—Franklin, TN Phil speaks to the Evangelical Publishers Association, the national organization for Christian writers, editors and publishers.
June 2026—Jordan Phil is invited to Jordan with Ron Harris of MediaAlliance International to conduct training sessions for ministry leaders through the Middle East. Details to follow!
September 2026—Australia Pending details… more to come!
“Far from fading with time, Phil and Kathleen’s relevance and influence continue to grow… Their leadership remains outstanding, and their voices are deeply valued within the Church and the Christian media landscape.” —Nathan Brown, CEO – Christian Media & Arts Australia
*New IRA Limits opens opportunities for charitable giving. Read more here.
* Your charitable giving to The Influence Lab is tax-deductible. We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit and a recipient of the 2026 Candid Silver Transparency Award, a recognition that translates into trust and confidence for partners who support our work. Considered the most widely adopted symbol of transparency for nonprofit organizations in the U.S., GuideStar’s Candid has promoted nonprofit transparency since 1994 through a searchable online database of nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations, allowing potential donors to verify an organization before donating. Millions use GuideStar data to make decisions about nonprofits and their work. Find The Influence Lab on Candid here.
