Debbie Jessee is from Bristol, Tennessee. She’s been married to her supporter and best friend, Arland, for 11 years. She is the proud mother to Jessica.
Debbie is an Independent Sales Director and Beauty Consultant for Mary Kay Cosmetics and she considers this a vital ministry to reach abused women and help them gain the confidence and inner strength to start new lives. Previously she was a graphic and website designer.
She has served on the Board of Directors for Abuse Alternatives in Bristol, VA and worked with Safe Passage in Johnson City, TN on many fundraising projects. She’s spoken at many group sessions for different organizations that aid women and men in leaving their abusers.
Debbie grew up the oldest of three girls. She was very shy and protected by loving parents. Her father was a Baptist minister and was raised to be the “good little girl” and not get into trouble. She met her abuser a.k.a. husband at one of the churches her father was pastor of. In 5 months, she broke all the rules, became pregnant and later married him.
The following years would be a journey that would define her and create the woman that she is today.
Debbie claims the promises that God gives to make us strong through our trials and come out on the other side a better person for it.
“Be strong and courageous and do the work, do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. 1 Chronicles 28:30”
Debbie is an Independent Sales Director and Beauty Consultant for Mary Kay Cosmetics and she considers this a vital ministry to reach abused women and help them gain the confidence and inner strength to start new lives. Previously she was a graphic and website designer.
She has served on the Board of Directors for Abuse Alternatives in Bristol, VA and worked with Safe Passage in Johnson City, TN on many fundraising projects. She’s spoken at many group sessions for different organizations that aid women and men in leaving their abusers.
Debbie grew up the oldest of three girls. She was very shy and protected by loving parents. Her father was a Baptist minister and was raised to be the “good little girl” and not get into trouble. She met her abuser a.k.a. husband at one of the churches her father was pastor of. In 5 months, she broke all the rules, became pregnant and later married him.
The following years would be a journey that would define her and create the woman that she is today.
Debbie claims the promises that God gives to make us strong through our trials and come out on the other side a better person for it.
“Be strong and courageous and do the work, do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. 1 Chronicles 28:30”
Jessica Nixon Buchanan began singing at the young age of 4 with her family in her small Baptist church and songwriting at age 14. All throughout her childhood she faced much adversity, but she used her love of music to help her deal with the reality around her. That was when she realized that she had a passion for one day pursuing her dream of performing her music. Jessica had to put her music on the back burner so to speak for awhile, and she lived as any normal teenager would, playing sports and trying to fit in. It wasn’t until she was dared to do a local beauty pageant as a pre-pharmacy student that she discovered why God had given her the amazing gift of singing. Jessica won the very first pageant she ever entered and used the title serve her community, which also led her to meet the team she currently has around her.
Through such an unexpected experience, the talented young songstress realized that she wanted to be a performer, not only because she loved music, but because she could use music to make a sincere difference. Jessica has lobbied for, and even helped, to write legislation promoting stiffer repeat offender consequences for domestic assault offenders. Over the past few years, Jessica has accomplished so much in her music career, while completing her final years of college to become a Doctor of Pharmacy!
Jessica has opened for Linda Davis, Dustin Lynch, Ty Herndon, Ricochet, Aaron Tippin, Shenandoah, Jamie O’Neal, and Bradley Gaskin. In December 2011, Jessica recorded a project at the Sound Stage Studio in Nashville produced by her friend and mentor, Linda Davis. She was fortunate enough to work with some of Nashville’s finest musicians and record music she wrote, along with other amazing songwriters, including Lady Antebellum’s, Hillary Scott. This project opened MANY doors for Jessica, allowing her to become involved with talented songwriters, musicians, mentors, and one awesome producer.
Over the past year, Jessica has co-wrote on many of the songs for her newest project and played a vital role in the production of them! Alongside producer Cliff Downs, Jessica penned songs with Ken Taylor, Lance Carpenter, Rick Ferrell, Forrest Whitehead, and Kimberly Paige, to create a project straight from her heart. Jessica was also honored to have award winning songwriter, Stephanie Bentley, pitch her a haunting tune that delivers a very important message in the most genius way. She calls this EP her autobiography and is so proud to present it to you. This next year is sure to be the start of an exciting new chapter in Jessica’s life as she propels her career to the next level.
Through such an unexpected experience, the talented young songstress realized that she wanted to be a performer, not only because she loved music, but because she could use music to make a sincere difference. Jessica has lobbied for, and even helped, to write legislation promoting stiffer repeat offender consequences for domestic assault offenders. Over the past few years, Jessica has accomplished so much in her music career, while completing her final years of college to become a Doctor of Pharmacy!
Jessica has opened for Linda Davis, Dustin Lynch, Ty Herndon, Ricochet, Aaron Tippin, Shenandoah, Jamie O’Neal, and Bradley Gaskin. In December 2011, Jessica recorded a project at the Sound Stage Studio in Nashville produced by her friend and mentor, Linda Davis. She was fortunate enough to work with some of Nashville’s finest musicians and record music she wrote, along with other amazing songwriters, including Lady Antebellum’s, Hillary Scott. This project opened MANY doors for Jessica, allowing her to become involved with talented songwriters, musicians, mentors, and one awesome producer.
Over the past year, Jessica has co-wrote on many of the songs for her newest project and played a vital role in the production of them! Alongside producer Cliff Downs, Jessica penned songs with Ken Taylor, Lance Carpenter, Rick Ferrell, Forrest Whitehead, and Kimberly Paige, to create a project straight from her heart. Jessica was also honored to have award winning songwriter, Stephanie Bentley, pitch her a haunting tune that delivers a very important message in the most genius way. She calls this EP her autobiography and is so proud to present it to you. This next year is sure to be the start of an exciting new chapter in Jessica’s life as she propels her career to the next level.
Holly Harris graduated from East Tennessee State University in 1995 with a degree in Exercise Science, and currently teach group fitness classes and programs at the Wellness Center in Johnson City and The Y in Kingsport. She is happily married with two children, whom she homeschools.
Words from Holly:
“In 2011, I believe God opened up the opportunity for me to be a part of the first ever Freedom Climb, a ministry of Operation Mobilization. Myself and 47 other women from around the world climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa in attempt to raise awareness of human trafficking and funds to help rescue, educate and prevent it through global projects. It was through this opportunity that I became aware of the horrors of human trafficking around the world. It has become my passion to help make others aware of the statistics and encourage everyone to "speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves....".
I am currently a part of a local ministry, Scarlet Hope, where I have the opportunity to share Christ's love with women involved in the adult entertainment industry. As a member of Tri-Cities Baptist Church, I also have the opportunity to serve on the Global Outreach Lead team in the area of Human Trafficking awareness and prevention. I quickly respond to any opportunity to share awareness with others.”
Words from Holly:
“In 2011, I believe God opened up the opportunity for me to be a part of the first ever Freedom Climb, a ministry of Operation Mobilization. Myself and 47 other women from around the world climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa in attempt to raise awareness of human trafficking and funds to help rescue, educate and prevent it through global projects. It was through this opportunity that I became aware of the horrors of human trafficking around the world. It has become my passion to help make others aware of the statistics and encourage everyone to "speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves....".
I am currently a part of a local ministry, Scarlet Hope, where I have the opportunity to share Christ's love with women involved in the adult entertainment industry. As a member of Tri-Cities Baptist Church, I also have the opportunity to serve on the Global Outreach Lead team in the area of Human Trafficking awareness and prevention. I quickly respond to any opportunity to share awareness with others.”
Kelly Sams, Guest Worship Leader
Lynn Armstrong, Executive Director, Safe Passage Domestic Violence Shelter