Women’s Ministry in Las Vegas, NV

Ignite Life is a Las Vegas-based Christian Women’s Ministry.

We exist to equip, empower, and mobilize women to be the spark that ignites change in the world for the sake of Christ. 

Ignite Life is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is passionate about spiritual and personal development.

EQUIP:

TO PREPARE FOR WHAT LIES AHEAD

We believe you were created on purpose and for a purpose (Ephesians 2:10. Through workshops, retreats, and curriculum development, Ignite Life is training up individuals to ready their hearts and lives for what God has around the next corner.

EMPOWER:

TO BE MADE STRONG & CONFIDENT

We believe you were created to do life in community (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). Through demographic specific communities and conferences, Ignite Life is creating space for connection and discipleship to take place.

MOBILIZE:

TO GO & DO

We believe you are called to make the gospel known (Matthew 28:19).  Ignite Life is committed to offering platforms for individuals to serve, speak, give, and pray.

Vanessa Hartsell

Vanessa Hartsell is a dynamic speaker, author and leadership trainer who is passionate about world change! She has been speaking professionally for the past 12 years throughout the US. Originally from Michigan; Vanessa calls Las Vegas, Nevada her home.

Vanessa has a heart for people to grow in intimacy with Christ. She is passionate about transforming potential into action. At the age of 24, Vanessa founded her ministry, Ignite Life, with the mission to equip, empower, and mobilize women to be the spark that ignites change in the world for the sake of Christ. Out of her desire to mobilize women in the Church, 1 small conference gave birth to a movement of Christian women. Although this ministry is a huge priority in her life, her first ministry to is to her family. Vanessa has been married to her “prince” Evan, for 10 years and her life is filled with joy and chaos raising her three children (Owen, 10; Ethan, 7; Charlotte, 5).

  • Robin Smith has a passion for equipping people to see their strengths and to lead with their unique God given gifts. Robin has always had a strong tie to her church, community and work. That tie is in the form of relationships. Her greatest joy is to do life together, encouraging, strengthening and challenging each other to be their very best and reach their full potential.

    Robin has recently launched RS Focus Consulting, where she is able to invest in people with a unique focus on women leading non-profit ministries. Through her consulting firm, Robin is able to walk with others through one-on-one coaching with a focus on leadership and personal development, staff & board development, customized trainings and public speaking. Robin has 37+ years of non-profit leadership experience and her heart’s desire is to share what she has learned to help others reach their potential and accomplish their ministry goals.

    Robin has contracted with Ignite Life to assist them with training and development. Robin says her relationship with Ignite Life is like a Reese’s peanut butter cup, the perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter, two things she loves. She feels her role with Ignite Life is the perfect combination for her of her skills and her passion – she loves being able to intentionally invest in the lives of the women and Ignite Life!

    Robin’s professional career includes work in the following arenas: non-profits, higher education, and the church. Some of the positions she has held were Executive Director, Program Director, Director of Retention and Student Success, Instructor, and Pastor. In each of these roles, Robin has always made it a priority to help her staff, community partners, students and clients not only see their potential, but overcome the obstacles standing in the way of them reaching their potential.

    Robin and her husband Homer have been married since 1986 and currently reside in Henderson, NV. They attend the ChurchLV and they enjoy God’s creation by hiking, walking, or simply enjoying the sun with a good book. They have two children and four grandchildren. Robin holds a Master’s Degree in Organizational Management from Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, Michigan and a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Development, also from Spring Arbor University.

  • Dodjiel Hechanova has been in ministry for over 18 years.

    His call to ministry began in 2004 when he was called to be a Youth Pastor, soon after he was married to his wife, Sarah. In a very clear call to ministry, Dodjiel was lead to pastor the next generation.

    In 2009, Dodjiel was appointed to be the Senior Pastor of Neighborhood Church in Henderson, NV. A church that has been in the Henderson community for 75 years.

    In addition to his duties as Senior Pastor of Neighborhood Church, Dodjiel presently serves as an Area Pastor for the Western District of the Foursquare Church— where he is in a position to encourage and be of support to other senior pastors and their leadership teams across the Las Vegas Valley and parts of Arizona.

    Dodjiel’s heart is for God’s people to have an authentic relationship with God, and is focused on caring and nurturing those in pastoral leadership.

    In addition to his role within the church, Dodjiel serves his community as a chaplain. He serves as a Prison Chaplain, where he conducts Sunday Services for the inmates in the Henderson Detention Center. Dodjiel also serves as a Hospice Chaplain. A position which he is able to minister the Kingdom of God to those at the end stages of their lives throughout the Las Vegas Valley.

    Dodjiel is most passionate about his family. Dodjiel and Sarah have 4 children, Lexi, Ethan, Noah and Gabriel. In 2020, they also welcomed their first grandchild, Everly.

  • Josef has been married to his amazing wife, Lindsey, for 12 years. Josef is a very proud girl-dad! Josef and Lindsey have 3 daughter's, Peyton, Harper, and Quinn.

    Ministry began in 2001, where Josef attended Life Pacific University. Upon graduating in 2004, Josef joined the team at Cornerstone in Las Vegas. He has served the church in various roles from stage hand, worship leader, youth pastor, to teaching pastor for over 18 years.

    In October of 2022, Josef was appointed Lead Pastor of Cornerstone in Las Vegas. A church planted in Las Vegas over 35 years ago.

    In addition to serving at Cornerstone, Josef has also spent years serving the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel (ICFG). Josef has partnered with different ICFG districts at many camps and events through the years serving as a worship leader and speaker. Additionally, Josef oversaw the finances and administration for the Desert Canyon District (now absorbed into the ICFG Western District).

    Josef's heart for ministry and teaching style is all about challenging believers to live authentic lives for Jesus. While also reminding those far from God, that He is pursuing a relationship with them, regardless of their past. Josef is always inviting seekers to consider the goodness of God. Not what you've seen, how Christians have fallen short. But the goodness of a God who loves you. The goodness of a God who forgives and makes us new when we come to Him.

  • Alexa grew up in Phoenix, Arizona and moved to Las Vegas in 2015 to be a full-time missionary. She spent 10 years on the mission field and went on to travel to 13 nations to care for orphans and preach the gospel.

    She is passionate about orphan care both internationally and locally. She works to see each and every kid have the ability to grow up surrounded by safe adults. After 6 years of fostering, she is in the process of adopting her 2-year-old daughter.

    In addition to being a foster mom, Alexa has her Bachelors in Behavioral Health with certificates in Family Studies and Biblical Studies from Arizona Christian University. She previously served as the executive director of Youth With a Mission for four years. In her current job. she is responsible for recruiting, training, and retaining quality foster parents, for an agency that provides wrap around services to families, experiencing foster care, that have higher therapeutic needs.

    Alexa believes God has called her to see parents empowered and families restored. She attends Victory Outreach Church of Las Vegas and is always looking for an opportunity to share the word of God with someone who is thirsty for more of Him. In her off time, you can catch Alexa planning a board game night with her friends or walking the isles of Target with her daughter.

  • With over 20 years of dedicated experience in women's ministry, Shannon brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for empowering women to realize and utilize their God-given gifts. Shannon has worked for several local non-profits over the past ten years, helping in various capacities.

    Originally from Northern Minnesota, Shannon has called the Las Vegas valley home for the past 45 years. She is a proud UNLV alumna, holding a BS in Business Marketing and a Master’s in Education. Most of her professional experience is in corporate marketing, church communications, and non-profit management. Her academic background, combined with her extensive experience in women's ministry, uniquely positions her to contribute valuable insights and leadership to Ignite Life.

    Shannon’s commitment to serving others extends beyond her professional life. She is a devoted wife, mother of five grown children, and grandmother to six, with another grandchild on the way. Her family-oriented perspective and rich life experience deeply inform her approach to ministry and community service.

    Shannon enjoys traveling, spending time at her summer home in Idaho, writing, serving her home church (Eastside Christian), and spending time with her family!

    Shannon is excited to get to work with this amazing team to help further the impact and mission of Ignite Life.

  • Faith Cannella was born in Las Vegas, NV, and decided not to leave the great valley she grew up in. She built a life and family. She is married and has two sons.

    She has been working in accounting since 2004. Which is the year she graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Faith took advantage of the shutdown in 2020 and attained her Certified Public Accountant license.

    Faith loves to volunteer, and not just at Ignite Life events. You can find her serving on Sunday mornings at Avenue Church or once a month volunteering with The Just One Project during their Pop-up and Give mobile markets. Making an impact, big and small, in the lives of others continually brings a smile to Faith’s face.

    In her free time, Faith enlists her husband to drive her off-road to hidden remote spots so she can practice her amateur landscape photography. Also, if you ask nicely, she just might bake you a plate of delicious cookies.