Billie K. Fidlin
President
Director of Outreach, Desert Southwest Conference, United Methodist Church
(all United Methodist churches in AZ, S. NV, and Colorado River corridor cities of CA)
As Director of Outreach & Justice for the Desert Southwest Conference, Ms. Fidlin serves as liaison for 49 areas related to social justice, mission, & leadership. Her main portfolio is concerned with social holiness, and she brings this biblical mandate to all areas that she staffs and visions for. Ms. Fidlin represents the bishop’s office in justice areas when the bishop is unable to be present. In 2016 she negotiated an agreement with Arizona State University to provide the Conference churches with interns and short term student assistance in all areas that the university can address, such as program optimization, communications, curriculum writing, staffing, research and grant writing. She speaks regularly in various local and national church as well as legislative settings on justice and mission efforts. A bio for Billie will appear in the 2022-2023 Marquis Who’s Who in America.
Whisper n Thunder Inc
Billie K. Fidlin is founder and President of the First Nations / Native American nonprofit impact organization Whisper n Thunder, designed to amplify the voice of Native American / First Nations peoples through education, awareness and opportunity. Among her responsibilities: oversight and management with her team of the following initiatives: Whisper n Thunder online magazine, WnT BlogTalk Radio broadcasts, WnT YouTube Channel, ATHENA / Whisper n Thunder Leadership Academy for high school girls, WINDS Scholarship Program, EREZ Emergency Assistance Program, Gathering of Women annual events across the U.S. and Canada, social media management, as well as the Four Feathers Capital Campaign & Whisper n Thunder ART NATION eBay auction. Her demanding speaking schedule is one of her greatest joys as she shares about the truth of Indian Country and where we together can and will, have impact and institute change.
Arizona Faith Network
Fidlin currently serves as the President of AFN’s Board. She previously served as Vice President of AFN and also as chair of the Arizona Faith Network’s Public Policy Commission (now the Social Justice Commission). The commission addresses the faith community response to various social justice issues, working with member bishops, judicatory and interfaith leaders, legislators and the public. She worked in collaboration with others to restructure the Arizona Ecumenical Council to what is now known as the Arizona Faith Network.
Hope for the Hopeless
Fidlin serves on the Board of Directors for Hope for the Hopeless, an orphanage in Ethiopia, serving as both Conference liaison and non-profit advisor. Among her responsibilities are oversight of the operations in Ethiopia with other board members, financial sustainability, working with Hope’s staff and their interaction with the Ethiopian government and consultation regarding staff oversight of the orphanage and drop in center.
Sidewalk Ministries
A noted speaker and vocalist, Ms. Fidlin first came on the national church scene with Sidewalk Sunday School Ministries in the mid-90’s, as noted speaker, composer of street music, liaison and trainer for the denomination in this street ministry for urban youth, children and the homeless. Her sites continue throughout the Desert Southwest Conference and the nation. She is the founder of this ministry for the United Methodist denomination, working closely with original Sidewalk founder Rev. Bill Wilson.
Foundation for Evangelism/ United Methodist Church
For her work with the poor and gang members, she was awarded the global honor of Distinguished Evangelist 2004, the first lay person and first woman (not part of a couple) to receive this award, by the Foundation for Evangelism in Lake Junaluska, NC, and later served as a trustee of the Foundation for four years.
Trinity Opportunity Alliance
Fidlin is a member of the Board of Directors for this organization which pairs young people aging out of the foster care system, with Arizona businesses. The goal is not only to provide job training & cultural awareness for businesses who hire this demographic, but an actual job to help these young people secure a successful future.
Faith Ecumenical Institute / 2015
Fidlin served as the 2nd President of the Board of Directors for this higher educational institution promoting deeper understandings of faith as it relates to justice and spiritual formation. While the responsibilities were to include staff and curriculum development, financial oversight and networking on behalf of FEI, she led the difficult decision to close the organization due to its lack of viability when compared to other ongoing Arizona efforts.
Personal
Fidlin has two adult sons Christopher and Justin Hauska. She cares for her unique, incredibly smart, and singularly the most magical dogs. She continues with music, composing and periodically performing, exercising her Motown roots. She is an author of a number of books on street evangelism curriculum, and two books of poetry entitled: The First One Hundred Pages, and The Next Go Round, which includes a poetic response on the subject of death and dying.
Other Organization Affiliations
Governor’s Task Force on Faith & Community Partnerships
Gina’s Team
Maricopa County Emergency Food & Shelter Task Force
Activating Human Capital
Governor’s Task Force on Human Trafficking
Books Authored
Led By God
The First 100 Pages
The Next Go Round
Sidewalk Curriculum Books: Start Up Guide, God Still Loves You, Air Jesus, The Four Most Important Things
What Can I Do? Volume 1
What Can I Do? Volume 2
Media References
Facebook: Billie Fidlin / Whisper n Thunder Group / Whisper n Thunder Fan Page / WnT Gathering of Women
Twitter: @BillieFidlin
MySpace: Whisper n Thunder