The Widows Link Team

Marlene Craft - Widows Link Director

Marlene Craft and her husband Wayne were pastors for 30 years, until his sudden passing in 2011. Throughout her time in ministry, Marlene always loved ministering to woman, especially pastor’s wives. Soon after her husband died, she knew that her desire was now to minister to widows. In 2013, she began a small group widows’ ministry at her home church in Alabaster, Alabama. That small group was the birthplace for this ministry we today call, Widows Link.  She was appointed as the first Assemblies of God U.S. Missionary to Widows in 2017 and Widows Link became an official 501c3 non-profit in 2019.

Marlene now spends her time ministering to widows through personal conversations and connections, speaking engagements around the country, and our different Widows Link events including the annual Widows Link Cruise and our Virtual Widows Conferences. Marlene’s heart is to help every widow discover how special they are to God and for them to experience the empowerment of God in their personal lives.

JoLeta Nash - Missionary Associate

JoLeta Nash grew up in a pastor's home and has been involved in some form of ministry all of her life. For almost 15 years, JoLeta and her husband Robert led the Girls Ministries and Royal Rangers groups at Christ's Legacy Church, located in the Oklahoma City area. Robert joined Heaven's ranks in January of 2016, following a 21-month battle with bile duct cancer. JoLeta became aware during the cancer journey that the Lord was preparing her for a new ministry. After Robert's death, she knew that ministry would be to widows, and the Lord began birthing dreams in her heart. God brought Marlene into JoLeta's path through a divine appointment, and after much prayer, JoLeta became a Missionary Associate with the Assemblies of God US Missions Department, working with Marlene and Widows Link. JoLeta's heart beats for widows, and she is thrilled to be a part of the great plans God has ahead for widow's ministry across the United States.

Vonna and Philip Allen - Missionary Associates

Vonna Allen became a widow in 2001 at the age of 40. Soon after her husband’s death she dedicated her life to Christ and put all her focus on serving Him. She was ordained with the Assemblies of God in 2018, and in 2021 was appointed a US Missionary Associate for Widows Link. Vonna remarried three years ago, she and her husband Philip moved back to Beaufort in 2021 to be closer to family.  They attend Praise Assembly of God in Beaufort where she has once again begun a Widows Ministry that meets twice a month. Her husband Philip, her daughter Autumn, and granddaughter Emily are also helping hands in serving and ministering to the widows in her church and now throughout their region.

Cindy McKinley - Missionary Associate

Rev. Cindy L. McKinley serves as the director of “More Than Conquerors,” a ministry to widows and widowers of credential holders in the Pennsylvania/Delaware Ministry Network. Along with being an Ordained Minister with the Assemblies of God, Cindy is also a recognized Chaplain and US Missionary Associate. She joined the Widows Link team in 2021. Her goal is to take the concept of the “More Than Conquerors” ministry to a National level. Cindy lives in Southeastern Pennsylvania with her husband Robin. They have two married sons and four grandchildren.

Brian Craft - Creative Arts Director

Brian has worked with Widows Link from the beginning of this ministry. He has helped Marlene over the years to establish a footprint around the country. Brian comes to Widows Link with a degree in Practical Theology from Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida. He and his wife have been involved in church leadership and ministry for over 15 years.

Brian works hard to keep Widows Link on the cutting edge in all our media including our website, facebook, and video production. Brian and Marlene work closely on the many media projects Widows Link produces like our “Dear Widow” series, our many event promotions and several upcoming projects we are excited to announce soon. Brian and his wife live in Alabama with their two young children.