Candace Hardnett, a former personal trainer and cosmetologist, enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks. She served in the military for five years and eventually moved to Savannah with her wife, Erika. With a B.S. in Religion from Liberty University, she founded Agape Empowerment Ministries, Savannah’s first non-denominational Christian affirming congregation. An LGBTQ advocate and mother of three daughters, she is currently pursuing her Master of Divinity degree.