Fern Nichols is an author, former elementary school teacher, and the founder of Moms in Prayer International, a prayer movement that mobilizes women around the world to gather together to pray for their children and the schools they attend. In 1984, Fern was fearful about sending her two eldest children off to junior high. She knew the school would be a battlefield for their hearts and minds. She realized the warfare would be intense and to fight this battle, she needed to invite other mothers to pray. She called one mom and asked her to pray with her for their children and school. Her response was an immediate “yes,” and that was the humble beginning of Moms in Prayer that now spans the U.S. in every state, and is in more than 140 countries. Fern and her husband, Rle, have four grown children and ten grandchildren.

Ty Nichols is Fern and Rle's oldest son, and has worked closely with his mom's ministry as a public speaker for many years. He resides in California with his family.