Woman 2 Woman Lounge

August 30, 2007

In my 17 months of being a member of the Ryze business Network I have crossed paths with some extraordinary inspiring women of God who have left an imprint on my heart and spirit. This woman of God that I am about to introduce you to has been a friend. She has on more than one occasion shown her support for me and the things I have been doing for the kingdom of God. Her encouraging words have meant a lot to me, but what she doesn’t know is that she has been the one who has been encouraging to me. Although I have only known Yvonne for a few short months she has been inspiring to me and her friendship and kindness has been a blessing.

Her name is Yvonne Reeves-Chong and she is our first featured member of the week. She is a member of Moms Working for the Kingdom and has a advertising page on our Handmaidens for God Website. I encourage you to stop by read up on this special woman and her beautiful, God given Ministry, SeedTime & Harvest.

Yvonne says she spent a lifetime crunching numbers, corralling facts, and concentrating on making enough money to support her family. Yvonne said she never had to know how or the desire for crafting and this is why she was surprise when the Lord gave her the idea for "The Sowable Word" gift cards and lead her to this scripture {Ephesians 2:8-9} in his Holy Word.

Yvonne beams about the Lord’s goodness to her and she lets you know she didn’t found SeedTime & Harvest God gave her this business to run. A business for Him and About Him. He put her in a place where she has to fully rely on Him. She says she is not the one with the talent and craft, He is. SeedTime & Harvest she says is “absolutely where my very limited capability meets His Limitless Super-ability“.

I hope you will enjoy my interview with Yvonne who without hesitation accepted my offer to do so. I want to thank her for giving of her time to answer my questions and for being the friend she is to me in Christ Jesus.

Now sit back, relax, and enjoy my interview with Yvonne........

W2W: Yvonne Tell us a little bit about your ministry and what inspired its beginning?

Yvonne: SeedTime & Harvest is the Lord’s idea. Not mine! I’ve spent the last twenty years or so in sales and finance related industries. When I knew God had released me from my last job to step out on my own, I thought He wanted me to start a business in the industry I had worked in for the last twenty years. So when He gave me the Sowable Word Gift cards (paper cards that grow flowers), I was floored. I don’t do any crafts, so this was obviously not my idea. Making seed paper and designing cards is way outside of my comfort zone. SeedTime & Harvest is so far outside of my own ability that I have to rest inside God’s faith ability.

As the business grows, I use more of the traits God has already gifted to me. But I never forget that this ministry follows God’s plans and provisions- not mine. I paraphrase Eph 2:8, “I didn’t have the ability to start with and I won’t be able to finish. Just being a part of it is God’s gift to me.” SeedTime & Harvest is God’s business and He is the Alpha and Omega.

W2W: Besides Christ, who inspires you and why?

Yvonne: My son, Terrance. I’m a divorced parent so he’s always been a big emphasis in my life. But as an adult, he’s also my inspiration. Many years ago when my son was about 16 or 17, God let me know that one day my son would be ahead me in spiritual matters. Now at that time, my sweet tenderhearted son had turned into one incredibly ornery teenager- drinking, rebellious, and headed for trouble. So my head said, “I don’t think so.” And my emotions said, “I can’t see that.” But my mouth said, “Yes and Amen!”

One night shortly after he turned 18 years old, my son came in late (past curfew) and awakened me.
“Mom, I need to talk…” Those of you with teenagers can imagine the sheer terror in my heart.
“I have decided…” Decided to do what! Join the Marines? Marry your girlfriend? What???
“I have decided… I’m going serve the Lord all my life.” Then he turned and walked out with a quick “Luv ya. G’ night.” What was that! My first thought was “What happened to him?” It took me over a year before I could ask him about the night. But I watched him to see if it was so. I watched dive head first into the deep end of the Will of God and rest there. He is the real deal. He’s sold out- all out for Christ, no compromise or waiver.

He’s 21 now and in fulltime ministry. In some respects he’s still a kid, but he is a smart kid and a certainly “mighty man of God.” I remember we were talking on the phone a couple of weeks ago night and our conversation turned into an accountability meeting. He was holding me accountable!
We went over my business plan; evaluated my progress in executing the physical plan; and then we did a spiritual check up. As we talked, my heart was singing, “Look what the Lord was done.” The improbable thing God spoke to me over three years ago has happened. My son is ahead of me in spiritual things.

W2W: What's your favorite Bible verse?

Yvonne: Not fair! That’s almost like asking which child is your favorite. I have three biggies: Genesis 8:22, Luke 8:11, and Psalms 119:11.

I got into a lot of trouble in my early years. I was a Christian but you certainly couldn’t tell it from the outside. Even after I recommitted my life to Christ, I was unsteady because I didn’t read my Bible. I went to church. I listened to the preacher. But I didn’t get the Word for myself. So, I was weak-kneed, double-minded Christian. These three verse are life and breath to me. They changed my life.

Genesis 8:22 “As long as the earth remains, there will be seedtime & harvest,”

Luke 8:11 “The seed is the word of God.” and

Psalms 119:11 “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee

W2W: What do you enjoy most about family time?

Yvonne: I don’t know if you noticed it in my previous answer but I really like my son. He lives 500 miles away so I don’t see him as much as I would like. We love each other’s company. He is the only person I can take to the opera on a Friday night and follow up with the Cardinal game Saturday. We love foreign films and camping in the woods. I’m a goofball and he embraces his inner nerd.

W2W: What obstacles have you faced within your business?

Yvonne: All of them, everyday…. Cash flow, resource allocation, marketing, you-name-it. I’m exaggerating but only a bit. Thankfully, my God is well able.
The biggest obstacle in my ministry and business is that I am creating a market instead of tapping into a pre-made market. One assumes that Christians would flock to obtain simple methods of evangelism and witnessing. They don’t. If SeedTime & Harvest were a “natural” business or a human directed business, I would have folded it up all long time ago. It’s easy to exploit market needs that already exist. That’s why there is a Madison Avenue. Advertising knows how to manipulate pre-existing needs. It is very difficult to create need.

We all believe in witnessing but we don’t really want to do it. James 1:22 talks about "being doers of the Word." That’s a challenge for most Christians. We are uncomfortable, fearful, distracted, and busy. We come from a culture that says it’s impolite to talk about religion and politics. So, we don’t. At least, we don’t talk about them with people who might disagree with us. We tend to discuss Christ with other Christians. That’s good but unfruitful. There’s that old saying about “preaching to the choir.” SeedTime & Harvest’s job is to convince Christians that they should talk about Christ to the Non-Christians. We need to be witnesses for Christ. Christians need to live in the un-comfort zone. My biggest obstacle is something no self-respecting business guru would even try. Sell Christians on the need to be uncomfortable for Christ. That’s no small task. In fact, it is huge. But so was the ark and you can call me Noah. My God is well able.

W2W: What are some of your future goals?

Yvonne: To serve to Lord all my life. I plan to go anywhere and everywhere teaching, exhorting, and encouraging Christians to be effective witnesses for Christ. I’ve got an arc to build. I could be on this task for a while.

W2W: What advice can you offer to other women Entrepreneurs?

Yvonne: Once you know the Will of God, get it done, no matter the cost. If you are following hard after God’s will, the enemy will come after you. Don’t quit! Your call will certainly stretch you, will probably be painful, and might be socially unacceptable and lowly esteemed. Don’t quit. She that endures to the end will win. Don’t quit!

Moms Working for the Kingdom would like to thank Yvonne Reeves-Chong for sharing a piece of herself with us in the interview. We wish her and SeedTime & Harvest Blessings.

Be sure and come back and visit us again next Wednesday when we interview another chosen women of God to share with us Woman 2 Woman.

I encourage you before the day is over to visit her website and Ryze page if you haven’t already.

http://www.seedistheword.com
http://www.ryze.com/go/arcent

Be sure and visit us next week when MWK interviews another Woman of God.

Sherri C. Walker
Founder of Woman 2 Woman Lounge,
a Subsidiary of Moms Working for the Kingdom
http://handmaidens.proboards100.com

September 5, 2007

This week’s chosen spotlighted member is a proud wife and mother of three. She is the founder of Mom of Praise. This beautiful Women of God’s name is Kelli Claypool.

For several years the Lord placed it upon Kelli’s heart to minister to women, especially Moms. Ten years ago Kelly went through a painful divorce but with the Lord’s help she found the strength to get through it, picked up the pieces of her life and moved on. She later found herself ministering to others going through divorce and child custody battles. After experiencing her own personal emotional battles and left feeling all alone Kelli made a promise that she would never allow another women to go through the pain alone thats she once felt. She spent many years seeking the Lord which eventually lead to the Mom Of Praise website being formed.

After her divorce she also found herself having to go back into the workplace and the skills that she had 10 years prior where no longer good enough. She was faced with feelings of inadequacy. She began to take weekend courses on Word, Excel, Power Point, etc. Kelli self taught herself so she would have something to offer an employer. She later created Mom of Praise in order for women to create friendships, and uplift and support one another.

Grab a cup of tea sit back and relax with Moms Working for the Kingdom as we take a peek into the heart of this Special Women of God, Mrs. Kelli Claypool.

Our Interview:

1. Kelli Tell us a little bit about your ministry and what inspired you to start it?

Mom Of Praise is a safe place where moms can go to get encouraged and uplifted. A place to create friendships with other moms and share about various situations that they are going through at that particular time.

I feel the Lord laid it upon my heart to form this ministry after my divorce 10+ years ago. After a daunting child custody battle, my daughters were ordered to live with their father mainly due to financial reasons. He made the most money. Well, this was a complete and total shock to me. I was devastated! I was embarrassed because I didn’t want people to think that I was a “bad” parent and that’s why I didn’t get residential custody of my girls. Well, after that time, I found more and more moms not getting residential custody of their children for one reason or another and not because of abuse or anything harmful to the kids.

I believe there is a need to minister to moms and to let them know that no matter what they are going through, they are not alone!

2. Besides Christ, who inspires you and why?

First of all, my husband, Julius, inspires me. He encourages me every single day to be my best. He’s my biggest fan. He allows me the opportunity to follow my heart and my dreams and he’s there to push me forward and there to catch me when I fall. He is my hero.

Secondly, my three children. My daughters are now at an age where they come to me for advice and actually listen to me! My son is always hugging and kissing me, telling me that he loves me. So, my kids inspire me to be the very best mom that I can be.

3. What's your favorite Bible verse?

Well, I have two.

Jeremiah 29:11:
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Proverbs 16:3
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

We need to seek the Lord in everything that we do and he will guide us to success. Praise God. I love it that He is the CEO of my business, my family, and my life. Glory!!

4. Who or what brings you joy?

Joy is an attitude of choice. I choose to be joyful because no matter what happens during the day, I serve a God that is mighty and powerful and is always right by my side to love and protect me. I choose to be joyful because I have an incredible husband that wraps his strong arms around me when I’m blue. I choose to be joyful because I have three awesome kids that look up to me as their mom. I am a blessed lady and I remember that everyday when I face challenges or something comes along and tries to steal my joy.

5. What has been your greatest accomplishment in life?

I would have to say keeping my family together. After my divorce, years ago, it would have been easier for me to just run away and see my daughters on the court appointed days and just be an every other weekend parent. But I refused to allow the “court” to get in the way of me raising my daughters. I wasn’t there to tuck them into bed each and every night, but I was at every school function, I was at every doctors appointment, I was at every birthday party. I did not keep myself from playing an important role in their lives. I believe that is why we are so close today. Additionally, when I remarried and ultimately had my son, I never separated the two families. We were ONE family with two different houses. So, I would say that my greatest accomplishment is having a family that each member feels special and loved.

6. Where do you hope to see Mom of Praise advance to in the next year?

Wow! I see Mom Of Praise going many different directions. But one thing that I am working on now is material for moms who find themselves having to go into the workplace and realize that they do not have the skills to offer an employer. A quick example, during my first marriage, I was a work-at-home-mom in which I did medical transcription. After my divorce, I found myself having to go outside of the home and get a job and found out that I longer had the skills employers were looking for. Yes, my typing speed was incredible and I could take shorthand, but I didn’t know anything about Power Point, Excel, etc. So, I had to learn in order to be a value to an employer.

So, in the very near future, I will be providing mini-courses in various office applications in order to equip moms to be a value to future employers. Not only are we moms, but we are Christian moms therefore we need to be women of excellence. So, I will have courses on etiquette, proper dress and more in addition to office applications.

7. What encouragement can you give to other women who might be going through some storms in their life?

Keep pressing through. Don’t stop where you are. Surround yourself with positive Christians who will uplift you and encourage you. Stay in the Word…bury yourself in God’s Word. Remember, God has plans for you and will see you through this storm. Just lay your cares at the foot of the cross and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you through. One day you will wake up on the other side of the storm and realize all of the provisions that the Lord made for you. Keep God first! He is mighty and able to supply all of your needs and that includes a safety raft during your storm.

Moms Working for the Kingdom would like to thank Mrs. Kelli Claypool for granting us the opportunity to interview her and for taking time from her schedule to share with us with us Woman2Woman. I encourage you to stop by and visit kelli's website and Ryze page to find out more about this amazing women.

http://www.momofpraise.com
http://www.ryze.com/go/krclaypool

Be sure and visit us next Wednesday when MWK interviews another Woman of God.

Sherri C. Walker
Founder of Woman 2 Woman Lounge,
a Subsidiary of Moms Working for the Kingdom
http://handmaidens.proboards100.com

September 13, 2007

As Moms Working for the Kingdom of God continues to week by week chose a Ryze business woman to interview, let me introduce to you this week's candidate.

This special woman of God is a devoted mother of 2 who makes a living as a Virtual Assistant. She is my sister in Christ and a dear friend, Gazelle Simmons.

Gazelle has, with God’s help, overcome many storms in her life. In January 2005, she sorrowfully lost her parents, seven months later in August 2005 her home was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Facing homelessness, she prayed and looked to the Lord for direction. Amazing things followed.

There was a woman she met at her daughter's school who gave her school supplies, dishes, food and a foldaway bed. There was the day she opened her door to find food sitting on it. It still amazes her just how well the Lord took care of her and her daughters.

Sometime later Gazelle survived a painful time in her marriage following on the heels of Katrina's devastation. Her husband who while being clothed and housed by the Navy refused to pay support for her and the girls.

One painful circumstance after another kept manifesting between her and her spouse until Gazelle just couldn't take the neglect from him emotionally and financially anymore and she asked for a separation and later divorce.

It has only been by the grace of God that she and her girls are not homeless, hungry and unclothed. Just when she thought she couldn't make it, God opened a door, moved obstacles, and reminded her that He was still God.

Gazelle wants you to know there is someone who sticks closer than a friend, who sees your tears and feels your heartbreak, headaches, and sorrows. His name is Jesus, just call on Him. His word says He will never leave nor forsake us. Now grab yourself a cup of Java, sit back, relax, and enjoy another extraordinary interview as we talk further with this brave woman of God, Ms. Gazelle Simmons.

1. Gazelle, God has brought you and your daughters through a lot in the past 2 years. How are things coming along with you and your daughters with your recent move in your new home?

From August 2005 to August 2007, I have witnessed many miraculous things. From food left on my doorstep to strangers lending assistance right after Hurricane Katrina’s devastation to being able to re-establishing my business in a brand new city, state and area of the country to watching my business grow in spite of my lack of local contacts, adequate funds to market as well as moving recently into a new home.

All of the obstacles of life have found their solution in my life through prayer and thanksgiving. I’m reminded daily by the posting of Romans 5:3-5 that as we glory in tribulations, they produce perseverance and it produces character which in turn produces hope. Hope does not disappoint because of the love of God being poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit given to us.

For me, every obstacle has increased my faith, given me reasons to rejoice in triumph and help me tell others of just how good God has been to me. During my trials and tribulations, I’ve kept my mind focused on Him as much as possible while I walk on through to victory.

2. How did you get started as a Virtual Assistant?

My start as a Virtual Assistant (VA) came about from my having moved back to Norfolk, Virginia to help care for my aging parents then having to juggle a full time job, my caretaker responsibilities and being a single parent. Due to poor quality day care, constant demands on my time and inflexibility of my employer, I stepped out to do something I had always longed to do. I became my own boss.

Doing so solved several problems for me. I could be available for my parents, children even friends and family while still doing work I loved. For the first time in years, I looked forward to working. I longed for assignments and during the slow seasons I did mystery shopping, worked for the Census, took care of sick children and even worked several part time jobs over the years. All of which enabled me to continue working from home for the most part, paying the bills and reaching towards my goal of business ownership.

Being a VA has been a dream come true. I no longer dread getting up to go to work. There are no more commuting nightmares, no more gossiping co-workers, no more trying to be in two places at one time. My first benefit was less stress, followed by more time to devote to raising my daughters, being a better daughter and friend. I tell others who want to be become a VA that the requirements are simple. Want to put God first, your family next followed by work and you will do just fine.

3. What is the main thing you want your daughters to know about life in general?

The main thing I would want my daughters to know about life would be that life without Jesus is empty, disappointing and oh so futile. It has been such a blessing that the girls have given their lives to Christ in August so I am confident that the base and foundations of faith are laid in them. I’m just praying for it to take root and grow.

Throughout my daughter’s childhood I have taught them by example to do the right thing. To persevere, to stay focused and to know that they can be whatever they want to be. Instilling in them the value of people over things as well as learning to help others has made them focus their attention outwardly instead of being self involved.

The joys of motherhood is passing on your knowledge to the next generation and watching where they go with it. I’m so glad to have the chance to see their character in action.

4. Besides Jesus, who is your Hero, past or present?

My hero since I was 8 years old was my grandmother. She was a hardworking woman who raised her kids, aided the sick and spent what time she could telling me things that have served me well for years. Some of the things she taught me didn’t make sense at the time but I have learned through life that she was always right.

5. How has the Ryze Business Network helped you grow as a V.A.?

Ryze has been a blessing in the sense of being able to get out to not only my local community but nationwide. I’ve met so many people who have become like family to me. I try to spend at least an hour every day on Ryze as I stay in touch with the various networks I’m a part of.

Having met Sherri Walker on Ryze as well as Anna Campbell, Rebecca Simmons, LaTara Ham-Ying, Yvonne, Reeves-Chong, Chris Lekander, Sherrill Barbary, Patricia Garrison and Catherine Vicks to name a few of the hundreds, nigh on thousands of people I have come across. Some have become friends, others clients and quite a few who are both. I love the networks there that have brought me in touch with people who share my faith like Christian Women of Power as well as those who have a shared desire to grow their businesses like Women Business Owners, Classy Chic N’ Elite.

I’m not sure who invited me to Ryze but I owe that person a debt of gratitude.

6. How do you spend quiet moments alone you get all to yourself?

Quiet moments? What quiet moments? No, really I spend some quiet time every morning talking to my Lord and that sets the momentum and priority of my day. I can go through the rest of my day with the knowledge that He is in control and that I can do all things through His Son, Jesus Christ within me.

During what little time of my day isn’t dedicated to my family, faith and business, I read, exercise and get in a couple of hours of mindless TV. My days are very full with being a mother, Christian and business owner. I have to use my time wisely and plan for a day off.

There are also two vacations a year – one week in June and the week between Christmas and New Years. There are also my 12 Federal holidays which enable me to take a month off per year so I try to rest during that time and even get away from home in June.

7. What advice can you give other Women going through storms in their lives right now?

When you are going through hard times, just look up to where your help comes from on high and you will find rest for your weary soul. It has never failed for a breakthrough to come just when you think giving up is the answer. When things start going awry, know that God is getting ready to do something wonderful in your life.

For example, Hurricane Katrina was more of a blessing to me than most people think. This storm delivered me from a place I didn’t want to be, from a marriage wracked with my ex-husband’s infidelities, from a place where no one would hire me, from a place where I couldn’t get my business up and running, from a place where I was filled with despair and depression.

Yes, I lost all my material possessions but in return gained peace of mind, joy at each new day, a new home, new clothes, a new car, money to pay off my debts and restart my business, a new place I love, new friends, blessings from strangers, restoration of my weary soul, a stronger faith and a powerful testimony.

Knowing now, I can say without a doubt, I wouldn’t give anything for my journey. I look back and see God’s hand in so many areas guiding me to safety, making a way out of no way, giving me hope and a blessed future. To God be the glory and I praise Him for His goodness.

He delivered me and He can and will deliver you. All you have to do is give your life to Jesus, believe He can make a way and think in your heart of what He wants you to do. Take care and God bless you.

Moms Working for the Kingdom wants to thank Gazelle Simmons for taking the time out to give of herself in this interview with us. I encourage you to visit her website and Ryze page to find out more about this extraordinary brave women of God.

http://www.admnsrvcs.com
http://www.ryze.com/go/gazellems

Be sure and visit us next week when MWK interviews another Woman of God.

Sherri C. Walker
Woman2Woman Lounge
Moms Working for the Kingdom
http://www.momsworkingforthekingdom.org

September 19, 2007

Katie Farmer is a 32 year old single mother of a 5 year old little girl. She works hard daily trying to provide a better life for her daughter Rylee and herself. Katie works as a Senior consultant for Mineral Girlz. Her mission is teaching teenage girls to appreciate their inner beauty as well as their outer. Katie has also developed a teenage girls yahoo group where she hopes to minister to mothers and their daughters. Currently she is preparing to embark on another ministry she believes God is leading her towards. I have watched Katie grow in Christ over the months. She is striving to deepen her walk with Christ and be used in ministry within his kingdom. Katie is attending Bible college pursuing a degree in ministry. She loves being around other Christians and puts aside secular influences. Her desire is to be a blessing to someone else, whether its to minister to them, give them a nice compliment, share a verse, or send them a birthday card on their birthday. She wants to sit at the feet of Jesus and talk to him as her best friend. Katie believes God is leading her to be a missionary/ Evangelist. She says he often gives her scripture that confirms her feelings. She is learning Spanish and has a heart for the Hispanic culture. Her grandmother told her to start writing letters as she does and praying for the needs of others. When her income increases she plans to buy some shoe boxes and give things to the missionaries that they need. Her Grandmother is also going to teach her how to make crosses.

Katie has a special heart- she has been fundraising to help in the search for her missing friend Alicia Minton who has been missing since June 1st of this year. You can find out more Alicia’s case by visiting www.missingaliciaminton.com

Let us now take an even closer look into the life of Katie Farmer who Moms Working for the Kingdom has chosen to have a talk with this week Woman2Woman…..

1. Katie what gave you the passion to want to help young girls realize their inner beauty?

My two 12 year old nieces. I want to encourage them to embrace their natural beauty. Society teaches that to embrace your natural beauty isn't good enough. I want to teach my nieces and other young ladies that natural beauty is the best way to celebrate yourself, and to accept yourself for who you are.

2. What are you most thankful to God for?

I am thankful to God for sending me my friend Ryan Carter. He's really encouraging me to follow my dream and really believes in me. When other people come around and shoot my dreams down he is there to pick me back up. He tells me he is with me every step of the way and will do all he can to work with me and help me achieve my dreams.

3. What is your favorite Bible verse and why?

Amos 5:24- And Justice will flow like a roaring stream..

This tells me that God will take care of the injustices of the world.

4. What has your walk been like with the Lord?

In the past few weeks my walk with Christ has been growing by leaps and bounds. I've been reading my bible everyday, writing in my journal what I feel God is speaking to me about and praying for others. I find since doing this as each day passes my faith in Christ gets stronger and stronger by the minute.

5. What does your daily schedule entail involving your business?

Priorities. I am learning to balance everything being a single mom. I work on making sure no area of my life gets neglected. My work will not interfere with my mother/daughter time with Rylee. When she is home from school my job is done.

6. What are some things you want to accomplish in the future for you and Rylee?

For myself: To attend SouthWestern Assembly of God University in Waxachie, Texas where I plan to major in missions and cross cultural studies.To marry a godly man who shares my same interests and so we can minister together as a family on the mission field, myself, my spouse, Rylee, and our other kids.

For Rylee: I want her to have a wonderful father who will love her and treat her as his own daughter, and for her to have a college education and succeed in life.

7. What advice can you offer to other single mothers?

To reach for your dreams! Don't ever let anyone tell you as a single mom you can't do it. If you have the faith in Christ and really believe in yourself you can accomplish anything!

Moms Working for the Kingdom wants to thank Katie Farmer for taking the time out for this interview with us. I encourage you to visit the Ryze page and the website of this inspiring women of God and see all that she is doing.

http://www.mineralgirlz.com/members/mineralgurldiva/

http://www.ryze.com/go/Arkansascountrygal

Be sure and visit us next week when MWK interviews another Woman of God.

Sherri C. Walker
Woman2Woman
Moms Working for the Kingdom
http://www.momsworkingforthekingdom.org

September 26, 2007

This weeks chosen women of God that Moms Working for the Kingdom has interviewed is no stranger to the Ryze Network, her "Christian Women of Power" group is one of the most visited forums on the Network. She is an author, motivational speaker, minister of God's Gospel, and radio show host. Her name is Rebecca Simmons.

This wife and mother of four serves as co-pastor with her husband, Minister Anthony Simmons, who is Pastor of New Creation Christian Ministries in Elizabeth, NJ. Rebecca is also a Certified Christian Counselor.

The Lord uses her to write novels and inspirational books that provoke readers to examine their hearts, their lives, and their relationships with God. She is the author of two compelling novels, Nobody’s Business and Daddy Love, and an inspirational book, The Cry of a Woman’s Heart, Healing the Pain of the Past, Traveling the Road to Victorious Living. Her new book, Pump Up The Power -- Get The Life You Want -- Is available as well as all her other powerful books at: http://www.dpc-books.com/default.php

The diversity of Mrs. Simmons doesn’t stop there, she is also the owner of Diligence Publishing Company, Co-Founder of a Motivational Speaking Company, New Life Speakers, and the founder of Circle of Sisters Victorious in Christ Inc.

Rebecca is a dynamic speaker who has a no holds barred approach to dealing with the issues of life. She believes that the only way to get healed is to face the issues of your past and then hand them over to God to let Him do the rest. At the Church that she and her husband pastor together you can find them offering to their flock premarital counseling, marriage counseling, individual counseling and personal development. The also have marriage and financial workshops.

Listen live to this amazing Christian Women of Power on her call-in radio programs on Blogtalk Radio and Talkshoe Radio by coming over to http://www.nccmradio.com

Now grab a cup of your favorite coffee or tea and enjoy this interview we had with CWOP’s very own Rebecca Simmons.

1. What is the most enjoyable part of your ministry?

The most enjoyable part of my ministry is having the privilege to preach and teach the Gospel, to lead God’s chosen people, and to see the fruit of the ministry in their lives.

2. How do you balance being a wife, mother, and pastor?

That’s a good question. Most times, things don’t balance out. With so much to do, some things are bound to fall by the wayside. The most important thing for me is to remember my priorities which are:

God first, that means that I have to make sure that I am nurturing my relationship with God and keeping Him first in my life. I do this by communicating with Him through prayer, reading His Holy Word, worshipping Him in our church services, and making sure that I am obedient to His will for my life.

My husband comes second. I thank God for the man of God that He has placed in my life. My goal in my marriage is to keep my husband happy. If he’s happy with me, then I know that I’m doing what the Bible has instructed me to do in my marriage. The great thing about my husband is that he is easy to please. He wants to keep me happy. I want to keep him happy. We both want to keep God happy. It works out wonderfully.

My children are next. I refuse to neglect my children for the church, the ministry or the people that I minister to. I make sure that I’m being a mother more than I’m being a pastor or a minister. God forbid if I gain the whole world for Christ and lose my children in the process! I also don’t want them to be like a lot of preacher’s kids who get turned off by the church because Mom and Dad gave so much more to the church people than to them. So we make sure that we spend lots of quality family time and we make sure that our children are enjoying their relationship with the Lord as well.

Then there’s the church and the ministry which really do take up a lot of my time and could take up more if I allowed it. I keep boundaries. No calls on my home phone from church members, a cut off time at night for ministry work, meetings with members by appointment only, keeping an emotional distance from the drama that does come up in the ministry and the church, and completing the circle by making sure that I keep God first by doing what I do for God and not for the people that He sends me to minister to.
As you can see, it’s a lot. But I don’t try to be superwoman. I always try to remember that God is in control.

3. What Bible verse is your favorite and how is it relevant to your life?

I love the Bible! My favorite verse changes according to the season that I’m in. I guess the most prevalent Bible verse for me is Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you; Plans to give you hope and a future.”

This is relevant to my life because so many things can go wrong in life. When trials come and disappointments come, it’s important to remember that God has a better plan and it’s all good! This keeps my mindset in the spiritual realm as opposed to looking at life and thinking about it in the natural realm. The Bible tells us that we have the mind of Christ. I’m finally figuring out how to use Christ’s mind instead of mine. The Bible tells us that the Spirit knows all things and that these things will be revealed. Again, this ties back into the Jeremiah 29:11 scripture. God has a plan. It shall be revealed by the Spirit. It’s all good; therefore I shall not get anxious about trials, troubles, disappointments, fear, doubt or even rejection. As long as I’m with God, everything is going to work out for my good. (Romans 8:28).

4. How do you handle those days when you feel a little overwhelmed by everything going on in it?

That’s easy to resolve. On days when I’m feeling overwhelmed by everything that I have to do, I take a time out. I get a blanket, my Bible and the remote control and I get on my couch and stay there for as long as it takes. We are all so busy. It’s important to know when the Lord is leading you beside those still waters so that He can restore your soul. (Psalm 23)

5. What inspired you to write the powerful books you have written?

It was really about God and His plan (Jeremiah 29:11 again). One day the Lord quickened it in my spirit that I wanted to write a book. I set out to write my first novel, Daddy Love. As I was writing, God instructed me to write a book about a woman who works at a crisis center helping other women to deal with their issues. The ironic part about this woman is that she had so many issues of her own that it was becoming more and more difficult for her to be effective. This became my first novel. I put down my book (Daddy Love) and wrote God’s book (Nobody’s Business). Nobody’s Business is very much my testimony. This book was inspired by my life. When I started writing Nobody’s Business, I had no idea what God was up to until I realized that I had written about the molestation that I suffered through at the hands of a man that I looked up to and admired. Little did I know that I would unveil all of my secrets in that book (Nobody’s Business) through the lives of my various characters.

Once that was done, I went ahead and wrote the other books. The Cry of A Woman’s Heart is a book for healing all of the issues that I wrote about in Nobody’s Business; Daddy Love contains some more of my story. It’s a book about a beautiful young woman looking for love in all of the wrong places. I wrote Kayla’s Day, a motivational book, with my daughter to inspire the children and finally this year, I released Pump Up The Power - Get The Life You Want. This book is geared to inspire the reader to go to the next level in his or her life. All of my books are inspired by a God-given purpose to heal, exhort, inspire, motivate, encourage, and help others to change their lives for the better through the written word and the spoken word.

6. Who is your inspiration or role model and why?

Jesus is my inspiration because He sacrificed so much for so many. He walked the earth with so much love, authority and power. I want that.

My husband is my role model because He is a man of great faith. He never wavers in his belief in the Word and promises of God. He is also a very easy-going man. Nothing bothers him. I strive daily to move in that spirit of peace. I’m almost there.

Another role model and inspiration is Joyce Meyers. God has used her in a mighty way to help me to get healed from my issues and to show me an example of how to get my testimony out in order to help others who may need to hear my story of tragedy and triumph through Jesus.

7. What is your message to those who don’t know Jesus as Savior and Lord?

My message to those who don’t know Jesus as Lord and Savior is this: I encourage you to get to know Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life. For many years, I lived life my own way. I didn’t know that my way had me living very much below the standard of life that God had ordained for me. I was broken, busted and disgusted with life. I spent a lot of time partying because I was trying to find some happiness. I was looking for love in all of the wrong places and I was so wounded on the inside that I didn’t know what to do. One day, someone told me about God’s love and my life began to change.

I accepted Jesus into my life and everything that I was, I no longer am. I became a new creation with a new life in Christ. I received knowledge of my purpose and God’s plan for my life and I received wisdom and power to move forward and have the best life possible!

God has good things in store for you. The only thing standing between you and God is your sin. Jesus took your sins to the cross. By receiving Jesus in your heart, you receive forgiveness of your sins. Imagine all of the dirty, stinking, wrong things that you’ve ever done being forgiven by God. God forgets your sins and you get a brand new start in life.

That’s good news. If you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, you can be saved and all things in your life can become brand new. It’s never too late to start over. Start over with Jesus Christ today!

Moms Working for the Kingdom wants to thank Pastor Rebecca Simmons for giving of her time to do this interview with us. It truly was a blessing and an honor to conduct it. I thank her for sharing a part of her life with us and her powerful testimony. I pray it changes many lives! I encourage you to visit her Ryze page to find out more about this amazing Woman of God @ http://www.ryze.com/go/rebeccasimmons

Be sure and visit us next Wednesday when MWK interviews another amazingWoman of God.

Sherri C. Walker
Founder of Woman 2 Woman Lounge,
a Subsidiary of Moms Working for the Kingdom
http://www.momsworkingforthkingdom.org

"Uniting, Edifying, Inspiring, Motivating & Empowering Women"