VBD Magazine – January 2026

VICTORIOUS

• EDITING

• PUBLISHING

• BOOK PROMOTION

• AUTHOR COACHING

• WRITING COURSES

• WRITING SEMINARS

• WRITING WORKSHOPS

• WRITING CONFERENCES

VICTORIOUS BY

DESIGN

Victorious By Design (VBD) Magazine is a leading quarterly lifestyle, business, and literary publication for personal, professional, and organizational transformation, growth, and success. Our magazine provides game-changing brand visibility, while delivering practical advice, actionable strategies, teachable moments, inspiring narratives, and tools that integrate faith with various aspects of life, business, and literature.

We feature inspirational authors, business leaders, ministry leaders, purpose-driven influencers, industry experts, and other phenomenal individuals who are eager to share their insights with you. We created VBD Magazine just for you. Each issue highlights the incredible achievements of individuals who have harnessed their God-given talents and are using their expertise to positively impact lives. Our goal is to inspire you to reach beyond your fears and walk in your purpose so that you can live victoriously. We are your go-to empowerment oasis, and we are excited to be a part of your growth and success.

VBD Magazine is a publication of Victorious By Design (VBD), LLC. The content is published in good faith. The views expressed in the articles, editorials, and all other content, reflect the author’s opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor or publisher. VBD does not endorse any organizations, programs, websites listed, advertisers, or the accuracy of claims made by the advertisers in this magazine.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Ann Marie Bryan

MANAGING EDITOR

Paula Hamilton

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Beverlyn Johnson

FEATURES EDITOR

Icylin Morgan

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Dr. Henritta Stewart

SNR. FEATURE WRITER

Bindu A. Chowritmootoo

Dr. Jacquiline Cox

Dr. Ruby Evans

Mark Claude Andrew Jennings

Kerry-Ann McPherson

FEATURE WRITERS

W. Mason Dunn

Sardia J. Jennings

Kay Johnson-Clennon

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Ramona Powell Dennis

Pastor Danyelle Scroggins

FRONT COVER DESIGN

Brittany Rockwell

FROM THE DESK of Ann Marie Bryan

Moving Forward with Faith and Conviction

As we step into a new year, we are reminded that beginnings matter. They set the tone, establish vision, and invite us to move forward with intention. This first issue of the year is both a declaration and a celebration, affirming that faith still leads, excellence still matters, and influence, when stewarded well, has the power to transform lives.

This Women’s Issue of VBD Magazine celebrates faith in action. It honors women who have chosen obedience over ease, discipline over distraction, and purpose over applause. Their stories affirm that impact is not accidental. It is cultivated through consistency, surrender, and trust in God’s design.

Our cover story features Dr. Jacqueline King, whose journey reflects intentional leadership, spiritual authority, and strategic excellence. As the Founder and CEO of Black Women Empowered, she has built a global movement rooted in faith, structure, and service. In this issue, we also highlight 10 Women of Faith, Excellence, and Influence, leaders who are shaping lives and communities across business, ministry, education, wellness, and advocacy. Their stories remind us that when faith is anchored in action, it has the power to shape generations.

Throughout these pages, you will encounter builders, healers, innovators, and visionaries, women answering God’s call in unique yet unified ways. Together, their journeys challenge us to reflect on how we steward our gifts, platforms, and opportunities, and to walk boldly in the purpose God has entrusted to us.

Thank you for being part of the VBD family. It is our honor to continue walking alongside you, spotlighting purpose, amplifying faith-driven excellence, and celebrating lives lived victoriously by design.

Stay safe, stay connected, and as always, stay victorious.

Enjoy this issue.

Ann Marie Bryan

Ann Marie Bryan Editor-in-Chief

St. Monica’s Children’s Home

ISSUE 20/2026

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Meet Our

Click/tap on the card to visit the writer's respective website or social media page.

DANYELLE SCROGGINS

Author & Senior Pastor of New Vessels Ministries

Danyelle Scroggins is the senior pastor of New Vessels Ministries North in Shreveport, Louisiana, and chaplain at Ochsner LSU Health Center, Louisiana’s trauma one health center. She owns Divinely Sown Publishing LLC, a company that specializes in the publication of books divinely sown into the hearts of writers. Danyelle is the author of both Christian fiction and non-fiction books.

KERRY-ANN MCPHERSON

Feature Writer & Administrator

Kerry-Ann McPherson is a Christian leader and administrator with a passion for growth. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, being in nature, and embracing the arts, especially music and literature. She writes monthly articles on LinkedIn for empathetic leaders, providing advice and tips for transforming professional relationships. Kerry-Ann joins the team as a Feature Writer for VBD Magazine.

DR. JACQUILINE COX

Bestselling Author & Literary Coach

Dr. Jacquiline Cox is a bestselling author, publisher, and founder of Listen Linda Publishing. As Mrs. Illinois USA Ambassador, she uses her voice to empower others through faith, storytelling, and resilience. As a contributing writer for VBD Magazine, she brings her signature blend of bold encouragement, literary excellence, and faith-forward inspiration to every article.

RAMONA POWELL DENNIS

Author, Teacher & Inspirational Speaker

Ramona Powell is an author, teacher, and inspirational speaker. She has used her upbringing in a Christian home to help channel her love for Christ and her desire to be an inspiration to all. "Sometimes we go through things to strengthen our faith and to be a testament to others." She loves sharing her life experiences to show that no matter what life throws at you, you can overcome and prevail.

BINDU A. CHOWRITMOOTOO

Senior Feature Writer & Author

Bindu Chowritmootoo is a leadership and business coach with over 25 years in healthcare and the founder of Manifest with Bindu. She has partnered with 200+ companies to empower growth and excellence, while also raising funds for children’s education through Bloom India. A Certified Professional Coach, she has been featured in Frisco City Lifestyle and honored with Female Entrepreneur of the Month and 50 Under 50.

W. MASON DUNN

Feature Writer, Author, & Writing Consultant

Waletta Mason Dunn is an author, publisher, and writing consultant. She is the author of five Christian fiction novels and several journals. The breadth of her personal and professional experiences has contributed enormously to her fascinatingly inspirational writings. Waletta uses wisdom gained in the trenches as the foundation for her writing and consulting ministry. As a Feature Writer for VBD Magazine, she is committed to inspiring readers while strategically aligning her content with the magazine’s growth and impact objectives.

DR. RUBY EVANS

Senior Feature Writer & Educator

Dr. Ruby Evans, a visionary educational leader, holds degrees in Mathematics from Grambling State University, Applied Statistics from Louisiana State University, and a doctorate in Higher Education Administration with a minor in Theoretical Statistics from the University of Florida. A dedicated professor, statistical consultant, and philanthropist, Dr. Evans is also an avid reader with a passion for the written word.

SARDIA J. JENNINGS

Feature Writer & Healthcare IT Professional

Sardia J. Jennings is a former cardiac nurse turned healthcare IT professional. She holds a degree in nursing from Auburn University. Her love for writing is matched by her passion for purpose. As a writer for VBD Magazine, she fuses her expertise in health and technology with her love for writing and faith.

MARK C. JENNINGS

Senior Feature Writer & Attorney

Mark Claude Jennings, Esq. is a distinguished attorney, communicator, and purpose-driven storyteller. With a deep commitment to faith, justice, and community impact, he brings a unique blend of legal expertise and narrative excellence to VBD Magazine. As a Senior Feature Writer, Mark is dedicated to uncovering stories that inspire, empower, and reflect the heart of transformational leadership and service.

KAY JOHNSON-CLENNON

Educator, Actuary, & Author

Kay Johnson-Clennon is a multifaceted professional, juggling roles as a devoted wife, mother, author, educator, and associate actuary with over 15 years of experience. Her passion lies in demystifying intricate calculations, which is reflected in her compelling writing style. She finds joy in blogging, volunteering, and sharing her wisdom, embodying a spirit of curiosity and boundless energy. In her role as a Feature Writer for VBD Magazine, Kay aims to inspire readers and contribute to the company’s mission of excellence.

GET FEATURED IN VBD MAGAZINE

Join the trailblazers!

We are exicted and honored to feature you! Ready to crush it? Click To Share

VICTORIOUS BY

DESIGN

PIONEERS' Paradise

Darline Dorce-Coupet

A GLOBAL LENS ON SERVICE, LEADERSHIP, AND LEGACY

by Dr. Ruby Evans

Darline Dorce-Coupet’s life and leadership have always been shaped by a global lens. Though she grew up in the United States, her worldview and her work extend far beyond borders. From the beginning of her career, education was more than a profession; it was a calling rooted in service, empowerment, and transformation.

After earning her graduate degree in education, Dorce-Coupet committed herself wholeheartedly to teaching, a journey that would take her across cultures and continents. She spent ten years educating students in the United Arab Emirates and close to five years teaching in China, serving at multiple international schools while navigating diverse classrooms and communities both abroad and at home.

These years as an international educator deepened her appreciation for resilience, adaptability, and the life-changing power of knowledge. Education became her ministry. Whether guiding young children, adolescents, or adult learners, Dorce-Coupet witnessed how access to information could open doors—and how its absence could limit futures. That understanding would later become the foundation for her next calling: empowering families through real estate, advocacy, and financial restoration.

AN ANSWERED CALLING

After spending 25 years as a K–12 educator, both internationally and domestically, Dorce-Coupet has embarked on a journey within the real estate industry. Currently, Dorce-Coupet is a REALTOR®, real estate investor, and the CEO of Revival Home Rescues, LLC. As a teacher, she learned how to listen first, lead with empathy, and break complex ideas into accessible steps. Those skills translated seamlessly into her entry into real estate.

She shares, “Buying, selling, or investing in property can feel overwhelming—especially for first-time buyers or families under financial stress. My instinct is never to rush people, but to empower them. I explain options clearly, set realistic expectations, and ensure both my students and clients feel informed rather

than intimidated. Similarly to teaching at school, at its core, real estate—like education is about stewardship, trust, and guiding people toward better outcomes.”

According to Dorce-Coupet, however, “The transition wasn’t sudden—it was a calling that unfolded over time. Immediately upon returning to the U.S., I purchased my forever home. However, I noticed how many hardworking families were losing their homes (even within my own neighborhood), not because they were irresponsible, but because they lacked options or advocacy. I realized that real estate could be another classroom—one where the lessons were financial literacy, stability, and generational wealth.”

REVIVAL HOME RESCUES

Revival Home Rescues was born out of that realization. Dorce-Coupet joined WREIN (the Women’s Real Estate Investment Network) a year after moving back to the United States. She had toyed with the idea of going into real estate while living in China. Dorce-Coupet explains, “I wanted to create solutions, not just transactions. Real estate investing gave me a vehicle to serve families creatively while also building long-term wealth and freedom.”

Dorce-Coupet focuses on helping families avoid foreclosure through strategies such as wholesaling, novation, and subject-to deals. Per Dorce-Coupet, “Foreclosure is often the result of limited information, not limited effort. Creative strategies like selling your home to an investor quickly for cash, novation agreements, and subject-to financing, allow homeowners to preserve dignity, protect credit when possible, and exit any tricky situation with options rather than shame.”

BUYING, SELLING, OR INVESTING IN PROPERTY

CAN FEEL OVERWHELMING— ESPECIALLY FOR FIRST-TIME BUYERS OR FAMILIES UNDER FINANCIAL STRESS. MY INSTINCT IS NEVER TO RUSH PEOPLE, BUT TO EMPOWER THEM.

She adds, “These strategies can provide time, relief, and sometimes equity where homeowners thought there was none. My role is to assess each situation ethically and determine the solution that best serves the homeowner—not just closing the deal.”

MERGING EDUCATION AND REAL ESTATE

Dorce-Coupet hosts webinars and educates first-time homebuyers and aspiring investors. She explains, “The biggest misconception is that real estate is only for the wealthy or the fearless. Many believe they need perfect credit, large savings, or insider access. I teach people that strategy, education, and support matter far more than perfection.”

Through her webinars, she also pinpoints specific signs homeowners should look for early to avoid foreclosure, and the immediate next steps they should take. She states, “Missed payments, increasing debt, or avoiding lender communication are early warning signs. The most crucial step is to seek help immediately. The earlier the intervention, the more options remain available. Silence is costly. Advocacy is powerful.

“I love witnessing the “aha” moments—when fear turns into curiosity and curiosity into action. Successful investors (whether sav-

ing an existing home from foreclosure or purchasing a new property) share common traits: consistency, humility, and a willingness to learn. Those who succeed don’t wait to feel ready—they grow ready by doing.”

THE POWER OF A COMMUNITY OF WOMEN AS INVESTORS

As a member of Women’s Real Estate Investors Network (WREIN), DorceCoupet touts the importance of community in shaping her journey from classroom educator to real estate agent and investor. She points out, “Community has been transformational. WREIN surrounded me with women who think expansively, invest confidently, and lead boldly. Seeing women from all social classes step into ownership and wealth creation reframes what’s possible. Women are natural stewards and visionaries. When we see ourselves as investors, we stop waiting for permission and start building a legacy. Community accelerates that confidence. Confidence grows with clarity. When people understand the process, fear loses its grip.”

GENERATIONAL WEALTH

Dorce-Coupet’s philosophy views real estate as more than property. She views it as a tool for generational wealth. She explains that families should endeavor to teach specific financial principles to the next generation.

In her view, “Families should teach ownership, delayed gratification, and financial literacy early. Children should understand the difference between assets and liabilities, the power of compounding, and the importance of multiple income streams. Moreover, investment in real estate teaches patience, discipline, and legacy thinking—principles that transcend money.”

A WOMAN OF FAITH

Dorce-Coupet relies on her faith as a powerful influence on her life, leadership, decision-making, and business vision. She states, “My faith grounds every decision I make. I pray over my business, my clients, and my partnerships. Integrity isn’t negotiable, and purpose always precedes profit.

“I believe God places people in our path for a reason, and I aim to serve with compassion, wisdom, and obedience. If I can help someone else along life’s journey, then I am happy about that because helping others is a true blessing.”

Dorce-Coupet practices self-care while carrying the weight of clients’ financial challenges. She remarks, “The adage that instructs you to ‘put the oxygen mask on yourself first’ is one I respect and honor. I prioritize prayer, rest, and boundaries. I also lean on community and remind myself that I am a vessel— not the source. Serving others requires sustainability, and self-care allows me to show up fully.

ATTAINING FINANCIAL FREEDOM THROUGH REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT

Dorce-Coupet offers a simple strategy for someone who wants financial freedom through real estate but doesn’t know where to begin.

l Start with education—not perfection.

l Learn the basics of cash flow, equity, and financing.

l Attend workshops, listen to credible voices, and surround yourself with people who are already doing what you aspire to do.

l Most importantly, shift your mindset.

You don’t need to know everything to begin—you need to take the first informed step.

LOOKING AHEAD

The next chapter in Dorce-Coupet’s journey is especially meaningful as it brings her work full circle. Alongside growing Revival Home Rescues and expanding her educational programming, she has officially stepped into the role of a licensed REALTOR® with Weichert Realtors – Hallmark Properties. Dorce-Coupet serves clients across the full spectrum of real estate—whether they are first-time homebuyers, families seeking traditional homeownership, sellers navigating life transitions, or individuals exploring investment opportunities.

Dorce-Coupet comments, “Being both an investor and a REALTOR® enables me to offer well-rounded guidance that is ethical, informed, and client-centered. I’m excited to continue building strategic partnerships, hosting educational workshops, and creating resources that help people make confident, well-informed real estate decisions.

“Most importantly, I want readers to know that they don’t have to navigate real estate alone. Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, invest, or understand your options, I welcome the opportunity to connect and support you on your real estate journey.

I’m expanding educational programming, strengthening strategic partnerships, and continuing to grow Revival Home Rescues as a mission-driven company. I’m especially excited about developing more resources for first-time buyers, women investors, and families seeking financial restoration.

This season is about impact, alignment, and legacy—and using every tool in my repertoire to help families build stability, ownership, and long-term wealth.”

VICTORIOUS BY DESIGN IN THE Spotlight

Hope Sheree’s journey has never been about chasing the spotlight, but about stewarding the sound God placed within her life. Through music, media, ministry, and mentorship, she has become a vessel of encouragement for the weary, a voice for the overlooked, and a living reminder that brokenness is never the end of the story.

Internationally recognized as a Spiritual Soul artist, Hope’s life and career stand as evidence that purpose unfolds through obedience, perseverance, and faith. With more than twenty-five years in the music industry, her influence reaches far beyond stages and studios, touching hearts through radio airwaves, digital platforms, global tours, and faith-centered storytelling.

In her candid conversation with VBD Magazine, Hope shared the layers behind the music—the faith that carried her through uncertainty, the obedience that continues to shape her calling, and the ways God refined her voice for purpose. From navigating fear and self-doubt to building A Dose of Hope (ADOH) into a global platform of encouragement, the interview was rich, transparent, and deeply affirming. It served as a powerful reminder that behind every anointed sound is a journey marked by surrender, resilience, and unwavering trust in God.

ROOTED IN PURPOSE

Formerly known as Hope Askew, Hope transitioned from R&B to Inspirational and Gospel music in 2000, marking a pivotal shift not only in her sound but in her calling. When she speaks about the moment she committed fully to the path God set before her, there is no ambiguity in her tone.

“I have not looked back. I have not thought

FAITH HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH LIFE BECAUSE IT HAS TRULY SHAPED EVERY ASPECT OF MY LIFE.

Hope Sheree

GIVING THE WORLD A DOSE OF HOPE

by Ann Marie Bryan

twice. I’ve just been enjoying this journey that I’m on.”

That decision to move forward without constantly revisiting what was left behind has shaped how Hope approaches life, faith, and purpose. Her growth was not sudden or dramatic, but it unfolded through obedience, self-awareness, and trust in God’s leading. It was a redefining of who she understood herself to be.

Family has always been part of what kept Hope stable. “I’m the oldest of three. I have two younger brothers,” she shares, noting how responsibility and leadership were woven into her life early on. Hope hails from Norfolk, Virginia, and remains deeply connected to her roots. “I still reside in that city today,” she says.

With three R&B singles and four fulllength gospel projects to her name, Hope’s artistry bridges musical excellence with spiritual depth, creating songs that resonate with authenticity and conviction. Her work is not driven by trends, but by testimony. Every lyric, melody, and message carries the weight of lived experience and unwavering belief. Hope’s music speaks to the soul because it comes from the soul, shaped by prayer, perseverance, and a life devoted to service.

A JOURNEY OF ACCOMPLISHMENT AND IMPACT

Over the course of her career, Hope has garnered recognition for both artistic excellence and cultural impact. A Billboard Top 30 award-winning artist, she has received accolades including Song of the Year, multiple nominations for Female Artist of the Year, and the 2025 Canadian Selah Music Awards Video of the Year for her powerful single “Broken.” Her work has also been celebrated across digital and print platforms for contributions to music, radio broadcasting, and inspirational leadership.

One of Hope’s most remarkable milestones was headlining her own European tour—performing in 22 cities across Italy and Switzerland in just 17 days. This tour was ministry on the move. Night after night, Hope delivered music that

crossed language barriers and cultural boundaries, offering encouragement and healing wherever she stood.

Her influence continues to expand through media as well. As the host of A Dose of Hope Radio and ADOH Radio Live, Hope reaches audiences in more than 130 countries across 40 platforms, generating millions of listens, views, and downloads. These platforms serve as global sanctuaries, spaces where faith, authenticity, and honest conversations intersect.

A MULTIFACETED TALENT WITH A SINGULAR MISSION

Beyond music, Hope is an Amazon three-times bestselling author, blogger, actress, motivational speaker, marketer, graphic designer, and web designer. Each role she occupies flows from the same source: a desire to uplift, empower, and point people back to God.

As a member of Pharrell Williams’ Voices of Fire Choir, Hope has performed on some of the world’s most visible platforms, including Soundcheck: A Netflix Film and Series Music Showcase presented by Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and The Jimmy Kimmel Show. The Grammy-nominated choir has celebrated the reopening of Notre Dame, performed at the Vatican in Rome, and opened the 2025 World Series with two powerful anthems. The group is currently celebrating their Grammy nomination for “Birds Don’t Sing,” featuring Clipse and John Legend.

Hope’s artistry is deeply intertwined with her ministry. Her latest releases, including “Broken” and “Big One,” continue to explore themes of healing, resilience, faith, and restoration. These songs are not polished platitudes; they are honest reflections of real life, offered with vulnerability and hope.

Hope’s ministry knows no limits, and its reach continues to expand. Whether through song, spoken word, or digital storytelling, she meets people where they are, without pretense or judgment. Her ability to communicate across mediums has made her a trusted voice for those navigating grief, transition, and rebuilding.

BUILDING A COMMUNITY

Hope understands the power of community and has intentionally cultivated spaces, both online and offline, where people can find encouragement, accountability, and spiritual nourishment. At the heart of her work is A Dose of Hope, a platform that embodies her mission to deliver encouragement in tangible and accessible ways.

Serving as an oasis for those seeking faith-rooted inspiration, A Dose of Hope reflects Hope’s belief that healing often happens in connection. She understands that shared testimony can become someone else’s lifeline, and that community provides the sacred space where restoration begins and hope is renewed.

FAITH AND DISCIPLINE

I HAVE NOT LOOKED BACK. I HAVE NOT THOUGHT TWICE. I’VE JUST BEEN ENJOYING THIS JOURNEY THAT I’M ON.

Hope’s longevity in the industry is the result of discipline, adaptability, and faith. Faith, she explains, is not an accessory to her life; it is the foundation. “Faith has everything to do with life because it has truly shaped every aspect of my life.”

SOMETIMES, YOU HAVE THE ABILITY, BUT THERE’S THIS FEAR.

Rather than seeing herself as someone who boldly stepped into purpose with confidence from the beginning, Hope is refreshingly honest about the internal work it took to get there. “I never sat there one day and said, ‘Oh my God, I can do this. And I can do that.’” Like many women, she wrestled with uncertainty, not because she lacked ability, but because fear can often disguise itself as wisdom. “Sometimes, you have the ability, but there’s this fear.”

What distinguishes Hope is her willingness to confront that fear instead of negotiating with it. She learned to discern what aligned with her calling and what did not. “I look right at the situation, and say, ‘Oh no, I don’t need to be doing that.’” That clarity did not come from external validation, but from internal conviction. She credits God for shaping her mindset and giving her the discipline to move with intention rather than impulse.

THE LONG VIEW

As Hope continues to evolve, the future holds even greater expansion. New music projects are on the horizon, alongside continued global performances, media engagements, and creative collaborations. Her work with Voices of Fire, her solo music, and her growing influence across digital platforms signal a season of multiplied impact.

Yet, no matter how far her reach extends, Hope remains committed to the same mission she has carried from the beginning: to give all glory to God and to use her voice to heal, uplift, and inspire. Hope is an artist, but importantly, she is a messenger. A bridge. A living reminder that purpose does not expire and that faith, when lived authentically, resonates far beyond any stage.

Dr. Jacqueline King

FAITH, DISCIPLINE, AND THE ARCHITECT OF A GLOBAL MOVEMENT

by Ann Marie Bryan

Dr. Jacqueline King is not driven by visibility but obedience. Her leadership was never crafted for applause or algorithms, but forged through years of discipline, prayer, and an unwavering commitment to God’s assignment on her life. Long before the platforms expanded and the numbers grew, she was doing the quiet, foundational work of faith—learning, building, and leading with intention.

As the Founder and CEO of Black Women Empowered Inc., Dr. King now shepherds one of the most influential faith-centered digital communities for women across the globe, reaching millions each month through prayer, education, leadership development, and intentional encouragement. Yet the magnitude of the movement tells only part of the story. What truly defines her influence is not reach, but root, a leadership philosophy grounded in spiritual authority, academic excellence, and a deep reverence for stewardship.

In an exclusive conversation with Magazine, Dr. King discusses how her faith, education, and lived experiences shaped her leadership, and why she be lieves empowerment without structure is incomplete. Her story is not one of overnight success, but of sustained obe dience, and a reminder that when hope is stewarded with wisdom, it becomes transformational.

A FOUNDATION BUILT ON EDUCATION AND EXCELLENCE

Dr. King’s leadership did not emerge in isolation; it was forged through decades of disciplined preparation, professional rigor, and academic pursuit. For 26 years, she served in various management roles within the largest electric and gas utility company in New Jersey, navigating complex systems, leading teams, and operating at a level where precision, accountability, and strategic foresight were non-negotiable. Those years shaped her understanding of leadership not as position, but as stewardship.

Her corporate experience was reinforced by her commitment to education. Dr. King holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, a Master of Science in Christian Counseling, an Honorary Doctorate in Humanities, and a Doctorate in the Philosophy of Christian Counseling from Cornerstone Christian Bible College International. This rare blend of business acumen and faith-based scholarship gave her both the analytical framework and the spiritual discernment necessary to lead with clarity and conviction.

Before the platform reached global scale, Dr. King was learning how organizations function at scale—how systems are built, how people are developed, and how vision must be translated into structure to be sustainable. Her years in corporate leadership refined her skills in operations, organizational development, and strategic management, preparing her for the weight of leadership she would later carry in ministry and nonprofit spaces.

strengthens leadership, and ensures that purpose is not only inspired, but executed with integrity and longevity.

THE BIRTH OF BLACK WOMEN EMPOWERED

In 2012, Dr. King founded Black Women Empowered (BWE) Incorporated, alongside Black Women Empowered Safe Haven, answering a call to create a sacred space where women could be encouraged, strengthened, and seen.

BWE was never intended to be simply an online group. It was built as a ministry and a network, one that would meet women in real time with prayer, truth, education, and practical support. Through daily posts, live broadcasts, wellness conversations, and faith-based teaching, BWE reaches millions across the globe each day, offering consistent encouragement.

Alongside its digital presence, Dr. King ensured that compassion extended beyond

As the platform grew, so did its mandate. Dr. King recently launched the Christian Women Level Up Movement, a faith-driven initiative designed to help women advance spiritually, personally, financially, and professionally. The movement reflects her belief that faith should elevate every area of a woman’s life.

Yet despite its scale, the heart of Black Women Empowered has remained unchanged. Dr. King attributes the organization’s growth not to algorithms or marketing tactics, but to obedience and consistency. “If you’re giving people hope,” she shared, “they’re going to keep coming back.”

THE BLACK WOMEN EMPOWERED DIRECTORY

In February 2024, Dr. King expanded the vision of Black Women Empowered once again with the launch of the Black Women Empowered Directory, a powerful digital marketplace designed to amplify Black and brown women entrepreneurs and business owners.

Built on the foundation of BWE’s global reach—over three million followers across social platforms—the Directory provides unprecedented visibility, connection, and opportunity for women whose work deserves to be seen, supported, and sustained.

The Directory was created with intention: to bridge the gap between inspiration and implementation. While BWE nurtures faith and community, the Directory equips women to thrive economically by showcasing their products, services, and expertise within a trusted network.

Its mission is clear and focused—to empower individuals spiritually, personally, and professionally, while centering the unique experiences, challenges, and brilliance of Black and brown women. Through representation, collaboration, and access, the Directory fosters a sense of belonging while creating pathways to growth.

I CAN’T DO THIS WITHOUT GOD. AND I WON’T TRY.

What sets the BWE Directory apart is its holistic approach.

l It is a resource hub, offering access to tools, services, and connections across entrepreneurship, career advancement, health and wellness, education, and advocacy.

l It is a community builder, cultivating collaboration rather than competition.

l It is a visibility engine, amplifying the voices, talents, and contributions of women who have historically been overlooked.

By prioritizing representation and economic empowerment, the Directory reflects Dr. King’s belief that faith and business are not separate spheres, but interconnected expressions of purpose. Empowerment, in her view, must include ownership, sustainability, and generational legacy.

LEADERSHIP ROOTED IN ASSIGNMENT

Despite her global visibility, Dr. King leads from a posture of humility and service. She is intentional about deflecting attention away from herself and redirecting it toward God and the people she is called to serve. “I don’t see myself as above anyone,” she shared. “I see myself as assigned.”

That single conviction shapes every dimension of her leadership. Whether guiding teams, collaborating with partners, or mentoring emerging leaders, Dr. King leads with clarity and compassion, balancing accountability with grace, vision with humility.

Integrity is non-negotiable in Dr. King’s philosophy. She often emphasizes that influence without character is unsustainable, and that leadership must be anchored in moral alignment if it is to endure. For her, stewardship matters as much as strategy, and obedience carries more weight than applause.

Over the years, her leadership has extended far beyond Black Women Empowered. Dr. King has dedicated decades to public service, serving on numerous boards and advisory councils at the local, state, and national levels.

Her service includes roles with:

l The College of New Jersey Non-Traditional Jobs for Women

l The Mercer County Child Placement Review Board

l The Middlesex County Gender and Equity Board

l PSEG’s Speakers Bureau and Diversity Council

l The Mayor of Newark’s Diversity Council

l The Ewing Township General Assistance Board

l National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

l One Step Further, and Transitioning Minds

She has also served as Vice Chair of the Greensboro Human Relations Commission, Vice Chair of the Police Community Review Board, and as a member of The

Chief of Police’s Faith-Based Council. Currently, she continues her commitment to community impact as a board member of the Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana.

Dr. King’s service and leadership have been widely recognized. Among her many honors, she received the YMCA New Jersey Minority Achievers Award for community service and professionalism, and the prestigious Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, signed by President Joseph R. Biden, honoring her enduring commitment to service.

She has been recognized as a trailblazer in women’s leadership, featured across major media platforms, and invited to speak at conferences, churches, and leadership forums both nationally and internationally.

Yet for Dr. King, accolades have never been the goal. “Award or not,” she said, “the assignment doesn’t change.”

FAITH AND THE MODERN WOMANHOOD

Dr. King speaks candidly about the realities many women navigate in silence—mental health challenges, burnout, the pressure to perform, and the emotional weight of carrying too much for too long. She is intentional about naming what others often avoid, because she understands that healing begins where honesty is welcomed. Faith, she believes, does not eliminate struggle, but it provides the wisdom, tools, and community needed to walk through it well.

“Women need safe spaces,” she explained. “Spaces where they can be honest, grow, and heal without judgment.”

For Dr. King, faith is not performative or seasonal. It is lived daily through prayer, discipline, and discernment. It is the quiet anchor that allows her to lead with clarity rather than exhaustion, conviction rather than pressure. She credits her spiritual grounding as the reason she has sustained leadership over time without losing herself in the process.

“I can’t do this without God,” she stated plainly. “And I won’t try.”

Her reliance on prayer, Scripture, and spiritual accountability remains central, especially as Black Women Empowered continues to grow in reach and responsibility. Dr. King understands that modern womanhood requires support, boundaries, and faith that is both honest and anchored. In creating spaces where women can be seen fully and supported holistically, she is helping redefine what thriving looks like for women of faith in this generation.

STEWARDING INFLUENCE ON A GLOBAL STAGE

Beyond her work with Black Women

WOMEN NEED SAFE SPACES. SPACES WHERE THEY CAN BE HONEST, GROW, AND HEAL WITHOUT JUDGMENT.

Empowered, Dr. King’s expertise in digital leadership extends into high-profile brand stewardship. She currently serves as the Social Media Manager for Dr. Mathew Knowles, a renowned music executive, educator, entrepreneur, and global advocate. Best known as the architect behind the success of Destiny’s Child and as a respected voice in leadership, education, and health advocacy, Dr. Knowles commands an international platform rooted in influence and impact.

In this role, Dr. King strategically oversees digital engagement, brand messaging, and audience growth across platforms, ensuring that his legacy, advocacy, and thought leadership are communicated with clarity and purpose. Her ability to steward a global brand with integrity further underscores her reputation as a trusted strategist who understands both the power of narrative and the responsibility that comes with managing influential voices.

LOOKING AHEAD

As BWE continues to expand its global reach, Dr. King remains focused on longevity and legacy. Her vision is centered on deepening leadership development initiatives, strengthening strategic partnerships, and ensuring the platform remains both spiritually grounded and structurally sound. “I want women to know who they are in God,” she said. “And to walk boldly in that identity.”

That same philosophy shapes her newest work, Your Network Is Your Net Worth: Unlocking the Power of Social and Corporate Connectivity, a timely and practical guide she is currently promoting. In the book, Dr. King challenges traditional ideas about networking, reframing it as a tool for stewardship, influence, and purpose rather than transactions or self-promotion. She equips readers to leverage their brand, expertise, and relationships with intention—teaching how to attract the right people, engage strategically, choose aligned opportunities, and build networks that are both authentic and effective.

The book reflects Dr. King’s broader message: connection, when stewarded wisely, becomes a catalyst for growth, opportunity, and impact. It reinforces what she has modeled throughout her career, that excellence, preparation, and faith must work together to create sustainable success.

Beyond her leadership and public influence, Dr. King is deeply rooted in family. She is the proud mother of two children and a devoted grandmother to three grandchildren.

And if her journey teaches us anything, it is this: when faith and excellence walk together, impact is inevitable.

Click & Get Online

DESIGN VICTORIOUS BY LITERARY Den

Dr. Leticia Perry

WHEN HEALING BECOMES A CALLING

by Dr. Jacquiline Cox

There are moments in publishing that feel bigger than a book launch. Moments that feel sacred. Moments that remind me why Listen Linda was never just a brand, it was always an assignment. This is one of those moments.

I am honored to officially congratulate Dr. Leticia Perry, a woman who did more than graduate from the Listen Linda 21Day Author Bootcamp 2.0. She walked through healing, obedience, and authorship, and came out carrying a message that is already changing lives.

Graduation is not just about completion. It’s about obedience fulfilled. And Dr. Perry showed up willing to do the internal work required to produce something externally impactful.

FROM PRIVATE PAIN TO PUBLISHED PURPOSE

Many people say they have a book inside of them. Few are willing to confront what it costs to release it.

Dr. Perry entered the Bootcamp with a clear calling but also with the weight of lived experience — trauma, silence, survival, and faith forged in real storms. What unfolded over those 21 days was not rushed writing or surface-level inspiration. It was intentional excavation.

Her book, When God Touches the Hidden Wounds, is a 31-day devotional journey created for women who have survived what should have ended them—women who learned how to cope by hiding pain, masking trauma, or numbing emotions just to make it through another day.

This devotional does not talk around healing. It walks readers through it.

PERHAPS

MOST POWERFULLY, SHE REINFORCES THAT GOD DOES NOT WASTE TEARS, TRAUMA, OR SILENCE. HE REDEEMS IT.

With scripture rooted in the New King James Version, personal reflection, prayer, and what she calls “Dr. Tish Reminders,”

Dr. Perry invites readers to slow down, breathe, and finally be honest with God about the places that still hurt. Healing, as she writes, is not linear. Faith does not erase trauma. And strength does not mean silence. That level of honesty is rare and necessary.

WHY THIS BOOK MATTERS RIGHT NOW

We live in a culture that celebrates resilience but avoids restoration. We applaud women for “being strong” while never asking what it cost them to survive. When God Touches the Hidden Wounds, it disrupts that narrative.

This devotional speaks directly to:

l Women who carried childhood wounds into adulthood

l Women who learned survival before safety

l Women who were told to “move on” while still bleeding internally

l Women whose faith is real, but whose pain was never addressed

Dr. Perry creates sacred space for readers to name shame, confront rejection, break destructive patterns, and stop apologizing for existing. She reminds women that healing is not weakness; it is bravery.

And perhaps most powerfully, she reinforces that God does not waste tears, trauma, or silence. He redeems it.

WHAT GRADUATION FROM BOOTCAMP 2.0 REPRESENTS

The Listen Linda 21-Day Author Bootcamp 2.0 is not designed for hobby writing. It is designed for authors who are ready to move from calling to completion with structure, accountability, and excellence.

Dr. Perry honored the process. She showed up committed to clarity. She met deadlines. She received feedback with humility. She trusted God and the work.

Graduating from this program means she didn’t just write a book, she learned how

to steward her message, honor her voice, and present her work professionally in the marketplace.

Her devotional is published under Listen Linda Publishing, a division of ClassEDefined LLC, and is now available on Amazon, positioned to reach women who may never walk into a church but desperately need God to meet them where they are.

A LITERARY VOICE ROOTED IN COMPASSION AND AUTHORITY

What stands out most about Dr. Perry’s writing is not just vulnerability, it’s balance. She writes with compassion without coddling. With faith without performance. With authority without arrogance.

Her words feel like a trusted conversation, the kind that happens when someone has lived what they’re teaching and healed enough to guide others without bleeding on them.

That is maturity. That is ministry. That is authorship done right.

A PERSONAL WORD FROM ME

As the founder of Listen Linda Publishing, I do not take moments like this lightly.

Watching Dr. Leticia Perry step fully into authorship reminds me that healing and purpose often meet at the same table. This book is not just a devotional; it is evidence of what happens when a woman stops surviving silently and starts becoming boldly.

Dr. Perry, your graduation is well deserved. Your voice is needed. Your obedience matters.

And When God Touches the Hidden Wounds is just the beginning.

FOR THE READER

If you have ever felt unseen, unheard, or spiritually exhausted…

If you’ve carried pain you never had language for…

If you’re ready to stop surviving and start healing…

This book is for you.

When God Touches the Hidden Wounds by Dr. Leticia Perry is available now on Amazon, and it is already resonating with readers who are finally giving God permission to heal what was hidden.

Healing is possible. And sometimes, it starts with turning the page.

Catherine O’Neal

STAYING FREE IN CHRIST

by Icylin Morgan

Not every battle looks like a breakdown. Some wear a polished exterior, a faithful routine, and a quiet prayer spoken behind closed doors. Catherine O’Neal knows this reality well. Her work is shaped by a deep compassion for those navigating hidden struggles while still showing up, serving, and believing.

A California native raised in a church-going household, Catherine’s life has unfolded across multiple callings: healthcare, writing, ministry, podcasting, and acting. Each chapter, though distinct, is bound by her commitment to helping others experience lasting spiritual freedom and fruitfulness through Christ.

A JOURNEY ROOTED IN FAITH AND CURIOSITY

From an early age, Catherine was drawn to storytelling, which led her to study journalism during her freshman year at Los Angeles Valley College. Writing fascinated her—the power of words, the ability to give voice to experience, and the way stories could move hearts. Yet her path took an unexpected turn.

Her academic journey eventually shifted toward healthcare, leading her to attend Life Pacific University and later Light University, where she pursued healthcare courses. For several years, she worked in the healthcare industry, fully immersed in caring for others. Yet even in that season, her love for writing never faded. Over time, God gently drew her back to that original passion, revealing that writing would become a vessel for ministry, healing, and restoration.

AUTHOR LIFE

Catherine’s book, Hidden Struggle: Breaking Free and Staying Free , was born out of years of ministry experience and careful observation. While serving and mentoring others, she noticed a recurring and deeply concerning pattern: many believers who had once experienced freedom were finding themselves returning to the very struggles they believed they had overcome. “Having served in ministry, ministering and mentoring

others, I have observed a recurring and heartbreaking pattern in which many believers return to struggles they were once freed from. That is what inspired me to write this book.”

Through her work with individuals seeking prayer and guidance, Catherine saw how repeated setbacks led to discouragement and hopelessness. “So many believers become discouraged over time and feel as though they will never be set free,” she explains. “But that is a lie from the enemy. The enemy wants them to remain stuck and defeated.” Her book was written to confront those lingering issues directly, offering both truth and practical tools for lasting freedom. “God’s desire is for them to be free, and not only to be free but to stay free.”

The message of Hidden Struggle: Breaking Free and Staying Free is to remind readers that God’s desire is not only to set His people free, but to help them remain free. Catherine addresses the discipline required after deliverance, teaching readers how seemingly harmless choices can reopen doors they once prayed to have closed.

“As a mentor, I try to help those around me understand these patterns and make healthier choices. My goal is to help them identify these open doors, close them, and develop the discipline needed to continue walking in freedom.”

A WORD THAT BECAME A CALLING

The name Catherine’s Fruitfulness did not come from branding strategy; it came through obedience. Catherine shares that she was preparing to open a faith-based dance studio just before the

THE NAME WAS GOING TO BE SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT, BUT I FELT GOD GUIDING ME TOWARD THE NAME FRUITFULNESS. I STRUGGLED WITH IT FOR A WHILE, BUT I WANTED TO BE OBEDIENT TO THE HOLY SPIRIT.

pandemic when she felt God leading her toward the word fruitfulness. At first, she struggled with it.

“The name was going to be something completely different, but I felt God guiding me toward the name Fruitfulness. I struggled with it for a while, but I wanted to be obedient to the Holy Spirit. At the time I did not fully understand why God was leading me in that direction, but now I see exactly what He was doing.”

Fruitfulness became the defining theme of her life and ministry, representing growth, healing, and walking fully in God’s purpose. Through her book, mentorship, and media platforms, Catherine helps others bear fruit in the very areas where they once felt defeated.

HOST OF CATHERINE’S FRUITFUL TALK

Catherine’s passion for storytelling extends beyond the written page. As the host of Catherine’s Fruitful Talk, she uses podcasting as a ministry tool to amplify testimonies of healing, deliverance, and transformation.

She is deeply rooted in Scripture, often referencing Revelation 12:11— “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.”

Her motivation is powerful. “I want to reach both non-believers and believers who may doubt that miracles can still happen today. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. That’s why I started the podcast—I want people to know that miracles still happen, healing still happens, and freedom from addiction and bondage still happens today.”

Through interviews and conversations, Catherine creates space for faith to be rekindled and hope restored.

CREATIVITY ACROSS MULTIPLE PLATFORMS

In addition to writing and podcasting, Catherine has also found expression through acting. She has worked in background acting for several years, which opened doors for her to work alongside

Photo Credit: Catherine O’Neal

Christian celebrities such as Michael W. Smith and Kevin Sorbo in ministry settings. “Part of my job was helping organize concerts and banquets.”

Balancing multiple callings requires strength, and Catherine is clear about the source of hers. She credits God entirely for her ability to serve across creative and ministry spaces. “Having a prayer life, reading His Word every day, putting into practice what the Lord has spoken to me about my life, and trusting His guidance has helped me overcome struggles that once held me captive.”

For Catherine, freedom is not a one-time event. It is a daily decision to walk in obedience and alignment with the Holy Spirit.

STAYING GROUNDED

When life becomes overwhelming, Catherine leans into spiritual practices that anchor her. Speaking Scripture aloud, worship, and intentionally sitting in God’s presence help her regain clarity and strength. These moments remind her of God’s faithfulness and refocus her heart on purpose rather than pressure.

Catherine believes stories—whether written, spoken, or performed—carry immense spiritual power. She emphasizes that faith comes by hearing the Word of God, and testimonies often become the bridge that helps others believe again. “Sharing stories helps people see that God is real, He is faithful, and He can work miracles in their lives too.”

For anyone currently facing a hidden struggle, Catherine’s message is unwavering: God loves you. You are not alone. He will never leave or forsake you.

She encourages people to lay their struggles at God’s feet, trusting Him to guide their next step with compassion and clarity.

UPCOMING PLANS

Legacy is not an afterthought for Catherine, it is a daily consideration. “I want to leave an example for my family of what it means to live by faith and not

by sight, trusting God in everything and in every situation. In my community, I strive to encourage and serve others through the calling the Lord has placed on my life, whether through my writing, podcast, speaking engagements, or other ministry efforts.”

For the next generation, her desire is to inspire bold faith and confidence in pursuing God-given purpose, even amid uncertainty.

Catherine is preparing for Season 4 of Catherine’s Fruitful Talk and is currently working on new projects which she will reveal as time goes by. Her journey continues to unfold, guided by faith, fueled by obedience, and marked by fruitfulness.

VICTORIOUS

BY DESIGN STAR Power List

10

VWOMEN OF FAITH, EXCELLENCE, & INFLUENCE

BD Magazine presents 10 Women of Faith, Excellence, and Influence. These remarkable leaders live out their faith with integrity, serve with compassion, and steward their God-given gifts with wisdom. From business and ministry to education and wellness, their stories remind us that faith anchored in action has the power to inspire change, elevate communities, and shape generations.

Stephanie Edwards

COMBINING CLINICAL EXCELLENCE WITH SACRED HEALING

by Ann Marie Bryan

There are places the soul remembers long after the mind tries to move on, places where pain first whispered lies, where silence learned to survive, where strength was demanded long before safety was ever offered. Stephanie Edwards believes healing begins when individuals are seen, heard, and known in a space where safety meets truth. Returning to the painful places not to relive them, but to redeem them. Not to fix what was broken, but to restore what was always worthy.

As a Licensed Professional Counselor and the Founder of The Resting Place

Counseling, Stephanie has spent more than fifteen years walking with individuals, couples, and families through their stories of pain to a place of healing. Her work stands at the intersection of clinical excellence and deep spiritual compassion, where people are reminded of a truth they may have never heard before: You were never a problem to be fixed. You were always a person to be loved.

Stephanie earned her undergraduate degree at Carolina University and later completed her master’s degree at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Stephanie will say without hesitation, her greatest training came from the stories she has been entrusted to hold.

ROOTED IN COMPASSION

Stephanie’s journey into counseling did not begin in a classroom, it began in connection.

Raised in a two-parent home outside Winston-Salem, North Carolina, she grew up in a faith-centered environment alongside her older brother. From an early age, she found herself to be one in which others confided. The one who instinctively knew how to sit with pain without rushing it away.

WHEN ONE ENTRUSTS ME TO WALK WITH THEM THROUGH THE DEEPEST PARTS OF THEIR PAIN, IT IS A SACRED PLACE.

I WAS HEARTBROKEN OVER THE PAIN HE HAD EXPERIENCED AND KNEW I HAD TO DO SOMETHING TO CHANGE THE STORY FOR OTHERS. I REMEMBER CALLING MY MOTHER AND TELLING HER, ‘NOT ON MY WATCH!  SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE. I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.’

That calling became unmistakable at nineteen, during an internship in Australia, where she encountered a young child who had experienced severe trauma. “I was heartbroken over the pain he had experienced and knew I had to do something to change the story for others. I remember calling my mother and telling her, ‘Not on my watch! Something has to be done. I have to do something.’”

The weight of the child’s story changed the trajectory of Stephanie’s life. From that moment forward, her path began to shift.

THE BIRTH OF THE RESTING PLACE

The vision for The Resting Place Counseling was born from a profound realization: People don’t just want relief; they want to be seen. They want to know their stories matter, regardless of how messy it looks.

After years in the Mental Health and Counseling field, Stephanie recognized a pattern among her clients. Beneath symptoms of anxiety, depression, trauma responses, or relational struggles lived something deeper: a fractured sense of identity. Many were carrying wounds formed in places where they were not seen, not heard, not known, or not wanted. Healing, she understood, had to reach deeper than behavior. It had to reach belief.

“The Resting Place name came to me during a moment of communion,” Stephanie reveals. “I had known I was to start this counseling practice but did not have the name. I will never forget the pastor

reading Isaiah 11:2, ‘And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;’” In that moment, Stephanie’s heart connected with this verse knowing that in order to participate in the deep work of healing, the spirit of the Lord must rest upon her and those she was called to serve.

The name was deposited in Stephanie’s spirit fully formed, and that conviction remains the foundation of her practice today.

Currently, The Resting Place provides therapy and supportive counseling for women whose stories range from physical, sexual, emotional or spiritual abuse while others have experienced infertility,

pregnancy loss and grief, postpartum depression, life transitions, trauma, and anxiety.

In addition, Stephanie is passionate about helping couples repair cycles of conflict, while also targeting main relationship struggles such as intimacy issues, recurring triggers rooted in internal beliefs, differences in parenting styles, managing finances, and roles in the home.

A SPACE WHERE STORIES ARE SACRED

Walking into The Resting Place does not feel clinical. It feels intentional. There is warmth. Soft color. A sense of permission to exhale. A coffee bar that says you’re welcome here. Stephanie believes the environment matters because the body remembers what the mind cannot always articulate. Trauma lives not only in memory, but in the nervous system. The work of healing must honor both.

Stephanie approaches therapy with a trauma-informed lens, understanding that while people were created for connection, trauma rewires the brain for protection. Behaviors that once ensured survival can later become obstacles to intimacy, peace, and purpose.

“I have found that healing comes when both safety and bravery are felt,” she states. “When one entrusts me to walk with them through the deepest parts of their pain, it is a sacred place. The question is never, What’s wrong with you? The question is always, what happened to you and what did you believe as a result of the pain?

“Ultimately, this counseling practice was created so others could have a space where their story, either past or present, is a sacred space of honor and dignity. A

THE CHURCH IS A HOSPITAL FOR THE BROKEN, WHERE SPIRITUAL CARE AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT WALK HAND IN HAND.

MANY WOMEN NAVIGATE COMPLEX ROLES— CAREGIVER, PROFESSIONAL, PARTNER, MOTHER, FRIEND— WHILE SILENTLY BATTLING EXHAUSTION, ANXIETY, AND THE LINGERING EFFECTS OF UNRESOLVED TRAUMA. I ALSO SEE A DEEP STRUGGLE WITH SHAME.

place where healing is not rushed but true identity is reclaimed, and hope is rebuilt.”

FAITH AND CLINICAL CARE

In many spaces, faith and mental health are treated as separate or even as opposing forces. Stephanie rejects that false divide.

“My goal is to provide excellent clinical care that is fully aligned with professional ethical standards while honoring the client’s story and their journey to deeper healing. I see faith and mental health as complementary, not competing—and I work carefully to integrate them in a way that is client-centered, compassionate, and clinically sound.”

Stephanie integrates faith respectfully, never imposing belief, always following the client’s lead. When invited, she will pray with her clients and in private, always pray for them. Scripture is offered as grounding, not as a bypass to their experience.

“Integrating faith into therapy is about honoring the whole person. Many clients come to me hoping to understand their emotional and relational struggles through both a clinical lens and a spiritual one, and I want to create a space where they feel welcome, regardless of their background.”

THE WEIGHT WOMEN CARRY

Among the many populations Stephanie serves, women hold a special place in her heart. Again and again, she witnesses the same struggle: women believing they must carry everything, without breaking, without asking, without resting.

“Many women navigate complex roles— caregiver, professional, partner, mother, friend—while silently battling exhaustion, anxiety, and the lingering effects of unresolved trauma. I also see a deep struggle with shame: the belief that they have to be strong, endlessly available, and ‘put together’ to be worthy. The pressure to do it all often leaves women feeling overwhelmed, disconnected from themselves, and spiritually depleted.”

Stephanie helps women dismantle the lie that strength means silence. Instead, she invites them to see overwhelm not as failure, but as a signal, an invitation to return to truth, compassion, and self-honoring care. For many, healing begins with a radical act of grace: learning to look at themselves through compassionate eyes.

BOUNDARIES AND THE PRACTICE OF RELEASE

As someone who pours deeply into others, Stephanie knows firsthand the importance of boundaries, not as barriers, but as protection. She distinguishes clearly between expectations and boundaries. Expectations are placed on others. Boundaries are commitments we make to ourselves.

One of her most sacred practices happens after every session: releasing the weight of her clients back to God. She recognizes she was never meant to carry it all but knows that God can. This rhythm of release allows her to serve sustainably, without losing herself in the process.

ON THE HORIZON

The mission of The Resting Place is fourfold:

l Counseling

l Workshops and Intensives (currently EMDR and pre-marital)

l Healing Retreats

l Conferences

With the counseling arm now firmly established, Stephanie is stepping into expansion—launching online workshops, adding dates to the calendar for speaking engagements, and preparing for future healing retreats. In January 2026, she is also launching a pre-marital counseling

intensive meant to support engaged couples address potential pitfalls.

She is also writing her first book, set for release in 2026, exploring how internal beliefs shape relationships—with ourselves, with others, and with God.

She continues partnering with local churches as a trusted therapeutic resource for pastors and congregations. She calls it being “the therapist in the pastor’s pocket,” bringing trauma informed clinical insight, and compassionate response into moments of crisis. “The Church is a hospital for the broken, where spiritual care and mental health support walk hand in hand.”

Ultimately, Stephanie dreams of a property, an oasis where people can retreat, rest, and be restored. A place to lay it all down. A place where pain is honored, not rushed. A place where faith is welcomed, not weaponized. A place where healing is possible, because truth is spoken with love.

At The Resting Place, wholeness is not demanded. It is invited. Transformation is met with compassion, understanding, truth, and safety and in that, wholeness is received.

Dr. Paulette Harper

WHEN HEALING FINDS A VOICE

by Kerry-Ann McPherson

Tears fell softly as the last pages of Dr. Paulette Harper’s book were turned. Tears not of despair, but of awakening. If Dr. Harper could write her way through pain and emerge with purpose, maybe there was hope for others to do the same. Drawn by her honesty, mentorship, and wisdom on overcoming imposter syndrome, one reader longed to understand the journey behind the words. If this reflection resonates with you, VBD Magazine welcomes you into Dr. Paulette Harper’s story.

THE WOMAN BEHIND THE WORDS

Dr. Harper’s story begins in the Bay Area, where she grew up as the youngest of eight children under the strength of her single mother. Watching her mother navigate life with fortitude and unwavering tenacity became her earliest lesson in resilience—traits she would later draw on through her own battles and breakthroughs.

Her childhood was grounded in faith, community, and responsibility, foundations that quietly prepared her for the leadership role she would one day embody. While her formal education includes ministry and Christian leadership studies, along with coaching and mental-health certifications, Dr. Harper’s truest training came from life itself: marriage, ministry, motherhood, and seasons of adversity that shaped her voice, purpose, and passion for empowering others.

Though she is now a multi-award-winning author and a powerful voice for women in leadership, Dr. Harper’s entry into writing came through one of the most devastating chapters of her life: her divorce after 23 years of marriage to a pastor. Writing became her lifeline. What began as

MY GOAL ISN’T JUST TO HELP SOMEONE PUBLISH A BOOK—IT’S TO DEVELOP IMPACTFUL STORYTELLERS WHO WRITE WITH INTENTION AND LEAVE A LEGACY.

journaling during deep emotional pain grew into her first book. From there, she sensed a greater assignment unfolding: helping women heal through their own stories. “My publishing journey wasn’t born from ambition; it was born from survival, purpose, and obedience to a calling bigger than myself.”

As a sought-after speaker on purpose, transformation, and resilience, Dr. Harper’s central message remains consistent: your past does not disqualify you . She reminds women that resilience is forged in the dark, but purpose is revealed in the light—and no matter their journey, they are not broken beyond repair. Dr. Harper has been transparent about her seasons of loss, transition, and God’s restoring power. These experiences have become the foundation of her calling.

For someone who pours so much into others, self-care is non-negotiable. Dr. Harper practices it by protecting her peace, honoring her limits, scheduling rest and reflection intentionally, and surrounding herself with a supportive, praying community. “Faith is my anchor,” she shares. Prayer and worship restore her so she can serve from overflow, not depletion.

A DEEPLY PERSONAL AND STRATEGIC MENTORSHIP APPROACH

Dr. Harper’s personal journey deeply shapes the way she teaches and supports other authors. She understands the fight to rebuild after heartbreak, the weight of shame, and the process of rediscovering purpose. “Writing was the place where God restored me,” she says, “Because of that, I teach from compassion and conviction. I see the woman behind the manuscript. I help her process, release, and rise.” This is why her mentorship often results in transformation—not just publication.

As an Executive Book Mentor, Dr. Harper has guided countless clients to successful publication. Her process is personal, structured, and transformational. She walks authors from idea to completion through a clear framework that sharpens their message, strengthens their voice,

and preserves the emotional depth of their story. What makes her approach stand out is the blend of strategy and soul.

“I mentor from lived experience, not theory,” she says. She brings the insight of a multi-award-winning author, the precision of a publisher, and the nurturing strength of a coach who understands healing. She also reminds women that their pain has value, their voice matters, and their story is a divine instrument for transformation. “My goal isn’t just to help someone publish a book—it’s to develop impactful storytellers who write with intention and leave a legacy.”

POWERFUL PEARLS OF ADVICE AND WISDOM

Dr. Harper’s mission is to help aspiring authors write with clarity, excellence, and purpose. She believes stories matter because “they heal, connect, and create legacy.” Writing allows people to reclaim their voice and transform painful experiences into wisdom that can free someone else. Publishing multiplies that impact. “It’s never just about a book, it’s about influence, healing, and legacy,” she says.

With over a decade in publishing, Dr. Harper identifies three common mistakes among new writers:

l Writing without clarity

l Rushing the process

l Underestimating marketing

These can be avoided through a clear outline, a defined audience, professional editing, and early visibility efforts. Readers want solutions and meaningful takeaways—not just a personal story. Dr. Harper also sees enormous potential in the future of faith-based and inspirational publishing. Readers are hungry for authenticity, truth, and hope. Her advice: “Write boldly, honestly, and purposefully. Share the lessons, not just the victories.” She encourages authors to build community early and embrace digital platforms. “Your message is your greatest asset—use it faithfully.”

For those who feel called to write but struggle with fear or doubt, Dr. Harper offers reassurance: “Your fear is not a

stop sign, it’s proof that what you carry has weight.” Every writer battles doubt, but purpose is bigger than insecurity.

“Your story doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful. Write anyway. Lean into God’s strength. Surround yourself with mentors who will guide you.”

For Dr. Harper, the greatest legacy a writer can leave is transformation. A book may last for generations, but its true legacy is measured by the lives it changes. “Legacy is courage, honesty, and the willingness to pour out wisdom so others can rise,” she says.

LOOKING AHEAD

Dr. Harper is stepping into a season of deeper impact and expansion. She is building community through ministry

events designed to nurture healing, connection, and spiritual growth. The Reset Conference offers women a powerful space for restoration. Her prayer brunches cultivate intimate moments of fellowship and encouragement. And Daughters in the Park provides an outdoor sanctuary where women can gather in prayer, worship, and sisterhood beyond traditional walls.

In publishing, Dr. Harper is expanding her coaching programs, launching new author experiences, and creating environments where women can write with clarity and release their God-given stories. Her vision for the future is clear: more community, more transformation, and more women walking boldly in purpose.

Angela Chambers

RESTORED FOR PURPOSE

by Ann Marie Bryan

There are moments in life when pain does not simply wound, it redefines. For Angela Chambers, those moments became sacred ground. What once threatened to silence her voice instead shaped a ministry rooted in restoration, courage, and faith. Today, Angela stands as a retreat and conference speaker, Bible teacher, storyteller, author, and the founder of Restored Ministries, walking boldly in an assignment forged through prayer, obedience, and healing.

With her vibrant personality, authentic storytelling, and signature Southern charm, Angela captivates audiences and creates spaces where women feel seen, encouraged, and restored. A gifted communicator, Angela weaves real-life experiences with biblical truth, bringing Scripture to life in ways that are both relatable and transformational. Her messages speak to the heart, revealing God’s power to heal, restore, and renew faith through every season of life.

ROOTED IN FAITH FROM THE BEGINNING

Angela’s story begins in a Christian home, where faith was not merely taught—it was lived. As the youngest of five children, she grew up under the spiritual leadership of a father who was both a Baptist pastor and evangelist. Her childhood was filled with movement and mission, as her parents traveled the world sharing the gospel in places like Africa, Romania, Russia, and Jamaica.

“We moved a good bit,” Angela recalls, having attended eight schools in twelve years. Yet rather than instability, she experienced adventure. “I always thought it was an adventure—new house, new friends.” Her outgoing nature allowed her to adapt easily, planting early seeds of resilience that would later sustain her through far more difficult transitions.

GOD WAS SANDING OFF THE ROUGH EDGES OF ME. I MAY HAVE GONE THROUGH THE FIRE, BUT HE WAS REFINING ME.

College took her to a Baptist university in Birmingham, Alabama, where she openly admits her goal at the time was earning what she calls her “Mrs. degree.” While she studied paralegal work, she believed she would marry a pastor, worship leader, or missionary. Life, however, unfolded differently.

A MARRIAGE THAT TESTED FAITH AND IDENTITY

Angela married a man she met through her parents’ ministry work at a boys’ ranch. She entered the marriage believing she could help heal his broken past. While she never abandoned her faith, the marriage itself was deeply painful—marked by emotional hardship, financial strain, and later compounded by her husband’s military trauma and PTSD following Desert Storm and subsequent deployments.

For years, Angela wore a mask. She served faithfully as a children’s minister for fourteen years while hiding the truth of her home life. “No one knew,” she says. Not her staff. Not her parents. Even her daughters saw only fragments.

The turning point came when her father asked a single, piercing question: “Baby, how long are you going to do this?” That moment became divine permission to choose freedom. Within days, Angela made the painful decision to leave home—on Good Friday.

What followed was loss, grief, and uncertainty. She left with only a paid-off car and she did not have a job. She grieved deeply for months, facing not only the end of her marriage but also rejection within her church community. Yet even in the wilderness, God remained present.

AN ENCOUNTER THAT BIRTHED A MINISTRY

Two months into her separation, Angela went to the beach, her sacred place of peace. There, following a storm, she began finding unusually large, whole shells scattered along the shore. On the third day, during a gut-wrenching prayer session filled with unanswered questions, Angela experienced what she calls an encounter with God.

In that moment, time stood still.

God spoke clearly: the shells were a tangible sign. They were whole, unique, beautiful, and had survived the storm. And so would she.

“You are going to make it,” she heard. “You will be whole again… you will be restored.”

Overcome with joy and clarity, Angela wrote the word restored in the sand. That moment marked the birth of Restored Ministries in 2013, a calling grounded not in theory, but in lived transformation.

THE LONG ROAD TO HEALING Restoration did not come instantly. Angela committed herself fully to the healing process: divorce care, counseling, deep Bible study, and intentional self-work. She completed the workbook Lord, I Want

to Be Whole and later began teaching it to incarcerated and formerly homeless women at the Love Lady Center in Birmingham, AL, where she continues to serve faithfully.

During this season, Angela cleaned houses for seven years to survive financially, an unexpected path that taught her humility, service, and patience. “God was giving me time to heal,” she reflects.

“I was helping others, and people were pouring into me too.”

Out of these experiences came her 30-day devotional, Real Life, Real Hope, a collection of everyday encounters revealing how God speaks through migraines, car trouble, flowers, and seashells alike.

RESTORATION AS A WAY OF LIFE

For Angela, restoration is not about returning to who you once were—it is

about becoming something stronger. She likens it to refurbishing furniture: sanding rough edges, removing damage, and revealing beauty through refinement.

“God was sanding off the rough edges of me,” she explains. “I may have gone through the fire, but He was refining me.”

That philosophy defines her ministry. Through speaking engagements, Facebook Live teachings, and women’s gatherings, Angela helps others understand

that shame does not define them, identity in Christ does.

“We are more than our circumstances,” she says firmly. “Our tag is that we belong to Jesus Christ.”

Angela ministers at retreats, conferences, and church events, where her humor, transparency, and spiritual depth invite women to rediscover their identity in Christ and walk boldly in God’s grace. Her teaching resonates deeply, offering

practical wisdom, heartfelt encouragement, and hope rooted in truth.

LIVING RESTORED AND LOOKING AHEAD

Angela’s life reflects the fruit of obedience. She is remarried and surrounded by children and twelve grandchildren. She finds joy in family time, tending her flowers and raised-bed gardens, and soaking in the peace of the beach.

Deeply rooted in community, she is preparing for the Unshakable Courage Tour, traveling with fellow speakers, a comedian, and a worship leader. Her mission remains the same: to help women walk through pain without staying there, to reject shame, and to believe that God restores fully—emotionally, spiritually, relationally, and practically.

“I may have been there for a little while,” Angela says, “but life knocked me down. I got back up holding the Savior’s hand.”

Nowadays, Angela creates encounters that move women from brokenness to wholeness. Each message is delivered with compassion, laughter, and purpose— leaving audiences spiritually refreshed, empowered, and anchored in Christ. At the core of Angela’s life and ministry is a simple yet powerful calling: To teach about Jesus and inspire others to embrace the fullness of who they are in Him.

Carnela Hill

ANCHORED IN PURPOSE

by Ann Marie Bryan

Carnela Hill’s life reads like a call answered in real time, layered, courageous, and unapologetically faith-driven. From the worlds of business and design to ministry and social impact, her path reflects a woman who understands that leadership is not about titles, but about obedience, responsibility, and transformation. Her journey challenges us to reconsider what it truly means to live boldly.

Born and raised in Wilson, North Carolina, Carnela describes her hometown as “a small rural city with deep roots, strong community ties, and its own mix of challenges and beauty.” That grounding, equal parts faith, family, and responsibility, would become the bedrock for a life that now spans boardrooms, pulpits, design studios, global stages, and underserved communities. “Wilson shaped me,” she says. “I grew up surrounded by family and a church community that taught faith, resilience, and the conviction that purpose often rises from unexpected places.”

From an early age, Carnela sensed that her life would not fit neatly into a single box. She loved learning, helping others, and asking questions—traits that would later fuel her multifaceted calling. Ministry, she recalls, was woven into her everyday life. “Our home was always open. People came for prayer, guidance, and support,” she shares. Watching her family mentor and serve others planted a desire that still defines her mission today: to lift people as she climbs.

FROM CORPORATE STRATEGY TO KINGDOM CALLING

Carnela’s academic journey initially led her into the corporate world. Armed with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and later an MBA from University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School, she developed strong analytical

and leadership skills that launched her career in business and entrepreneurship. These credentials would later serve her well as the CEO and Principal Designer of CR Hill Design Group, where creativity, excellence, and strategy intersect.

her vocation, but her understanding of purpose itself.

Her journey, however, has not been without profound testing. In her memoir Walking Afraid, first published in 2018 and revised in 2024, Carnela offers an unflinching look at seasons of unraveling and renewal. “God allowed parts of my life to unravel, not to destroy me, but to rebuild me with deeper clarity, humility, and strength,” she writes.

In recent years, God led her into an even deeper season of surrender. “In this last year, God taught me how to rest, release, be silent, and trust Him in ways I had never known,” Carnela OUR HOME WAS ALWAYS OPEN. PEOPLE CAME FOR PRAYER, GUIDANCE, AND SUPPORT.

Yet even as her professional success grew, something deeper was stirring. Between 2016 and 2017, Carnela began experiencing vivid dreams and a growing urgency she could not ignore. “After prayer and counsel with my pastor, I accepted my call into ministry,” she explains. That obedience led her to Duke Divinity School, where she earned her Master of Arts in Christian Practice, a pivotal moment that reshaped not just

shares. Facing hidden fears of instability, misunderstanding, and perceived failure, she discovered a richer understanding of God not only as Savior, but as Father, friend, and strength. “ Walking Afraid is more than a book,” she says. “It is a declaration that God does His greatest work in us during our hardest seasons, shaping something stronger, wiser, and more purpose-driven on the other side.”

CREATIVITY AS WORSHIP

As an award-winning interior designer, Carnela has reached extraordinary milestones, including designing at the White House and being featured on HGTV’s Christmas at the White House Yet she speaks of these achievements with humility and reverence. “It was one of those moments where I paused and said, ‘Lord, You really did this,’” she recalls.

For Carnela, creativity has evolved beyond aesthetics or accolades. “Spiritually, creativity now means resting in God,” she explains. “When I rest in my Father’s arms—watch out, world. Creativity becomes worship, expression, and divine partnership.”

This posture of surrender informs every aspect of her work, from design to leadership to advocacy. Returning to the White House in 2024—this time as a voice for Southeastern small business owners—marked another defining chapter.

“Taking four interior design students to Capitol Hill to advocate for interior designers and small businesses was also a moment I treasure,” she states. “Watching them walk those halls with confidence reminded me why exposure, mentorship, and advocacy matter.”

As an advocate, she shared the unfiltered realities of entrepreneurship, including bankruptcy, healthcare challenges, and the human cost of financial instability.

LEADERS WHO REST LEAD

BETTER. LEADERS WHO REST LOVE BETTER. LEADERS WHO REST HEAR GOD MORE CLEARLY.

Her message was, “Entrepreneurs need support, not assumptions. We need policies that recognize the human side of business ownership.”

A meaningful moment for Carnela was when she received the 2023 NAWBO Gillian Rudd Advocacy Award. “Later, traveling to Paris as one of 24 U.S. women entrepreneur delegates for the FECM Conference, affirmed the impact of advocacy and leadership. Standing among 750 women from 120 countries at the 70th World Congress was an experience I will never forget.”

C3 IMPACT STRATEGIES

Carnela’s gift for guiding others eventually crystallized into C3 Impact Strategies—Coaching, Counseling (Pastoral), and Chaplaincy. Interestingly, the firm existed long before it had a name. “For years, God kept sending people to me— corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, students, pastors, creatives,” she says. “One day, I asked God, ‘What am I supposed to call all of this?’ And I clearly heard, ‘Just do the work. The name will come later.’”

So Carnela continued showing up, serving, and pouring into people.

“Fast forward to 2023, God released the name: C3 Impact Strategies. It captured

the heart of what I had already been doing and the deeper mission He was calling me into. I had asked God to make me an answer to someone’s prayer—for guidance, direction, clarity, and spiritual support—and He did exactly that.”

Today, C3 Impact Strategies stands as both business and ministry, offering holistic transformation. “My desire is simple: transformation,” Carnela explains. “It’s more than a business. It is a calling, a ministry, and an assignment to walk alongside people as God transforms their lives from the inside out.”

THE THRIVE RESOURCE CENTER

Carnela’s commitment to justice is deeply local and profoundly personal. Between 2022 and 2023, she felt what she describes as a “Nehemiah-type burden” for her hometown of Wilson. When the local unemployment office closed, vulnerable populations were hit first, even as new industries moved into the area.

WATCHING THEM WALK THOSE HALLS WITH CONFIDENCE REMINDED ME WHY EXPOSURE, MENTORSHIP, AND ADVOCACY MATTER.

“I felt God saying, ‘Do something,’” she recalls. That obedience led to the founding of the Thrive Resource Center (TRC), an extension of Be Restored Church. Designed to serve youth and young adults ages 15–25 and 26–36, TRC provides workforce readiness, life skills, leadership development, and access to critical resources.

“The Thrive Resource Center is a place of restoration, opportunity, and belief,” Carnela says. “The underserved community has received AI training, entrepreneurial resources, criminal record expungement, youth-specific opportunities and so much more. We’ve partnered with other nonprofits in Wilson and for-profit organizations across nearby counties— many generously donating their time, services, and expertise—to help us build meaningful programs.”

BE RESTORED CHURCH

As Founder and Senior Pastor of Be Restored Church, Carnela leads a ministry that defies traditional labels. “We are not your traditional church,” she explains. “We are led by the Holy Spirit, committed to building leaders, entrepreneurs, and businesses, and equipping people to thrive spiritually and practically.” The church’s mission centers on hope, healing, restoration, and missions, expressed through a unique, Spirit-led approach

that prioritizes building healthy relationships, strengthening communication, and cultivating strong families.

This holistic vision equips and empowers individuals to live with confidence, nurture their whole well-being, and boldly go forth as ambassadors of the good news of Jesus Christ, sharing stories of restoration in every sphere of life.

Carnela’s understanding of ministry is expansive. “Public policy is ministry. Advocacy is ministry,” she states.

She embraces the idea of being a missionary in today’s world with clarity and conviction. “Being a modern-day missionary means understanding that ministry is not confined to a pulpit. It happens in boardrooms, in classrooms, in government spaces, on airplanes, in underserved communities, and in everyday conversations.”

Her global experiences—from Israel to Kenya to Italy—have reinforced a singular truth: leadership rooted in faith demands integrity, compassion, and courage. “Faith is not separate from leadership,” she declares. “Faith shapes leadership.”

RETURNING TO ALIGNMENT

Carnela explains that Sabbath rest became a defining spiritual discipline during her academic and faith journey. While working toward her Master of Arts in Christian Practice, she was required to take a Spiritual Formation course every semester, and one term focused entirely on Sabbath rest. She describes it as “one of the most challenging courses of my life,” because it forced her to confront her pace, habits, and long-held assumptions. At the same time, she says the experience changed her deeply, teaching her the value of intentionally sitting with God and revealing powerful truths about “Sabbath, rest, obedience, and so much about myself.”

Today, Carnela views Sabbath rest as essential, not optional. She acknowledges that she does not always get it right, but she is far more intentional about honoring it now, admitting, “I honestly don’t

know how I ever functioned without it. Sabbath is where we breathe again, hear God clearly, and release the weight we didn’t even realize we were carrying.”

She grounds this practice firmly in Scripture, pointing out that even Jesus modeled rest. As she notes, “Scripture shows us that even Jesus rested,” referencing Luke 5:16: “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” From her perspective, if Jesus needed to step away, then today’s leaders certainly do as well.

As she teaches, “We must remember: rest is not laziness; it is alignment.” In her view, rest directly affects leadership capacity. “Leaders who rest lead better. Leaders who rest love better. Leaders who rest hear God more clearly.” Ultimately, she believes Sabbath rest is vital for the longevity, clarity, and spiritual health of every leader today.

LOOKING AHEAD

As Carnela looks toward the future, her posture is one of expectancy and obedience. “This is a season of building, birthing, and bold obedience,” she shares. New projects, global opportunities, and expanded impact are

unfolding—each connected by a single thread: faithfulness.

“I am grateful, expectant, and always amazed by what God is doing next,” she says.

Through faith, service, creativity, and courage, Carnela continues to show what it means to live boldly for the Kingdom, one obedient step at a time.

Urmi Hossain

A GLOBAL MINDSET FOR MODERN LEADERSHIP

by Kerry-Ann McPherson

One day, audiences will watch Urmi Hossain step onto the TEDx stage, release her second book, and continue amplifying conversations about multicultural identity and women’s empowerment across global platforms. On the horizon for this dynamic finance professional, author, speaker, and advocate is a journey that feels both unstoppable and inspiring. At VBD Magazine, we are honored to witness her rise and share her story, one shaped by resilience, curiosity, and a refusal to be defined by a single lane. By day, Urmi is a corporate finance professional; by night, she is a creative soul driven by storytelling, mentorship, and advocacy. Her passion, tenacity, and vision leave you with no choice but to feel inspired.

LOVE FOR FINANCE & WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT

Urmi often describes herself as a woman who wears two distinct yet complementary hats. Her corporate career provides balance, rigor, and analytical discipline, while her creative pursuits fuel her sense of purpose and self-expression. Far from being at odds, these two identities strengthen one another, allowing her to live a more fulfilled life and become a more complete human being.

Her love for finance, she explains, began at university—and never faded. Studying came naturally to her. Long hours spent memorizing formulas, reading finance books, and practicing complex concepts felt energizing rather than draining. As she pursued both the CFA and CAIA designations, what sustained her was a clear sense of why. She told herself that no matter what it takes, she would never give up, even in the hardest moments.

Over nine years in the finance industry, Urmi has witnessed firsthand how underrepresented women remain and how much harder they are often required to work to prove themselves. She has seen working mothers judged for asking for flexibility, while ambitious single women are criticized for prioritizing their careers. Too often, she notes, these pressures come from every direction.

In industry meetings, the imbalance is visible: rooms filled with hundreds of men, with women making up only a small fraction. She believes organizations must do more, not only encouraging women to apply, but investing in inclusive marketing, representation, and policies that address the real challenges women face in the workplace.

What has helped her navigate these spaces are four key practices:

l Finding allies

l Engaging in virtual coffee chats

l Seeking mentors within the organization

l Learning to advocate for herself in every situation

Imposter syndrome, she observes, is one of the most common barriers facing women. Many hesitate, second-guess their abilities, or wait for the “right moment” before stepping forward. Through mentorship, Urmi helps women counter this by creating opportunities rather than waiting for them, documenting their accomplishments, and committing to continuous learning and skill-building.

THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF MENTORSHIP

Mentorship has been a cornerstone in Urmi’s personal and professional growth. Over the years, she has learned that finding the right mentor—much like forming any meaningful relationship—requires trust and genuine connection.

Her advice is simple yet powerful: seek mentors who are already part of your circle, people you admire and feel safe learning from. Shared cultural backgrounds can also deepen understanding, offering common ground and lived experiences that foster openness. Above all, mentorship should be human first. Before goals and outcomes, it is about connection—taking time to truly know one another. For women especially, the right mentor can be transformative and is worth seeking.

TAKING BREAKS, GIVING LOVE TO ONESELF, AND HONORING PERSONAL WELLBEING ARE ESSENTIAL.

WHEN WE HONOR EVERY PART OF WHO WE ARE, WE MAKE ROOM FOR OTHERS TO DO THE SAME.

LEADERSHIP ROOTED IN GROWTH, EQUALITY, AND UNDERSTANDING

Urmi’s approach to leadership is inseparable from her commitment to diversity and empowerment. At its core, she believes leadership begins with investing in people—helping them recognize their potential and develop their skills. She rejects rigid hierarchy, instead viewing leadership as a shared space where everyone stands on equal ground.

To her, leadership is also about giving others permission to be seen. Every woman, she insists, deserves to share her ideas freely and to be valued for her talent, skill, and insight. No one should be silenced or diminished.

Equally important is the ability to meet people where they are. True leadership requires listening deeply, understanding cultural context, and communicating in ways that resonate with others’ lived experiences.

SHAPED BY A LIFE ACROSS CULTURES

Born in Italy to Bengali parents who had settled in Palermo, Sicily, in the 1990s, Urmi’s life has always existed across borders. Often described as the first Bengali girl born in Italy, she grew up moving between regions and countries: living in Palermo, Lombardy, the United Kingdom, and eventually Milan, before relocating to Montreal, Canada, in 2010 to complete her university education.

Changing schools multiple times and navigating different languages and cultures taught her adaptability, openness, and a deep respect for diversity. She learned early that language is not simply about translation, but about relationships—stories, shared memories, and cultural nuance.

When leaders understand the traditions and histories behind languages, she be-

lieves, they communicate with empathy and authenticity. Speaking in a way that honors another person’s culture creates trust—the foundation of meaningful, lasting relationships.

STORIES BEYOND BORDERS

Another defining element of Urmi’s leadership journey is her podcast, Stories Beyond Borders. Through it, she amplifies diverse voices and migration stories that often go unheard. Each conversation reinforces a truth she holds dear: every story deserves to be shared.

Storytelling, she believes, has the power to reshape perceptions, not only of individuals, but of entire cultures and communities. Many of her guests have shared experiences of leaving their countries with almost nothing, risking everything in search of safety and opportunity. These stories, while often portrayed in films, are very real. Listening to them has made her more compassionate, more aware, and more committed to meeting people without judgment.

True to her creative side, Urmi’s passion for storytelling also flows through her journey as an author. Inspired by Confessions of a Brown Girl by Saleha Mirza, Urmi gained the courage to write her own book: to build community, create connection, and raise awareness. Her message echoes Saleha’s, which is to honor the diversity around her and remind others that they are not alone. “Sometimes the silence struggles we go through are not so lonely if we give ourselves the chance to tell them.”

BALANCE & SELF-CARE

Amid her many roles, Urmi is intentional about balance and self-care. She separates her “9–5” from her “5–9,” a practice rooted in self-discipline. Even when time feels limited, she emphasizes that dedicating just 15 to 30 minutes a

SHARED CULTURAL BACKGROUNDS CAN ALSO DEEPEN UNDERSTANDING, OFFERING COMMON GROUND AND LIVED EXPERIENCES THAT FOSTER OPENNESS.

day to what you love can restore purpose and meaning.

Her evenings vary—mentoring one night, blogging another, podcasting the next— allowing her to distribute her energy without burnout. Self-care, for her, is non-negotiable: a weekly boxing class that serves as both physical release and mental reset, meaningful time spent cooking and connecting with friends, and quiet moments alone journaling and practicing gratitude. For her, rest is not indulgence. Taking breaks, giving love to oneself, and honoring personal well-being are essential.

Urmi’s story is not defined by a single title, country, or accomplishment. Her journey reminds us that when we honor every part of who we are, we make room for others to do the same.

Dr. Elizabeth Gregor

EQUATIONS, EXPERIMENTS, AND ETERNAL TRUTHS

by Dr. Henritta Stewart

Dr. Elizabeth Gregor was always drawn to patterns— how numbers fit together, how reactions unfold, how order emerges from complexity. In a high school chemistry classroom, surrounded by equations and experiments, she discovered a subject of interest and a way of seeing the world. That early fascination with applied mathematics and science did not fade with time, it deepened, guiding her toward a career rooted in research, mentorship, and thoughtful inquiry, where faith and intellect would eventually stand side by side.

Today, Dr. Gregor is a respected research scientist, science mentor, and the founder of Science4Christ, a platform committed to equipping Christian students and professionals to navigate scientific spaces with confidence and conviction. Her journey reflects a life where rigorous scholarship and spiritual devotion are not in tension, but in conversation, demonstrating that scientific excellence and Christian discipleship can coexist as complementary expressions of purpose.

FROM SMALL-TOWN ROOTS TO SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY

Dr. Gregor grew up in Madisonville, a small town in western Kentucky, raised primarily by her single mother, following her parents’ divorce. Though she was an only child at home, her grandparents played a formative role in her upbringing, offering stability, encouragement, and influence during her early years. From the start, learning came naturally.

I WAS INSPIRED TO CREATE THIS SPACE BECAUSE OF THE NEED FOR HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE CHRISTIAN-BASED SCIENCE TEACHING MATERIALS AND FELLOWSHIP. CHRISTIANS IN SCIENCE, ESPECIALLY HIGHER EDUCATION, ARE A RARE BREED. THE CHURCH DOESN’T EXACTLY KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THEM.

“I always loved mathematics,” she shared, recalling how her early ambitions shifted, from aspiring teacher to accountant, and ultimately, to scientist. It was chemistry that captured her imagination. “When I took a chemistry class in high school, my career perspective trajectory changed forever. I was fascinated by the colorful reactions and loved the applied math component of chemistry.”

That fascination led her to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at Western Kentucky University. After graduation, she stepped briefly into industry, working as a lab technician in the plastics field. While grateful for the opportunity, she quickly discovered a ceiling, one that many scientists encounter early in their careers.

“In the sciences, at some point you will reach a cap with a bachelor’s degree,” she explained. Encouraged by both her supervisor and undergraduate research advisor, she made the pivotal decision to return to academia.

Her path led her to The Ohio State University, where she pursued and completed her PhD in chemistry, a demanding journey that would stretch her intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.

A FAITH AWAKENED

Though Dr. Gregor had not yet fully committed her life to Christ when she

entered graduate school, she now recognizes divine orchestration at every step.

“I didn’t decide to follow Jesus until partway through graduate school,” she reflected, “but looking back on it, God’s guiding hand was on my life even before I knew Him personally.”

This revelation would ultimately redefine how she approached science itself, not as a secular discipline detached from belief, but as a sacred space for worship. “Invite Jesus into your science lab,” she encourages. “He is the author and creator of the universe. Let Him into your work.”

For Dr. Gregor, faith is not something to be compartmentalized. “There is no such thing as work-life balance because everything you do is an act of worship,” she said. “Our beliefs inform our actions inside and outside the workplace.”

This integrated worldview became the foundation of her calling, and eventually, the catalyst for Science4Christ.

CREATING SPACE FOR CHRISTIANS IN STEM

Science4Christ was born out of both conviction and compassion. Dr. Gregor recognized a gap, particularly for Christian students navigating secular academic environments without guidance, community, or faith-affirming resources.

“I was inspired to create this space because of the need for high school and college Christian-based science teaching materials and fellowship,” she explained. “Christians in science, especially higher education, are a rare breed. The church doesn’t exactly know what to do with them.”

She understood the tension firsthand. Scientific rigor often invites challeng -

INVITE JESUS INTO YOUR SCIENCE LAB. HE IS THE AUTHOR AND CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE. LET HIM INTO YOUR WORK.

YOUNG SCIENTISTS AND SCIENCE STUDENTS NEED TO BE EQUIPPED TO ANSWER TOUGH QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT THEY BELIEVE AND WHY THEY BELIEVE IT. SCIENCE4CHRIST IS FOCUSED ON EQUIPPING BELIEVERS TO ANSWER THESE TOUGH FAITH QUESTIONS.

ing questions about faith, origins, and belief—questions many students feel ill-equipped to answer.

“Young scientists and science students need to be equipped to answer tough questions about what they believe and why they believe it,” she said. “Science4Christ is focused on equipping believers to answer these tough faith questions.”

What began as a ministry for students is now expanding to include professors, researchers, and STEM professionals seeking community, mentorship, and theological grounding.

MENTORSHIP FOR STUDENTS

As a science mentor, Dr. Gregor approaches students with both precision and empathy. She resists one-size-fits-all solutions, believing that each individual carries a unique story, background, and challenge.

“I firmly believe that science students are as individual as grains of sand,” she said. “Even though externally they look alike, each grain has its own microscopic and unique characteristics.”

Her mentorship philosophy centers on identity before achievement. “You are not your grade in a class,” she emphasized. “You can have Godfidence and know that if God called you to a career in science, He will personally equip you to complete your calling.”

She also stresses the importance of finding the right mentor. “Students don’t just need a mentor,” she said. “They need the right mentor.”

Through one-on-one sessions, educational resources, and faith-centered guidance, Dr. Gregor helps students dismantle imposter syndrome, build confidence, and walk boldly into their God-ordained purpose.

LEADERSHIP, CHARACTER, AND CONSISTENCY

In her work and writing, Dr. Gregor often returns to themes of integrity and perseverance, qualities she believes are essential in scientific leadership.

“You have to be consistent and persistent,” she shared. “Life will try to knock you

down… but God can turn those around for good according to Romans 8:28.”

She is unapologetic about her commitment to ethical excellence, even when it comes at a cost. “This might cost you

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS WORK-LIFE BALANCE BECAUSE EVERYTHING YOU DO IS AN ACT OF WORSHIP. OUR BELIEFS INFORM OUR ACTIONS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE WORKPLACE.

promotions. This might even cost you a job,” she said. “But my relationship with God is more important than any of that.”

Her leadership is grounded not in ambition, but obedience—showing up, learning continuously, and serving with humility.

WHAT’S NEXT

Dr. Gregor’s long-term vision extends far beyond personal achievement. Her heart is set on transforming how science is taught, practiced, and perceived. “I want to transform the way we do science to being an act of worship to our Creator,” she said. “And demonstrate that your faith and career are not separate parts of your life.”

Through her books, speaking engagements, and mentoring initiatives, she is helping raise a generation of scientists who are unafraid to stand at the intersection of academic excellence and unwavering belief. “I desire to be used to transform the way we teach and do science,” she said. “I want the world to know that Jesus Christ is the King of kings and Lord of lords.”

With new publications on the horizon, future physics resources in development, and speaking engagements already on the calendar, Dr. Elizabeth Gregor’s journey is far from complete, and its impact is only beginning.

Holly Rennels

A CALLING TO WORDS, WISDOM, AND GENERATIONAL INFLUENCE

by Beverlyn Johnson

Holly Rennels does not write in a hurry. Her words are pondered, stewarded, and released with intention—each one inviting reflection, reverence, and return. A writer, poet, author, and the founder of Personal Wordsmith and Generation Christ, Holly approaches language as both craft and calling, believing words when surrendered to God, can still shape hearts, heal generations, and call us back to truth.

GROWING IN GRACE

Raised in the small town of Mineral Bluff, Georgia, Holly is the third of four children and was shaped by a rich faith heritage rooted in McCaysville Church of God, one of the oldest continuing congregations connected to the earliest waves of Pentecostal revival. Though she no longer belongs to that denomination, its influence remains foundational. “I come from generations of believers on both sides of my family,” she shares, anchoring her story in legacy rather than novelty.

A proud graduate of the University of Georgia—“Go Dawgs!” as she adds— Holly’s relationship with language began long before formal education. Poetry, improvised songs, and an intuitive sensitivity to words marked her childhood, even before she had the language to name it as gifting. Though she recognized her creative abilities in high school, she admits it took time to fully embrace writing as her calling. “Sadly, I did not appreciate writing as my calling until 2016,” she says. Like many creatives, her twenties were marked by tension between multiple gifts, including music and vocals. “I spent a lot of my 20s trying to tell God how He was going to use me.”

I LOVE BEING OUTDOORS. I JUST TELL GOD WHAT A GREAT ARTIST HE IS. BEING IN HIS CREATION AND APPRECIATING HIS ARTISTRY FILLS ME UP!

THE GIFT OF LANGUAGE AND THE DISCIPLINE OF PONDERING

Holly describes inspiration as omnipresent. “Inspiration is everywhere,” she explains. A sermon line, a lyric, or a phrase can “rattle around” in her mind for days or even weeks before it finds its way to the page. When the moment comes, the writing often flows quickly. “When I actually feel compelled to sit down and write about it, I usually complete an entire piece in under an hour.”

Yet her process is not rushed. It is contemplative. As she has matured, she has grown to appreciate the biblical posture of pondering. “The older I get the more I understand what the Bible means when it said that ‘Mary kept these things and pondered them in her heart.’” That reflective posture shapes both her sacred and lighter works, from spiritually reflective poetry to playful pieces inspired by family and friends. She even carries an entire collection of prayers for athletes, inspired by her own children and their peers. “God uses everything,” she says with conviction.

I HAVE REFUSED WORK THAT GOES AGAINST BIBLICAL TRUTH AND I ALWAYS WILL. THE ARTIST IN ME IS NOT INSPIRED BY THINGS THAT ARE NOT CONSISTENT WITH MY BIBLICAL WORLD VIEW.

FROM PERSONAL GRIEF TO PERSONAL WORDSMITH

The birth of Personal Wordsmith traces back to a deeply personal moment. In 2015, Holly’s mother-in-law passed away. When asked to write the obituary, she requested permission to make it deeply personal. What followed surprised her. People stopped her—church members, friends, acquaintances—to thank her for capturing the woman they loved so vividly. She wrote not only about her mother-in-law’s character, but about penmanship, personality, and even sideline commentary at grandchildren’s basketball games.

That moment revealed something powerful: words, when written with truth and tenderness, do more than inform, they heal. “I knew it meant a lot to us to remember her well, but the impact was more than I expected.”

Not long after, while seeking work, Holly decided to test whether her gift could serve others more broadly. She began offering writing services, starting with wedding and funeral speeches. To supplement those offerings, she created instant-download prayers and poetry. At the time, she was the only writer on Etsy offering this type of service. Growth was gradual, but after the first year, her shop began to flourish.

What distinguishes Personal Wordsmith is not volume, but veracity. Holly writes from a place of honesty because she believes truth is the answer. “In the person of Jesus Christ, we are given the example of humility and honesty that we are to imitate,” she explains. “The closer and longer I walk with Him, the more I desire to reflect His character in all I do.”

ARTISTRY, MINISTRY, AND BIBLICAL CONVICTION

Balancing creativity with ministry requires discernment, and Holly is clear about her boundaries. “Because I work for myself, I am free to work for God,” she says. While she has written for individuals who do not identify as religious, she is unwavering in her commitment to biblical truth. “I have refused work that

I KNEW IT MEANT A LOT TO US TO REMEMBER HER WELL, BUT THE IMPACT WAS MORE THAN I EXPECTED.

goes against Biblical truth and I always will. The artist in me is not inspired by things that are not consistent with my Biblical world view,” she shares. Even when writing for others, her work remains anchored in integrity.

Still, the weight of pouring into others can be heavy. Holly admits she does not always get rest right. Balancing a fulltime job, church service, and creative output sometimes requires intentional withdrawal. She speaks candidly about stepping back—taking long weekends to pray, read, sing, and simply be with God. Nature plays a significant role in her renewal. “I love being outdoors,” she says. “I just tell God what a great artist He is.” Her husband finds it funny when she praises sunsets and clouds, but for Holly, it is worship. “Being in His creation and appreciating His artistry fills me up!”

COMMUNITY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND SHARPENING

Holly’s journey has been shaped by people who both affirmed and challenged her. Her father was the first to acknowledge her gift, encouraging her to use it for the Lord. Teachers throughout her education demanded excellence. A fourth-grade language teacher pushed her to “go deeper” and “find a more creative way” to do and say things.

That sharpening spirit continues today. She emphasizes the importance of accountability, especially for writers and ministry leaders. “A firm grasp on who and whose you are is required,” she advises.

Equally essential is a trusted circle. Holly relies on her siblings, close friends, husband, and children to speak truth without flattery. “These spirit-filled believers do not let me make an idol of myself, my words, or my mission,” she says. “All of those things belong to God.”

RAISING THE NEXT STANDARD

During this month, Holly will launch Generation Christ, a ministry born from months of prayer and deep study of Titus 2. “Most of 2025 has been spent in prayer and contemplative research around the text of Titus 2,” she explains. The call became unmistakable. In her words, the Holy Spirit was no longer whispering, but shouting: “Get that armor on, pick up your sword, and get in the culture war!”

Her concern is generational. She cites sobering statistics. “Since the Greatest Generation until now, church attendance, marriage, and patriotism have all declined by more than 50%. Less than 20% of current college students attend church regularly. We cannot allow this trend to continue,” she insists.

Generation Christ will begin with mentor-training conferences before launching curriculum and clubs for ages 5–18. Holly realized that many adults have never been biblically mentored themselves. “We have to train the trainers first,” she says. The name itself is intentional. “Every generation has a name. I think it’s high time we start letting the WORD, not the world, define us.”

WORDS THAT HEAL

Writing, for Holly, is both ministry and mirror. “Every day,” she answers when asked whether her words minister to her first. Some make her smile. Others make her cry. But all of them move her—and that is non-negotiable. “I don’t think I would ever pursue a concept or ‘hook’ that did not first move me.”

Looking ahead, Holly is revising Bless This Child: Poetic Prayers for Baby and

developing children’s books in the Charming Holly Chrystal series. But her primary focus in 2026 is Generation Christ—a work that reflects her deepest convictions about faith, formation, and the future.

Kelly Master

CALLED INTO THE FIRE

by Ann Marie Bryan

Minister Kelly Master’s life is not defined by ease or comfort, but by obedience that carried her into places many avoid and toward people many overlook. Through every season, her journey has revealed a singular truth: redemption does not require permission to enter hard places.

As the Founder and Director of Kelly Master Ministries, Minister Kelly has devoted her life to carrying hope beyond comfort zones—into prisons, recovery homes, mission fields, leadership spaces, and communities in crisis. She is known for her ability to truly see people, meet them with dignity, and remind them of their God-given worth and value, no matter their circumstances. She ministers with fearless obedience and deep compassion. Her authority was not borrowed; it was forged—earned in places where faith had to be lived, not just spoken.

A CHILDHOOD MARKED BY BROKENNESS—AND PURSUIT

Minister Kelly grew up in New Jersey, just outside of Philadelphia, in what she describes as “a home marked by a lot of brokenness.” Life was difficult from the start. Addiction entered early. “I started using drugs and alcohol at a very young age,” she shared. Though she graduated high school, she was already deeply entrenched in addiction and soon became pregnant. “Those early years were chaotic, and for a long time, addiction dictated my choices.”

Yet even in the chaos, God was present.

“Even in the middle of the dysfunction, God was pursuing me,” Minister Kelly said. As a child attending Vacation Bible School and later Catholic Catechism classes, she experienced profound encounters with God, moments she did not yet understand, but ones that planted seeds of truth that would later bear fruit.

“Those early seeds mattered,” she reflected.

The turning point came in 1992, following the collapse of her marriage.

“Everything shifted when Jesus radically delivered me from drugs and alcohol, after

my husband abandoned our marriage.” That moment of deliverance altered the trajectory of her life entirely. Sobriety became the beginning, not the end of her transformation.

REBUILDING ONE STEP AT A TIME

After getting sober, Minister Kelly enrolled in night school and earned a certificate in computerized accounting, later attending Drexel University for construction management. Though she did not complete the program, it gave her confidence she had never known before. Over time, she also pursued biblical studies and eventually earned an associate degree.

But God was doing more than restoring her life, He was preparing her calling.

In 1998, Minister Kelly experienced a defining encounter with the presence of God that would shape the rest of her life.

“He showed me a vision of me ministering in the dark alleys, prisons, and the most overlooked places.”

At the time, the vision frightened her.

“The thought of stepping into a prison terrified me,” she admitted. Yet her love for God outweighed her fear. “I loved God so deeply that I would have gone anywhere if it meant being in His will.”

God did not rush the process. Instead, He prepared her. Those years working in construction management, often as the only woman in male-dominated environments, became unexpected training. “I thought I was just earning a paycheck, but God was breaking fear off my life, toughening me, and forging boldness.”

By the time God opened doors to strip clubs, adult bookstores, and porn conventions, Minister Kelly was ready.

CALLED TO THE MARGINS

In 2011, after months of prayer asking God for her assignment, Minister Kelly was led directly into the fight against human trafficking and child exploitation. She immersed herself in learning, advocacy, and partnership, challenging injustice and awakening communities.

At the same time, she launched what would become a 13-year ministry inside strip clubs throughout Philadelphia and South Jersey. “I launched the ministry inside strip clubs, bringing the love of Jesus to women who felt unseen and forgotten. I am passionately committed to helping women find hope, healing, and restoration.”

Her heart for the marginalized flows from lived experience. “I know what it feels like to be broken, ashamed, and overlooked,” she said. “My heart is to help every woman understand she has value—not because of where she’s been or what she’s done, but because of who she is in God.”

DINING FOR DIGNITY

“After a season of intentional prayer, I was standing at my dryer, folding clothes, when the Holy Spirit whispered, ‘Start a breakfast and call it Dining for Dignity.’”

There was no board. No blueprint. Only obedience.

That breakfast, initially intended to highlight work being done in Guatemala, quickly grew into a grassroots movement that educated communities, mobilized leaders, partnered with national organizations, and made international news confronting child exploitation. “It was grassroots, but God breathed on it.”

EMERGE LADIES AND THE BIRTH OF SHINE

In 2012, God redirected Minister Kelly straight into strip clubs. From that obedience, Emerge Ladies was born, a ministry that carried the love of Jesus into spaces few dared to go.

By 2016, frustration turned into faith-fueled creativity. “I couldn’t find enough resources for the women in the strip clubs. In that moment, the Holy Spirit told me, ‘Turn your frustration into action, create your own.’”

That instruction birthed SHINE: Uplifting Words for Girls in Stilettos.

“I had no budget and no plan, just obedience.”

In 2019, a single request—to mail SHINE to a woman in a Mississippi prison— opened prison doors across the nation. Minister Kelly soon found herself ministering face-to-face inside women’s prisons, including maximum-security units and death row.

More than 15,000 copies of SHINE have been distributed to women in prisons, recovery homes, strip clubs, and brothels around the world. It is now translated into Indonesian, hand-delivered into brothels abroad, and mandated as a recovery curriculum in three South Carolina women’s correctional facilities.

Today, Minister Kelly is:

l Facilitating leadership and personal development trainings inside prisons.

l Conducting workshops and mentoring programs for incarcerated and recovering women.

l Equipping ministry leaders internationally, including emerging leaders in Africa and India.

l Providing resources to over 600,000 incarcerated men and women through digital distribution of her book, Fierce & Free.

One testimony remains etched in Minister Kelly’s heart. A woman once collapsed into her arms, sobbing, and said, “Ms. Kelly, your book saved my life.”

Minister Kelly reflected, “I simply gave Him what was in my hands, and He has multiplied it far beyond anything I could have ever imagined. I have watched the

joy and presence of the Lord break out in tiny, oppressive cells. No locked door can keep the love of God out.”

A MINISTRY BUILT ON LOVE

“I do not stand any cleaner or holier than the woman on death row or the woman dancing in a strip club. We are all on equal footing at the cross. It’s His love, not mine, that heals, restores, and awakens identity. I am simply a vessel.”

She confronts shame head-on, teaching women to dismantle lies and reclaim truth. One powerful moment involved reframing the word CONVICT:

C – Cherished

O – Overcomer

N – New

V – Victorious

I – Intelligent

C – Courageous

T – Transformed

“Feelings are not facts,” she tells them. “The fact that you survived is proof that you are courageous.”

A MANUAL FOR HEALING

Minister Kelly’s second book, Fierce & Free, was written for women living in

survivor mode. “I know what it’s like to live in survivor mode,” she shared. The book offers tools for overcoming fear, trauma, and limitation.

“My heart in writing it was to help women think bigger, ignite their faith, and step boldly into everything God has for them,” Minister Kelly said. “To live fierce and free, is to walk with holy confidence, unshakeable identity, and the courage to pursue the destiny God placed inside of you.”

EXPANSION, ACCELERATION, MULTIPLICATION

“This next season feels like expansion, acceleration, and multiplication,” Minister Kelly said. “My heart is simply to keep saying yes and let God open every door.”

She plans to:

l Write another book.

l Expand her prison ministry

l Launch healing conferences

l Develop a full Fierce & Free curriculum

l Print SHINE in Spanish

l Grow her speaking ministry globally

From addiction to advocacy, from brokenness to boldness, Minister Kelly carries a message the world desperately needs. Her life is evidence to the truth that God’s power is not confined to sanctuaries or safe spaces. And no one is beyond restoration.

Before the credentials, before the accolades, and long before the impact became visible, there was a calling quietly taking shape. For Dr. Charity Mkoji, the journey into medicine has never been solely about diagnosis or treatment; it has always been about compassion in action and faith lived out through service. Her work reflects a deep understanding that healing is both science and stewardship, requiring skillful hands, a discerning mind, and a heart firmly anchored in purpose.

Born in Kenya and raised in the United States, Dr. Mkoji’s story is shaped by both continents and cultures. Her family eventually settled in Tallahassee, Florida, where faith became the cornerstone of her upbringing. She recalls growing up in a Christian household where prayer was not optional, but foundational. Her parents emphasized cultivating a personal relationship with God, a spiritual discipline that would later sustain her through the rigor of medical training and beyond. She also speaks with gratitude about the church family in Tallahassee that supported her family when they first arrived in America, offering community, stability, and belonging during a pivotal transition.

A CALLING ROOTED IN COMPASSION

Dr. Mkoji’s desire to pursue medicine did not emerge in isolation, it was deeply personal. She credits her grandmother as one of her earliest inspirations. Her grandmother served as a nurse in a missionary hospital in Kenya, providing care to people who had little or no access

I FINALLY GRADUATED RESIDENCY A FEW MONTHS AGO, AND I AM HONESTLY GRATEFUL FOR THE EXPERIENCE. I BELIEVE RESIDENCY TRAINING WAS TOUGH, BUT IT ALLOWED ME TO SHARPEN MY SKILLS AND LEARN TO ADAPT TO THE EVER-CHANGING FIELD OF MEDICINE.

Dr.MkojiCharity

A PHYSICIAN WITH A SERVANT’S HEART

by Ann Marie Bryan

to healthcare. Witnessing that legacy of service planted a seed that would later flourish into Dr. Mkoji’s own calling.

That calling was further affirmed when she moved to the United States and shadowed a physician who owned her own clinic and served an underserved population. The experience was transformative for Dr. Mkoji. She explains, “For a long time I had a desire to provide health care services to people in underserved areas. This strong interest led me to work as a physician with a non-profit organization, where I am currently serving.”

EDUCATION AS PREPARATION FOR SERVICE

Dr. Mkoji’s academic journey reflects both excellence and intentionality. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Florida, earning a degree in public health while also working in healthcare during and after graduation. Her public health background would later become a defining asset in her medical practice.

She then moved to Ohio to attend Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine, where she earned her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree. Following medical school, she returned to Florida for her surgical and clinical residency training at a veterans hospital in Florida—a season she describes with both honesty and gratitude.

“I finally graduated residency a few months ago, and I am honestly grateful for the experience. I believe residency training was tough, but it allowed me to sharpen my skills and learn to adapt to the ever-changing field of medicine. In my view this is a necessary experience that any physician must undergo because it serves as preparation for the service ahead.”

PUBLIC HEALTH MEETS CLINICAL EXCELLENCE

Dr. Mkoji’s background in public health profoundly shapes how she practices medicine today. She states that her training allowed her to understand the barriers to healthcare access, insight that continues to fuel her passion for bridging gaps and providing quality care.

She brings a holistic perspective to patient care, particularly in podiatric medicine. She emphasizes that the foot and ankle are often overlooked, yet they offer critical insight into a person’s overall health. She explains that many systemic conditions including diabetes, arterial disease, and hypertension, manifest in the lower extremities. Preventing complications, she notes, begins with caring for overall health, lifestyle, and diet.

FAITH AT THE CENTER OF SERVICE

Faith is not separate from medicine. That’s the lens through which Dr. Mkoji serves. She states, “I am a servant of Jesus Christ who is my Lord and Savior and therefore everything I do is to please Him.” One Scripture that strongly influences how she shows up for her patients comes from Mark 12:30–31, which she summarizes as first loving God, then loving one’s neighbor as oneself. Genuine love and compassion, she explains, are central to her approach to care.

That faith also sustains her through demanding seasons. When asked how she remains motivated and maintains excellence, Dr. Mkoji points first to her daily time with God. “I dedicate time to spend with God daily and because of this He gives me peace, joy, clarity that I cannot find anywhere else.” She also credits her family—her father, mother, brother, grandmother, and close friends—for their prayers, encouragement, and unwavering support, especially in moments when she might have given up.

I AM A SERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST WHO IS MY LORD AND SAVIOR AND THEREFORE EVERYTHING I DO IS TO PLEASE HIM.

GUIDANCE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION

As a woman who has excelled in both public health and clinical medicine, Dr. Mkoji speaks directly to young women considering careers in health -

care. Her advice is firm yet faith-filled. She urges young women not to look to themselves for strength and not to compare themselves to anyone else. Instead, she encourages them to depend on God daily for strength and reminds them that comparison is the enemy of progress, blocking focus on the path God has designed and distracting from the blessings He has prepared.

SUSTAINING PURPOSE WITHOUT BURNOUT

Burnout is a reality in medicine, but Dr. Mkoji approaches balance with intention. She shares that she intentionally spends time in God’s presence daily and makes time for family and close friends—practices she believes have prevented burnout. These rhythms of rest and relationship allow her to serve from a place of wholeness rather than exhaustion.

Outside of work, Dr. Mkoji finds joy in painting landscapes, playing tennis and chess, and spending quality time with family and friends. These creative and relational outlets provide renewal and balance amid a demanding profession.

LOOKING AHEAD

Dr. Mkoji’s vision extends beyond clinical care. She expresses a strong desire to explore more public health community outreach through nonprofit organizations, trusting that God will lead and guide the way. When asked about legacy, she speaks with humility and purpose, sharing that by God’s grace, she hopes to start a mentorship group for young people interested in healthcare careers.

For now, she remains focused on providing the best quality care for her patients while allowing God to guide her into mentoring young high school girls who aspire to enter the healthcare profession.

Dr. Mkoji’s journey is defined by the quiet consistency of her obedience. From Kenya to Florida, from public health to podiatric medicine, from rigorous training to compassionate service, her life reflects what it means to live out faith with excellence.

Dr. Katie Murphy

FLOURISHING ON PURPOSE

by Ann Marie Bryan

For many women, life becomes an endless cycle of managing, pushing through, and holding it all together. Dr. Katie Murphy understands that reality deeply, but she also knows there is another way. Her approach to health and wellness is rooted not in quick fixes or surface-level solutions, but in faith, intentional stewardship, and sustainable rhythms aligned with God’s design. As a health coach, wellness advocate, and the founder of Flourish Health Coaching, Dr. Murphy’s work centers on helping women move beyond survival mode and into a life marked by clarity, resilience, and consistency.

Her story is not one of instant transformation, but of perseverance through seasons of instability, emotional exhaustion, and quiet despair—seasons that ultimately shaped the framework she now uses to guide others. With a foundation in biology, chiropractic care, and faith-based coaching, Dr. Murphy brings both clinical knowledge and compassionate understanding to the women she serves, many of whom arrive feeling overwhelmed, depleted, and unsure where to begin.

MOVEMENT AND ADAPTATION

Dr. Murphy’s early life was marked by constant movement. Born in England to parents who married young, her childhood unfolded across continents and cultures as her father served in the U.S. Air Force. Home was never a single place, but many—Ohio, Oklahoma, Germany, and Louisiana—each move requiring adaptation and resilience.

She recalls that military life carried both gifts and challenges. The exposure to global cultures sparked a lasting curiosity about the world, while frequent relocations created a persistent sense of instability. One of the most formative transitions came when her family moved from Germany to Louisiana during her middle school years, a season already known for emotional turbulence.

“One of the most formative transitions was when we moved from Germany to Louisiana, when I was 11 years old.

Photo Credit: Renee Johannesen

I DIDN’T UNDERSTAND HOW TO GET OUT OF THE NEGATIVE LOOP I WAS IN. I DIDN’T SPEND MUCH TIME IN PRAYER OR SCRIPTURE READING.

Middle school years are already a bit tumultuous as they are, but to experience a big life transition during those years made it even more unsteady. And having a family dynamic that wasn’t very stable made matters worse for sure.”

Despite the instability, one relationship remained a constant source of comfort.

Growing up alongside her brother, just 17 months her senior and in the same school grade, gave her a built-in companion through each transition. She has described that bond as “a beautiful gift from the Lord,” a steady presence when everything else felt uncertain.

A CALL TO CARE FOR THE BODY

After graduating from high school in Louisiana, Dr. Murphy attended a small Christian college in Minnesota—now known as the University of Northwestern in St. Paul—where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology. It was there that her passion for science and faith intersected more intentionally.

She later pursued her Doctor of Chiropractic degree at Northwestern Health Sciences University, building a strong foundation in the physical sciences while remaining deeply rooted in her Christian faith. Over time, she continued expanding her education through coursework in health coaching and female metabolism, recognizing that true health extended far beyond symptom management.

Yet knowledge alone would not prepare her for the most difficult season of her life.

WHEN KNOWLEDGE WASN’T ENOUGH

Motherhood had always been a desire close to Dr. Murphy’s heart. She and her husband eventually welcomed four daughters, and while she describes motherhood as “a wonderful privilege and gift from the Lord,” the weight of caring for her family, homeschooling, running a home chiropractic office, and maintaining relationships slowly took its toll.

She has openly shared that during this season, she struggled to prioritize her own health. Despite “knowing better,” she found herself unable to “do better,” a disconnect that spiraled into shame, frustration, and eventually depression.

For nearly a decade, she lived in what she has described as a debilitating shame

cycle. Emotional exhaustion became her norm. Anger, irritability, and dread seeped into daily life, particularly affecting her closest relationships. One of her only coping mechanisms became emotional eating—specifically sweets— to seek momentary relief.

Though she loved God, she admits that she was no longer seeking Him actively. “I didn’t understand how to get out of the negative loop I was in. I didn’t spend much time in prayer or scripture reading.” Physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion made prayer and Scripture feel out of reach, which only deepened her sense of shame. The disconnect between her identity as a Christian and healthcare professional and her lived reality became increasingly painful.

By 2018, when her youngest daughter was five, Dr. Murphy reached what she describes as rock bottom. In her own words, she experienced “self-loathing and suicidal ideation,” wondering if her family would be better off without her. She describes that season as feeling trapped “at the bottom of a dark, mucky lake,” able to see light but unsure how to reach it.

A NEW WAY FORWARD

The turning point came unexpectedly through a simple invitation. A high school

friend reached out to ask if she knew anyone interested in joining a fitness and nutrition challenge group. After conversation and prayer, Dr. Murphy decided to join herself—despite intense fear of failure. This decision marked the beginning of a slow but profound transformation.

For the first time, she experienced the power of coaching and community working together. Having a coach eliminated decision fatigue. Being surrounded by women pursuing similar goals provided accountability and encouragement. Athome fitness programs removed barriers and made consistency possible.

She credits this structured support as the catalyst that helped pull her out of depression. As her physical health improved, so did her mental resilience and emotional capacity. The shame cycle began to break. She found time to rise early and meet with God before the demands of the day. Patience, gentleness, and joy gradually returned.

Over the course of a year, she lost approximately 30 pounds, regained strength, and—perhaps most importantly—learned how to sustain her health without extremes. That season reshaped not only her habits, but her theology of self-care.

“So often Christian women believe that we must self-deprecate to care well for others. It’s easy to see how we get there - the Bible is clear that we need to be like Jesus by putting others first. However, He also led by example in caring for His own personal needs as well, by pulling away from the crowds and His ministry to get refueled. I believe we need to do the same, care for our body, mind, and spirit as a way to show the Lord love and gratitude for what He’s given us.”

REDEFINING

FLOURISHING THROUGH FAITH

Dr. Murphy’s understanding of health matured into a holistic vision she now defines as flourishing. In her words: “Flourishing means living a whole-hearted, fully present, intentional life for the glory of God. It looks like a woman who is no longer driven by pressure or perfection but pulled by purpose and vision. Her body, mind, and spirit are anchored, steady, and aligned with who God created her to be. This is the ideal we are moving toward one simple, grace-filled step at a time as we walk in alignment with the Holy Spirit’s help and guidance.”

She teaches that flourishing is not driven by pressure or perfectionism, but by purpose. It is about stewardship rather than control, devotion rather than obligation.

The flourishing woman, she explains, is no longer trapped in all-or-nothing cycles. Her habits are sustainable, her mind is calmer, and her spirit is anchored.

Faith is not an accessory to this vision— it is the foundation. As Dr. Murphy emphasizes, without faith, health becomes empty striving. This conviction led directly to the creation of Flourish Health Coaching.

THE FLOURISH METHOD: A FRAMEWORK FOR SUSTAINABLE CHANGE

Flourish Health Coaching is built upon what Dr. Murphy calls the Flourish Method, a five-pillar framework designed to guide women toward lasting transformation:

1. Rooted Identity – grounding identity in who God says they are, not in performance or past habits.

2. Renewed Mindset – addressing perfectionism and all-or-nothing thinking through truth and grace.

3. Rhythms of Grace – establishing steady, realistic routines that prevent burnout.

4. Whole-Person Nourishment – caring for body, mind, and spirit together.

5. Connected Community – fostering accountability and encouragement through relationship.

These pillars work in harmony, helping women break free from stop-start cycles and step into lives that feel aligned and sustainable.

FAITH-DRIVEN LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE

Dr. Murphy describes her relationship with God as shaping everything about how she leads and serves. Because her worth is already established in Him, she is free to coach from compassion rather than performance. She also seeks the guidance of the Holy Spirit in every aspect of her work, bringing the women she serves before God in prayer and

FLOURISHING MEANS LIVING A WHOLE-HEARTED, FULLY PRESENT, INTENTIONAL LIFE FOR THE GLORY OF GOD. IT LOOKS LIKE A WOMAN WHO IS NO LONGER DRIVEN BY PRESSURE OR PERFECTION BUT PULLED BY PURPOSE AND VISION. HER BODY, MIND, AND SPIRIT ARE ANCHORED, STEADY, AND ALIGNED WITH WHO GOD CREATED HER TO BE.

recognizing that she is not the source, but a conduit.

Through her coaching, Dr. Murphy sees recurring barriers—perfectionism, mental overload, inconsistent rhythms, confusing nutrition advice, and a lack of meaningful support. Many women believe they need more time or willpower before they can begin.

Her approach challenges that belief. She teaches women to begin with identity, not guilt. Growth, she insists, does not require extra hours—it requires clarity and intention.

Community plays a vital role. Women flourish when they realize they are not meant to navigate change alone.

PRACTICING WHAT SHE TEACHES

Self-care, for Dr. Murphy, begins with staying connected to God—the “well that never runs dry.” Practically, this means guarding time for anchor habits such as devotions, meal preparation, movement, sleep, and rest. It also means pausing before making commitments and honoring limits with wisdom.

She is intentional about living what she teaches, not from pressure, but from alignment and integrity.

LOOKING AHEAD

As Dr. Katie Murphy looks toward 2026, her vision for Flourish Health Coaching is centered on depth, sustainability, and lasting transformation. Rather than offering quick resets or temporary motivation, she is intentionally refining her core coaching programs to help women establish rhythms that support long-term health in real life. Her focus is on guiding women, especially those in midlife, out of the familiar stop-and-start cycle and into a way of living that feels aligned, grace-filled, and sustainable.

This year, Dr. Murphy plans to expand access to her supportive resources, including webinars and her private Facebook community, creating spaces where women can learn, connect, and grow consistently. She is also exploring additional opportunities to foster meaningful connection through podcast guest appearances and in-person workshops, allowing her message to reach women beyond traditional coaching settings.

Her programming cadence for 2026 reflects both structure and accessibility. She plans to offer her 21-day and 90-day coaching programs quarterly, maintain her free 5-day reset as an evergreen entry point, and host educational webinars every other month. In addition, she will continue sharing free resources including blog posts, ebooks, and monthly content across her website and social media platforms, alongside her weekly email newsletter, designed to encourage steady progress rather than overwhelm.

At the heart of every initiative is Dr. Murphy’s commitment to meet women where they are and walk with them toward wholeness. For those seeking clarity, consistency, and a healthier relationship with their bodies rooted in faith and stewardship, she believes this year offers countless opportunities to begin again, wisely, gently, and with intention. Flourishing, she reminds women, is not about striving harder. It is about living aligned.

VICTORIOUS BY DESIGN INSPIRATION Oasis

Taylor Ramirez

RESTORED BY GRACE, ROOTED IN PURPOSE

by Kerry-Ann McPherson

There was a time when her life was marked by late nights, partying and a sense of emptiness. A once single mother trying to hold everything together, she appeared strong on the outside while quietly unravelling within. Today, her life tells a different story. Taylor Ramirez is now living victoriously as a woman shaped by faith in Jesus and sobriety. The founder of Living Water Wellness opened up to VBD Magazine to share her journey and how she’s helping to transform the life of other women.

She grew up in Rancho Cucamonga, California, navigating the complexities of a blended family from a young age. Her parents divorced when she was six, and by eight, both had remarried. On Sundays, she attended church with her father and stepmother. She’s forever grateful for this foundation, because it is where she first learned about the love of the Lord. With her stepfather, daily life followed a different pattern—hours spent at a pizza place where adults drank while she and her siblings lingered nearby, absorbed in arcade games.

Even then, discipline and drive were visible. She was a “band kid,” a first-chair trumpet player, section leader, and vice president. In high school, she balanced academics with water polo, learning early how to juggle responsibility and performance. After graduating from Fullerton College in 2020 with an associate degree in Administration of Justice, she pivoted toward kinesiology and is now just three classes shy of completing that degree.

But there was more to her story.

By the years leading up to October 2019, she was a single mom immersed in a party lifestyle. Outwardly functional, inwardly she felt disconnected, depressed, and broken. An intense OCD trigger disrupted her life so profoundly that it forced her to stop and step away. In that breaking point, she surrendered her heart to Jesus and started living a life that honored Him. She realized that the emptiness and depression she felt were rooted in living out of alignment with God and His Word.

Last October, by the grace of God, she celebrated six years of sobriety. Sobriety, for her, is not merely the absence of substances. Scripture’s call to be “sober-minded” took on new meaning once she experienced both sides of that reality. Walking in sobriety gave her the ability to be fully present as a mother, to think clearly, and most importantly, to

WHEN YOU’RE ROOTED IN GOD’S TRUTH ABOUT YOUR IDENTITY, IT BECOMES A FILTER FOR EVERYTHING—YOUR HEALTH, YOUR CONFIDENCE, YOUR DECISIONS, YOUR RELATIONSHIPS.

hear and discern God’s voice and will for her life. This is the journey that led her to establish Living Water Wellness.

LIVING WATER WELLNESS: STEWARDSHIP AS WORSHIP

Living Water Wellness was born from both healing and obedience. It was a response to the question: How do we honor God with the bodies He has given us? For her, wellness was no longer about performance or aesthetics. It became about stewardship.

An athlete for most of her life—water polo, powerlifting competitions, Olympic lifting—she knew discipline well. But she also knew what it meant to push her body without caring for it. Today, strength looks different. It looks like rest, nourishment and intentional movement.

Her philosophy distinguishes between health and wellness. Health can be physical. Wellness is holistic, building the mind, body, and soul. She often describes it through a biblical lens: life as God originally designed it in the Garden of Eden. While the world is now broken, she believes we can still choose habits that support the body’s God-given ability to heal and function well.

Living Water Wellness reflects that belief. Rooted in Scripture, simplicity, and sustainability, it invites women to care for themselves not as an act of vanity, but as an act of worship which strengthens both their families and their faith.

EMPOWERING WOMEN BEYOND WELLNESS

One of the key tools she teaches is medical-grade hydrogen-infused hydration technology. While new to many, she explains it simply: God designed the body with an extraordinary capacity to repair and thrive—when given the right support. This form of hydration works at the cellular level, helping reduce stress, improve recovery, and support long-term wellness. For many families, it becomes a daily habit that fits seamlessly into real life—accessible, sustainable, and effective.

Living Water Wellness is also structured with intention. Using an affiliate model, it creates financial opportunity for women, especially mothers, without demanding they sacrifice their families or faith.

She knows that tension personally. Before this season, she worked full-time, bartended on weekends, and attended night classes. She admits she was stretching herself thin while missing moments she could never get back. This model changed that. It allowed her to be present: school drop-offs, pick-ups, surprise award ceremonies, and unhurried evenings at home. Because she has lived that exhaustion, she is deeply committed to helping other women experience a different way.

WELLNESS WITHIN THE HOME

For the women she mentors, balance begins with unity. She emphasizes open

TAKING CARE OF YOUR HEALTH IS ONE OF THE MOST LOVING THINGS YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR FAMILY.

communication within marriage, honoring leadership, and recognizing that wellness may look different in different seasons. Sometimes it’s structured workouts. Sometimes it’s family walks, movement at the park, or simple meals made together. She wants her mentees to know that when a mother is depleted, the home feels it. In her own words, “Taking care of your health is one of the most loving things you can do for your family.”

For women who feel stuck, whether physically, spiritually, or emotionally, this is her advice: go to the Word. Study what God says about you. Speak it. “When you’re rooted in God’s truth about your identity, it becomes a filter for everything—your health, your confidence, your decisions, your relationships.” When everything else feels unstable, His Word remains unchanged.

STAYING GROUNDED AND LOOKING AHEAD

Despite pouring into others, she remains anchored by one non-negotiable priority: Jesus. He is the one who fills, strengthens and restores. Scripture, prayer, worship, rest, fellowship, and even intentional naps all play a role in staying aligned. When her heart is grounded in Him, everything else finds its proper place.

The next chapter is already unfolding. One of her most anticipated initiatives, Holistic Happy Hour, is coming to life. These are monthly gatherings centered on beginner-friendly workouts, fellowship, and community. She wants to create a space where women feel encouraged, supported, and connected both spiritually and physically.

Her story is no longer about who she was before October 2019. It is about who God has restored her to be. And through Living Water Wellness, that restoration is rippling outward one step at a time.

It’s Another New Year

by Ramona Powell Dennis

“It’s another New Year, and I Ain’t Gone.” This line, from one of my favorite traditional gospel songs, always comes to mind as each new year begins. As I reflect on 2025, my heart overflows with gratitude and praise to God—because things could have turned out so much worse.

This past year, my family experienced deep loss. We said goodbye to our dear sister only six months after losing our beloved brother. Yet through it all, I’ve found peace in accepting that death is simply a part of life. This truth has settled

into my spirit more than ever before. Once I truly accepted that none of us are here to stay forever, it became a little easier to hold on with grace.

Now don’t get me wrong—I still grieve, I still cry—but I don’t fall apart anymore. Someone told me recently, “If you don’t grieve, you don’t love,” and that touched me. We all grieve differently, and that’s okay. But I encourage you not to let grief stop you from living. It’s another new year, and we are still here.

As you look back over 2025, don’t dwell

on what you didn’t achieve. Focus on the positive things, reschedule what you didn’t finish, and set new goals. Life is as positive as we allow it to be. Challenges will come, but trust God to bring you through and take time to learn from each experience. Thank Him for both the good and the bad—because together, they shape who you are and guide you toward who God wants you to become.

Remember: It’s another New Year, and you’ve been given another chance.

Happy New Year!

Woman, See It Again

There’s something powerful about a woman with vision. But there’s something unstoppable about a woman who refuses to let what she sees with her eyes override what she knows in her spirit.

As we step into a new year, the question isn’t, “What do you want to do?” It’s, “What did God show you?”

Because the difference between a resolution and a revelation is this: Resolutions are rooted in your will; Revelations are birthed from God’s.

This is the year to walk boldly in what God has shown you. No more shrinking. No more second-guessing. No more waiting for someone to confirm what God already said. If God showed it to you, He’ll bring it to pass. But here’s the key—you’ve got to see it before you see it.

Let me walk you through a few things the Lord dropped in my spirit for every woman who’s standing on the edge of a new season.

1. You Have Permission to Dream Bigger “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us…” —Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)

Sis, if your vision doesn’t scare you a little, it might be too small. God is not intimidated by your big dreams—He’s the One who planted them. The problem is, sometimes life tries to make you downsize your vision to match your circumstances. But God said He can do more than you ask or imagine.

So stop putting a ceiling where God put an open heaven.

by Pastor Danyelle Scroggins

In this season, dream with heaven’s eyes. Imagine from a healed place, not a hurt one. And trust that even what you haven’t dared to pray out loud—He already knows. And He’s already working on it.

Ask for the building. Apply for the grant. Write the vision in full, not in fear. Why? Because the power isn’t in your ability. The power is in the God who’s working through you.

2. You’ve Got to Write It and Run With It

“Then the Lord answered me and said: ‘Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.’” — Habakkuk 2:2 (NKJV)

Some of us have a vision problem—not because we don’t have one, but because we’ve never written it down.

Let me tell you something God taught me: What you won’t document, you’re not ready to develop.

It’s not enough to say, “I have a vision.” No, sis. It’s time to make it plain. Write it in detail. Write it with clarity. Write it like you believe God is going to do every single thing He said.

You don’t need a hundred eyes to see it. You just need to put your hands to paper and your heart in position. Because the vision isn’t just for you. Someone is going to run with what you’ve written.

That idea? That business? That ministry? That outreach? It’s going to outlive you. But only if you stop hiding it in your heart and start building it in faith.

3. See With Expectation, Not Exhaustion

The enemy wants you tired. Tired in your body. Tired in your mind. Tired in your belief. Because tired women stop

praying. Tired women stop planning. Tired women stop expecting.

But not this time. This time, we’re entering the year with holy expectation.

“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”— Psalm 27:13 (NKJV)

David said it right: I would have fainted. Life will absolutely wear you out if you’re looking for goodness in the wrong places. But when you fix your eyes on the promise of God’s goodness—here and now, not just in heaven—you get your strength back.

Sis, the goodness of the Lord is not on backorder. It’s not reserved for everybody but you. It’s for you, too. And you don’t have to settle for scraps when you serve a Savior who prepares a whole table in front of your enemies.

This next year? You’re walking in with expectation in your heart and your head held high. God is still writing your story. Don’t you dare close the book.

4. See With Obedience, Not Options

Some of us are stuck because we’re still weighing our options. Still asking God for a sign when He’s already given a Word. But sis, let me free you: you don’t need another confirmation. You need to obey.

When God gives vision, it’s not a suggestion—it’s a directive. And delayed obedience is still disobedience.

“If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.”— Isaiah 1:19 (NKJV)

There’s good in the land—but it’s tied to obedience. Not to the perfect plan.

Not to the approval of others. Not to your ability to make sense of it all. But simply to your willingness to say, “Yes, Lord. Even now.”

Maybe the reason the door didn’t open last time was because your yes wasn’t full. It was hesitant. Conditional. Quiet. But this year, it’s going to be loud. Immediate. Total.

So go ahead and shut down the backup plans. The “what-ifs” and “maybes” are no match for the blessing that follows obedience.

5. See With Power, Not Passivity

Let me talk to the woman who’s been shrinking—shrinking your vision, your voice, your dreams—just to survive. I see you. But more importantly, God sees you. And He’s calling you to step back into your power.

No more playing small. No more hiding your anointing. No more waiting for permission to walk in purpose.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”— 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

Power is your portion. Love is your portion. A sound, stable, focused mind is your portion. And that’s how you’re walking into the next year—fully aware of who you are and who your God is. You are not weak. You are not behind. You are not late. You are right on time for what God is getting ready to do through you.

So straighten your crown. Speak your vision. Write the plan. Show up with oil on your life and fire in your bones. You’ve got work to do. Kingdom work. Purpose work. And this time, you're not backing down.

Final Word: Woman, See Again

You don’t need clearer goals—you need clearer vision. Not vision based on what you can do, but based on what God already said.

Let Him restore your sight. Let Him renew your spirit. And let Him blow your mind with what’s coming next.

“For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.”— Habakkuk 2:3 (ESV)

The vision is still alive. The promise still stands.

And your eyes? They're about to see it.

Now go ahead, sis—SEE AGAIN.