BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN MINISTRY AND BUSINESS
FALL 2022
MAGAZINE
Church Girl CEO
DR. LEAH VANTERPOOL
IN THIS ISSUE DR. LEAH VANTERPOOL, APOSTLE & PROPHET TO NATIONS KENYA MISSION TRIP PHOTO MEMORIES FALL BEAUTY TIPS, RECIPES, AND MORE!
LEADERS IN MINISTRY SPOTLIGHT KAREN MALONE AND THERESA CRITCHLOW
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CONTRIBUTORS CEO/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DEBORAH FRANKLIN SENIOR EDITOR JC GARDNER Check Out Our Cover Queen: Dr. Leah Vanterpool by Deborah Franklin Apostle & Prophet to Nations Leaders in Ministry Spotlight: Karen Malone Theresa Critchlow
Featured Columnists •
A Drink From The Well Spiritual Corner: Debrayta Salley
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Confessions of a Foodie: JC Gardner
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Travel & Tourism: Tracy Shorter
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Beauty and Fashion: Nichelle Johnson, Kolor Beauty
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Soul Focused: Latanya Henry-Smith, Ph.D., LSSP
Special Feature: •
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Don’t forget to view photo memories of our mission trip to Kenya
A Letter from the Editor-in-Chief Deborah Franklin Hey Y’all, it's exciting times here at Church Girl CEO Magazine. We are anticipating great things for the future of our staff and readers. God is truly up to something. I hope you can feel it because I know I do. We have been experiencing so many blessings. Yes, there have been some obstacles but overall, we have made it. What we deemed as the Caleb Mission to Kenya was a great success. The people were amazing, the food was awesome, and the weather was remarkable. But, by His grace, we were able to share the Word of God and feed over 500 families in Nairobi and Kitale. To be immersed into the culture was such a joy, and it felt like being home. I hope you enjoy some of the pictures that we included from the orphanages, women’s outreach, church service, and safari. Now you know your girl was living her best life on safari up close with the wildlife. This trip triggered something in me that I never thought existed. I have a new project that I’m working on that I can’t wait to share with the readers. This project could be the change that we have been looking for to increase in multiple areas so that we may be able to serve the people in a greater capacity. I’m seeing manifestations of the prophetic words that have been spoken over my life.
Now our Cover Girl Prophetess Dr. Leah Vanterpool is nothing but the truth in ministry and business. I met her during a prophetic crusade, and I’ll never forget the word she spoke to me: “You will be a leader in ministry; you don’t want it because you have seen the ugly side of it, but God is going to use you.” I was floored, in disbelief. Now it’s several years later and it is coming to pass. May God’s mercy and grace be upon you now and always. Deborah Franklin
Yours in Christ,
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Discerning When to Fall Back Ecclesiastes 3; Jeremiah 29:11 By Debrayta D. Salley
The term “Fall Back” is generally defined as “to move or turn back. To retreat. To become less involved.” On the evening of Saturday, November 6, 2022, our clocks will “Fall Back” one hour and we will gain an extra hour of sleep, along with more daylight hours during the winter mornings. The seasonal definition of the word is the opposite of what happens to our clocks. If you’re like me, I’ve often found myself asking “So do we gain or lose an extra hour of sleep each time” as if it has changed over the years. I mean, we can always benefit from having an extra hour in our day, right?!?!? (Smile.)
The unknown can be intimidating but Fret Not! Do Not Fear! When you Fall Back this time, just like a bow and arrow or a sling shot, the fuel that’s behind your stance is going to push and spring you forward. Fall Back! It’s preparation for what’s to come.
Let’s chat about the Blessing of “Falling Back” in the literal sense of the phrase. Has the Holy Spirit ever prompted you to fall back from something or someone? You may not have understood the “why” at that moment and even hesitated to obey, but once you came to yourself and “fell back,” you discovered what God already knew. Your obedience may have kept you from falling into a pit, painful situation, or missing the path of provision that God had already plowed specifically for you. The conclusion of the matter is that taking that step back worked for your good and in most cases, exceeded your level of expectation, right?
Debrayta D. Salley aka “Dee” Life Mentor Coach is the Founder of Debrayta Salley Enterprises where she writes to “Empower Paths, Support Growth and Inspire Change.” She Blogs and serves as a Certified, Transformational Life Coach. She has also written multiple books, blogs, and magazine articles. Dee seeks to empower and support others in gracefully journeying through the various seasons of life.
Let me encourage you. This is your answered prayer and confirmation. That prompting you have been sensing to stop one thing and start another, take what you’ve been doing and go another route, or just pause for a season is the Holy Spirit redirecting and repositioning you.
Subscribe to her Blog: www.deelifmentor.com Various Opportunities to Stay Connected: https://linktr.ee/DebraytaDSalley Email: debraytasalleyenterprises@gmail.com. 4
Kenya Mission Trip Photo Memories
Sharing mindset techniques with the ladies and blessing them food and toiletries.
Bishop Dickson Omukosi welcomed us, L-R: Dr. Keba Richmond Green, Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Massey Bridges and Deborah Franklin.
Food distribution of rice and beans.
Food distribution of rice and beans.
The U.S. team connects with our Kenyan Team in Nairobi.
Team visiting a paper hut with Bishop Omukosi
Food purchased for distribution at orphanage.
Church Girl CEO receiving a certificate from Dagoretti Corner Childcare, an orphanage in Nairobi, Kenya.
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Karen Malone: Rehab Your Life Nothing Can Stop God’s Promises
By Deborah Franklin Even though this sister-in-Christ had a medical setback, she managed to thrive in spite of her circumstances through determination and resilience proving that with God, all things are possible. DF: What inspired you to become an entrepreneur? Karen: I don't think that I ever really intended to be an entrepreneur, however, I knew that I wanted to be the one at the head of the conference table telling others what to do and accomplish goals and objectives that are important to me. Working for someone else, you don't get to push your own narrative. So, it made sense for me to start a non-profit that supports a cause that I am passionate about and to have a team that can help me to reach those goals and objectives.
business? Karen: Educate yourself about what aspects of " running a business" are really of interest to you. A lot of people want to be the face of the brand but don't want to actually run the business. In the beginning, you will often wear all the hats until you can afford to hire someone to do it for you. But even then, you still need to be aware of what they are doing and be able to do it for yourself in case of an emergency situation. Entrepreneurs will often mess things up in the beginning because of their lack of knowledge so get as much education and support as you can on how to run your business. DF: If you could have lunch with anyone present or past, who would it be and why?
DF: Tell me about one challenge and what you did to overcome it? Karen: A major challenge that I experienced in 2021 was that I was in the middle of writing an anthology book with a group of individuals where we shared our experiences with COVID-19 and I had a heart attack! Everyone was depending on me to be able to continue facilitating the process to meet the deadline date that was set for the book launch. Of course, this was something that was unexpected and completely out of my control, so I had to focus on what I could control, which was rehabilitating myself as quickly as possible. So, I had my laptop brought up to the hospital so that I could work. I reached out to everyone to let them know that I was ok and that we would still meet the deadline. I held virtual meetings in my hospital room and moved the project forward. I was in the hospital for 45 days, and the book launched right on time 2 weeks after I was discharged from the hospital! The title of the anthology is ""Nothing Can Stop the Promises of God, Not Even COVID-19!"" So of course, I had to push to make it happen and God was faithful to help me reach that goal! DF: What advice would you give to someone who wanted to start a
Karen: I would love to have lunch with Oprah Winfrey. I believe that there is so much that I can learn from her about running a large-scale organization as an African American woman and about developing a team that sticks with you over time. DF: Do you have any upcoming events and how can our readers contact you for more information? Karen: The Renewed Vision Conference is Saturday, October 15, 2022, from 10am - 2pm. It's a virtual event and and registration is on our website:
www.rehabyourlife.org/annual-conference. DF: What does it mean to be Church Girl CEO? Karen: It's a great opportunity to be featured in Church Girl CEO Magazine because I feel that many of the readers can resonate with our services. We provide rehabilitation counseling and support to individuals with disabilities including, but not limited to, cancer, heart disease and diabetes. We believe that our mission is God-led and can be of great service to your readership. Reach out to Karen: rehabyourlife2@gmail.com
Theresa Crichlow Honey, How Sweet It Is!
By Deborah Franklin Honey chile, who knew you could have honey that tastes like pie filling? Theresa stepped out on faith and found out just how sweet it is being your own boss! DF: What inspired you to become an entrepreneur? Theresa: I am a Womanpreneur and founder of BeeLoved, LLC, known as the honey bakery and swee-tea cafe. I thrived during a pandemic with a God-given vision. In a short amount of time, she has accomplished so much like running a small business. Although I come from humble beginnings, I never let my circumstances slow me down. It only motivated me and encouraged me to strive for more. I’m working towards my business becoming a global franchise and a household name. I believe her hard work and diligence will push me to become a mentor in the business sector as well. I turned my last $201.49 into a family-owned business. What inspired me to become an entrepreneur was identifying a need and constantly innovating. By recognizing that I can incorporate organic eatable flowers, spices, and fruits into honey that taste like pie filling without using sugar is Ahhh-Mazing. It’s an honor to be a part of the few businesses who were able to tap into an underserved honey market.
DF: What advice would you give to someone who wanted to start a business? Theresa: My No. 1 piece of advice to other entrepreneurs is to go after your vision and dreams instead of just thinking about them. I recommend starting with something small, write the vision and make it plain, make a to-do list or an inspiration board. God’s Word directs us to think and plan. The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps (Proverbs 16:9). Putting your vision or dreams down on paper is the first step toward making them a reality.
I’m someone who always has more ideas than I have time for, so I think that is part of my creative brain which is always at work. I think it’s important to pursue things you enjoy, be an inspiration for others in the field you are in and are good at, but also you have to look for whether there is a need. I believe I found a niche in BeeLoved, the specialty honey business and I decided to take advantage of it. I also enjoy being my own boss and being as creative as I want. I didn’t stop there either; I found more ways to diversify my business, including making fresh jam, syrup, pet paw and nose healing balm infused with honey (safe for licking), basic candles, and creative tea product line.
DF: If you could have lunch with anyone present or past, who would it be and why? Theresa: If I could have lunch with anyone, it would be Ashley Rouse, Founder and CEO of Trade Street Jam Co., a jam kitchen based in Brooklyn, NY. Her story inspired me as a woman and black-owned business and a trained chef who loves to be innovative with flavors.
DF: Tell me about one challenge and what you did to overcome it? Theresa: One challenge I had in the first few months was to establish a solid online presence. It’s not enough to rely on wordof-mouth and the quality of my honey products to get new customers, as amazing as it may be. Instead, things like social media accounts and websites are crucial. Maintaining my social media and web presence can feel like a little challenging at times but there are countless online tools that help me save time and focus on what’s important -- the actual business.
I like how she transformed raw fruits into something totally different while maintaining their essential taste. I find most jams too sweet; but like Ashley Rouse, I like to work with the essence of the produce itself and maintain the pureness of honey and mix fruits with other organic ingredients. What I like about how Ashley Rouse prepares her jams is that she really pulls out the complexity of a variety, whether it’s the plum rose jam, smoked 17
peach, or blueberry jam, and let its uniqueness, natural subtleties and bright flavors shine.
one-of-a-kind engagement, healthy brunch and health and wellness resources.
I would like to glean from Ashley Rouse in both her chef capacity and as a business owner.
DF: What does it mean to be Church Girl CEO? Theresa: Being a Church Girl CEO is to glorify God. My heart rests in being a help to humanity whether in work, word, scribe or deed; it's all unto the glory of God.
DF: Do you have any upcoming events and how can our readers contact you for more information?
For additional information follow BeeLoved on Instagram @BeeLovedNYC or visit us at www.bee-loved.us to check out the various honey and tea product lines and keep an eye out for what new honey and tea products may be added next.
Theresa: BeeLoved, LLC and World Wide Hugs, Inc., is diligently working on community-based events for the entire family throughout New York City, as God expands our territory. We offer 18