13 minute read
Interview With Melanie Diggs and Cheri Saunders
Welcome to Transformational4Real Magazine. It is my pleasure to be able to interview both of you simultaneously; I feel like I am getting two for the price of one! Lol!
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Correct me if I’m wrong, but you are both the pioneers for Spiritual Care for a Woman’s Soul, right? Did both of you come up with the name for the Facebook group?
MD: I came up with the name of the FB Group. The thought behind the name is that we are on a spiritual journey with Christ as our Leader and the care of our soul matters. The soul is the seat of our emotions and it is our very essence—and for women—we have a ton of emotions to turn over to Jesus. The soul is the part of us that lives on into eternity. We must make sure our soul is in love with Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us through this spiritual journey—from earth to Glory.
CS: Yes, Melanie came up with the name and idea to do a Facebook Page to encourage women, as well as ourselves as we journey through our walk with Christ. I agreed it would be an awesome thing to do. It has been a wonderful journey to walk out our spiritual life with so many women.
I noticed that you are averaging over 1,000 women in SCFAWC. Tell us a little about your group and how it works?
MD: The group was birthed on September 7, 2015 after Cheri and I discussed creating a private FB Group that would allow us to connect with women in our hometown Baltimore, MD, as well as with women all over the world. Women are invited to join by other members or request to join when they find our group. Members are welcomed into the group and are requested to submit posts that encourage and uplift a Sister’s soul. We consider our members as “Sisters”. Cheri and I believed that the Lord gave us a mandate for prayer so, we began a hosting conference calls every Monday @ 11:00 a.m. EST so that we could connect with women who became members of the group in a weekly hour of prayer. Cheri and I are prayer partners and we have experienced the power of prayer, as God answered many of our prayer requests and the requests of others as we have prayed for. PrePandemic times, we also held face-to-face bible studies and book discussions for women that enabled intergenerational
CS: Yep, that’s how Melanie and I got started. To add to what Melanie said, there were times when we were the only active participants, posting on the page and praying on the conference calls. But God.…. We held on and kept believing that this is what God called us to do. Today, we have a 1,000+ Sisters on the page who encourage one another faithfully every day.
You also now have online apparel. Was it a joint idea or did one of you come up with the idea?
MD: Yes, for several years, we sold apparel on FB through our Page, Spiritual Care for A Woman’s Soul Products. Due to economic reasons, we have created a blog website where our products can be directly purchased and shipped. The idea came out of the production of our logo. The Lord gave me a vision of the logo and we used a graphic designer, Antonio Schroeder, Sr. of IBC Graphics Atelier Studios, to create our first logo. In order to reproduce the logo on other colors of fabric, we worked with another graphic designer, Khol Toonz. Both designers can be found on Facebook.
CS: Melanie is the brains behind it all. Lol! God drops the ideas in her spirit and she shares it with me. I agree and follow her lead.
Well tell us what kind of apparel and where it can be bought?
MD: We have sweatshirts, tees, bags, mugs, and face masks. You can find most of our items on the blog website: https:// mtdiggs8.wixsite.com/scfaws.
CS:
What are your visions for your group as God continues to expand it?
MD: We would like to get back to face-to-face bible studies/book discussion groups. It would also be nice to host a Woman’s Conference that focuses on caring for the mind, body, and soul. I love programming and coming up with events. Virtual is a wonderful platform, but I hope we can get back to physically connecting on some scale.
CS: Like I mentioned before, Melanie is the brains behind it all. I follow her lead.
I can’t remember how we connected on Facebook, but I know that I was excited to be a part of your Monday morning calls. There is so much richness on that call. Please tell us how it started and where you are right now in what your vision is for your Monday morning calls.
MD: As I stated earlier, Cheri and I believed that the Lord gave us a mandate for prayer so we began a conference call on Mondays @ 11 AM EST so that we could connect with women who became members of the group in a weekly hour of prayer. Cheri and I are prayer partners and we have experienced the power of prayer, as God answered many of our prayer requests and the requests of others as we prayed. Our signature scripture is Philippians 4:6-7 (CSB) which states: “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” We thought it would be great to meet for prayer on Mondays—the day that many consider as the beginning of the work week. Currently, we are utilizing the Messenger Room in our FB Group for prayer at the same time as when we started 6 years ago this coming September—11 AM EST. We have had many Sisters join us in the FB Messenger Room, especially International callers who had a difficult time reaching us on the Conference Call. South Africa, Nigeria, and just recently, from Saudi Arabia—to name a few origins from which our Sisters who have joined the Prayer Room. We thank God for these various technological platforms to conduct our Monday Morning Prayer and Praise. We plan on continuing this prayer connection—in some way, shape, or form, as the Lord guides. We have to continue to pray—even if no one joins us!
I finally met you both when I came to Maryland from my husband’s family reunion. I was so excited as I waited at the hotel that I called to make sure that you both were still coming to meet me for us to connect peer-to-peer. Do you remember that?
MD: Yes, we remember meeting you, Donna. I remember we talked for over an hour in the hotel lobby. You were just as lively—or more so in person—as you are over the phone. So down to earth with a sense of humor—telling the truth in love and standing your ground. You tell it like it is—no sugar coating with you! What you see, is what you get. Over the
How long have you known each other?
MD: Wow, I met Cheri before I had my eldest daughter; so, it has been over 25 years. My daughter will be 26 in August, so it’s been almost more than 26 years.
CS: It’s funny how God arranged our friendship/sisterhood 25 years ago. It has been a blessed journey I must say.
I listened to you both on the prayer call and you seem to be able to finish each other’s sentences, Is that just me or do you both find yourself doing so?
MD: Yes, The Holy Spirit has a way of connecting us, especially when we are on one accord in Prayer and when there is a sisterly connection and long-time friendship, as well.
Lanie, I know that when I first started coming on the call you were the Manager at the main Baltimore library and Cherie, you were working with someone else in a hair salon. Where are you both now in your careers?
MD: Actually, I was the Branch Manager of the Pennsylvania Avenue Branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library. I was the Manager there during the time of the Baltimore Uprising 2015, which occurred in April. SCFAWS started in September 2015. I am now the South Area Manager of the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System.
CS: Right now, my sister and I have a suite in Owings Mills, MD together. My sister (Chasity) and I have been doing hair for over 20+ years. We are in Sola Salon in Suite 7. Our suite is called Anointed For This Hair Salon.
Where are you both now in your ministerial walk?
MD: I am still in Marketplace Ministry. I am affiliated with 2 International Ministry Groups. I am on the Administration Team of the International Ministry and Nonprofit organization called Nation’s Healing Ministry, Inc. I am the Strategic Planner/Organizer for the Group. I also share the Gospel via a Weekly Broadcast on Friday nights @ 8 pm called, “The Sanctified Life,” with another sister-member of the Administration Team, Prophetess Loretta Joyce Greene. The Pastor/Leader of Nation’s Healing, Pastor Abbey Israel of Uganda, acknowledged my Pastoral gift and I am known as, “Pastor Lanie TD” in the Group. We also have monthly Online Conferences where we invite other Ministers of the Gospel to share the platform with us as we discuss a Monthly Topic/Scripture Reference
I am also affiliated with Kingdom Leadership, another international group that focuses on leadership within Ministry, under the auspices of Bishop John Oscar of Tanzania. I am often asked to minister on the FB Live Broadcasts with other Ministers from all over the world.
CS: Donna it’s funny that you asked that question. For years I felt like because I was not ordained officially with a title, I did not have an official ministry. I finally realized that every day when I go into my salon, I minister to so many women behind my salon chair. We have a personal one on one fellowship. You think you’re only coming in the salon to get your hair done but you leave out with so much more than that. The ladies leave out refreshed and renewed.
What are your passions towards your ministries?
MD: I love to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ via teaching and the preached Word. I have a heart for women and children. I also want to see souls saved and to equip the Body of Christ for living in this world but not being of this world. I live to follow the Lord’s will— to serve Him and be obedient to His call on my life in whatever capacity He directs. I am grateful for being able to do the Lord’s work outside of the four walls—what I consider as Marketplace Ministry.
CS: I love making people smile and feeling comfortable enough to relax and release their day to day woes in the salon. It’s a very relaxing atmosphere in the salon and that’s the way we want it. We share some very intimate moments together. We pray together, listen to sermons, we cry and laugh together, sometimes clients minister to each other as they are being serviced. You just never know how God is going to use you when you walk through the door of Anointed For This Hair Salon. It’s a beautiful thing!!!
MD: I see myself continuing to spread the Gospel and to be used however the Lord sees fit.
CS: Everyday, I’m learning how to trust God more and more. Through my ups and downs, giving God more control over my life. Letting go and letting God have His way.
Lanie, I know that you heard from the Lord and stepped away from the church where you were attending. How were you able to make the decision and transition into all that God is requiring of you?
MD: Wow, Sis. That was a decision that I had to hear from the Lord about. It was only after He released me that I left ministry within the four walls. I look back at that release and see that God was preparing me for now. I did not understand it back then, but He was moving me out because He knew that Church as we knew it was changing and we needed to embrace the change and be open to experiencing another level of Ministry that would bring us into global exploits. Years ago, the Lord revealed to me that He had called me to go before the Nations. I believe He is fulfilling that call over my life.
What would you tell others to do and how to deal with those issues that may be in the same situation that you were in?
MD: Sis, I would tell everyone that you must have that personal conversation with the Lord. Listen to Him and follow where the Spirit leads. I do not recommend jumping outside of His will but remaining in His will is what is best. Sometimes, you must stand still until His will is clear to you—even if others do not understand or get upset and bothered by your decision that you have made based on what you have heard from God.
Cherie: Would you say that you were able to understand her situation and walk her through that period in her life?
CS: Absolutely Donna. Melanie and I have so many stories that we can share about our journey together. It’s amazing how I have had a front seat ride to her life experiences in her spiritual relationship with Abba. I am blessed to have walked, talked, cried and laughed through it all with her.
Cherie, I know that you are now in your own salon working as a sole hairstylist. Was there any specific reason why you went solo?
CS: I’m actually not solo. My sister and I are partners now in a double suite in Sola Salons. My sister and I always dreamed of owning our own salon.
Lanie: Would you say that you were able to walk Cherie through with the help of God into going solo?
MD: Yes, when Cheri decided to open her own salon suite, I encouraged her to experience all that God had for her. It was a dream that God brought to reality. Her steps were being ordered by God and He was directing her path. It was as if He was making a way for her and unfolding things right before her eyes so there was no doubt that God was in her decision making process.
CS: Melanie has been a very important part of my life journey Spiritual and Personal. I thank God for her all the time. I love Melanie to life.
I must ask this question in conclusion. As soon as COVID-19 is under control, is there a conference on the horizon?
MD: Yeah! That would be nice—as I stated before. God has so many great things in store— including travel to Africa and other nations, as He opens doors and gates!
CS: Wherever God takes us I am a willing vessel.
It was my pleasure to interview you both and look forward to great things from SCFAWS. I love you both.
