Transformed By Holy Spirit

An Inspiring Interview with LadyVictory Vernon,D.Min.

ByEditor-in-Chief,DavetaBrown

If you've ever heard her preach, you've witnessed the power! If you've ever seen her greeting line after church, you've witnessed a long line of people waiting to speak with a woman they trust. Lady Victory Vernon is a beacon of spiritual guidance and fervent passion at the heart of Cleveland, Ohio's Word Church. Meeting her is an opportunity, an encounter with the essence of compassion and an unwavering desire to uplift.

As the cherished wife of Dr. R.A. Vernon, together, they lead a congregation with thousands of members. Moreover, they extend their stewardship to the Shepherd's Connection, overseeing 200 pastors and their churches. Lady Vernon, a spiritual matriarch and newly minted grandmother, embodies a rare blend of divine grace and earthly wisdom. But what is the secret behind her profound impact? Is the woman we see today identical to the woman she was as a new First Lady?

Lady Vernon offers a "glimpse" into her life, revealing the pivotal role of the Holy Spirit in harmonizing her role as a wife, mother, and spiritual leader.

Privileged to be a part of the Word Church family, I've witnessed firsthand the impact of her ministry, characterized by divine inspiration and pragmatic wisdom. It's my honor to share her insights. So, settle into your coziest retreat with a soothing cup of tea, and prepare to be enriched.

As a young girl,

I was being shaped by God for a future

I was not yet equipped to embrace.

The Formative Years

Victory sang a repetitive song as a young girl, not knowing why she liked it. The song's lyrics, "He's preparing me for something I cannot handle right now." In retrospect, she tells us I wasn't ready for what God had for me then. Hearing this reminds me of how the Holy Spirit works He resonates messages within and drops hints regarding His plan to enlarge our territory.

Growing up in traditional Pentecostalism, and as a pastor’s kid, Lady Vernon was accustomed to guidelines and dress codes, where women wore thick white stockings and long dresses. As a first lady, she initially tried to conform, feeling pressed by her mentors. She also watched other first ladies and attempted to emulate them.

However, the clash between old traditions and her fresh ideas left her feeling like she was trying to pour "new wine into old wineskins." What brought the shift? Lady Vernon says, "The Holy Spirit intervened, sanctioned, ordained, and freed me! Now I'm okay." We gain from this that you don't have to live according to anyone else's template. Allow the Holy Spirit room to teach, sanction, guide, and free you.

Marriage

Lady Vernon candidly reveals her initial struggles as a newlywed, navigating through anger and silence. She said, "I went through a season where I didn't talk to my husband, and he didn't talk to me. I didn't look forward to church, and I didn’t talk to anyone there."

Yet, she and her husband changed with the Holy Spirit's transformative touch. She credits the shift to listening to the Holy Spirit’s promptings and working on emotional health. She reads books on emotional health by Henry Cloud —one of her favorite authors.

Lady Vernon now states, "My husband is my greatest gift." She applauds his unwavering support, giving an example of a pivotal moment when she was frightened about her doctoral program's first day of school. Her husband came to the school and stayed with her the entire day. Now that's love in action!

She anchors her marital principles in Amos 3:3: "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" And Matthew 19:11-12 "Not everyone is mature enough to live a married life. It requires a certain aptitude of grace." These Scriptures are reminders that marriage requires "unity" and "maturity."

When it comes to maturity, a mature woman prioritizes nurturing her marriage and actively seeks ways to bring happiness to her husband. For example, Lady Vernon grooms herself daily, and when her husband has a specific attire request, she doesn't give him pushback. She said, "I realize that he's not the same man he was when I married him, he's growing. So, if he has a request, why not do it if it makes him happy." Further, she said her husband is very clear about what he likes, from the "bedroom to the bank account.” She values their open dialogue and mutual respect.

Motherhood Ministry

One of the guiding Scriptures in Lady Vernon's motherhood is Luke 15:3-7 where Jesus goes after the lost sheep, puts it on His shoulders, and brings it home. She said there are times as a mother that I have to do this. Without yelling or screaming, I pick my children up and shepherd them. When addressing serious matters, I get their attention by calling them by their entire first and last name. When I do this, they know I mean business.

We asked Lady Vernon how she balances marriage, motherhood, and ministry. Her response, "I don't like the word balance. I prefer the word manage. I teach first ladies to manage life, but don't try to balance it." Here's why— Balancing, she argues, teeters on the edge of disaster, with the fragility of something dropping. It's too much stress. On the other hand, managing allows growth, learning, and eventual mastery.

In navigating the trifecta of marriage, motherhood, and ministry, we wanted to know her closing thoughts and the secret to her success. Here's what she revealed:

To begin, she has a consistent prayer life and adheres to intentional selfcare guarded fiercely from interruptions. Lady Vernon's entire family knows her self-care time is uninterrupted. Additionally, she limits all appointments to one day a week, on Thursdays, and only until 2 pm. She's also committed to the five components of self-care:

1. Emotional- Be intentional about your emotional health.

Cognition-Guard what you meditate on.

2. Physical-Exercise and eat nutritiously.

3. Spiritual- Love God and prioritize your relationship with Him.

5.

4. Sphere of Influence- Maintain a godly and healthy inner circle.

She leaves us with a profound quote: "He’ll keep you if you want to be kept," a testament to the sustaining power of the Holy Spirit." From a woman whose voice was silent, she now stands as a voice of influence in her family and to thousands of women and believers. Thank you, Lady Victory Vernon, for sharing your wisdom with our readership. May God continue to bless, keep, strengthen, and guide you.