Real Life Real Faith Women Walking By Faith March/April 2016 | Page 32

Many Soaring Women on the Rise were sent to inspire me to Soar beyond my norm: My Sisters - Joyce Harrison, Pastor Glenda Griffin, PATricia Hunt,
Cloretta Hudson; My Aunties - Aunt Geneva Mitchell (the first to receive her Master’s Degree), Aunt Armittie Eady, Aunt Odessa Black and the late Sarah
Bratton; My Godmothers – Arlene Lamar, Callie Stallings, Verma Hollins and last but not least My Mentor Cora Frazier (her and her husband owned a new
Chrysler/Dodge Dealership over 25 years wow)!
One has said, “Don’t go where the path may lead, but go where there’s no path and Leave a Trail” and that is exactly what these Soaring Women did and
in turn it helped me to have a “Be First” mentality in most of what I do. Of course, when a woman, especially an African-American speaking and
preaching woman, uses her Divine Creativity innovatively – watch out world!
In becoming a professional Elevation Speaker/Coach, Ordained Minister, Author, Columnist and Television Show Host, I experienced some gender
barriers that had to be torn down! I had to help many see the awesome benefit women offer in empowering and ministering to those hurting and
frustrated.
When I began this incredible journey over 20 years ago, I saw a great number of men in the field (including my friend Les Brown), but very few
well-known women speaking in the public or church arena. In the past, I feel some organizations and corporations have preferred male speakers over
women, because they sometimes felt men could get the job done better. Well, I beg to differ! From my speaking experience, when you combine
knowledge, wisdom, experience and compassion (which most women have), together it equals a dynamic and life-changing message!
Now, we all know the traditional thoughts about women preaching the Word of God. Some believe women should not be preaching, but I don’t believe
they have ever read about Prophetess Anna in Luke 2, Prophetess Deborah in Judges 4 or about Phillip’s virgin daughters that prophesied. God is able
to use who He desires to, and we must not find ourselves judging what man or woman is or is not called.
Many Women in various careers and professions had to trust God and their Faith to tread paths unknown, but they were victorious in spite of the odds.
The Lord gave me an incredible vision to have an Annual City-wide Interdenominational Women’s Revival and Fellowship for seven (7) days, where about
22 women preach in one week! WOW, talking about creating your own path, this was a one-of-a-kind unique revival! I started it in 2003 annually in my
hometown, Fort Wayne, Indiana. You can only imagine the opposition I encountered from the local traditional pastors in the city, but God prevailed!
Souls were saved, encouraged, empowered and enhanced. I told God to use me whatever way He wanted – send me I’ll go!
I have found that in the speaking arena, it’s really about God’s divine timing and who you are connect with. I remember Bishop T.D. Jakes sharing his
testimony about how Bishop Carlton Pearson GAVE him an opportunity to speak at the Azusa Conference and Paul Crouch heard a seven (7) minute clip
and had him on TBN, and the rest is history! It was his time (God’s Time). Then we know that God used Bishop Jakes to give Prophetess Juanita Bynum
the opportunity to speak at the Woman Thou Art Loosed Conference, and the rest is history! Just think if all of us became CATAPULTS and not insults,
many people and their gifts would be launched to bless the world.
So, I encourage you Water-walking powerful Women of Faith wanting to become a professional speaker, author, business owner or minister, just build
YOU up and invest in the best company in the world – Y.O.U. Inc. If you prepare, plan, develop and build up YOU (wisdom from God, skill, speaking,
image, knowledge…), your opportunity will appear at the right time – just be ready. Don’t get discouraged and don’t you dare give up, just GO UP for
you are truly an EAGLE, not a chicken. When the money is low and the bills are due and you don’t know what to do; begin to write, plan, pray and speak
what you want and not what you have. Some individuals will deliberately not help you but God has a ram in the bush – believe me I know! Remember,
NO Weapon formed against you shall prosper. It may form, but it will not prosper. You will fulfill the divine destiny in your fingerprint; so Wise Women
on the Rise keep spreading your wings and continue to Soar, Soar, Soar2More. Just like the Daughters of Zelophehad in Numbers 27 NLT, what you’re
going through cannot compare to w