Whole Spotlight: Haley Phelps of Hope 4 Tomorrow

I love meeting women full of zeal for Christ! We have even featured many here on Spotlight such as Lauren DeMoss, and MiMi Atkins. But when I discovered that Haley Phelps was 16 years old, on FIRE for Jesus, and already a VP of an organization, I was taken aback.

Whole Spotlight: A Long Walk with LaToria

Christian Hip-Hop artist, LaToria is someone you definitely want to keep your eye on. She brings impressive and soulful rapping abilities along a with fire for God that is definitely something we want to shine the "spotlight" on.

Whole Spotlight: Lauren DeMoss

Whole Spotlight is a section where we like to highlight amazing women of God that have impacting their community, the web, and the world around them.

Honestly, I did the happy dance when Lauren agreed to the interview, because she is an unashamed firecracker for God, and well she is just adorable.

Her ministry Thefulltimegirl Blog is actually one of the very first blogs I began reading. Her transparency, boldness, and realness were so refreshing to see.

She loves Jesus, and there is no doubt about it. Check out our interview below to see.



WM: Can you share with our readers a little bit about your upbringing?

Lauren: "I was brought up in a Christian home, went to church every time the doors were open, sometimes more, went to a Christian school, and a Christian college. I worked several normal jobs,  but I was always in a Christian environment, and protected from the world. I am so very thankful for that."

WM: How did you come to know Jesus personally?

Lauren: I came to know Jesus at an early age. I was 7, and I was on my way home from church and I told my mom that I was afraid that I was going to hell, and she prayed with me. I don't think I fully understood what salvation really meant until I was older, when I fully surrendered my life to God." 

WM: Can you share with us a little about how it was growing up as a “Preacher's Kid?”

Lauren: "Well, when people ask that, I always say I don't know anything else. That is my normal. It was hard and wonderful and blessed. There are many things I could say about living in the "fishbowl." But I grew up with many people who loved God and who loved me. I never worried about my family doing the right thing, and for that I am so blessed."

WM: What would you say are the biggest misconceptions people have of Preacher's Daughters?

Lauren: "I think it affected me a lot more when I was younger, but I think many people expect a lot more from the Pastor's family. When I would mess up, people would say, "….and your the pastor's daughter," and I just wanted to scream, but I'm just a normal kid! We are just normal people, and people mess up and make mistakes, and people get grace from God, and people move on and change, and people are just people. No one is perfect. Not even the pastor's kids." 


WM: Tell us about The Fulltime Girl Blog, and it's mission?

Lauren: "Thefulltimegirl came about because I was searching for a ministry. I was at a point in my life where I really wanted more. More of God and more of a real part in the kingdom. I wanted a ministry of my own that I could pour myself into. I begged God night after night to use me. Of course He was willing, He just had to make me ready. After exploring several options, including moving to China! I decided to use my voice to encourage others here at home. I wrote my first blog post in February 2012 hoping to encourage or challenge just ONE person… and the rest is history. 

My focus is primarily toward young girls although I do have several posts for men and posts that are for both men and women. I’m not sure what makes my writing style different. I think it is because I try to be as real as possible. Every post I write, I sit down and write in one sitting. I just type until everything in my heart about that topic is out in words. Every word is from my heart, and I want people to know that what I say I mean with everything that I am. My main goal would be to reach young women with the message that Jesus is really everything you need – for singleness, for beauty, for self-esteem, for wisdom in life. He is it, and if they truly fall in love with Jesus and follow after Him with all their heart, they will truly find everything they are searching for."

WM: Just like Whole Magazine, your audience is mostly single women between the ages of 18-34. What advice do you have for the young women struggling with remaining content during their season of singleness?

Lauren: "I think I have a lot of single readers, yes, because I can relate very well to them. I was kind of the girl who was saying the things they all were to afraid to say or didn't know how to put into words, and I think it is a comfort to all of us to know that we aren't alone in our feelings, in our hope in God, in our believing there is a love story that God is writing for us. It is just nice to be able to have other people that understand." 

WM: What does a real, genuine woman of God look like to you?

Lauren: "A real woman of God to me is someone who lives in this world, but has her mind on eternity. She sees the things that other people don't because she sees through the filter of God's word and God's ways. I always say that being a Christian doesn't change what you deal with, it changes how you deal with it. Of course we will all face worry, and heartache, and pain, and joy, and happiness, but what we do with what we are given is what makes all the difference. Everyone's story is different and can be so beautiful if we let God move every piece how he would. I think a genuine woman of God sees that not only her story, but everyone's around her too, are all part of the bigger story that is all about God, and uses every opportunity to point people to him."

WM: Can you share with us some of your favorite Bible verses, and why?

Lauren: "My chapter is Psalm 18, but my favorite verse is Psalm 18:30, "As for God His way is Perfect…" Because, well, they are. God's ways are all given to us in the Bible. They can be tested and tried and they will all be found perfect just as it says. When you put your whole trust in the Lord, and your whole life in his hands, and do what he says to do, and don't do what he says not to do, then your life is gonna be the best it can possibly be….. no matter what happens." 

WM: You are on fire for Jesus, and it shows. What advice do you have to the young women out there wanting to have that same fire to share Jesus with others, but are still afraid ?

Lauren: ""Fire" for God comes from God. Anything that we do for him is because of him. If we are truly saved, all of God is at our fingertips, and the reason that most Christians are not on fire for God is because they don't know God. They don't respect God, and they don't fear God. If you want to be on fire for God, open up your Bible and read about who He is. Then, get on your knees and pray for God to put a fire inside of you. It's not something someone is born with or something that is just stumbled upon. It is asked for and given, and received and tested, and becomes a way of life." 

WM: Your FTG Blog bio reads: to encourage and inspire her generation and the next to be courageously and fully abandoned to their Savior. What does it mean to be fully abandoned to our Savior and how can we get to that place? 

Lauren: "Surrender is a daily chore. Write it down. Every morning you wake up and surrender your plans and your day and your hours and minutes to Jesus, because that is all we are given right now. Today. Don't waste it living for yourself when God has promised infinite joy and blessings. Live for God. Fix your mind on Him and his word, and actually live it out. The Christian life is just trusting God every day to be good and right and faithful in every situation, good or bad, and then finding him to be better than we imagined. It is not about what any one person does for him. It is about what He is doing through us all every day." 

WM: It is obvious you into everything "girly." You are stranded on an island and you can only keep 3 things from your make-up bag or closet. What would it be?

Lauren: "That's hard! There are so many things I would be incapable of doing on a stranded island (laughing). Number one would be Chap-stick, because I always have to have it on my lips. A face moisturizer, (anti wrinkle), because preventing wrinkles is the only way to get rid of wrinkles, and you can never start too early. Then pretty much any outfit by Free People, and I'm ready to go... When's my flight?"

Thank you so much, for chatting with us. We love you and your blog! How can our readers connect with you?

Lauren: "Thank you so much for letting me share my heart with your readers. I love Whole Magazine! You can read my blog at thefulltimegirl.com, find thefulltimegirl on Facebook, and follow me on twitter and instagram."

Visit Lauren's Blog Thefulltimegirl.

About the Author :

Carmen Miller is happily married mother of 5 and wife to Jarrad. As Founder of Whole Magazine and Be Made Whole Ministries (Coming Fall 2014), Carmen's heart's passion is to see broken women made whole through the power of Jesus Christ.

Whole Spotlight: Ronne B on God-Centered Success

"I was called to serve, empower, and help people reach their full potential...I'm not fulfilled, if I'm not helping others become successful." - Ronne B

Whole Spotlight was created to shine the light on women who are impacting their community and the world. Amazing women of God who are stepping into their purpose that God has called them for. 

For the month of June, we are honored to be spotlighting Ronnessa Brown (Ronne B) founder High Heels and High Goals alongside Jennifer Lucy Tyler, an organization existing to educate, encourage, and empower women all over the world to set the bar high and reach for the stars! All while keeping God at the center of it all!

"Ronnessa Brown is a woman who has defeated odds, stepped over stereotypes, and transcended barriers. This Washington, DC native’s story is one that leaves “no excuses” to the person who wants better for their lives." - HHAHG

Check out our eInterview below:

WM: Ronne, can you share with our readers a little bit about your upbringing?

R: I was raised in Washington DC, in what was considered one of the roughest neighborhoods in the DC area. By the time I was 13 my mom and dad split up.  Watching them go through the separation was really difficult.  With too much free time on my hands, and my dad working around-the-clock, I ended up pregnant by the age of 16.  That alone gave me the motivation to want to be more and do more with my life.  This huge responsibility at a young age ended up being the foundation of my testimony.  I was scared, doubtful, and confused about how I was going to make it with a child.  I turned that negative energy into the positive determination I needed to overcome it all.  I was determined to not become a statistic.  I went straight to work so that I can make ends meet and support my son.  

WM: How were you introduced to Jesus personally? 

R: Faith was instilled in me at a very young age.  I remember having Bible study with my mom as a little girl.  As I grew older, my relationship with Jesus wasn't as strong but I knew he was always by my side.  While experiencing life, love, trials, and tribulations, God continued to show me that no matter how much I felt I could do on my own, there was nothing I could do without Him by my side.  My purpose is clear and I know that God chose me to be a vessel, a testimony, and an inspiration to young moms and women who simply want more out of life and tap into their full potential.

WM: Can you tell us a little about High Heels High Goals Movement and the vision behind it? 

R: High Heels High Goals is a membership based women's empowerment organization with a mission to empower, educate and engage women from all walks of life. Within this membership my Co-Founder, Jennifer Lucy Tyler, and I provide weekly motivational emails, monthly empowerment calls that span a range of personal and business development topics, and quarterly networking events that are designed to uplift, educate, and empower women.  The birth of this organization is directly tied to my mission in life to help women see and seek their full potential.  More information about the organization and how to join can be found at www.HighHeelsHighGoals.com.

WM: What advice do you have for other women on achieving God-centered success?

R: My advice would be to seek God first in everything you do.  Keep your focus on Him and ask for his guidance to ensure you are fulfilling His will and purpose for you in this life.  Pray and meditate on His word daily.  Ask God to constantly reveal Himself to you and give you clarity in your walk with Christ.  God will lead, guide and bless you abundantly when you keep your eyes on Him.

WM: What inspires you to press on, when the going gets rough? 

R: My children, my family and the many women out there God is planning to send my way for me to lead and pour into.  I am determined to leave a legacy behind for my children.  Just knowing that I am living on purpose is such a blessing and an honor that motivates me to stay focused and motivated to keep going everyday.  

WM: What advice do you have for young women who are interested in launching their own non-profit organization someday? 

R: First pray on it and ensure it is in line with what God has for you to do.  Next, do your research and set it up the right way with an experienced professional.  Finally, just do it!  Get the right people in place to help support the mission.

WM: What do you want to tell the young women out there that had the same struggles you did?

R: If I can do it, so can you!  Struggles are experiences God purposely send your way to make you stronger. God is preparing you for greatness.  Stay in tune with Him and allow Him to be your guiding light. He will seamlessly show you the way.

WM: What are 3 bible verses that have blessed you and why?

R: Proverbs 15:21- "Foolishness brings joy to those with no sense.  A sensible person stays on the right path."  This verse helps to remind us how important it is for us to live on purpose and stay in our lane.  God has a divine plan for each one of our lives. 

Colossians 3:17- "And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the father."  If we live through Him, stay focused on Him, and be thankful to Him, we will find peace and show love in all we do, as the Lord did.

Ephesians 4:2- "Always be humble and gentle.  Be patient with each other, making allowance for each others faults because of your love."  I love this scripture because it teaches us how to be true to ourselves and show the love to others that God shows us. 

WM: How can we stay connected and up-to-date with you?

On the web at www.RonneB.com

On Instagram and Twitter @MsRonne

On Facebook at www.Facebook.com/keepupwithRonneB

Whole Spotlight: Nicole Louis with Love Me 31

This has been an amazing year for us here at Whole. We have met so many wonderful women of God that are truly impacting the world with the love of Christ. It was through some of those ministries that, over a year ago, I met this month's Spotlight woman, Nicole Louis. It was a blessing for me to see her birth Love Me...31, a ministry existing  to encourage, empower, and equip women of God by striving to meet the Proverbs 31 standard of a true, godly woman. Check out our interview below to learn more about Nicole and LM31.

W: Nicole, can you share with our readers a little bit about your upbringing?

N: "I am a mover! I was born in California, moved to Arizona at the age of two, grew up there, moved to Texas at 19, and then to Arkansas at 20, and that is where I currently reside. I am one of seven children and grew up in a very loving family, goofy, but loving. I am bi-racial my mother is Caucasian and my father is African American, and that was a blessing and a curse for me. I was blessed to be who I was and have parents who instilled confidence of loving who I was, however, I had so many problems with girls who just did not like me because of the “ stereotype” that comes with mixed girls. People say we are all stuck up and think we are better than the next girl, so not true. I was determined to show the world I wasn't like that at all."

W: How were you introduced to Jesus personally?

N: "I remember going to church functions as a little girl, but my family was never really stable and consistent in a church environment. It wasn't until I was about 17 that I encountered Jesus for real, for the first time. My family had started going to a church in Phoenix and they had a winter retreat coming up that my mom forced my brother and I to go to. At first, I was pretty hesitant, I thought it would be a lame church trip where everyone sang, “ Jesus loves me this I know, “ and smiled all the time. When I got there and we had our first worship service, it was really late at night and I was tired, so I really wasn’t feeling it to begin with. At some point in the service, the pastor gave an alter call, and I just remember I started crying. I didn’t know why , and I did not know what it was, but the moment he said, “ if there is anyone here who needs to surrender their all to the Lord, raise your hand.” Before I knew it, my hand was high in the air and I had a counselor praying the prayer of salvation with me. It was amazing, by far the best trip of my life."

W: Can you tell us a little about your ministry Love Me...31 and the vision behind it?

N: "Love Me…31 is the result of a life full of mean girls and seeing the inner “mean girl” in myself. I saw a lack of Godly women who were standing up for one another and really walking life together as sisters. I saw more women being caddy with each other, waiting on the next girl to slip and stumble so they can get their shine on and be the next greatest thing in the church. These were women of God I was seeing acting this way, and I knew this wasn’t the life God had called us to, and I was just as guilty. Love Me…31 was designed to build and uplift women of God. I wanted to build self-esteem and confidence amongst all my sisters in Christ. The goal is to help develop women and teach them to love themselves, each other, and God. We live with 1 Timothy 1:5 mentality, “ The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. “ I really want to see myself, and all of my beautiful sisters desire to love out loud and love on purpose!"

W: What are some of the toughest challenges you face as a young single Christian woman today?

N: "Contentment can be such a huge struggle for me. I battle with just being okay with where God has me constantly. It can be so easy to look at the next person and desire what they have, especially if it looks good! I have to constantly seek God’s face so that He can remind me that my portion is perfect for me. He has me right where He wants me to be, and there is no other place that I should want to be than in His perfect will for my life. The struggle is real, but it is worth giving that area, really an area that you struggle with to God."

W: What does a Proverbs 31 woman look like to you?

N: "The woman in Proverbs 31 is my example for what a woman with God’s heart looks like. She is not perfect, but she works on being everything God asked her to be. To me, I look at my own mother as an awesome example of what the Proverbs 31 woman looks like. She is so strong; willing to do whatever it takes for her family to get to the place God designed for them. She is constantly reaching out to help people even when it might put her in an awkward position because her heart and passion for God’s people is amazing. The woman in Proverbs 31 is a servant and her heart is set on doing God’s work. She is not fazed by what the world is doing or saying because she is focused on what God is doing and saying."

W: What inspires you to press on, when the going gets rough?

N: "My inspiration truly is all of the women I come in contact with on a daily basis. The pure hearts I see and the honest transparency I get to experience with a lot of my sisters in Christ is so beautiful to me. They motivate me to do better and be better. I constantly get text messages, emails, and phone calls with encouraging words and loving support, It is awesome to have a few strong warriors in my corner that can pray for me, fast with me, and just let me cry it all out when things get rough. I have so many honest relationships that direct my eyes back to the cross and remind me that Jesus paid for it all and whatever I am going through, He went through it so trust Him."

W: What advice do you have for young women who want to launch their own non-profit organization someday?

N: "It is WORK. It is GOOD work, but nonetheless, it is work. However, know that if God called you to something, He will help you through it. There are some rough spots, especially in ministry that honestly sometimes, make you want to quit. It isn’t all roses and rainbows; you have to be diligent and focused. It requires a lot of patience. You have to be patient with people who don’t always understand the vision God gave you, you have to be patient with yourself when you start to feel weary (it will happen, but God has you), and you have to be patient with God. You won’t see your vision manifested right away, but slowly you will see everything God promised to you begin to unfold, and those moments are what make it all worth it."

W: What are 3 bible verses that have blessed you and why?

N: "Proverbs 31:30 – This verse was the first verse I memorized. Believe it or not, it was not John 3:16 ! I had a "Not of This World" Hoodie that had this verse on it, and I thought it was so beautiful that God goes against everything society tells us and says that “charm is deceitful and beauty fades, but a woman of God shall be praised.”

Matthew 28:19 – This verse has become so real to me recently. I had always heard “ this is the great commission,” but never got it until now. God told us to do this, He commanded us to make disciples, yet, the church is so busy playing the church, we forget to go out and actually be the church. We have gotten away from everything God told us to do, too focused on bodies in seats and not souls in heaven. It is a real issue, so I really want to live my life on a mission, a serious mission for the Lord.

Proverbs 31:25- I feel like so many women lack the “ strength and DIGNITY” part of this verse. The world is focused on how they can be more like Nicki Minaj, I want to focus on how I can be more like God, that takes more effort than the world thinks. It takes strength to be righteous and live holy, it takes pride and dignity in yourself to know that you are made in the image of an awesome God and you have to be bold enough to walk like a queen, because you are a queen. Plus, this woman laughs at the days to come, so she isn’t worried about the future because she knows God has her back that is beautiful."

W: How can we stay connected and up-to-date with you & Love Me...31

To stay connected with me you can always follow me on twitter , facebook, and instagram.

To keep up with everything Love Me..31 you can like us on Facebook, instagram, and twitter. and make sure to check out the blog at www.nicolelyric.blogspot.com.

About the Author :

Carmen Miller is founder of Whole Magazine and an unashamed lover of Jesus Christ, wife, and mother. Daily, she clings to God's goodness to cover her mess and purpose her days to live out her passion in leading broken women to Christ. She has a love affair with coffee, cowgirl boots, and her iPhone.

Connect with her on :

Whole Spotlight: Interview with Brittany Jay

Keeping Her Heels High, and Her Standards Higher.

There is nothing wrong with looking good; keeping your hair done, staying fit, wearing some nice heels or a nice dress, but if God were to look for BEAUTY past your external, would He really be impressed? - Brittany Jay

This month I am excited to shine the "spotlight" on my sister Brittany. She is one of the boldest and most passionate women I have had the honor of knowing. When it come to Jesus Christ, she pretty much tells it like it is and doesn't tickle the ears. She has a great ministry called High Heels and High Standards dedicated to encouraging women to find their worth and value in their Creator, Jesus Christ. 

Get to know Brittany and more about her powerful ministry below!

1. Can you share with our readers a little about your upbringing?

I grew up in Atlanta, Ga. I had a great childhood with two loving parents who spoiled me rotten. I was raised in the church, but I didn't personally know Jesus for myself. I kept a diary when I was younger and all I talked about was Jesus and forgiving me of my sins. I had a pure heart as a young child and I see that God was still with me back then.

2. How were you introduced to Christ?

I actually thought I was saved my whole life because I said a "sinner's prayer" but I was self deceived and lived contrary to God's word. In January 2012, God began to draw me to Him. He stripped the desires away from me to have sex, go to the club , and get drunk. I was so tired of the partying, being hurt by guys, and I was so empty. In May 2012,  I was called out in church and was prophecied to. I was told what God was going to do in my life and He asked me was I ready... I said yes! God showed me how sinful I was, and that I was not saved. I was a "good girl" compared to others around me but I was a liar, selfish, spoiled, shallow, and prideful. I repented and saw that I truly needed Him! From that day forward God opened my eyes and I had such a hunger and thirst for Him. I got in the word and let Him do a work in me!

3.It seemed like you had a pretty stable high school life. What changed when you got to college.

In high school I was very popular, a cheerleader,class president and I was focused on school. I always had boyfriends growing up but I remained a virgin until college. When I got to college I was no longer under my parent's supervision, and I began to do what I wanted because I had no fear of God. College is another world. A bunch of young teenagers living on campus with no adult supervision. At the time partying, getting drunk, talking to all of the guys seemed so fun but I quickly saw how empty that life was.

4. Can you share with our readers some of your greatest seasons of brokenness and how Jesus got you through it.

My greatest season of brokenness was at the beginning of my walk with Christ. God told me to cut off all guys and don't give out my number to anyone. That was so hard for me because all of my life I'd always had a boyfriend or talked to a guy. In the past to get over one guy, I would just start talking to another one and that's how I dealt with the pain. However, in this season Jesus taught me to solely depend on Him. I had to let Him heal my broken heart and allow him to do a work in me from all the things that I carried in my heart. It was hard in the beginning because at night I longed to text or talk to a guy, but that's when I went to Christ and poured my heart out to him. During this season I truly saw that Jesus was all that I needed and I let Him fill the deepest desires of my heart.

5.Can you tell us a little about your ministry?

High Heels and High Standards is a ministry that I founded in February of this year. So many women are looking to guys, sex, partying degrees, and an education to fulfill them and complete them instead of Christ. So, High Heels and High Standards is about keeping your standards in Christ, knowing who you are and that your worth is in Him!

6. You post/tweet a lot about promiscuity and purity. Why is this topic so important for you to speak out about it?

I grew up in church, but sex was a foreign word. I knew that pre-marital sex was wrong, but I never understood the consequences and why God wanted us to wait for marriage. In the time that we live in, everyone promotes sex but not purity. It's so important for me to speak about it because people don't know that it's possible to walk in purity especially after you've already had sex. I'm very transparent about me messing up but by God's grace I've been walking in 1 year and 8 months of purity! I just want everyone to know that purity is possible with Jesus Christ!

7. What are your thoughts on unequally yoked relationships? Can you hang out or have a relationship with someone who isn't Christian? 

 All of my close friends are Christians, but I do befriend those who aren't saved. How can we witness to them and be a light if we don't talk to them? My main purpose is to witness to them and to point them to Jesus and not partake in the same activities as them. I can hang with them in settings that will allow me to not compromise my standards in Christ. I wouldn't suggest new Christians or those who are not as strong to hang out with unbelievers because it's easier to pull someone down in sin than it is for you to bring them up in righteousness.

8. What are some of your favorite bible verses that you mediate on?

Matthew 6:33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 

2 Corinthians 12:9 And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 

 Proverbs 31:30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.

9. Is there anything you would like to share with those readers about how you remain content during your season of being season?

I try not to focus on what I don't have, and I try to stay thankful for what I do have. I stay busy witnessing,working out, volunteering,blogging, and hanging with friends. There are lost souls all across this world who needs Christ, so I focus on spreading the gospel and impacting the Kingdom of God! There are times when it gets really hard but I try to focus on Christ and trust in Him to help me!

10. How can our readers connect with you online?

My facebook page is Facebook.com/Highheelsandhighstandards 

Twitter: @Brittjay 

Blog: Brittmjay.blogspot.com 

Youtube: High Heels and High Standards

Jesus didn't tell us to go into the world and preach purpose,favor and blessings. He told told us to preach the gospel. We can't walk in the purpose God has for us,receive His blessings and favor until we REPENT, be BORN AGAIN, and walk in OBEDIENCE to God. - Brittany Jay

Carmen Miller spent her life searching for empty substitutes for God. She tried to find her worth, value, and identity in things and men, only to be left empty and broken. Today, she shares her story of brokenness and the love Jesus relentlessly showed her. A wife, a mom, and a proud Elevator at Elevation Church. She is passionate about the body of Christ and being set free from the bondage's that hinder our walk with Christ.

Whole Spotlight: Ticora Jones & purHERty

When Ticora first reached out to me about helping out with a logo for her new ministry purHERty, I was game. As a teen growing up with no godly-direction, my heart dances with joy when a ministry is birthed geared towards young teen girls. It is so needed and God chose the perfect vessel to lead these young ladies.

Whole Spotlight is a section here dedicated to shining the light on women that God has chosen to impact lives, their communities, and the world. This month I am honored to feature Ticora Jones to shine alongside the other amazing women we have featured here on Whole.


W: Can you share with our readers a little bit about your upbringing?

T: I was born and raised in Salisbury, N.C by my mother and father. I have three brothers and one sister. My sister is 13 years older than me so growing up it was just me and my brothers, so I naturally became a tom-boy. I was a HUGE wrestling fan and loved Rowdy Roddy Piper, Andre the Jam, Hacksaw Jim Duggan...lol. My personal favorite was Sean Micheals. We had a lot of fun back then.

W: How were you introduced to Jesus personally?

T: I remember going to church with my family occasionally as a little girl, but attending church as a family stopped sometime while I was in elementary school. I always knew that there was a God, but He seemed like such a stranger. When I was ten years old I was playing on a play ground with my best friend Erika. 

We climbed to the top of the metal slide and rested there after playing for what seemed like hours. It was here, at the top of that slide, at the highest place on that playground, that Erika told me about my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She told me that I needed to be “saved.” Lord knows that I didn’t have a clue about the first thing it took to be “saved,” but I didn’t want her to know that I didn’t know what she was talking about, so I responded in the best way that I knew how.

I lied.

I said, matter of factly, “psssssh, I have plenty of time to get saved…I know all about that.”
Erika’s hazel eyes widened after I said this. She responded, “Oh, no you DON’T have plenty of time! Jesus could come tomorrow.” This conversation, a conversation held between two children, was the MOST important one of my life. No one...up until that point had told me with such boldness that I NEEDED Christ. 

Shortly after our conversation, I accepted Jesus Christ into my heart.

W: Can you tell us a little about your new ministry puHERty and the vision behind it? 

T: purHERty is a movement that brings the gospel of Jesus Christ to pre-teen and teenage girls through activism, acceptance, education, and the love of God. Our main focus is to show our 
beloved girls that they are priceless jewels and that living a life for Christ is the most fulfilling,  rewarding, and pure life that they will ever have. 

I started purHERty because I decided that I was no longer going to operate in fear, because the Lord didn’t give me a spirit of fear. In the midst of my depression in 2008, God placed on my heart to start a girls program for the brokenhearted...for the lost...for His daughters. Even though I knew I was a child of God, it was hard for me to fathom loving and serving others when I didn’t know how to serve God or love myself. As God pulled me out of the pit of my depression and my relationship with Christ became stronger, I came to a point where I knew that I could do more for other girls who may have faced some of the same struggles that I faced. I knew that it was time to step out on faith and answer the question God had asked me in 2008... will you serve me? In 2013, I finally answered that question he posed to me years ago and purHERty was born for His glory.

W: What would you say are some of the biggest issues teen girls struggle with today and how are these topics tackled during your classes?

T: Gosh! Teen girls are being with so many attacks today. Whether it comes from social media, t.v., pop culture, or friends and family. One of the biggest issues that I believe teenage girls are facing is not knowing who they are in Christ. God is our creator...He is the Potter and we are the clay. Society always wants to put a label on EVERYTHING. If you don’t know who you are in Christ people will begin to define your destiny for you by uttering a few thoughtless words into your life. If we’re not strong enough... the enemy, whether it be the Devil himself, our flesh, or someone else’s hurtful actions, will make a home in our hearts. We’ll lay down with evil and get comfortable with its presence in our lives. We’ll begin to act out of the character that God designed for us. Until we’re ready to serve the enemy his eviction by tapping into the power God has given us notice we’ll get used to Him being there.

In purHERty’s Saturday Academies we teach our beloved girls what God says about them. I tell them that they are the apple of God’s eye (Zechariah 2:8), that He knows the number of hairs on their heads (Luke 12:7), and that God delights Himself in ALL of the details of our lives (Psalm 37:23). By the grace of God, they will know how much they mean to God. I truly try to speak life over their them and encourage them to know God for themselves.

We have had sessions on salvation, knowing your worth, spending time with God, friendship and positive male/female relationships. I ensure that I bring speakers in that love the Lord and are believers that the girls can relate to. We tackle some serious issues, but we have so much fun! They see that Christians come in all shapes, sizes, colors and that they carry a beautiful joy with them. 

W: What does Purity mean to you?

T: Purity is not just being pure in one’s body, but also in their minds and in their hearts. It means that we are constantly pursuing the desires that Christ has for us. Purity is attainable, even if someone lied and told you that you were used up or dirty or that no one will ever want you. Those are lies! In Christ, we can be made new and we can be made whole by His grace and His mercy. I am so thankful that I have the opportunity to pursue purity daily.

W: As a woman who works with many young girls, can you share with us the impact on a young girls life when she grows up without a father in the home, and how can this ministry help?

T: We had a session on Positive Male and Female REALationships in June. I know that a couple of my girls have issues with their earthly fathers. During that session we tackled this issue head on. Ultimately, the take away from that lesson was that God is a Father to the fatherless. That where our earthly parents may fall short, God compensates...actually over compensates for. 

Placing our hope in man, even our parents, will always lead to disappointment. We must learn to depend on God for our needs. I know that learning these lessons takes time and maturity, but laying their foundation in God’s Word is where the healing can start. 

W: How can teens get plugged into purHERty and where can they connect online with you?

T: You may plug in with purHERty my contacting me via email at purHERty@gmail.com or  by phone at (980) 643-0213. You can also get connected to purHERty by visiting our blog at: http:// purherty.blogspot.com or our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Purherty. We post regular updates concerning purHERty on our Facebook page. Check us out there!!

God has called you to be a part of something greater than yourself. Cast aside fear, doubt and anxiety, and pursue the dreams God has given you... - Ticora Jones

Carmen Miller spent her life searching for empty substitutes for God. She tried to find her worth, value, and identity in things and men, only to be left empty and broken. Today, she shares her story of brokenness and the love Jesus relentlessly showed her. A wife, a mom, blogger, and founder of Whole Magazine and The Love of Jesus Project. She is passionate about the body of Christ and being set free from the bondage's that hinder our walk with Christ.

MiMi Atkins: A Heart Like Leah

Every one of us has incredible stories to tell, and MiMi Atkins is one of them. You may be one of over 18,000 following her on Twitter and if not then you are missing out. If you are connected with MiMi, then you are no stranger to her encouraging, Christ driven posts that touch many lives around the world daily.

I heard of MiMi last year, through another ministry that had shared a link to her blog Walls of Hope. Her fire for Christ left me in awe. This girl loves Jesus! But what I noticed early on about MiMi was her humble spirit. So many men and women around the world never hesitate to share how she has blessed their life, yet, not for one moment does she share in her Father's glory.

An ordinary woman called to do extraordinary things.

I am personally honored to have interviewed my amazing Jesus-sister and have her featured during this month. I know you will fall in love with her heart just like I did. Please take a moment to read this month's Spotlight feature story.

A HEART LIKE LEAH

W: Hey MiMi, could you start by telling us a little about your upbringing? 

M: I was born and raised in the South. A tiny girl with a big heart. I was not raised in the church but I attended church occasionally as a child. Whenever I went, I felt a connection and I wanted to know who was “this Jesus.” I never stayed long enough to get to know who he was but I thought of him often even as I endured physical, verbal, and emotional abuse as a child.

W: Can you give us a glimpse as to how you were introduced to Jesus? 

M: I was in the 11th grade when I had my first real encounter with Jesus. A friend invited me to church and I felt him that Wednesday night in February of the 1999. My life was never the same after that.

W:You wrote the children's book, “Adventures in Rainbow Valley: How Big is Your Faith?” What led you to write this book?

M: It was a season of brokenness. I was a single mother and struggling to make ends meet. I wrote to ease the pain. I wrote for healing. I wrote what I lacked. I needed faith, desperately.

W: Okay, now on to the good stuff. You are known for your fire and zeal for Jesus. What drives you to go so hard for God?

M: The fact that I know there is no true purpose for life if it is devoid of God. The fact that there are broken people in desperate need of a Savior. That’s what drives me.

W: Can you share with our reader's some of your seasons of brokenness and how God brought you out of them? 

M: I have so many but I will recall the ones that drove me into the arms of God: Being abused as a child caused me to be so insecure and fearful. I was so lonely and confused and I could not imagine why I was not loved. As I matured and found Christ, I began to see that God loved me always and he had a plan for my life as Jeremiah 1:1-5 declares. The next season of brokenness entailed losing the love of my life and the father of my child, the man I was sure to marry in 2006. That crushed me. I was very angry at God. I felt He took away my one true love. I wished it was me on that plane that died instead of Daniel. As time passed, I grew so reliant on God because He was all I had. He became the driving force in my life.

W: What are some of your favorite scriptures? 

M: Psalm 119:11 “I have hidden your word in my heart so I may not sin against you.” I say that daily. A lot. I hate hurting God, you know. And Galatians 1:10 “Obviously I am not trying to be a people pleaser! No, I am trying to please God. If I were still trying to please people, I would not be Christ’s servant.” This scripture is a reminder my identity is in God – alone. I must focus on Him and not the ways of the world.

W: I am loving the new “study” you did on Leah and Rachel. Can you tell us about that? And what advice do you have for all the “Leah's” out there? 

M: Leah, precious Leah. She is often overlooked because she was not as beautiful as Rachel. Which is an interesting commentary on how true beauty is depicted. Leah, birthed half of the tribes and she birthed Judah, whose lineage we know Jesus came from. While Rachel had Jacob’s heart, Leah had God’s favor. I just smile about that. The women who are overlooked and feel unloved are important in God’s eyes. We have so many women who struggle with identity and femininity because of society’s misconceptions and then we have a loving God who will elevate us because he sees our hearts. Leah was said to have weak eyes but her eyes (focus) never left God and he strengthened her in her weakness. Thus, proving his strength is manifested in our weaknesses as stated in 2 Corinthians 12:9. That amazes me. Really.

W: We have so many readers that are single moms just like you. How do you remain content in Christ while waiting? 

M: Like Leah, I keep my eyes and heart focused on him. I also pour into others’ lives and ask God to work in me with patience as I trust in His timing. God is the author of time and also the perfect conductor of our lives. If we give Him time and trust in Him, He will write our love story and orchestrate it, too.

W: Is there anything on your heart you would like to share with our readers?

M: Yes. God has lain on my heart the role of women in society today is not consistent with the Biblical role. Christian women are to be meek and mild. The world misconstrues meekness for weakness. We are not weak because we choose to remain quiet in the midst of derision and chaos. We are not to be independent women because that evokes pride and once pride creeps in, it creates a reliance on self and not God. Christian women need to desire to be like women of the Bible not women of the world. That’s my heartcry right now.

W: How can our readers connect with you? 

M: I am @MiMiQAtkins on Twitter and Instagram. At facebook.com/mimi.atkins. My email address is matkins282@gmail.com and I have an online Christian apparel store at EcclesiasTees.org.

Check out some of MiMi's most powerful and moving posts on her blog Walls of Hope:

• "From Porn's Grip to Jesus' Arms: A Woman's Confession"
• "When God Says, "No!"
• "Single Christians: What to Do Until Love Finds You"

Interview by Carmen Miller

Whole Spotlight: Jackie Hill

By Ashley Flores

"When I was an active homosexual, my conscious dealt with me daily and it was hard. I would become very fearful so, I would smoke weed in an attempt to block out the truth." - Jackie Hill

Making her name simultaneously synonymous with the now common terms “ex-stud” and “ex-homosexual” after a performance of her poem “My Life as a Stud” went viral on the Internet in 2010, spoken word artist Jackie Hill is on a mission to spread the truth about living a life engulfed in homosexuality, and God’s redeeming grace.

Hill, 23, can be described as nothing short of dynamic when it comes to her passion to see a radical change in the lives of Christians everywhere, especially those who may have allowed the overwhelming amount of freedom Americans have been given to desensitize the majority to the urgency of the Great Commission given to us by Christ in Matthew 28:19-20. Recently, WHOLE Magazine was able to chat with Hill few moments to speak more about her struggle with homosexuality as a teen.

WHOLE Magazine: What has kept you dedicated to spreading your message of deliverance amidst all of your opposition?

Jackie Hill: I think one reason would be seeing the fruitfulness of it. I see more people thirsting for Jesus, wanting Jesus, wanting change because of "my" message than I do opposition. Secondly, Christ already warned us in the scriptures that His followers would receive persecution so I already expected it. But persecution doesn't make me want to shut my mouth; it reminds me of how much more I need to shout from the rooftops about the things Christ has done.

W: What has been most rewarding about sharing your story with others?

H: Seeing people believe in Jesus for the impossible. It is a joy. There are so many lies being proclaimed in the media, through music and even in some "pulpits" so, to see people believe truth and be willing to give up everything they are used to because they finally see that Christ is worth it, is amazing.

W: When did you first begin to realize that homosexuality was not the life you were called to lead? What was that moment (those moments) like?

H: I knew when I first started having those desires at the age of five that it was wrong. God has given us all a moral compass rooted in His word, and mine was letting me know truth early. But when I was an active homosexual, my conscious dealt with me daily and it was hard. I would become very fearful so, I would smoke weed in an attempt to block out the truth.

W: How do you feel growing up without a father affected you emotionally/spiritually?

H: I think not having a father just made me feel rejected in some ways by men. It made me look at all men as if they were untrustworthy and that women were. I was more willing to be vulnerable and give my heart to a woman for emotional satisfaction than I would to a male. It definitely affected how I thought, which affected my actions later in life.

W: What do you believe was most satisfying and appealing about living a homosexual lifestyle, the thing that kept you so drawn to it?

H: The attention and affirmation I received. I never got much attention from men. I was never the ”cute chick” but when I became a stud, it seemed like every girl wanted me. I would be in straight clubs and have girls throwing themselves at me. For a girl that's insecure and craves to feel loved, that was like a drug for me. 

W: How did your family/friends respond when you began to openly embrace homosexuality?

H: My family didn’t say too much about it. I think they were confused at where it came from. Some blamed themselves, as if they could've done something to prevent it. Most reminded me that they loved me regardless of my decision. My friends didn’t care. They all embraced my girlfriends and me as if it was normal. 

W: How did your family/friends respond when you began to openly speak against homosexuality?

H: As for my family, I still really don't know what they thought. The majority of my family members are not believers in Christ so, I didn't expect them to applaud me speaking against any sin because that would convict them as well. They still respect my views though. It my friends caught them off guard because my change seemed to come out of nowhere. Many of them respected me, but majority of them rejected me. 

W: What is one of the memorable stories someone has told/sent you about their own deliverance after hearing you speak?

H: The most memorable is a letter I received from a girl who was a homosexual. She was very active in her church. She was on the praise team, poetry team, and her father was the pastor. She said they showed the "My Life as a Stud " poem during a service one day and she could feel a weight being lifted off of her. She said she went to her father and told him that she was done with that lifestyle and wanted to follow Jesus. She ended the letter by saying that no laying of the hands, or oil anointments is what changed her; it was simply hearing someone say they'd truly changed and that Jesus was the source. That story has encouraged me the most.

W: What can we expect next from you publicly? (i.e., spoken word videos, conference appearance, album, book, etc.)

H: I have a DVD available on my website JackieEHill.com. I also have a few projects that I'm working on such as videos for my YouTube channel, another DVD by summer, and hopefully an album by December. “Jackie” is doing a whole bunch, but the goal is that Jesus will be seen, and known.

ll

HilHill currently works as the Female Mentorship Coordinator at Grip Outreach for youth in Chicago, IL. For booking information, E-mailjackiehillbooking@gmail.com.