President Certified Deeper Walk Prayer Minister I grew up a preacher's kid. In 2016, my foundation as a follower of Jesus was shaken when my brother was diagnosed with cancer. Although I had been a follower of Jesus my whole life, the next two and a half years would challenge everything I thought I had believed about God. In February 2019, with the passing of my brother, I found myself struggling with a debilitating fear of dying---my trust in a good God was all but gone. Over the next several months, God began to show me how my walk with Him relied so much on what other people told me about Him, what I heard about Him in sermons, or read about Him in devotionals. I had not truly known Him for myself and had not experienced many personal encounters with Him. When life's storms came, I didn't have a relationship with God strong enough to withstand the destruction they brought. You see, I realized I can't trust someone I don't know. I can't trust God to be good and loving even when hard things come solely because other people have told me that He is. I have to get to know Him for myself and have my own revelations and encounters with His love.  I REALIZED I WASN'T THE ONLY ONE.  I realized that I was not the only one who relied on other's revelations of God. But why? Why do we not approach the throne of God boldly like it talks about in Hebrews? Many times it is because of lies we believe either about Him or about ourselves. Through hurts and the world's influence many of us have areas in our lives where we don't really believe God is trustworhy or that we are worthy of Him. These lies we believe lead us down a path of disconnectiong from the True Vine. My desire and mission is this: to help people experience true knowing and heart connection with Jesus through breaking down the barriers that get in the way of that.

Deeper Walk Advanced Spiritual Warfare Samuel serves as the Vice President on the Board of First Love Ministries. His passion is to help people experience Jesus in a tangible way.

Board Member Certified Deeper Walk Prayer Minister When I was asked to write a little about myself there was one thing that kept coming to mind–I’m normal. I’m a regular person just like you. I could easily be the lady standing behind you in the grocery store. And like everyone, I’ve experienced hard things and successes. I’ve made decisions I wish I could change. I’ve personally struggled with eating disorders, shame (loads of it), depression, insecurity, and a myriad of other things. Here’s the thing, God has become my place of freedom. He’s released me from shame. He’s establishing my identity and growing my maturity. He is helping me walk in joy and shake off a troubled heart. God is deepening my relationship with Him, teaching me to recognize His voice and trust Him. Like I said, I’m normal. Yes, these things aren’t just for “special, hyper-spiritual people.” Freedom, joy, fulfillment, wholeness, and an intimate relationship with God are available to everyone through Jesus. My heart is to encourage others in their relationship with God, connecting them with Him in a real, life-changing way. Jesus wants to be part of every aspect of our lives. The more I get to know Him the more I want to be with Him. My hope is to help others get to know Him more deeply as well. Because when we do, well, that’s when life truly begins.

I’m not the kind of person who is typically associated with ministry. I did not grow up “in the church.” I knew about God, but I didn’t know Him. As a matter of fact, I spent most of my life apart from the Lord, living life and struggling along just like everyone else in the world, not realizing what I was missing. But the Lord kept seeking me and putting people into my life to show me who He is. And I finally answered Him in 2020, praise the Lord! He quickly connected me to Joelle and Candace in First Love Women, where I felt loved and heard, where I could grow in the Lord, where I could learn how to develop a relationship with Him, and where I found fellowship with other women like me, because the truth is my life is different now. The old has gone; the new has come! He has removed my heart of stone and replaced it with His heart! And this is the work that He wants to do in ALL of us! Jesus has redeemed us all by His work on the cross, and He wants every one of us to know Him. He wants to show each of us how He sees us as dearly loved children of God. I don’t dwell much on my past because I know the Lord is doing a great work of healing in my life, but when I do remember how stubborn and prideful I used to be (well, it’s still a work in progress but through grace…), I’d like people to know if He can do this work in me, He can do it in anyone! He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. And He has left the 99 to come for YOU! It’s my deepest desire for women (and men) to have their eyes divinely opened to see clearly who God is and who we are in Him. We aren’t meant to do this life alone apart from God. We are His creation! We were designed to be in relationship with Jesus and with other believers who can support us, teach us, encourage us, and correct us (not always my favorite part), so we can grow up in Him and experience the fullness of His love for us. We invite you to reach out to Him and join us as we journey with the Lord together!

I live in Austin, TX, with my husband and three boys. Together, my husband and I have been youth pastors for the past eight years and love seeing young people encounter the love and transformational power of God. But my true passion is family and seeing others walk in wholeness.

I gave my heart to Jesus when I was a young little girl. I grew up knowing Him all my life. There were times in my teenage years I allowed my choices to distance myself from Him, but one night when I was still a teen He used a song on the radio to draw my heart back to Him. It helped me to see how much He loved me and wanted me. Since then I have married, and we served in children’s ministries together, including Foster Care within our home. My heart is for women to truly know they are loved and seen by the Father. I try to bring humor to situations as well as sweet insight from Holy Spirit. I want the people around me to know how fun the Lord is. I also want people to know the depths of His love and healing. If I can bring that to you through prayer, a joke, or sharing a scripture, then I’m willing to do what I hear Him ask of me.