Heroes For Her

“Faith is a muscle, and it needs exercise.”

 

My guest today is Lauren Green McAfee. Lauren is a third generation member of the Green Family- founders of Hobby Lobby and the Museum of the Bible. While pursuing her graduate degrees in pastoral counseling and theology, Lauren worked at Museum of the Bible from its founding days, until its opening in Washington DC late last year. Today, she works at Hobby Lobby as Corporate Ambassador and is also pursuing her PHD in Ethics and Public Policy. She lives in Oklahoma City with her husband, Michael.

 

Lauren has spent considerable time studying the topic of legacy and the idea that each of us can play a unique and irreplaceable role in God’s story. In today’s episode, she talks about why she feels it’s important to address legacy today, particularly as it relates to women.

 

She challenges women to live with their legacy in mind in a book she wrote in partnership with her mom, Jackie. Only One Life: How a Woman’s Every Day Shapes an Eternal Legacy tells the stories of world-changing women, both past and present. She learned a lot after examining the lives of these women, and you will be blessed to hear what she found out.

 

I hope today’s interview inspires you to leave a lasting legacy for Jesus, no matter where life takes you.

 

You only have one, so make it count.

"Faith is a muscle, and it needs exercise."   My guest today is Lauren Green McAfee. Lauren is a third generation member of the Green Family- founders of Hobby Lobby and the Museum of the Bible. While pursuing her graduate degrees in pastoral counseling and theology, Lauren worked at Museum of the Bible from its founding days, until its opening in Washington DC late last year. Today, she works at Hobby Lobby as Corporate Ambassador and is also pursuing her PHD in Ethics and Public Policy. She lives in Oklahoma City with her husband, Michael.   Lauren has spent considerable time studying the topic of legacy and the idea that each of us can play a unique and irreplaceable role in God's story. In today's episode, she talks about why she feels it's important to address legacy today, particularly as it relates to women.   She challenges women to live with their legacy in mind in a book she wrote in partnership with her mom, Jackie. Only One Life: How a Woman's Every Day Shapes an Eternal Legacy tells the stories of world-changing women, both past and present. She learned a lot after examining the lives of these women, and you will be blessed to hear what she found out.   I hope today's interview inspires you to leave a lasting legacy for Jesus, no matter where life takes you.   You only have one, so make it count.

"Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?"  Proverbs 8:1

When I slow down and consider all of the people I've met since we began this ministry/company, there are a few special people whose voices ring with genuine wisdom and the incomparable truth found in God's Word. They are the voices that I was looking for as a mama. Above the roar of culture, they are the voices our girls need to hear. They are powerful weapons in the fight for our girls. My dear friend Wynter Pitts had a voice like that, and she used it to empower parents to lead their daughters to Christ and encourage girls to live with the gospel at the center of everything. 

When she suddenly passed away less than two weeks ago, the girl ministry community, as well as my own home and family, were rocked. But what began in sadness and confusion ended with incredible peace and a rallying by the body of Christ unlike any that I have ever seen. 

On behalf of the team at Bible Belles, it is my honor to re-release the interview I did with Wynter a few months ago. It's title, "She Is Yours," carries with it special meaning for me today, as I think about every girl who was and will be affected by Wynter's words and life, and as I think about my sweet friend who is now safe in the arms of Jesus, the One to whom she belongs. Lord, she is Yours. We celebrate her today, and we carry her legacy into tomorrow.

"Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?"  Proverbs 8:1 When I slow down and consider all of the people I've met since we began this ministry/company, there are a few special people whose voices ring with genuine wisdom and the incomparable truth found in God's Word. They are the voices that I was looking for as a mama. Above the roar of culture, they are the voices our girls need to hear. They are powerful weapons in the fight for our girls. My dear friend Wynter Pitts had a voice like that, and she used it to empower parents to lead their daughters to Christ and encourage girls to live with the gospel at the center of everything.  When she suddenly passed away less than two weeks ago, the girl ministry community, as well as my own home and family, were rocked. But what began in sadness and confusion ended with incredible peace and a rallying by the body of Christ unlike any that I have ever seen.  On behalf of the team at Bible Belles, it is my honor to re-release the interview I did with Wynter a few months ago. It's title, "She Is Yours," carries with it special meaning for me today, as I think about every girl who was and will be affected by Wynter's words and life, and as I think about my sweet friend who is now safe in the arms of Jesus, the One to whom she belongs. Lord, she is Yours. We celebrate her today, and we carry her legacy into tomorrow.

"Be unoffendable. In the words of Taylor Swift, shake it off." 

 

Today's guest is Christine Caine. Christine is someone I admire and respect so much in the arenas of leadership, influence and encouraging women. She is an Australian-born, Greek-blooded lover of Jesus, activist, author and international speaker. Her primary passion is to make Jesus’ last command her first priority by giving her all to see the lost saved and to build the local church – globally. She has a passion for justice, and together with her husband, Nick, founded the anti-human trafficking organization, The A21 Campaign. In 2015, they founded Propel Women, an organization designed to honor the calling of every woman, empower her to lead, equip her for success, and develop a sense of God-given purpose. She’s known around the world as a passionate communicator of God’s word and his love. 

 

Much of the work Christine does through A21 and Propel Women revolves around empowering women. In today's episode, you'll find out why she is so committed to those causes and how much it means to her that A21 just received the Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice “for providing the three essentials – food, water and clothing to refugees and for raising awareness against human trafficking.” 

 

Christine and I have thyroid cancer in common. I was diagnosed first in 2007 and I know from experience how shocking, scary, and unexpected that kind of news can be. Christine’s diagnosis came in 2014 and she explains what it was like for her and what God showed her during that season. Her newest book, Unexpected, addresses fear of all kinds and how it can get in the way of us fulfilling our God-given destinies. 

"Be unoffendable. In the words of Taylor Swift, shake it off."    Today's guest is Christine Caine. Christine is someone I admire and respect so much in the arenas of leadership, influence and encouraging women. She is an Australian-born, Greek-blooded lover of Jesus, activist, author and international speaker. Her primary passion is to make Jesus' last command her first priority by giving her all to see the lost saved and to build the local church - globally. She has a passion for justice, and together with her husband, Nick, founded the anti-human trafficking organization, The A21 Campaign. In 2015, they founded Propel Women, an organization designed to honor the calling of every woman, empower her to lead, equip her for success, and develop a sense of God-given purpose. She's known around the world as a passionate communicator of God's word and his love.    Much of the work Christine does through A21 and Propel Women revolves around empowering women. In today's episode, you'll find out why she is so committed to those causes and how much it means to her that A21 just received the Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice "for providing the three essentials - food, water and clothing to refugees and for raising awareness against human trafficking."    Christine and I have thyroid cancer in common. I was diagnosed first in 2007 and I know from experience how shocking, scary, and unexpected that kind of news can be. Christine's diagnosis came in 2014 and she explains what it was like for her and what God showed her during that season. Her newest book, Unexpected, addresses fear of all kinds and how it can get in the way of us fulfilling our God-given destinies.

“Keep it simple. Focus on God and focus on loving others.”

 

Today’s guest is Michayla White. As the Executive Director for International Network of Children’s Ministry, Michayla oversees and provides guidance for initiatives that inspire and equip the kidmin community. For the past eleven years, she has had the privilege of working in children’s and family ministry. Prior to joining INCM, she served at a non-profit children’s ministry organization in various capacities like media production, digital strategy, conferences, partnerships, and ministry program design. Michayla has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with specializations in Christian Counseling and Life Coaching from Liberty University. Michayla is married to her best friend and childhood sweetheart Stephen. They are having a blast raising two little boys.

 

Michayla’s passion for children’s ministry started in middle school. Growing up, she was always involved in pretty much every aspect of her church’s kidmin efforts. Those experiences, and serving alongside her parents, ignited a burning passion in her heart to continue serving those who serve children and families. Her leadership and heart for women in ministry inspires me, and I believe her voice will be an important one as we move into the future and watch more women lead and lead well. 

"Keep it simple. Focus on God and focus on loving others."   Today's guest is Michayla White. As the Executive Director for International Network of Children's Ministry, Michayla oversees and provides guidance for initiatives that inspire and equip the kidmin community. For the past eleven years, she has had the privilege of working in children's and family ministry. Prior to joining INCM, she served at a non-profit children's ministry organization in various capacities like media production, digital strategy, conferences, partnerships, and ministry program design. Michayla has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with specializations in Christian Counseling and Life Coaching from Liberty University. Michayla is married to her best friend and childhood sweetheart Stephen. They are having a blast raising two little boys.   Michayla's passion for children's ministry started in middle school. Growing up, she was always involved in pretty much every aspect of her church's kidmin efforts. Those experiences, and serving alongside her parents, ignited a burning passion in her heart to continue serving those who serve children and families. Her leadership and heart for women in ministry inspires me, and I believe her voice will be an important one as we move into the future and watch more women lead and lead well.

"For every one look we take at ourselves and the culture, we have to take ten looks at Christ." -Elizabeth Elliott, Keep a Quiet Heart Today's guest is Melanie Mudge. Melanie is originally from Albuquerque, NM, and she currently lives in Rapid City, South Dakota with her husband Josh and their two dogs, Diesel and Denali. Great names. As I prepped for this interview, I learned that Melanie loves cooking Paleo (bless her and anyone else with the ability to cook - I cannot relate), she's on Pinterest and has so many craft goals, and that she hopes to someday beat her mom at tennis.  After graduating from the University of New Mexico, she made her way to Manitou Springs, CO to be on summer staff with Summit Ministries, and it was through that experience that she got connected with Axis - which is an incredible organization that works to resource parents and faith leaders to disciple and create legacies of lasting faith for kids. She's the editor of The Culture Translator weekly email, and the writer and editor of Parent Guides.  Find out about all this and more during today's episode.

“It may be that the souls of all children are waiting for the call of knowledge to awaken them to delightful living.”  - Charlotte Mason

 

My guest for today’s episode is Rebecca Farris. As C.E.O. of Home Educating Family Association, Rebecca inspires and supports thousands of homeschool moms each year through her speaking, talk show, daily planners, magazines, and online resources. Each year Rebecca uses her platform as the Well Planned Gal to share her inspirational story of grace. Challenging women to discover the unique journey God has for them, Rebecca mentors women in their work, marriage, parenting adventures, and life. Her personal journey and day-to-day activities can be found in the pages of Family Magazine, on wellplannedgal.com, and through social media.

 

Today, Rebecca explains why she describes her childhood as unusual, and how she wasn’t exactly a fan of homeschooling when she was the student. She breaks down why she had a change of heart about home education and how the Lord showed her how to balance keeping her home in order, maintaining multiple businesses, and homeschooling her children all at the same time. Her passion is to encourage homeschool families and create resources that make life organized, creative, and fun.