Ministry Wives Podcast

When God calls us into ministry, our fears can outweigh our excitement to serve the Lord. These fears can paralyze and keep us from the fullness of His grace. Nira Abella knows the gripping power of fear, and the freedom that comes from surrendering it to Christ. Today, she shares how Christ has helped her overcome fears in ministry, allowing her to extend the same grace she was given to others. Nira Abella is married to Jose, a pastor, and together they serve at Providence Road Church in Miami, Florida. In addition to raising their six children, Nira enjoys working in the women’s ministry at their church. EPISODE GUIDE  1. Common fears we face as ministry wives: “My past is so sinful. What if it hinders the ministry?” “What about my family? How will we afford to live in this calling, and how can I protect my children as we serve?” “I’m so limited in my abilities. How do I minister to who God has called me to? “I think most pastor’s wives come to this point where they say, ‘Yes, I see it in my husband. I see what God is doing, but I’m not sure about me. I’m not sure what I bring to the table, and I don’t even know what that role is supposed to be.'” — Christine Hoover 2. “I’m afraid my sinful past will derail my present ministry.” Christ died for your past sins; there is no condemnation in Him. God will use your redeemed past to minister to those in similar situations. Surrender your fear to the Lord, and rely on Him to navigate conversations if/when your past comes up. “Women and young girls are willing to come up to me and share their struggles, their sin, their prayer requests with me because they know I understand. I’ve been there. I think it’s made me more real to them. It’s helped tear down that pedestal that people automatically place us on. And I can’t minister from a place of ‘How dare you?’ because grace was extended to me, and I need to extend that grace to others.” — Nira Abella 3. “I’m afraid for the provision of my family and the eyes of my children.” He will provide financially in miraculous ways. It may be a season of sacrifice, but the gifts received in ministry far outweigh what is given up. Don’t fear for what your children may see in ministry. Remember they are also getting to see the great good God is doing. “We were very intentional in sharing the Lord’s provision with our kids because we wanted them to know God is doing this and we’re going to trust Him. We tried as much as possible to bring our kids along so that they could witness first hand the things that the Lord was doing.” — Nira Abella “We don’t want to protect them from seeing ministry because otherwise they won’t see the rewards and joys of how God is working. Don’t just think about trying to help them avoid the hard things. Think about intentionally helping them see the good things.” — Christine Hoover QUOTES “I don’t think there’s this instant where we say, ‘Okay I’m in.’ I think it’s this process of holding both the faith and the fear in tandem and saying, ‘Lord, I don’t know, but I’m going to take this step today.’” — Christine Hoover LINKS FROM THE SHOW The Hiding Place Head over to www.ministrywivespodcast.com to check out the great content already on the site! CONNECT Connect with Nira Instagram Connect with Christine Facebook // Instagram // Books Visit How to Thrive as a Pastor’s Wife to access Christine’s resources for ministry wives like you!

Practicing biblical hospitality is a vital skill for ministry wives and all Christians to cultivate but can sometimes seem daunting. Amber Williams has a heart for hospitality and shares with me how she and her family live a life of welcome. She offers us practical (and simple) ways we, too, can honor others with our presence. Amber has been a pastor’s wife for almost 13 years and lives in Louisville, Kentucky with her husband and five beautiful children. She speaks Spanish and loves cooking and baking, but more than anything, enjoys opening her home to people from every walk of life. EPISODE GUIDE  1. Biblical hospitality is not a picture perfect home and an elaborate meal. Hospitality is about making time and space for people, whether there’s a meal, coffee, or simple conversation. Do not underestimate the power of presence. When we make space in our busy lives for others, it speaks volumes. You don’t have to have a Bible study every time, but invite Jesus into the space and be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s presence. “Biblical hospitality is really about being an inviting space where people can come in and be valued, fill up, and also have an opportunity to meet Jesus.” — Amber Williams 2. Prepare your hearts and home as a family before hosting. Make heart prep a family affair: pray, read a liturgy or Scripture, and discuss the goals to serve and encourage guests. Establish boundaries and areas that may be off limits. Set aside or put away toys/items that are valuable, to ensure everyone has a great experience. “One of the prayers that we often say as a family is, ‘We want to be a life-giving presence to whoever comes into our home tonight.’” — Amber Williams 3. Look for opportunities to practice hospitality, but recognize when your family needs a break. Introduce yourself to someone new after church and begin building relationships. Hospitality can happen while you do life. Be open to allowing others in while you cook or do the dishes. Take inventory of where your family is. It’s okay to say “no” or “we need a break” sometimes. “Biblical hospitality is about being a “there YOU are” person instead of a “here I am” person. Instead of waiting for someone to come toward me, I’m going to go toward them and seek to make them feel honored and at home.” — Christine Hoover “I can be hospitable while life is still going on. Life doesn’t have to stop in order to be hospitable and I think that that’s important for people to see too. Young people, singles, ‘Come join me while I’m doing life, and we can talk.’” — Amber Williams QUOTES “The greatest sermon we can ever preach is just living our lives as Christians in front of other people. That has been the most impactful for me in my own life, watching people live their lives. I’m not saying we put ourselves on the stage and perform perfectly, but they’re seeing an applied sermon, an applied gospel lived out around the table or on the couch or wherever.” — Christine Hoover LINKS FROM THE SHOW Head over to www.ministrywivespodcast.com to check out the great content already on the site! Books: Every Moment Holy and The Gospel Comes with a House Key CONNECT Connect with Amber Email Connect with Christine Facebook // Instagram // Books Visit How to Thrive as a Pastor’s Wife to access Christine’s resources for ministry wives like you!

The difficulties of life as a ministry wife can often leave us feeling discouraged, and sometimes, when our expectations for life and ministry go unmet, we may even find ourselves feeling deep disappointment with God. My guest today, Kathy Litton, understands this feeling and joins me to discuss how we can face discouragement in ministry. Kathy lives in Mobile, AL with husband Dr. Ed Litton, pastor of Redemption Church. She knows the sting of death and the journey of loss against the backdrop of a loving Savior who proved to be faithful and good. Kathy is the Director of Planter Spouse Development at the North American Mission Board, as well as a mother and grandmother. Listen as Kathy discusses ministry wives balancing the reality of disappointment and unmet expectations with a God who is faithful even in the darkest times. EPISODE GUIDE 1. You will face unmet expectations as a planting wife in ministry. The church plant site might not be what was expected, the community response lackluster, or the planting team not as helpful as anticipated. When there is a gap between expectations and outcome, disappointment usually follows. It’s okay to feel disheartened when the ministry isn’t what we hoped for, but we cannot remain disappointed in God without affecting our faith in Him. “That’s the struggle in ministry: taking disappointment–a reality that’s really not coming together like you anticipate it–and not turning it into deep discouragement.” — Kathy Litton 2. God doesn’t forsake us when we are discouraged. He wants to give us truth and support to walk through the dark times. Be genuine and go to God when afraid or dismayed or you will feed the bitterness of disappointment. Remain in the Word every day. Don’t allow emotions to steal His truth from you. Be vulnerable with another woman about the discouragement you are experiencing. As leaders, God doesn’t expect us to pretend there isn’t a struggle. We need support and community. “Isaiah 41:10 addresses someone’s fear and dismay. We can feel both those things and still be in a right relationship with God. But we have to lean into His strength to navigate our soul and not be dangerously led by emotions and responses to disappointing things.” — Kathy Litton 3. Our husbands need our honesty and our empathy. You are partners in ministry, one flesh before God. Avoid hiding your reality from your husband. Don’t explode on him. Prayerfully consider your timing and words, and then be honest with your struggles. Husbands are struggling, too. Don’t explain or dismiss their pain, honor it. Offer love and affirmation when he is vulnerable about struggles. “We don’t want to be another squeaky wheel in our husband’s life and yet that is not true. He needs to know where you are. He needs to be aware of your struggle, and you’re not being a brave little soldier by keeping that from him. He wants to shepherd.” — Kathy Litton QUOTES “Just because circumstances are not good does not mean God is not good.” — Kathy Litton “The balance of disappointment with God is to still be able to see His blessings in the middle of it. It sounds like a contrast in terms, but we have to walk by faith in those dark moments. We have to take our disappointment to Him but also remember His undeserved kindness, goodness, and graciousness.” — Kathy Litton LINKS FROM THE SHOW Disappointment with God Head over to www.ministrywivespodcast.com to check out the great content already on the site! CONNECT Connect with Kathy Facebook // SEND Network Spouse Development Facebook Group // Instagram // Twitter Connect with Christine Facebook // Instagram // Books Visit How to Thrive as a Pastor’s Wife to access Christine’s resources for ministry wives like you!

My name is Christine Hoover, and I’m starting a new podcast in partnership with the North American Mission Board focused on helping and encouraging ministry wives. In the Ministry Wives Podcast with Christine Hoover, you’ll hear from incredible guests who voice the issues and questions we all face in ministry. There will be “how-to” episodes on discipling women and hospitality, conversations about anxiety, longevity in ministry, and knowing which needs God is calling you to meet. We will receive insight, tools, and hope regarding those issues, reminding us of the joys of serving the Lord in ministry. I am a pastor’s wife, mom of three boys, Bible teacher, and author of six books, including The Church Planting Wife, Messy Beautiful Friendship as well as my newest release, How to Thrive as a Pastor’s Wife. This new podcast – Ministry Wives – is an extension of the resources I’ve already created and will allow us, together, to explore how ministry impacts us and how we can impact others in the name of Christ. Join me if you’re looking for hope, perspective, and practical advice regarding your role. Be sure to check out ministrywivespodcast.com CONNECT Connect with Christine Facebook // Instagram // Books Visit How to Thrive as a Pastor’s Wife to access Christine’s resources for ministry wives like you!