This months woman in the spotlight is a Kingdom Builder. She is a wife, mother, grandmother, and a minister of the Gospel. She is a mother to many that God has seen fit to bring into her life who bless her in ways, she quotes, too numerous to name. Her name is Deborah Dudley and she is the Founder and Hostess of the TV Ministry Gospel Gems Inc. Deborah uses her ministry to reach others minus the walls of a church building. God uses her to encourage, motivate, inspire, and stir up the gift that is in His people. She is truly a mom working for the Kingdom. We are happy to spotlight Mrs. Dudley and her ministry in this interview.
W2W: Deborah, thank you for granting us this interview. Please share with our readers a little bit about yourself.
Deborah: God Bless and thank you for this opportunity. I am so honored, to have been asked. First and foremost I am a child of God, I love him with my whole heart ,soul and body. I am a wife, mother of four, grandmother of four, sister, friend to all in need, encourager, motivator, and love to inspire everybody with words of wisdom and knowledge that comes from God. I am a Hostess and Founder of a television ministry called Gospel Gems which has aired since May of 2000. God is good!!! I co-Pastor along with my husband, Pastor Alphonso E.Dudley,Sr. I wouldn't trade this life for anything. I love God and His people!!!!!!!
W2W: When did you first sense a call into ministry and how did you go about pursuing?
Deborah: I knew that God was calling me into ministry, He was constantly speaking to me, but I continued to pray, prepare before going forth as I knew that God had some special things that He desired to deposit into my spirit before going on the battlefield. I continue to work along side of my husband,study,fast and had an hear for everything that God was saying. I not only listened intently to God's voice, I heard him as well. This is a sure calling.
W2W: Describe the focus of your ministry.
Deborah: The focus of the work that the Lord has called me to, is to stir up the gift that often times is lying dormant in the hearts and souls of men and women. Many of times people need confidence not in themselves ,but in God, to know that he is faithful and able to carry them through. We need to know without a doubt that God is calling us to an abundant life, that is full of victory, not defeat ! To often we walk around in defeat not knowing that Jesus died that we might walk a more excellent walk. If we would only believe the word of God, many times we quote the scripture, but we live far beneath them.
W2W: What words of encouragement do you offer to other women who are answering God’s call to ministry?
Deborah: First of all be sure of your calling. After you are convinced that the Lord is calling ,take some time to devote yourself totally to God. If you are married talk to your spouse about the new direction, God is calling you to. Do not fail to talk with your Pastor, as he or she will give you further counseling. Let God lead you as you want to make sure that your steps are being completely ordered by God, we are all individuals, it is alright to admire, but never copy another. Just be the best you that you can be for God. I want to add this, if you are considering marriage, please make sure that your future husband can handle your gift. Some men are intimidated by a strong women, and you will later resent him if he tries to silence or lessen the gift that you are carrying. Be sure to pray carefully about this.
W2W: Deborah, how do you balance Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and Minister of the Gospel?
Deborah: I have always been a helpmate to my husband which was very important. With that being said, I always knew that was more purpose for my life than being a wife and mother, although I considered these to be very important roles, I had to learn to balance my life. I always had some time for my husband and children, but always knew in order to function properly, I had to find a way to have some "me "time. Of course we both cherish our grandbabies. My husband has been and continues to be supportive of what God is calling me to too. This is called teamwork. Being the mother of four children, I had to wait to do some things until they were older, I was always active in the church, but I made time for their daily needs, we never want to look back and wish we had been more attentive to the needs of our children. Women we must always remember that when we have children, we will never have the time that our sisters have, who have not yet married or have children. There is good news, our children will not always be babies, whatever God have destined for your life when we are led by the Spirit it will always work out, all things work for the good of them that love God and are called according to His purpose!
W2W: Any advice for those struggling with making change in their lives who feel like they are bound by the enemy but seek to be delivered by God?
Deborah: Know first that God loves you, and that he has already made a way of escape for you. Secondly make sure that your life is lined up with the word and that you are doing all that you know to do. The third point is this, learn the true value of patiently waiting on God ,this too will pass. God will destroy all yokes. My favorite quote is this,” Blossom Where You Are", wherever you are in life God already knows, and He is there. You don't have until the battle is over shout now. Call those things that aren't as though they already are.
W2W: In closing dear sister will you leave us with a Bible verse or two that God has placed on your heart?
Deborah: Jeremiah 29-11 states this- For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not evil, to give you an expected end. Therefore it doesn't matter what anybody else think about it, God has the final say and He is still in charge of our lives!!!!!!!!
Let's look at Philippians 1-6--Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. So wherever you are in life or what is going on, you’re going to make it, God is more than able. Study the word of God daily ,for this is where our strength comes from. As we study them we are empowered to walk in total victory.
The Woman2Woman Lounge sincerely thanks Deborah Dudley for giving us this interview. You can read more about her ministry @ http://goespelgems.org
Sherri Walker
Woman2Woman Lounge, Editor & Founder of
http://www.freewebs.com/momsworkingforthekingdom
