“What do women in ministry by themselves DO?” I asked my friend.
This heartfelt question opened a new door in my life that has been one of life’s greatest blessings!
As a member of the Proverbs 31 Ministries speaker team, I have the advantage of being surrounded by women who have blazed a path in front of me. When I needed help creating a message, Micca Campbell and Karen Ehman helped me. When I felt reluctant and unsure about promoting that message, I was trained along with our team by marketing experts and our fearless leader, Lysa TerKeurst.
I love lots of things about being part of a ministry team, but mostly I love not being alone.
For about a year, I walked a ministry path by myself. So if you’re in those shoes, I know exactly how you feel. I was asking questions like, “Who can help me with this problem?” “What do I do next?” “Where can I find the resources I need?” and “How do I let others know I’m available to speak?”
I launched Next Step Speaker Services over three years ago because I have a huge love for women in ministry who are walking alone. I want to be your team! Next Step Speaker Services helps with message development, marketing, and ministry organization, and I’d love to partner with you.
Here are some Next Step Speaker Services resources just for you:
• FREE weekly speaker tips on our blog
• Coaching services that can be customized for your needs
• Steps for growth on my personal site
Last year, Tanya McAvoy’s husband emailed me at amy@proverbs31.org right before Christmas to buy a gift certificate as a gift. (Read more about the opportunity here.) It was a joy working with her, and I’m so thankful she’s sharing her experience below today.
If you leave a comment below telling us something on your Christmas list, your comment will enter you to win a FREE copy of Communicating for a Change by Andy Stanley, one of the books I recommend for everyone who speaks. It’s a gift from Tanya and me!
And now here’s a few words from Tanya McAvoy about her Next Step Speaker Services experience…
Next Steps Speaker Services - The Gift That Keeps on Giving
While I was at the Proverbs 31 She Speaks Conference in July 2012, I wanted to sign up for Next Step Speaker Services, but the conference was all we could afford at the time. When I came home, I told my husband Ryan all about the opportunity to take the Next Step and have Amy Carroll work with me and listen to one of my messages. He then began planning my Christmas gift…
Ryan wanted to do something special for me. So before Christmas, he contacted Amy Carroll with Proverbs 31 Next Step Speaker Services and bought me a gift certificate. He kept it a secret and wrapped the gift certificate flyer in a box. It was under the tree on Christmas morning. Now for a girl who is hard to buy for, crazy busy with three kids, but very concerned about growing in the ministry the Lord has called me to - it was the perfect gift. I was super surprised! When I opened the gift I could not believe Ryan remembered what I wanted.
Working with Amy was incredibly helpful.
I really wanted honest feedback on a message. Amy pulled out comments from each part of my message and gave great instruction and ideas for improvement. Amy helped me work on a "Sticky Statement," which is a statement that is overarching and used in the entire message; it is what you want someone to walk away with after hearing you speak. A speaker wants to be memorable and this is a way to leave a mark. She was even able to point out some statements that I used that could be "Sticky Statements." Before working with Amy my messages covered too many points; even a good point can get lost. She helped give my message laser-like focus. Amy also encouraged me to leave the audience with a tangible action step so they walk away and do something with the Word they received. I have tried both of these techniques in my speaking and have felt the audience connecting more with the truth of His Word, which is what it is all about.
It wasn’t at all scary or intimidating. Amy is so easy to talk to and she also emailed me all her notes. I have referred to them on many occasions in preparing for speaking opportunities.
I am truly double-blessed. I have an amazing husband who partners with me in ministry and thinks to give me a gift that has truly continued to give. And I had such a wonderful Next Step experience with Proverbs 31’s Amy Carroll, I could not have asked for a better gift. If you are still searching for the perfect gift, maybe it’s working with Next Step Speaker Services and the ladies at Proverbs 31? Christmas is just around the corner…wonder what Ryan has wrapped up under the tree this year!
Don’t forget to tell us something on your Christmas list in the comments…You could win a FREE copy of Andy Stanley’s Communicating for a Change.
Amy Carroll’s passion is living the untied life. She loves to see women freed into the matchless pleasure of deep relationship with God and others. Amy is a member of the Proverbs 31 Ministries’ speaker team and the blissful Director of Next Step Speaker Services. She lives in NC with her three favorite guys and a little, red dachshund. You can find her on any given day typing at her computer, reading a book, or trying to figure out one more alternative to cooking dinner. Visit Amy at www.amycarroll.org and find out more about speaker coaching at www.nextstepspeakerservices.org.
Tanya McAvoy has been in full-time ministry for 21 Years, the last 13 as Minister of Education and Evangelism at Neptune Baptist Church in Neptune Beach, Florida. She has traveled around the country teaching and training with Lifeway Christian Resources and has spoken to students, adults, and women’s ministries. Tanya is married to Ryan McAvoy a Jacksonville native and Shift Commander at Jacksonville Beach Fire and Rescue. She and her husband have three children. Tanya graduated from University of North Florida with a Psychology Degree and also has a Masters of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Tanya has a passion for speaking, writing, and teaching.