Meet Vanessa Myers, Author of Rise Up: Choosing Faith over Fear in Christian Ministry. (And a Giveaway!)

27 Replies

Seventeen years ago Children’s Ministry Director Vanessa Myers sat in her yearly review at church. All eyes were on her. And all she wanted to do was quit. In Vanessa’s words:

 I listened, helplessly, as my peers and employers critiqued the job I was doing.

You’re good at this, but you need to work on this.

Don’t do that again.

We don’t like it when you do this. Can you do more of this instead?

The list of comments grew and grew. I know there had to be some positive ones but the negatives echoed in my head.

What I was really hearing was: You’re not good enough. We don’t like you. You stink.

These are the first words you’ll read when you open up the pages of  Rise Up: Choosing Faith over Fear in Christian Ministry

Do you want to know what happened? Vanessa didn’t quit. She rose up; chose faith over fear; and then seventeen years later, wrote a book about her experience. Meet Vanessa Myers, as I interview her about her journey as a Children’s Minister and her hopes in writing the book.

If you serve in ministry, or you know someone who does, you’ll also want to enter the giveaway of this wonderful new release. 

Welcome Vanessa! Please tell us a little about who you are and what your journey in children’s ministry has been.

I am a graduate of Duke Divinity School and have been serving in the ministry for the past 17 years.  The first year in ministry I worked at a church camp, but after that first year I felt my calling was not in camping ministry.  For the next 8 years I served in Youth Ministry.  I loved it, but after having children I felt like I was missing out on being a part of my kids lives at church.  So I began to look for jobs working with kids in the church.  For the past 8 years I have been in Children’s Ministry and have absolutely LOVED it!  Both of my daughters have been through my Children’s Ministry program and have now “graduated” into the Youth Ministry.  I miss having them in kids activities, but excited because they can now serve as helpers with the children! 

When God called me to write, around 5 years ago, I was hesitant.  However, I truly love to write and share about God with others, encouraging them in their faith journey.  On my blog (vanessamyers.org), I write about faith, family, and ministry.  It has been so much fun writing and sharing God’s Word, both on my blog and in my book, Rise Up.

Now tell us two interesting and quirky facts about you that we won’t read in your bio.

I was born and raised in Georgia.  A Southern girl through and through.  But… I absolutely do not like sweet tea and watermelon.  People think I’m crazy because I don’t like these two Southern staples, but I haven’t liked them my whole life!

Wherever I am, whether it’s at home, in the car, in my office, or out shopping, I always have to have my water bottle with me.  I cannot go anywhere without something to drink (and I will only drink water or lemonade).  Even when I go to bed at night, I always have to have a glass of water on the nightstand.

You don’t drink hot tea??? Okay, let’s talk about your book. Why did you write it?

I did not want to write this book.  I did not want to openly share my fears with others.  Do you know how hard it is to tell someone else you have fears of serving God?  Extremely hard!  My struggle with fear and anxiety was not something I wanted to talk about, much less write a book about so anyone could read it.

 But I felt God telling me to “write my story”…which is really HIStory because He is the Author of our lives.  After leading a workshop for other women in ministry, I realized we all struggle with some sort of fear in our callings.  This message needed to be heard and I am so thankful I listened and wrote this book.

So am I! Vanessa, what are your hopes for the people who read it?

My hope is that anyone who reads it will feel God speaking to them through it.  I pray that they will rise up from the fear that’s holding them down and will boldly step out and serve God faithfully.  I want others to know they are loved by God and to feel His love and His presence with them as they do what He has called them to do.  Then when they are finished reading it, my hope is that they will in turn share it with someone else who feels trapped by fear in their walk with the Lord.

That is wonderful to hear! Do you have any more books in the works?

I have an idea of my next book, but have only sketched out an outline so far. I hope to publish an Advent devotional and a Lenten devotional on Amazon.  Look for those to come soon!

We will! Thank you so much Vanessa.

And now for the fun part… you get to enter the giveaway of this wonderful new release! Simply leave a comment, right here. on this post, telling me who you would share the book with (no names necessary!) If you share this post on Facebook, be sure to let me know and I will enter your name twice.

That’s it!

Except to say that when this giveaway is over (Monday Sept. 10th) you’ll be able to enter another at the 2nd stop in this blog hop, at Danielle Bell.

Thank you, Vanessa, for choosing faith over fear. 

27 thoughts on “Meet Vanessa Myers, Author of Rise Up: Choosing Faith over Fear in Christian Ministry. (And a Giveaway!)”

  1. Ann

    I would share this book with 2 moms who have stepped up to fill the need in directing our children’s ministries at church.

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  3. Judy Conner

    I would share this with my friend Matt who is working with children in our church and friends. Sound wonderful.Judy

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  4. Linda Floyd

    I would share this with students who are considering a major or career in Christian Ministry to encourage them to answer God’s call.

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  5. Carol Papka

    I would share this book with one of my friends who has a servants heart and has many ideas for providing quality after school activities for the children in our community who aren’t otherwise involved in sports.

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  7. Marcie Millholland

    Great interview!! I, too, have served in Children’s and/or Youth Ministry in the UMC for the past 17 years and spent time ( more than once) searching for jobs outside ministry!!! Once I was dedicated to NEVER working for a church EVER again! But here I am – serving on Vanessa’s launch team and loving what she wrote!! I have the book so I don’t need to be entered but wanted to support Vanessa by joining her tour!

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  8. Jessica

    Yes, great interview. All too common to hear the criticisms louder than the encouragements.

    I have a wonderful group of ladies that I would share this book with. (I shared this link with them through text and on our Facebook group.) I think we need to read this as a group.

    Thank you for sharing!

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  9. Jackie

    I would love to read this myself as I am entering my 17th year in Children’s Ministry, with the fifth new minister I have worked for having just started. I would then share it with others who are serving along side me or leading other ministries. Maybe the entire ministry staff at the church I serve would benefit from reading it. There are only 4 of us as paid staff and as we all know working for a congregation can be brutal.

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  11. Tracy

    I would read this myself because sometimes I feel like quitting. Then pass on to any team members that may want to read it.

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  13. Ruth Anne Luckenbaugh

    I would read this myself and then share with others on our staff. Maybe it could be one of the books we study together.

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