When Misery Gives Birth To A Ministry - Meet Minister Linda Coleman Isaiah

Minister Linda Coleman Isaiah

It’s not every day that you have the opportunity to meet someone whose love for others shines like a beacon in this world, whose warm hug encompasses your whole heart, whose eyes pierce your soul and seem to know exactly what you are thinking; however, that is exactly how this one Mom Squad contributor felt when she had the opportunity this past weekend to meet and interview Minister Linda Coleman Isaiah. 

A Woman With A Message

Linda Coleman Isaiah is a woman with a message from God for all women.  That message is HOPE.  Regardless of your age, your past or present circumstances, or the color of your skin, every woman can have the hope and the love that is in Jesus Christ.  In 2011, Linda followed God’s call and gave birth to Linda Coleman Isaiah (LCI) Ministries.  The mission of LCI Ministries is to give hope to all women who are hurting and to tell them that God is more than able to rescue them from whatever they have been through in the past or whatever they are going through right now.  LCI Ministries shares this message every year in March (most recently March 22, 2014) by sponsoring a conference entitled, “Unleashed Hope” held at Sawmill Creek Lodge & Resort in Huron, Ohio.    

However, as in most births, there is pain associated with the birth that one must go through first.  The birthing of LCI Ministries was no exception; LCI Ministries was birthed out of the pain in Linda’s life.  Linda is a living testimony to the fact that you can live a righteous life and be faithful to God and His commandments, but life, well, life still happens.  The righteous are just the type of people that the enemy, the devil, prowls around looking to devour (1 Peter 5:8).  But, even though Linda has experienced some very painful trials in her life, she chose to use that pain to help other women.  

The Mom Squad was able to catch up with Minister Linda Coleman Isaiah to find out more about her, LCI Ministries, where and when she will be speaking next, and how she can help all women who are hurting.

  

Minister Isaiah, how long have you been in women’s ministry? 

I began speaking at the Women Walking Together in Christ (WWTIC) Women’s Conference about 11 years ago.  I have, also, been a speaker for The House of the Lord's Annual Women’s Breakfast since 2005. 

When did you realize that this is what you want to do? 

LCI Ministries stemmed from WWTIC.  Through LCI Ministries, I wanted to share the practicality of the Gospel—how the Gospel applies to each woman and what is happening in her life. 

How has your traumatic life experiences prepared you for helping women now? 

It’s taught me that life can give you lemons and you can make great lemonade with it.  You can choose to wallow in your pain or get up.  I chose to get up.

If there was just one thing you would want women to know who have experienced abuse and pain in their life, what would it be? 

I would want them to know that it’s not over [their life]; it’s just the beginning.  God is able and He is really good in all situations.  

How was “Unleashed Hope” born? 

Unleashed Hope is a conference that is sponsored by LCI Ministries and occurs once a year in March.  Each year the theme is different.  The next conference is slated for March 22, 2015, and the theme is “Alive” based on Ephesians 2. 

Do you do one-on-one counseling as well as conferences?

I am not a counselor, but I love helping women.  I have a quick wit and the gift of discernment/wisdom.

Are the women who attend the conferences within a certain age range? 

The conferences are attended by young women in their early 20’s and by more mature women (even in their 70’s) as well.  There is no particular “age range.” The message of hope is for all women regardless of age.  LCI Ministries is, also, cross-cultural.

Do you find that some women who are older and that have grown up in another generation are less likely to want to share their experiences?  Are younger women (early 20’s and 30’s) more likely to share and open up?

Yes, younger women (early 20’s) are more likely to open up faster.  Women who are middle-aged and older are less likely to open up and share. 

Do you work with teens?  If not yet, do you plan to include teens in your ministry in order to reach young women before they venture out into the world?    

Yes, LCI Ministries will eventually have conferences for teens, singles and couples.  We started with conferences for women.  [Linda will share information soon on a conference for couples that will be held this November and is sponsored by LCI Ministries.  She and her husband, Minister Erroll Isaiah, will be speaking at the conference.]

Are there any particular women that you want to be able to reach through your teachings and conferences?

My heart is for women who are “between a rock and a hard place.”  All women who are confused and not getting the answers they need.

What can women expect to take away from your conferences and speaking engagements? 

Hope.  "Hope deferred makes the heart sick; but when dreams come true at last, there is life and joy."  Proverbs 13:12 [TLB]

You will be a special speaker at the Image of God Ministries/Women’s Conference on April 12, 2014, at Grace Baptist Church in Brunswick.  Is there anything special you want women to know about this Conference and why they should attend? 

[The overall theme for the Image of God Women’s Conference will be “No Matter What.”]  My message will be based on Romans 8:39: “neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” [NIV]  I will talk about women’s self-esteem and self-image.  God wants to have an intimate, personal relationship with all of us.  I will talk about who God is and who they [women] are in Christ.  As women we tend to live below our full potential.   

(Additional information about the Image of God Women’s Conference and  ticketing information can be found on The Image of God website at:  http://www.imageofgod.org/women.htm; or, by visiting the 95.5 The Fish website at: http://www.955thefish.com and then clicking on the “on sale now” link to purchase tickets).

The Mom Squad is, also, very excited that you will be our special speaker at The Mom Squad Luncheon on Saturday, May 24, 2014, at Hartville Kitchens in Hartville, Ohio.  Can you give us a hint of what the ladies who attend will be learning about? 

My message for The Mom Squad Luncheon will be from Philippians 4:6 which states, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” [NIV]  As women, we are preoccupied with worry.  When we worry, we’re focusing on us, not God.   I’ll explain what worry does to us and how to live anxious-free according to the Word of God. 

(Additional information and advance ticket sales for The Mom Squad Luncheon will be available at the Image of God Women’s Conference  (stop by The Mom Squad table).  Also, keep listening to 95.5 The Fish to get all the details about the luncheon and ticket information.)

There is so much more to the story of Minister Linda Coleman Isaiah and LCI Ministries that The Mom Squad was not able to touch on in this interview.  If you are not aware of Linda’s story, you need to attend a conference where she is speaking and hear for yourself her powerful testimony.  You will be amazed at her courage, enchanted by her personality, and uplifted by the message of hope she wants to share with all women.   

Minister Linda Coleman Isaiah and Kathleen Horvath

1  For more information on Minister Linda Coleman Isaiah or LCI Ministries, please visit the LCI Ministries website.