Raised in a small South Carolina town, Jodi grew up in a non-Christian religion. She experienced hatred from neighboring Christians and thought to herself, “… if this is what being a Christian is like, I don’t want anything to do with Christianity!” Her perspective changed when she heard for the first time, at the age of 16, that God wanted to spend eternity with her and He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for her sins. This new knowledge changed everything for her. And, because her love language is quality time—the thought that God would want to spend forever with her brought her to her knees and she became a Christ follower.
However, due to the loss of her mom at a young age and not being discipled, she became an angry, prodigal daughter. It took nearly four years to pass before she turned back to Him. But, when she did, God spoke to her spirit letting her know that He had been with her all along and He had been waiting to tell her that He did answer her prayers pertaining to her mother’s healing—even though the healing came in a different way than she desired.
Since her recommitment to Christ, she continues to strive to learn to trust God with an abandoned heart. This journey has led her to share with others the kind of intimacy they, too, can have with Christ—if they only trust Him.
She has been married for over 31 years to her high school sweetheart, Chris. The most recent 17 years of this marriage have been in ministry together. Chris serves as a Pastor on staff at Englewood Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Their oldest son is a Captain in the Armed Forces and is married to an amazing woman who they consider their own. Their youngest son is studying Cyber Security at the University of West Florida.
Other than these basics, Jodi enjoys going on long walks with the Lord and has an unhealthy love for ice cream with lots of toppings added.
Jodi speaks with the passion to move women’s doubts into fully trusting God. While her topics are focused on Christian growth, marriage, and intimacy with God, she would love to discuss your conference to tailor a talk that fits your needs perfectly.
Trust
“Blessed is the woman who trusts in the Lord, and whose trust is the Lord.” Jeremiah 17:7
In every woman’s life, unwelcomed disappointments and broken promises come. What follows? A defensive heart and an elusive trust. In this talk, Jodi gives insight into how Christ rebuilds the foundation of faith, enabling women to find wholeness, healing, and healthy relationships with Christ at the center. She shares her journey of learning to believe God and seeing that trust starts and ends at the cross.
“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9b (NLT)
Many of us stand at the water’s edge, contemplating… do I obey God’s call to move forward? Or, do I run back to my Egypt? In this talk, Jodi will take women on a journey of leaving their past behind to cross their Jordan. Women will leave remembering that each stone from the deep water is where freedom in Christ is found. By this, the life God intends for each of us is found.
“Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.” Proverbs 31:11-12 (NLT)
Regardless of what condition your marriage is in, Jodi will share some helpful insights and practical ways to enhance what you vowed to God on your wedding day. Jodi and her husband have navigated over 31 years of marriage with lots of bumps and bruises. But, with God’s intervention, they have gotten better—all while still learning to love one another through the good, bad, and ugly times. Note: This talk is excellent for both breakout sessions and one or more keynote sessions. In addition, Jodi and her husband would love the opportunity to speak at your marriage conference/retreat.
