Pointers on the Pursuit of Purpose: Interview with Life Coach Leslie Denman
Interview by Julene Fleurmond, Editor of DreaminSoul.com and SOAR
Society sometimes sets aside “teenhood” and the early twenties as those fun, carefree years – but what better opportunity to discover who you are and explore what you were made for when you don’t yet have all of the responsibilities that come later in life. Everyone has purpose and we as young people can serve God right where we are, impacting our friends, using our gifts and serving others in our corner of the world. Many leaders throughout history and in the Bible started walking into their purpose in their teen years, so like 1 Timothy 4:12 says:
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”
Leslie Denman is passionate about young people and helping them to find and pursue their purpose while they are young. She is a certified Life Purpose and Teen Empowerment Coach (in other words when it comes to purpose, she knows her stuff;) and the founder of the organization Girls Living Life On Purpose, Inc. based in Dallas, TX. In this Interview Coach Leslie gives pointers on pursuing God and purpose boldly right where you are…
Dream in Soul: Hi, can you tell us a little about you and what do you do?
Coach Leslie Denman: I am a believer passionate about empowering people for purpose. As a Christian Life Coach, I am a Missionary of Hope to the countless women and girls that God assigns to me. I partner with the Holy Spirit to bring about transformation to the lives of people through coaching, speaking and training. I have a wonderful husband of fourteen years and two beautiful daughters and my most recent accomplishment that brings me so much joy is answering the call to ministry as a licensed minister.
DS: What inspired you to work with teens, especially young women? What were your own teen years like and how did you get grounded in God into your own purpose?
Leslie Denman: My inspiration to work with teen girls and young women started with my own search for significance and purpose. The last thing I thought my calling was – was to work with teens especially girls. I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 29 and I asked God to reveal His purpose for my life. I declared to God that if He spared my life and revealed my purpose, I would spend the rest of my life fulfilling that purpose. I am happy to say that I am still here.
This journey has been remarkable. Looking back over my life and growing up in Omaha, TX, I remember standing in the mirror of my room hearing this small voice telling me that I was going to be great. I had no idea what I would be doing or how it was going to happen but I believed that voice. I carefully and secretly tucked that belief away in my heart. I had great parents and our life was pretty normal that is until I found myself pregnant at the tender age of fourteen and even then, I felt God’s hands of grace and mercy upon me. My parents made sure we were active in church and grew up hearing the word of God. God used that experience in my life to draw me closer to Him.
I remember going to church and watching people sing, shout and praise God and I would think “What is that all about.” I was a young girl with a heavy burden and I wanted to feel what those people were feeling. I wanted to be free. I would ask God in my own lil’ way to help me know Him like that. Soon I would find myself angry and frustrated for many years to come. At the time I did not know that God was answering my prayer.
DS: What is the first thing you would say to someone about pursuing their purpose? How does s/he discern what it is and move forward to pursuing it?
Leslie Denman: Great question. The first thing I would say is “WHY? Why are you pursuing your purpose?” May seem like a simple question, even strange to some but it is the answering of this question, you hear the heart and motive of the individual. Luke 6:45 says “for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Discovering your purpose is just the tip of the iceberg. Walking it out is like an award-winning drama complete with plots, schemes and twists. An individual clear about their WHY will not only discover their purpose but they will walk it out in a spirit of excellence. Discerning one’s purpose can be both exciting and yet frustrating. It’s exciting in that you will discover that you are gifted and passionate about so many things; frustrating in that you don’t know what to pursue…
You might also like
Inspiration: We Are (Acoustic Version) From Kari Jobe
Kari Jobe’s new single “We Are” is inspired by 1 Thess. 5 and God’s call for us to be light in the darkness. You can get the single now on iTunes.
Every secret, every shame
Every fear, every pain
Live inside the dark
But that’s not who we are
We are children of the day
So wake up sleeper, lift your head
We were meant for more than this
Fight the shadows conquer death
Make the most of the time we have left
We are the light of the world
We are the city on a hill
We are the light of the world
We gotta, we gotta, we gotta let the light shine
– Lyrics from We Are
Watch Kari talk about the story behind the song below:
You might also like
|
|
|
|
|
Support the Movie Youth of Christ by Stephanie Rodnez
A few months back on Dream in Soul I interviewed Stephanie Rodnez, a young filmmaker who is using her passion for making movies to inspire other young people through her company Christ Effect Entertainment. Stephanie’s latest project is Youth of Christ, a fun feature length film about a lazy youth group’s struggle to host a youth revival at their church. The message of the movie is that no matter what age you are, you’re never too young to do big things for Jesus Christ.
Youth of Christ is now available on DVD on ChristianCinema.com. You can support Stephanie’s dream and help her movie reach others buy purchasing your copy today, click here to order – its a great film for any youth group, family or just to see with your friends.
Christ Effect Entertainment: “See our films, CEE Jesus Christ.” CEE’s mission is to bring quality media content to young adults that inspire their walk for Jesus Christ and help them grow in their commitment to Him. Christ Effect Entertainment is distinguished in that it is entertainment created specifically for young adult Christians.
To connect with Stephanie Rodnez and Christ Effect Entertainment visit the website www.CeeChrist.com or join her “Youth of Christ” Facebook page. You can also read her blog at http://godlywoodgirl.wordpress.com.
Check out some sneak peeks from the movie below:
Click Here for the Dream in Soul Interview with Stephanie Rodnez
Check out the trailer for the film Youth of Christ below:
You might also like
|
|
|
|
|
SOAR Artist Snapshots: Tiffany Stanley
“When we give our dreams to God, putting them all in His hands, and realizing that we need Him, that’s when He begins to work in mighty and powerful ways through us. Let us be a generation who stands for Christ, and love as He loves us. Young and old, let’s make an impact on the world together, as we join as one in Him.” – Tiffany Stanley
In SOAR’s Artist Snapshots Series we love to feature young upcoming artists who have inspiring music ministries. I came across Tiffany Stanley’s music one day and was encouraged by the candid messages in her songs, and the soft acoustic sound she brings.
I especially loved the lyrics of “Break Me Down” the first track off Tiffany Stanley’s new album ‘Revival’:
Visit Tiffany’s website at http://tiffanystanley.com to learn more about her ministry and to purchase her music. You can also connect with her on Twitter and Facebook.
Tiffany will be singing at an upcoming event, The Dream Girlz Gathering, hosted by music artist Melinda Watts. If you are in the Seattle area August 26th and 27th be sure to visit the Dream Girlz Gathering Facebook page to get updates.
More About Tiffany Stanley
Ever since she was a little girl, Tiffany dreamed of being more than a musician. It was in growing and developing a close and personal relationship with Christ that she knew music was more than the lyrics, chords, and notes. “To me, music is lifting up songs of worship to the Lord.” Tiffany is a musician in pursuit of Worship. “I want this music to promote the most important thing: Jesus Christ.”
Tiffany longs to share the love of Christ in her music, and show others His goodness, grace and mercy. She believes God is going to pour out revival among the nations, and prays that we as believers would rise up to encounter Christ in a whole new way. At 18 years of age, she has spent her first year after high-school enrolling in worship classes and letting God make the dream of making this album come true. She is extremely excited about what the Lord has planned, and knows it is all in His hands for the glory of His name.
Her independently released album Revival talks about exactly what it’s named: Revival. It’s about being justified in Christ, surrendering to His will, letting Him open your eyes, and coming boldly into His presence. “I didn’t want to just make an album, I wanted to tell a story of what a life in Christ is. Of needing Him every second of everyday, knowing one can’t be fulfilled without Him.” She believes in dreaming dreams, surrendering to Christ, and living in His love. “When we give our dreams to God, putting them all in His hands, and realizing that we need Him, that’s when He begins to work in mighty and powerful ways through us. Let us be a generation who stands for Christ, and love as He loves us. Young and old, let’s make an impact on the world together, as we join as one in Him.”
You might also like
|
|
|
|
|
The Plain Jane Project – JCTV Interview with Rowena Rodriguez on Dating, Courtship and Purity
Above: Plain Jane Project’s founder Rowena Rodriguez and a flier from one of their “Save the Date” events.
While I was watching JCTV’s Top 3 show a few weeks back I learned about a great movement encouraging purity and confidence in Christ, called The Plain Jane Project. The Top 3 hosts interviewed the movement’s founder, Rowena Rodriguez, who shares her story of a period where she felt God was calling her not to date and to pursue holiness. During that time she felt called to minister the message of purity to other young Christian singles. Watch the episode below where Rowena and Top 3 hosts Reba Toney, Larissa Lam, Rich Wilkerson Jr., and Jordan Wagner talk about dating, courtship, purity and “the significance of being ‘equally yoked…'”
You can find out more about the Plain Jane Project at www.plainjaneproject.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/plainjaneproject and on their blog www.plainjaneproject.blogspot.com.
Watch the JCTV episode with Rowena Rodriguez of the Plain Jane Project below:
More About The Plain Jane Project
PLAIN JANE PROJECT is a Christ-centered ministry that inspires women through inter-generational conversations of empowerment. Through prayer, teaching, coaching, and mentoring Plain Jane Project introduces and encourages practical living by building on faith, trust, integrity, communication, and listening. Growing strong and purposefully, individually and in community, as members in one-body-of-Christ.
About Rowena Rodriguez
Rowena is the Founder of Plain Jane Project, who launched its first ministry event in 2007. After six years of volunteer service in the Junior High ministry at Bel Air Presbyterian Church, she seeks to bridge the generational gap among women. A Senior Fashion Designer by trade, Rowena’s personal journey of purity is both wonderful & horrible; filled with struggle in past sexual sin, spiritual growing pains, & the overwhelming redemptive grace of God.To contact, email: info@plainjaneproject.com
Watch Rowena speak at one of the Plain Jane Project’s “Save the Date: Courtship vs. Dating” events:
Read More »
You might also like
|
|
|
|
|
Lecrae’s New Video “Just Like You” and the “Man Up” Campaign
Lecrae’s latest video for his song “Just Like You” from his album Rehab is so raw and powerful, and touches on the role models young men sometimes seek to imitate instead of seeking to model God’s image of manhood:
Reach Records and Reach Life Ministries have also launched the Man Up campaign, short film, curriculum and concert series to encourage men to answer the call to biblical manhood. Find out more about the campaign at http://manup116.com. Click here to listen to the new single for the campaign, “Man Up Anthem,” featuring Reach Records’ 116 Clique.
Promo for the Man Up Campaign
THE PROBLEM
There’s an ongoing war within urban culture. Confusion over what manhood is has plagued our cities, families and lives. The concept of a biblical man has been lost in our generation. Unfortunately, many churches struggle to provide its urban members, much less those beyond their walls, with a tangible definition of a real man.THE CAMPAIGN
In partnership with ReachLife Ministries and Reach Records, Man Up is a new campaign, calling men in the hip-hop culture to true biblical manhood through repentance and faith in Christ.The campaign consists of a short film, small group curriculum, music soundtrack and concert series. It is our call for men in urban culture to repent for their failure to become the men that God has created them to be and for believers to live as who they truly are in Christ.
THE SHORT FILM & CURRICULUM
The short film takes a look at six different areas of manhood that young men fail to live up to. By taking a look at the common challenges and responses of young men in urban culture, we hope to reveal the need for clarity on what being a man truly means.
A curriculum is also available through ReachLife Ministries to accompany the short film and promote further discussion in small group settings.THE SOUNDTRACK & CONCERT SERIES
The soundtrack of Man UP is from Reach Records and delves into the concepts addressed in the film and curriculum. Later this year, audiences can experience a showing of the film, a panel discussion on manhood, and a live concert as the Man Up concert series makes stops in select cities.
It is our hope that men everywhere will answer the call to Man Up! NOTE: The concert series is not only for men, it is open to all.
You might also like
|
|
|
|
|
Inspiration: Spensha Baker on Purpose
“Gospel is so real to me and I wanted to stay true to it…A lot of people can sing, you can sing about the things, the feelings, but I wanted to sing about the Giver… It’s important for young people to be sold out for Christ, that’s what’s going to matter in the end. Everything else is vapor. What you do for God is going to count. So that would be my encouragement to young people.” – Spensha Baker in an interview on TBN
Spensha Baker reminds us that our purpose is to live for God, in this beautiful song – “Purpose” from her album “Outloud!” Visit her website www.spenshaonline.com to keep up with her current updates or follow her on Twitter: @spenshabaker
Purpose Lyrics
My purpose is to praise You
My longing is to worship you
My life desires to live for YouI worship You
For the mighty things You do
I worship You
‘Cause in spite of all my misery
And all the things I can not see
I know I can call out Your name
You might also like
|
|
|
|
|
It’s All About How You Look At It – UPSIDE the Movie
UPSIDE is a creative movie about Solomon White, a teen athlete who seemed to have it all but whose vision is flipped after an accident. The story delves into finding identity, love and faith; I love how creative the plot is and the performance of the cast was really believable. Visit the movie website at www.upsidemovie.com to find out more about the DVD and screenings and catch the movie on TBN on Saturday, June 11. Check out the trailer below:
UPSIDE Plot Summary:
It’s all how you look at it…
From the looks of things, Solomon White has a well-mapped future. Finish his senior year of high school, select an elite university, continue his lacrosse career, and reap the rewards of success on whichever road life takes him.
But a devastating hit on the lacrosse field leaves his world literally turned upside down. Will he be able to gain the perspective needed to face his new reality?
UPSIDE provides a fresh look at life through the eyes of Soli (Randall Bentley, “Heroes”), a young athlete struggling to discover where he’s headed, both figuratively and literally. Viewing the world upside down is a challenge few will ever face, but that hardly is the extent of Soli’s pressing concerns.
He has trouble at home with his mom, he’s trying to end his relationship with his girlfriend, and he has to come to grips with a teacher that thinks he can be much more than he wants to be. Suddenly, Soli’s senior year looking nothing like he imagined it would be.
Add in Wren (Leah Sims), an unlikely love interest with a strong faith in God, and Soli must take a new look at everything he believes in.
Can Soli win the heart of Wren, who happens to be blind? Can he believe in something he can’t see? Will he find a new direction for his life, even if his eyesight never returns to normal?
When you can’t trust your eyes, you still have your voice. This unique story is an inspiring reminder that when life gets you down, there’s always an UPSIDE.
You might also like
|
|
|
|
|
Inspiration: True Things from JJ Heller
True Things fromJJ Heller‘s album Painted Red speaks so simply and truly to the fact that we aren’t defined by material or physical things by what is deeper and truer…
True Things LyricsI’m not the clothes I’m wearing
I’m not a photograph
I’m not the car I driveI’m not the money I make
I’m not the things I lack
I’m not the songs that I writeI am… who I am
I am who I amThere are true things inside of me
I have been afraid to see
I believe, help my unbelief
Would you say again what you said to me
I am loved and I am free
I believe, help my unbelief
You might also like
|
|
|
|
|
Dream in Soul is a new media site for the young-at-heart and purpose-full, inspiring you to live and use your talents passionately for God. To learn more, 
Click Here for our Interview with Music Artist & Producer TJ Pompeo on Dreams, Faith & Trust
