The Story Behind Garden's Gate Ministries

A year had passed since being fired from my job. The humiliation and disgrace were almost more than I could bear, yet a glimmer of hope flickered within my soul- a hope that only God could give. As I waited for direction from God, it became clear that He was moving me in a new direction toward a new chapter in my life.

In a series of God-incidents the doors to a speaking and writing career began to open. I was unsure how God was going to use me–damaged goods are what He specializes in–but how? As I studied God's promises to uplift the downtrodden and to carry the weak and weary, an excitement began to fill my days, and I looked forward with expectation. Armed with the information I received from a fantastic group of people who trained potential speakers and authors, I set about to open my new business. One morning I eagerly sat down at my computer to "begin my new career," when I discovered I couldn't even answer the first question the program asked… what is the name of your business? I didn’t know. I prayed, read scripture, and prayed some more. Nothing was coming to mind. I sat there humming an old hymn, completely stumped so I took a break. As I left the room, I walked passed a framed art piece my husband gave me after the death of my father. It was a picture of a beautiful garden gate with these words inscribed on the bottom, “And He walks with me and he talks with me and he tells me I am his own, and the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.” This was one of my father's favorite hymns. It was the hymn I had been humming all morning.

I had the answer to the first question- and Garden’s Gate Ministries was born.