“I tried to fix myself with religion, but failed my way into embracing God’s grace.” – Dr. Grace

At 21 years old, I had an encounter with God that literally caused me to raise my hands and say, “I surrender.” That moment led to my confession of faith in Jesus Christ and a genuine rebirth experience. My life immediately began to show evidence of transformation, and within weeks I was invited to share my testimony at a conference, marking the beginning of my speaking ministry. That ministry eventually expanded into speaking, writing books, producing original television programs, and being featured on a variety of local and national Christian and mainstream platforms. Along the way, I also became a trusted source of advice for individuals, leaders, influencers, and public figures, and my work led to three honorary doctorate nominations.

My evangelistic ministry became well known for its strong emphasis on wholehearted surrender and obedience to God. During those same years, I got married, raised seven children, and devoted my life to ministry. But after my marriage ended, I became a divorced single mother, and the residual impact of divorce, single parenting, and the pressures of life exposed cracks in my own foundation. I found myself unable to live up to some of the very standards my ministry had emphasized. The more I tried to fix myself, the more defeated I became, eventually leading to shame, self-hatred, and believing I was failing God.

Then, through the wisdom of people God placed in my life, I was reminded that I was speaking about a grace I wasn’t receiving for myself.

That realization sent me back to the Bible to wrestle with what my part really was in God’s plan of salvation. I discovered that I’m not reconciled to God through my religious works, but through faith in Jesus and His finished work. Salvation is God’s gift, received by faith—not a reward for good behavior.

I also learned to separate salvation from transformation. One makes the other possible, but they’re not the same thing. Transformation is real, but it is the fruit of salvation, not the cause of it. The more I understood God’s grace, the more I discovered that real change doesn’t come from trying harder—it comes from trusting what Jesus has already done.

Today, I continue to share my story and the things I’m learning through speaking, books, media, and personal advising. My passion is helping people separate religious tradition from biblical truth so they can stop trying to fix themselves with religion and embrace God’s free gift of grace.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” — **Ephesians 2:8–9 (NKJV)

My evangelistic ministry became well known for its strong emphasis on wholehearted surrender and obedience to God. During those same years, I got married, raised seven children, and devoted my life to ministry. But after my marriage ended, I became a divorced single mother, and the residual impact of divorce, single parenting, and the pressures of life exposed cracks in my own foundation. I found myself unable to live up to some of the very standards my ministry had emphasized. The more I tried to fix myself, the more defeated I became, eventually leading to shame, self-hatred, and believing I was failing God.

Then, through the wisdom of people God placed in my life, I was reminded that I was speaking about a grace I wasn’t receiving for myself.

That realization sent me back to the Bible to wrestle with what my part really was in God’s plan of salvation. I discovered that I’m not reconciled to God through my religious works, but through faith in Jesus and His finished work. Salvation is God’s gift, received by faith—not a reward for good behavior.

I also learned to separate salvation from transformation. One makes the other possible, but they’re not the same thing. Transformation is real, but it is the fruit of salvation, not the cause of it. The more I understood God’s grace, the more I discovered that real change doesn’t come from trying harder—it comes from trusting what Jesus has already done.

Today, I continue to share my story and the things I’m learning through speaking, books, media, and personal advising. My passion is helping people separate religious tradition from biblical truth so they can stop trying to fix themselves with religion and embrace God’s free gift of grace.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” — **Ephesians 2:8–9 (NKJV)