If we are all created to be ambassadors for proclaiming the message of Jesus Christ to others, then God will train us. No matter our background, anything in our past is workable material in God’s hands. Sometimes He allows circumstances and people to touch our lives in ways that will shape us for His service. How we respond to those people and circumstances determines how quickly God can use us. Deb Kessler has been in training since early childhood. “I am one of the fortunate ones in that I’ve been discipled my whole life. My father remains a military chaplain who lives what he teaches, and my mother taught us all the Bible stories.

When I was 5, my older sister and I went to a church program. It was there that she told me I had to ask Jesus into my heart for my own salvation. No one could do that for me... so I did. A few years later, I was convicted through the lifestyle of one of my friends. She acted like she loved Jesus. I knew I had to act like I loved Jesus too. It was an eye opener for me. When I was 9, I was reminded again that my life needed to match my talk.

Throughout high school and college, I’ve been lucky to have an older woman – a neighbor, friend or professor, that befriended me and challenged me to grow deeper in my understanding of the Scriptures.

I was always a shy person. During high school, I remember thinking – that if I wanted to tell others about Jesus, I couldn’t be so effective if I was so timid. I realized that if I was self-conscious, I was self-centered. But if I was God-conscious, then I would be God-centered. I prayed for God to empty me of my preoccupation with what I was wearing, how I was walking, or what people might be thinking of me, etc. It was at this time that I really began making a deliberate effort to live for Him.

This decision and the great influence of those mentoring women, provide the backdrop for the burden I feel toward discipling women into a mature Faith. I’ve noticed that there is never a shortage of women who sign up for the studies. I really think women are thirsty to learn more. What would be really great is for mature women in the Faith to befriend the spiritually younger women and, encourage and nurture them in God’s love.”