Thank You
There is something you might not know simply by reading our blog each week. You might not know that when this blog pops up in your inbox, you are actually a part of someone else’s journey with Jesus. You may not have thought about how your eyes hitting the page is actually God’s work in progress in another person’s life.
Almost 10 years ago, I was sitting at my desk in Corporate America, when God poked my heart in a way I could not ignore the sting. Trying to shake the Holy Spirit off like a toddler wrapped around my ankle, I just could not get the thoughts to stop. What if I left my job and walked in obedience to the dream God had planted in my heart?
Starting a city-wide women’s ministry in the middle of Las Vegas seemed crazy. Not totally because it was “sin-city” but because establishing an authentic, life-giving, community in such a transient and fast paced culture seemed really hard. With many self-negotiations and self-doubt, I did the crazy thing and said yes. I had no idea that God was already cultivating the heart-soil all across the valley for exactly what He had placed in my heart.
I didn’t realize that my “yes” created more opportunities for other women to walk in their “yes”. I didn’t know that by creating this community, women would find the opportunity to use the way they were uniquely wired for Kingdom purposes. A gift in creativity turned into stage design and graphic design. A love of technology and programming turned into event production. A gift in hospitality opened the door for hosting Crave Gatherings and serving on our food and beverage team. A desire to teach the Word of God looked like platforms at one of our events. A passion for writing turned into a seat on our blogging team. On the other side of my “yes”, God was creating spaces for other women to discover their own ”yes”.
Every week, when you say “yes” to reading a blog, you are walking in the fruit of another women’s obedience. Because you continue to show up and read her words, she continues to push down the lies saying someone else could do this better than me. Thank you for playing a part in her journey. Thank you for the comments you write and the “likes” you share as you are affirming the work God is doing in another women’s life.
Thank you, Ignite Life Community, for journeying with us as we fulfill our hope of equipping, empowering, and mobilizing women to be the spark that ignites change in the world for the sake of Christ.
Vanessa Hartsell is a dynamic speaker, author and leadership trainer who is passionate about world change! She has been speaking professionally for the past 10 years throughout the US. Originally from Michigan; Vanessa calls Las Vegas, Nevada her home.
Vanessa has a heart for people to grow in intimacy with Christ. She is passionate about transforming potential into action. At the age of 24, Vanessa founded her ministry, Ignite Life, with the mission to equip, empower, and mobilize women to be the spark that ignites change in the world for the sake of Christ. Out of her desire to mobilize women in the Church, 1 small conference gave birth to a movement of Christian women. Although this ministry is a huge priority in her life, her first ministry to is to her family. Vanessa has been married to her “prince” Evan, for 8 years and her life is filled with joy and chaos raising her three children (Owen, 6; Ethan, 4; Charlotte, 18 mo).