Nancy B.

Today, Nancy speaks to us about how God called her into her ministry, her podcast Ordinary People Extraordinary Things, and why you need to tell your story.

Tell us a bit about how you grew up and your childhood: I grew up on an acreage in rural Iowa with my mom, dad, sister, and brother. My dad owned his own business (and still does) doing carpentry work. By watching him build spec houses and then working with him in high school, I learned how to run a business and how to treat people. My mom worked part-time and spent a lot of time with us at home. Both of my grandparents lived in the same, small town, and I could visit them any time. One memory I love…I could go to almost any store in town and charge it to my parents’ account…gas, hardware store, and of course the locker that my aunt and uncle owned. This spoke to the trust my parents had in the community.

Inspiring biblical passage of the moment: “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” ~Psalm 139:23-24
I pray and meditate on this passage every Friday morning – taking time for God to speak to me.

Spiritual growth focus at the moment: Understanding the Bible more fully and really diving into the meaning. One resource I am using is www.WalkingtheText.com.

Profession/Mission: I am passionate that every person has a story and we need to share that story, if only with our family and friends. We love stories: that’s what songs, movies, and TV are – stories. History is only what’s recorded – we must begin to look differently at our stories & experiences as a way to encourage and equip others. As a Christian, we are told to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” ~Matthew 28:19,  but most people don’t know how to fulfill the great commission – so they don’t, and we’re seeing Christianity decrease. We need to rethink how we “evangelize;” how we “witness.” It’s not difficult – tell your story.

“It’s not difficult – tell your story.”

If you wrote a memoir, what would the title be? Tell Your Story to Tell God’s Story

When did you first encounter God and how did you encounter Him? Thankfully, I have known about God my whole life. My family went to church every Sunday and prayed together many times a day. I really began growing in my faith 18 years ago when Chris and I found Southeast Christian Church on Easter Sunday. It immediately felt like home. 

How would you describe Jesus? Faithful, loving, just, merciful, and Prince of Peace.

How has your relationship with Him changed you? Wow, what a question. In every way, and I pray I continue to be changed by Him every day. One of the biggest things I strive for is to not be so busy; not be so overcommitted with no free time that I can’t hear from God. Sometimes I believe we long for God to “speak to us,” but if we’re so busy He can’t, and honestly we wouldn’t have the time to obey.

What has been the darkest time in your life, and how did you see God in it? When Chris and I moved, we couldn’t find a church. We tried many, but none of them felt like “home.” We were listening to several great sermons online, but it wasn’t the same as going to church and being in community. That was the hardest time for me – I realized why God tells us to go gather together and be in relationship with one another. 

What has helped you grow spiritually in this season? I am in my 2nd year of doing the Bible Recap with Tara-Leigh Cobble. Reading the Bible chronologically in a year and the brief commentary that accompanies everyday’s reading has made the Bible make more sense. I’ve seen the Bible as 1 big story and I’ve fallen more in love with God’s word. 

Just read/currently reading (and what has it taught you?): 40 Days of Decrease by Dr. Alicia Britt Chole – I took something away from every chapter; I highly recommend the book.

Top three essentials: My faith, family, and church community.

How did God speak to you recently? God spoke to me so clearly about two years ago during a women’s conference. This is such an amazing story, and whenever I get discouraged, I think back to it. 
Worship had just ended and the speaker was about to come out, but the worship leader asked us to get into small groups and pray. I am an introvert, and I wanted to bolt, but I didn’t. The worship leader encouraged everyone to say one word about what they were needing prayer for.

Everyone said a word; I was the last person, and I felt God telling me to say more than a word, to explain, so I began, “God has been asking me to start a podcast sharing ordinary peoples’ stories of faith and hope. I don’t have time and honestly I’m afraid, what if I try and fail.” Then I put my hands over my ears and said “God I’m not listening.”

The guest speaker came out, Alli Worthington. She is from a different state, and I had never met her before. Her whole speech was about obeying the call God has on your life, wow, exactly what I was just praying about, but it got even more precise. She said, “Maybe you’re even saying, ‘God I’m not listening.’” And she placed her hands over her ears. WHAT?! This was amazing – all the women who I had just been praying with looked at me. Yes, God, I saw that. I heard You. I will obey, and I did. I talked to Alli afterwards. She said she had never said those words or used that hand gesture before – that was just for me from God. Wow, He is so good. 

“Yes, God, I saw that. I heard You. I will obey, and I did.”

Hobby: Walking and swimming.

Top three practical tips for staying spiritually strong: Going to church every week, reading the Bible daily, and quiet time to reflect and hear God.

Favorite person in scripture? Three people: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

”Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Daniel 3:16-18 ESV

Their faith & hope in God during persecution is inspiring. They could have bowed down, they could have been rude to King Nebuchadnezzar, they could have lost hope, but they didn’t, and God showed up – literally in the fire with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. That’s profound – God shows up with us. He demonstrates that over and over throughout Scripture.

What do you want people to learn about God when they look at you? I hope people see something different in me that points them to God. Matthew 5:16

How do you engage with your community? I love making meals, as well as sending a card or a book to show encouragement.

Favorite holiday? Easter – It is THE holiday for Christians, celebrating Jesus dying for our sins AND rising from the dead AND conquering death for us. We have some fun traditions, like dying Easter eggs, making resurrection rolls, and having an Easter egg hunt, but it is a low key holiday, and we’re able to remember what the holiday is really about. 

A goal you have? For people to grow stronger in their faith or get to come to know Jesus because of people sharing their faith story on the podcast Ordinary People Extraordinary Things.

A special tradition you and your family engage in or keep: We have pancakes together every Saturday morning.

Question you will ask when you get to heaven? Why did you choose to partner with people to share who You are?

Thing you want to raise awareness about: That every person has a story. I have been capturing stories for 18 years and making books and movies so families can pass their stories down to the next generation. A year and a half ago I started a podcast Ordinary People Extraordinary Things where I get to share ordinary peoples’ stories of faith & hope. Our stories are the best, easiest way we can share the gospel. Most people will never set foot in a church – telling stories of how God has moved in our lives is how we can share Jesus with the world. No matter if you think you have a story, or not. If you are afraid to share or don’t think anyone will care. You have a story – share your story.

What does your morning routine consist of? Walking & listening to the Bible. Also early in the morning, I focus on the one thing that really needs to get done that day.

What is on your nightstand? A lamp, of course, water, chapstick, & eye drops (Colorado is very dry 🙂 ).

Define Christianity in a sentence: Easy to understand – difficult to live out.

For more Nancy:

Podcast: https://generationstogenerations.com/podcast

Facebook/Meta

Instagram: @ordinarypeopleextraordinary

X: @storiesextra

Until next time, keep witnessing!

XX