Lavish Hope

It's been a heavy week for a lot of us this week. Spiritually, we struggle to make sense of it all. Lesley Mazzotta's calling as a spiritual director and her own life journey have equipped her to offer guidance for navigating these times with resilience and hope. She also happens to be Liz Testa's guest for this week's season 3 finale of Lavish Hope! We encourage you to take some time to listen to their powerful conversation. Lesley is an innovative non-profit visionary, educator and certified spiritual director, with many years' experience empowering women and girls. She is the founder and executive director of One World Girl, a non-profit organization in the New York metro area that equips girls to become changemakers. As part of her commitment to this work, Lesley has been on her own journey of healing past trauma and embracing how to live fully and joyfully even in the midst of the challenges brought on by COVID-19. Lesley’s expertise as a spiritual director shines brightly as she shares best practices for navigating isolation and anxiety, making time to cultivate peace within, and taking courageous steps into new opportunities that God brings. She also gives us a glimpse into what it’s like to start a non-profit (spoiler alert: it is not for the faint of heart!) and the resiliency and agility needed to bring a creative vision to life and help it to thrive and grow.Listen here: https://www.faithward.org/lavish-hope-podcast/.

In this special episode of Lavish Hope, we focus on solidarity with the AAPI (Asian American & Pacific Islander) Community. Host Liz Testa is honored to be in conversation with Gerri Yoshida, a third-generation Japanese-American, NYC-based actress and church leader, who is passionate about dismantling racism in transformative ways. Over the past two years, God has called her to courageously use her voice and family stories to engage Asians and Non-Asians alike in deepening their understanding of the root issues and discovering opportunities for justice and healing. Gerri’s compelling, heartbreaking, and hopeful story offers an inside look at the power of forgiveness and living into God's calling with courage and purpose at any stage of life.

Irma Williams went from being a high school dropout who was navigating addiction, a challenging health diagnosis, homelessness, and despair, to embracing God's love and plan for her life. Today she is the director of social services at Barrier Free Living, an organization that supports survivors of domestic violence and veterans who have disabilities. She is a proud Afro-Latina originally from Guatemala, a mother of four, a leader in her church, and a beloved child of God. She shares her story with Rev. Liz Testa in the latest episode of Lavish Hope.

This episode of Lavish Hope first releases as the Lenten journey enters Holy Week, moving towards Easter. Rev. Leslie Carpenter Bolt, a radio show host, wife, mom and pastor, has a powerful story to share about what it means to journey with Jesus in the most challenging times of life, and how it’s possible to experience deep healing and liberation as a result. Leslie shares candidly about her experiences with an abusive marriage, perinatal depression and an unexpected pregnancy, alongside the joy of finding true love and a new calling as the mom of a son with special needs. Her pastor’s heart shines brightly as she offers insights for how others can navigate similar situations, holding fast to the truth of our faith: that God will meet us in our most shadowed times and bring redemption and new life.

Welcome to Lavish Hope, Season 3, I’m Liz Testa. It’s Women’s History Month, and for this episode, I’m delighted to welcome fellow-podcaster, diversity consultant, preacher, professor, founder of Preach Sista!, a nonprofit that helps people deepen their faith and care for their souls and co-author of the recently released book Diversity Playbook: Recommendations and Guidance for Christian Organizations. Michelle shares some of her journey as a woman of color in the church and academia, and the many ways God has called her to overcome barriers, live freely and fully into her gifts and help others do the same. You won’t want to miss her reflections on persistence, understanding that we are following God’s call and not our own, and the importance of refilling one’s tank, especially when engaged in diversity work and what she describes as the Lily Pad effect. You will leave this session inspired and hopeful, with new insights and tools to apply to your own life. Let’s jump in!

It’s Women’s History Month, and for this episode, I’m excited to do things a little differently, and be in conversation with my colleague and friend, Grace Ruiter, co-founder and overseer of Faithward, a digital discipleship space that currently reaches 50 to 100,000 people each month and is the home of this podcast. Grace is a dynamic next gen leader, longtime member of our Women’s Transformation and Leadership guiding coalition - and quite honestly, a key catalyzer in our ministry to encourage, equip and empower women in their God-given gifts and callings AND to help create and strengthen healthy environments where men and women can lead together, freely and fully. She is also passionate about helping folks wrestle with their faith, their doubts and their fears so that they can overcome them and find meaning and purpose. In this episode, we go back and forth interviewing each other as we share pieces of our own journeys of hope, resilience and overcoming, especially as they relate to being part of a collaborative, Holy Spirit-led ministry movement that, despite the challenges, continues to grow and flourish. Along the way, you’ll get an indepth peek behind the scenes of the #sheiscalled/#ellaesllamada movement to celebrate and embrace the gifts and callings of women in the church and beyond! Let’s jump in!

Welcome to Lavish Hope, Season 3! In episode 2, I welcome back Jael Serrano Altamirano, a wife and mom, radio host, non-profit business owner and pastor in southern California, who joined me one year ago to share how she stayed hopeful and resilient in the midst of an ongoing journey to see her husband, Allan, be released from ICE detention. Two months after we spoke, the miraculous news came and since then, Jael and Allan have been “in the process” of navigating life, ministry and the amazing possibilities God has laid on their hearts. In this episode we get to hear from both Jael and Allan to share pieces of their journey. To put this in context, they had been married for a less than a month when their world turned over, and as Allan so poignantly shares, nothing in his life up to that point could prepare him for what 20 months of detention would be like. Surrounded by strong faithful parents and supporters, this couple overcame unbelievable odds, even founding a non profit to help other detainees and their families. In the 11 months since Allan’s release, they have continued to lean into their callings, build their ministries, process and heal, and (this is the best part) grow their family. You don’t want to miss this multi-faceted episode full of rich, very real inspiration on how to stay hopeful, purposeful and healthy in the midst of adversity and beyond.

Welcome to Lavish Hope, Season 3! In this first episode, we dive deep into what resilience and hope look like when life throws a curveball and things don’t turn out as expected. I’m joined by Crystal Wright, a gifted, creative leader in West Michigan, raising 3 boys and working with teens through the national non-profit Young Life. Through her creative gifting both performing and visual arts, she is able to connect with the community and navigate both personal and societal challenges. "Creativity is my my way of entering in spaces of struggle and celebration. It is who I was created to be by the Master Creator". Crystal’s compelling story of deconstructing resilience and embracing growth offer us all ideas for experiencing transformation and healing when faced with unexpected hardships. Excited to kick off this new season of Lavish Hope, together.

In this Part 2 of a 2-part final episode of Lavish Hope Season 2, Rev. Liz Testa hosts Rev. Phil Assink and Rev. Dwayne Jackson, newly-elected General Synod President and Vice President of the Reformed Church in America (RCA). The RCA has been going through some pretty significant challenges and yet many remain hopeful about the future. Phil and Dwayne cast an inspiring vision of leading with optimism, grounded in community, desiring to be role models as two diverse leaders working collaboratively and actually enjoying it! It was a delight to engage in lively discussion with these two, one from the orchards of Moxie City, Washington; the other from the subways of New York City, both committed to serving God and God’s people in embracing, not divisive ways. They share lots of interesting stories as well as helpful tips on leading in seasons of anxiety and change. You won’t want to miss these final episodes of Lavish Hope, Season 2!

In this special bonus episode with Rev. April Fiet, a good friend and colleague who has made a tremendous impact on our ministry by sharing her writing and editing gifts with us. From her home base raising children and chickens, and co-pastoring with husband Jeff in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, April is a blogger and writer whose latest book, The Sacred Pulse: Holy Rhythms for Overwhelmed Souls is released by publisher Broadleaf Books on Dec. 14, 2021. Rev. Liz got to chat with her about the journey to embrace her calling to become an author and the creative process for this book, which unfolded in the midst of the pandemic.

In this episode of Lavish Hope, East Coast meets West Coast as host Rev. Liz Testa welcomes Dr. Rob Dixon, long time InterVarsity college campus minister in Central California and a leading voice in helping faith communities find equitable, healthy ways for women and men to serve together and flourish in ministry. In a season where there is so much division all around us, Rob offers real hope for what is possible through his newly released book, Together in Ministry. In our conversation, he shares lively stories of the journey into his calling, and as the engaging professor that he is, provides practical ideas for how we too can be resilient and live into God’s purpose for our lives. Get your copy of Rob's new book: https://www.amazon.com/Together-Ministry-Women-Flourishing-Partnerships/dp/1514000709.

In this episode of Lavish Hope, host Liz Testa welcomes Rev. Dr. Denise Kingdom Grier—pastor, prophet, and visionary—as she shares the concept of resiliency as “elasticity of the soul” and offers ideas for helping to strengthen that elasticity. From her compelling personal story to her powerful calling to work with the vulnerable children and families in Botshebelo, South Africa, “Dr. Pastor Denise” offers inspiring, tangible practices for cultivating hope and wholeness in even the most challenging of circumstances.

In this episode of Lavish Hope, host Liz Testa welcomes Jill English, a writer, regular contributor to Red Tent Living, and director of admissions at Western Theological Seminary in Holland Michigan. In this episode Jill reflects on her foremothers’ legacy of resilience as midwestern farmers, shares life lessons learned dealing with unexpected health and relationship challenges, using her gift for writing to process the pain, find humor and build resilience. In her role as a mentor and admissions director, Jill champions the next generation of leaders in a way that inspires us to embrace lavish hope for the future.

In this episode of Lavish Hope, host Liz Testa welcomes Broadway and international performer, Willis White. Live from his rehearsal studio on the Ovation of the Seas cruise ship, Willis shares fascinating stories of how he has lived into his musical calling being attentive to God’s plan, exploring his gifts, overcoming obstacles, understanding the difference between perfection and optimization, taking time for healing, and holding close the faith lessons his pastor father taught him. From KC to NYC to LA and around the world on the high seas, Willis’ wisdom and insights offer rich inspiration, inviting us to consider our own gifts and how to keep pressing towards the high calling, where we are blessed to be a blessing.

In this episode of Lavish Hope, host Liz Testa welcomes Mamie McIndoe, who embodies lavish hope and resilience in the heart of NYC as staff and champion of “Patient Experience” at Elmhurst Hospital in Queens. Hear Mamie’s vivid depiction of being at the “epicenter of the epicenter” of the global pandemic, and how she dug into her well-honed resilience skills, with empathy, authenticity and a sense of true calling, to help herself and (literally) thousands of others find hope and and keep moving forward in the midst of such a challenging season. This podcast includes in detail descriptions of COVID as it pertains to the hospitals at the height of the global pandemic. You may want to screen if you are listening to this episode with children present.

In this episode of Lavish Hope, host Liz Testa welcomes JP Sundararajan to reflect on his calling to come to the US from his native India, navigating bi-culturalism and learning powerful leadership lessons full of "grace and grit" along the way to becoming the director of a denominational Global Mission ministry with 120 projects serving nearly 50 countries around the world.

In this part two episode, join Liz Testa as she and Rev. Kenita Harris will continue to unpack blackness and the black church particularly as it relates to Kenita's work in the city of Detroit. If you have not subscribed to the Lavish Hope podcast - now is the time!

Rev. Kenita Harris is the Chief Operating Officer, Jefferson East, Inc. & Manager of Shared Services. In this two part episode she talks with Rev. Liz Testa about interpreting justice, the Holy Spirit, and retaining resilence during racial tension throughout the 2020 year.

This Lavish Hope Episode features Lynn Minn and Liz Testa. Join us as Lynn will reflect on mental health and the particularities of being a part of the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community during this years COVID-19 global pandemic.

In this episode of Lavish Hope, host Liz Testa is in conversation with Lynn Minn, a NYC-based mental health counselor and 1.5 generation Korean American. Join us as Lynn reflects on culture, race, and mental health as they pertain to the AAPI community and ways to practice self care and solidarity in this season.

Join Jael Serrano Altamirano and Rev. Liz Testa as they discuss what overcoming has looked like in the face of immigration and detainment for loved ones. Jael is grateful that God has blessed her with many talents; from teaching music, to starting a makeup line, to creating YouTube videos, to hosting a radio show, to serving as a youth pastor, to being a mom (her favorite), she does her best to use all of them. She has now started a new organization called UNITY, a nonprofit that helps families and loved ones detained by immigration. She is also a full-time seminary student. Join Jael and Rev. Liz Testa as they discuss what overcoming has looked like in the face of immigration and detainment for loved ones around her.

Rachel Lohman is the founder of hopeagaincollective.com. Hope Again Collective shares the stories of women who have lost babies through handmade earrings, and a part of every pair sold gives the gift of hope to women in grief through tangible grief/self-care resources. She is a former Miss America title holder and broadcast journalist. Join Rachel and Rev. Liz Testa as they discuss navigating challenges in the media, the pain and loss of miscarriage, and gaining resilience by following God’s voice into new ministry avenues. Note that this episode includes discussion of miscarriage, which could be traumatic for some listeners.

Join Rev. Liz Testa and Rev. Donna Olivia Owusu-Ansah as they discuss race and resilience, artistry, creativity and writing. Reverend Donna Olivia Owusu-Ansah is a preacher, chaplain, teacher, artist, writer, thinker, and dreamer who loves to study the Word of God, encourage others, and worship God. Currently, Rev. Owusu-Ansah works as a chaplain at Haven Hospice located at JFK Medical Center (Hackensack Meridian Health) in Edison, NJ, and is an associate minister at the New Hope Baptist Church in Metuchen, NJ. She is the author of Loves…Regardless: Forty Devotions Inspired by Womanist Creative Thought and Theology. She also writes about ministry, family, and life on her website: www.reverenddonnao.com.

Join Vanessa Pollock and Rev. Liz Testa as they discuss resilience in business while working to remain faithful to God in marketplace leadership. The last 16 years have brought success to both Vanessa and her clients, as her team has negotiated and closed new housing for hundreds and hundreds of families, amounting to over $350,000,000 in sales. Vanessa is a Keller Williams University-approved trainer, cultural ambassador for Keller Williams, and the leader of the #1 real estate team for Maplewood/South Orange area in New Jersey. Pollock Properties Group has raised and donated over $225,000 in the last 7+ years to local charities, community events, global initiatives, and the Pollock family's very own www.VanessaPollockMusicInitiative.com.