Today we’d like to introduce you to Essie Faye

Hi Essie , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?

I’m the daughter of a deacon and a missionary in the Pentecostal Apostolic Christian Reformation. I admire my parents greatly–they are people of great faith, love, and compassion. My parents have served God and people passionately and faithfully for all of my 41 years. They’ve taken countless families under their wings and nurtured so many children besides their own biological children. I have 14 siblings. We were raised in the Englewood neighborhood on Chicago’s South side. For those who don’t know, Englewood at the time was a gang and drug invested food desert. We were planted there and by the grace of God and under the guidance and protection of our parents, we grew and thrived. I finished High school at JFK High and went on to attend Northwestern University and I became a teacher. I was in the rat race, wanting to make money and change the world doing a thankless job that I loved. Teaching has always been my dream job. However, I knew that I had so many creative gifts within,that honestly, I was afraid to explore. In some cases and spaces, I was discouraged to explore my desire to act, model, dance, and sing professionally. However, in 2017 I joined the Christian Arts camp, Actors, Models, and Talent for Christ (AMTC). This was my first exposure to Christian artists who hoped to perform and use their gifts for God’s glory. After attending the arts camp, I was empassioned to cultivate the gifts within and take risks to add my voice to the crowd of creatives in order to share the Good news of the Gospel and bring light, hope, and love to the world. Seven years later, here I am: independent author of five books, podcaster, lifestyle model, recording artist & psalmist, speaker, interpreter, and servant.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

This road has been challenging, but I’ve persevered with the help of God, the foundation of my faith, and because I’m resilient. I believe that although everything in my life isn’t good, God will cause it to work out toward good for me. I always win or I learn. I never lose. Sometimes what seems like a loss is actually a gain; it simply takes time and perspective to realize it. As I’ve decided to believe in myself, take risks and pursue my heart’s passions one of my greatest challenges has been to have faith. Faith is something that we can’t see; it’s invisible, but faith becomes visible by one’s actions. If you believe in something, an action will soon follow. I’ve been challenged to believe that I could do what I’d never done before. I’ve had to believe that I could do something that I’ve seen noone in my family do. I’ve had to believe that I could do by faith what even the circumstances around me said couldn’t be done. Instead of waiting to be discovered by someone famous, I built my own table. I continue to show up for myself each day, whether I feel like it or not. It’s because I have faith. I’m not famous yet. I’m not making the kind of money I will be making, but I believe. And one day soon, a huge door will open for me and I’ll live what I’ve been dreaming for years. As Zig Ziglar says, “Success occurs when opportunity meets preparation.” It’s only a matter of time so I continue to prepare.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?

I am a bilingual author, educator, minister, psalmist, interpreter, and speaker. I have a mission to create transformation in the lives of women and girls so they know who they are and walk in their true identity to cause a positive impact in the world. I am known for my book series for women and girls entitled, “Finding the Love You Deserve.” I’m most proud of my resilience as a survivor of domestic abuse, narcissistic relationships, and divorce. I’m proud that I maintained my faith after fighting through life’s storms and rediscovering myself. What sets me apart from others is my unique gifting to speak and live from a place of experience and healing. I’ve lived what I write about and that transfers to empower women and girls in my workshops and masterclasses. I believe in the power of spiritual disciplines and research based strategies to heal hearts and souls.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?

I indeed am a risk-taker. Evolving into the woman you wish to be is taking a risk. It’s risky business because you must be willing to say goodbye to the woman you were and even to the woman you are. In order to welcome the newest and best version of yourself, you must let go of somethings: ways of thinking, being, and believing. You must say goodbye to old dreams in order to embrace new ones. You must embrace new mindsets, habits, spaces, and circles. You must say goodbye to the things, people, habits, patterns, and beliefs that no longer serve you and where you’re going. It’s scary. It’s uncomfortable. But it’s worth it. Not only is it scary for you, but it’s scary for others. When I started to pursue my new passions, I was nervous and afraid because I was in new territory. And I had no mold for this new thing I was doing. My friends and family, who were used to an old version of me got nervous because I was doing all these new and different things. I even lost some friends who said I’d changed. Well, I did change–don’t we all? I learned a valuable lesson about allowing myself and others to evolve. It’s important to give yourself and others grace and space to grow and change. That’s what life’s all about.

Pricing:

• Finding the Love You Deserve: 30 Lessons in Self-Love and Acceptance $15.99
• Finding the Love You Deserve: 30 Lessons in Self-Love and Acceptance teen edition: $15.99
• Finding the Love You Deserve: 30 Lessons in Self-Love and Acceptance Teen Edition Workbook $19.99
• Finding the Love You Deserve: A 60-Day Healing Journal for Women of Faith $9.99
• Encontar el Amor que Mereces: Un Diario de Sanacion Para Las Mujeres de Fe $9.99

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.essiefaye.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/esther.tate.39

Image Credits
Janessa Tyler at Lionnessa Lens