We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tonya Blessing. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tonya below.

Tonya, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about one of the craziest things you’ve experienced in your journey so far.

Prior to serving as a lead pastor in Columbus, Montana, my husband and I lived in Limpopo, South Africa. I was teaching a ladies’ Bible study in a rural area. Some of the women were being harassed by local witche doctors. One of the ladies even found a dead chicken with its head cut off in her yard. The chicken was a sign that a sangoma was placing a curse on her. I felt led by the Lord to teach about Luke 10. ” Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

A few days later, while reading in bed, I heard rustling in the bedroom. I assumed that it was the wind. My husband wasn’t ready for bed, so I turned off the light, nestled under the covers, and placed my right hand under the pillow. A few minutes later, I felt something bite my pinkie. I reached across my body and felt a snake. Using my left hand, I grabbed the serpant and through it across the room.

I headed to the kitchen in search of my husband. I politely asked him to suck the venom from my digit. He refused explaining that was only movie theatrics. Wrapping my bleeding finger in a cloth, I sat down on a kitchen chair, while my husband, Chris, went in search of the viper. In order for me to receive proper treatment, snake identification was needed.

Chris’ only weaponry was a BB gun. He shot the snake repeatedly in the head. The Mozambique Spitting Cobra even spat on him. A local neighbor, a professional hunter, was called upon for assistance.

In truth, I felt fine. The initial bite hadn’t hurt that much. The bleeding was slowing. There was no swelling or indication of poison.

Antivenom is supposed to be administered within 30 minutes. It took time to kill the snake. Plus, Chris and I lived in the bush. It took one hour to reach the ambulance and another hour to arrive at the hospital. The antivenom was administered, and I was required to spend the night in the hospital.

Doctors and nurses alike visited my hospital room each declaring in their unique way that I should be dead. I felt fine.

When I returned to the ladies’ study several days later, a snake was tacked to the church door. I promptly removed the snake and declared that God is faithful to keep His Word.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

As a teenager, I participated in a drama ministry that traveled throughout the Midwest. After highschool, I worked for a then well-known television evangelist. I have served as a children’s pastor, youth pastor, women’s ministry directory, associate pastor, retreat facility host, missionary, and now a lead pastor.

The Body of Christ is a beautiful picture of love, service, and diversity of giftedness. The church where I currently serve is small in size but mighty due to the presence of the Lord.

My husband and I are the founders/directors of Strong Cross Ministries South Africa. I travel a couple of times a year to South Africa, but the day-to-day operations are handled by a local team. I am proud of Chris and my vision of raising up local leaders who know tribal languages and culture. The team there is thriving and ministry is expanding. There is such joy in passing ministry to anointed and gifted young adults.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Every time new territory is taken spiritually, there are obstacles. I have traveled to closed countries working with the underground church in training pastors and leaders. Prior to one such trip, I was diagnosed with cancer. My life was not in immediate danger, so my husband and I made the decision to proceed with the trip. When I returned, additional testing revealed that I was cancer free.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Change is inevitable. My husband and I were in the U.S. when COVID hit. Unable to return to South Africa, Chris and I did the best we could to encourage our teammates across the ocean. In our absence, our ministry partners expanded the God’s work. When we were finally able to return to Africa, we knew that it was time to release leadership. We spent the next year or so investing in the ministry staff. They did the majority of the fieldwork and excelled. Sometimes people hold on too long to the familiar and miss new opportunities. Things in life should be held loosely.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.strongcrossministries.org www.tonyajewelblessing.com www.ColumbusAssemblyMT.org
• Facebook: Strong Cross Ministries Tonya Jewel Blessing Columbus Assembly of God