Category Archives: Writing

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It’s First Lady Friday Featuring…Kendra Norman Holmes, First Lady of Deliverance Revival Church in Warner Robins, Georgia!

Hello World,

Editor’s Note: I temporarily paused this feature while promoting my debut novel Destination Wedding, but as of this month, First Lady Friday is back!!! Read. Enjoy..Share…

During Women’s History Month 2019, I’ve launched a new interview series featuring First Ladies! In thinking about my mother who was the First Lady of Central Christian Church in Atlanta, Georgia for 38 years before my father retired in 2017 and after reading Kimberla Lawson Roby’s final Rev. Curtis Black book “Better Late Than Never” which explored Charlotte’s desire to not be a typical First Lady, it dawned on me that I should feature First Ladies, which are revered positions particularly in the black church. Everyone is always talking about what the pastor of this church and that church is doing, but First Ladies are equally as important as the pastors to whom they are married! So once per month, on a Friday of course, I am featuring a First Lady. So if you know of a First Lady who should be featured, please e-mail me at jacqueline@afterthealtarcall.com because I’m looking for notable First Ladies to feature!

So with that being said, let me present to some and introduce to others the First Lady of Deliverance Revival Church, Kendra Norman Holmes…

Below is her biography followed by my interview with her. Again, read, enjoy and share!

While born in the thriving metropolis of West Palm Beach, Florida, national bestselling author, Kendra Norman Holmes (previously writing as Kendra Norman-Bellamy, now writing as Kendra Norman) spent most of her formative years in the southern rural town of Dixie, Georgia; a city so small that it can’t be found on most maps. She was raised the daughter of Bishop Harold Norman Sr. and the late Mother B. Francine Norman, two preachers who raised all five of their children in a staunch Christian home where biblical principle was both taught and lived. Kendra received her call into the ministry more than 25 years ago and currently serves as Pastor of Deliverance Revival Church in Warner Robins, Georgia alongside her husband, Dr. Michael Holmes.

An alumnus of Valdosta Technical College (now Wiregrass Technical College), Kendra also received her Doctor of Divinity degree from St. Thomas Christian University and is currently enrolled at Light University where she is pursuing credentials as a Certified Relationship Coach. She currently serves in the capacities of news writer, editor, reporter, and columnist for Houston Home Journal newspaper in Central Georgia. The Holmes have two adult daughters (Brittney and Crystal), one adult son (Dominique), and six amazing grandchildren (Travis III, Jordan, Kennedi, Kyndal, Melody, and Harmony). Like her mother, their firstborn, Brittney Holmes Jackson is also a national bestselling author.

1. How do you feel about the term “First Lady” and is Deliverance Revival Church the first church where you have served as First Lady?

Being that I grew up in the church, the term is one I’ve heard my entire life. My former husband, who went to be with the Lord several years ago, was also a pastor, so I held the position of first lady for several years until his passing in the mid-90s. Although technically, I currently hold the position of “Lady Holmes” at Deliverance Revival Church, very few people reference me in that manner. My husband and I jointly serve as lead pastors of the church, and not only are we both ordained ministers, but we’ve also both been jointly named as successors to the founder and Bishop of our organization. Because of that, we are both referred to by the ecclesiastical titles of either Bishop-Elect or Elder.

2. What is the “job description” of a First Lady? Has being a “Preacher’s Kid” helped you to step into your role as a First Lady?

I’ve actually never seen a “job description,” for the position. The term doesn’t even appear in scripture, so we don’t even have a biblical example to go by. Truth be told, the only requirement to being a first lady is that you’re the wife of the pastor. One would hope that the woman in that position would be a “worker in the vineyard” and take a leadership role in spearheading programs that build the kingdom of God; especially programs that are geared toward women. However, that’s not an obligation to hold the title. In some churches, the pastor’s wife doesn’t take on an active lead role at all. That definitely hasn’t been my testimony though! When I served in the capacity in the 90s, I was very hands-on in the church; mentoring, teaching and organizing. Today, as both “Lady Kendra Holmes” and “Elder Kendra Holmes,” I do all that and more.

Being a “preacher’s kid” didn’t necessarily prepare me for the role but being a “pastor’s kid” most definitely did. Being that my dad was also the pastor of our family church, my mother was the first lady. I was being raised by a first lady. I lived with a first lady. And in my opinion, she was the perfect model of who and what a pastor’s wife should be, so yes; I believe my parents played a huge part in grooming me for the role.

3. What is the best part and what is the worst part about being a First Lady? (Has any of that changed during the COVID-19 pandemic? Has the church been meeting online? If so, when do you plan to return to regular services?)

The best part about my role is being married to my husband. I can’t think of anyone on earth that I’d rather be taking this kingdom walk alongside. Michael and I function together excellently in ministry, and I’m grateful for that. Speaking for myself only, there is no worst part. Pastors’ wives are typically held to a high standard, and when you’re a pastor as well as a first lady like I am, the standard you’re held to is even higher. That’s a sore spot for many women in my position, but I have no qualms with it. No human being can hold me to a higher standard than I hold myself. That pretty much goes for every walk of my life: wife, mom, pastor, first lady, writer, journalist … the whole nine. Colossians 3:23 tells us that in everything we do; we should do it like we’re doing it for the Lord. I strive every day to walk in excellence both inside the walls of the church and outside, because I believe as people of God, that’s the way it should be.

COVID-19 has changed a lot of things about the way we live in general. Using wisdom, Deliverance Revival has heeded to the state mandates and guidelines for helping to stop the spread of this deadly disease. We began doing ministry virtually at the onset of the shelter-in-place ordinance passed from our state governor, and the online services have been a tremendous blessing. When churches were given clearance to convene again, we decided began having services in the sanctuary on first Sundays only. We did that for May and will do it for June as well. Our plan is to resume our regular schedule in the month of July if conditions allow it.

4. What are some misconceptions that people have about being a First Lady?

Sadly, some first ladies have left bad tastes in the mouths of congregants. The attitudes of some pastors’ wives have given people the misguided preconception that first ladies are unfriendly, unapproachable, or even insanely jealous and/or petty. That’s not the case with all first ladies—not by a longshot. I dare say that it’s not even the case with the majority of us. But unfortunately, when it comes to church, people are very quick to judge all people in a certain position by what they only know about one person in that position. Those of us who are genuinely walking according to the will of God just have to outlive the lies.

5. You are known as a novelist with several books under your belt, what made you want to explore journalism as a budding reporter at Houston Home Journal? So far, what do you prefer – writing as a novelist or as a journalist?

The journalist position at Houston Home Journal wasn’t something that I searched out, per se. I’d prayed and asked God for employment in corporate American that more closely matched my divine purpose, which is my ministry of writing. The open position at HHJ literally just popped up in my timeline on my computer. I applied on a Thursday, received a call on that Friday, was scheduled for an interview that Monday, and got hired the same day. I don’t know where this divine assignment will ultimately take me, but this was certainly a step ordered by God. News journalism and creative writing are vastly different ways of composing stories. I enjoy both, but creative writing will always be my first love. I’m working for a highly respected company with some very friendly people, so I feel very blessed to be getting this awesome experience as a news journalist.

6. Additionally, I see that you and your husband, Pastor Michael Holmes are now relationship columnists for Houston Home Journal. How did that happen, and what do you hope to communicate to readers of your column?

The seed was planted shortly after the shelter-in-place ordinance was announced by Governor Brian Kemp. News stories began to break about how divorce filings had skyrocketed because couples couldn’t stand being at home all day together. It was an extremely sad commentary. My husband and I have a coaching business called Royalty Relationship Coaching. In an effort to help couples in our area, we launched a special wherein we offered free one-hour virtual coaching sessions to married couples in crisis. My manager asked me to write a feature column in the paper that announced the service we were offering. That column got nice responses from readers, and a conversation sparked between my manager and myself that lead to the opportunity to become a regular columnist for the paper. I talked it over with my husband, and he agreed to join me. Our column is biblically based and relationship driven. Each week, we pray that what

God inspires us to write will plant a seed that results in the strengthening of bonds shared by husbands and wives. We want to communicate God’s will for relationships—specifically for marriages—through our weekly W.A.R. Room Chronicles.

7. I see that you have The Writer’s Cocoon coming up next month. Can you tell me more about this workshop?

The Writer’s Cocoon is a prose clinic that God birthed through me in 2005. The name of the seminar was inspired by Dama Riles, a minister who was the first person to ever call upon me to teach a writing workshop to a group of aspiring creatives. Dama’s ministry was called “God’s Butterflies.” Because butterflies resulted only after being in a cocoon, The Writer’s Cocoon was the name the Lord dropped in my spirit. At that time, it was only intended to be a one-time training, but God had other plans. I’ve facilitated countless workshops since that time wherein I walk aspiring writers through the entire process of getting their book written, published, and marketed. I’ve been favored to be the God-ordained “midwife” for many men and women who went on to become not only published authors, but successful, bestselling authors of both fiction and nonfiction books. While the seminar isn’t limited to those who wish to write faith-based material, because of who I am and what I do, my classes seem to appeal most to those with that intent.

The Writer’s Cocoon is normally a one-day, four-hour workshop held in a classroom setting. Due to COVID-19, I’m offering it virtually, via Zoom, for the first time ever, and it will be broken up into four Saturdays wherein each session will be one-hour in length. I’m excited about the upcoming June class. I’m exited to see where God will take the registrants as they fulfill their purpose.

Again, if you know of a First Lady who should be featured, please e-mail me at jacqueline@afterthealtarcall.com because I’m looking for notable First Ladies to feature! And if you would like to have conversations about faith, relationship, pop culture and more, please click on this link to subscribe to my blog 🙂!

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Jacqueline J. Holness (ME) has been featured on TWO Podcasts – Real Love Real Stories & SORMAG’s Writer’s Café!

Hello World,

I’m proud to announce that two podcast hosts, Kanu Jacobsen and LaShaunda Hoffman, saw fit to feature me on their podcasts!!! Take a listen and let me know what you think!!!

On Real Love Real Stories, a wonderful podcast hosted by Kanu Jacobsen, I was able to share my self-love story that led to my romantic love story ( a seven-year process)! Disclaimer: I’m spilling tea on myself!!!

A 7 year journey of self love led her to marrying THE ONE!

Hosted by LaShaunda Hoffman, a book promotion expert, on SORMAG’s Writer’s Café, I, as well as other authors Kristy Jackson, Valerie J. Lewis Coleman and Jessica Matthews, share about the writing life and how we are coping during this Coronavirus Crisis. Also, I read an excerpt of my debut novel Destination Wedding. Disclaimer: Some of my characters are saved and sanctified, but some aren’t…

Any thoughts?

Listen to “SORMAG’s Writer’s.Cafe – Seasons 5 – Episode 1” on Spreaker.

Again, take a listen and let me know what you think!

Any thoughts?

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Fiction Dynamo Kimberla Lawson Roby Releases Revealing First Nonfiction Book ‘The Woman God Created You to Be’ (INTERVIEW)

Hello World,

With the emergence of COVID-19, Women’s History Month has gotten lost in the shuffle of navigating this pandemic. But nevertheless, I wanted to end Women History’s Month on a positive note. Kimberla Lawson Roby is making history in her writing career as she penned her first nonfiction title The Woman God Created You to Be: Finding Success Through Faith — Spiritually, Personally, and Professionally after penning 27 fiction titles! She has sold nearly 3 Million copies of her books, and they have frequented numerous bestseller lists, including The New York Times, USA Today, The Washington Post, Publishers Weekly, Essence, Upscale, Black Christian News, AALBC.com, Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com, Wal-Mart, The Dallas Morning News, The Austin Chronicle and many others.

Below is the synopsis for The Woman God Created You to Be followed by my interview.

ARE YOU THE REAL WOMAN GOD CREATED YOU TO BE? HAVE YOU WANTED TO BECOME HER—SPIRITUALLY, PERSONALLY, and PROFESSIONALLY?

Kimberla Lawson Roby admits that for years, she wasn’t being the real woman God created her to be. Yes, she has always loved God and tried her best to honor Him, but what she eventually discovered was that building and maintaining her own personal relationship with God—and making Him her top priority—was the key to finding joy in all areas of her life.

Now, in The Woman God Created You to Be, Kimberla has bravely—and transparently—written about her flaws, fears, and failures, as well as her faith, courage, and successes. From experiencing divorce to marrying her soulmate of twenty-nine years…from hopelessly searching for the perfect job to becoming a New York Times bestselling author…from suffering in silence with anxiety to concentrating on self-care…from struggling with the loss of her mom to finding strength, comfort, peace. and understanding—Kimberla takes you on a journey that will help you do the following:

● Become the Best Spiritual You (Seven Days Per Week)

● Become the Best Personal You (Mentally, Emotionally, and Physically)

● Become the Best Professional You (Without Jeopardizing Your Faith)

Kimberla reminds us that when we trust and depend on God—heart, mind, and soul—He will empower us to do more than we ever thought imaginable. He will help us see that we are more than enough, and that He has already given us everything we need to become the women He created us to be—spiritually, personally, professionally…and beyond.

1. In your latest title “The Woman God Created You to Be,” your first nonfiction title, you reveal so much. You reveal that you wrote your last seven fictional stories “in misery,”  that you didn’t meet your biological father until you were an adult, that you were touched inappropriately as a child, that you’ve been married before and more. Why reveal all of this now after cultivating a career in writing in which you have kept your personal life to yourself?
 
That is a very, very good question, even one that I sort of had for myself, and the only answer that I have is what the truth is: This is not necessarily the book that I wanted to write. But it is a book that God laid on my heart, and one that just wouldn’t go away. First of all, the idea of just writing a nonfiction book, and also the idea of writing a book in which I am so transparent. But as I continued to pray about it and move forward with it, I decided, ‘Okay, yes, Lord, I hear you, and I am going to write this book.’ Especially if it is going to help women. I also had to come to the understanding that the only way I was going to do that was to share my own experiences whether they were the successes and the accomplishments that God has allowed me to have, as well as the fears, the flaws, and the failures.
 
2. You said you wrote your Rev. Curtis Black Series so that readers would pay close attention to who their church leaders are. Do you feel you accomplished this goal?
 
I do. From when the very first title in the series ‘Casting the First Stone’ was released in January 2000, I’ve heard many, many stories from readers in cities and states throughout the country. So many people have said to me, ‘It made me take a look at my pastor. It made me take a look at my church leader.’ I heard them say that it wasn’t something they’d thought to do, and that it really made a difference in their lives, so that was my whole point. I also mentioned in the book that I love God too much to have written that particular series to criticize or ridicule the church or pastors. I would never do that, and my hope was that people would come to realize that it’s not about worshiping another human being who is standing in the pulpit, but it is absolutely about making sure your own personal relationship with God is intact.
No one is perfect, but what do you feel that people should look for in a church leader, particularly for those who are sour on church as you mentioned in your Church People chapter?
 
I think people should certainly look for a leader who is following God and then also one who has great integrity. I speak very highly of my own pastor because those were two of the things that Will [her husband] and I looked for when we began looking for a different church several years ago. And that makes all the difference – looking for a pastor who not only does what he says he is going to do but that you can see that he is doing it. And you can feel that he cares, not just about himself but that he cares about people in general.
 
3. In your chapter The Comparison Game and Pretending to Be Someone You’re Not, you write about writers who have often said they want to be like you with a wonderfully successful writing career without realizing that if that were true, they would have to be like all of you – which includes still grieving the loss of your mother after she passed away 18 years ago and having anxiety attacks. Why do you feel that this is an important message for writers?
 
I think that it’s a very important message because especially in this day of social media, so many times, people are scrolling through timelines and they’re looking at the next person, thinking, ‘Wow, I wish I could trade places with them,’ or ‘Wow, there’s no sense in me following through with the purpose that I know God has given me because someone else is already doing it.’ That’s what I believe really gets us in trouble. The best advice I could give to anyone, and this is across the board, is to just be who God created you to be. Focus on what your own passions are. Pray and ask God to show you what your purpose is so that you can begin walking in it. One of my lines that I like to say is, and it’s not brand new, but I really believe in staying in my own lane. I just suggest that everyone do that.
And for some writers, you are a New York Times bestselling author, but for some authors, their writing path may not include that kind of accolade. What do you say to that?
 
My thoughts have always been to focus on what God created you to do. Maybe He has brought you into this world to bless 20 people versus 20,000 or 20 million. But we have to be okay with that. We have to do what God has assigned to our lives.
 
4. In your chapter Friends, Friendly Enemies and the Mean Girl Syndrome, you wrote about some female authors who shunned you while male authors were kind to you. Why do you feel that women tend to be like that, and how did you eventually find female authors whom you could trust?
 
I really don’t have an answer for that. That’s something that I would love for someone to tell me and explain to me why that happens. Why do you come across some women who just can’t be happy for you if you’re doing just a little bit better than they believe they are? And with men, it’s something totally, totally different. I really don’t have an answer for that. I can only tell you my response to it, and that was to totally walk away from everybody at that time. And then as time went on, I eventually met new authors, and I became a lot more careful. And then when months and years started to pass, and I saw they really had not changed, that they were genuine, and that they cared about me as much as I cared about them, I just discovered who those people were.
And from what I read, it looked like you had to find your own way in your writing career. Did you ever find a mentor, or did you just have to take things step-by-step in establishing your writing career?
 
I had to take things step-by-step. I, honestly, till this day, I really don’t have another author, other than the two authors who I mentioned in the book, who really stepped up and said, ‘This is what you should do next,’ ‘This is what you should be doing,’ or ‘Great job! Keep doing that!’ And those authors are E. Lynn Harris and Eric Jerome Dickey. Those were the two, at the very beginning, who I learned so much from during those first couple of years of my career.
 
5. In your chapter Everyone has a Soulmate –  Even if She Hasn’t Met Him Yet, which is a controversial title, you reveal that you believe that every woman has a soulmate. Why do you believe that?
 
I do. I believe it, I think, because of my experience with Will and being married before and ultimately meeting Will and just knowing, “Oh my gosh, this is a connection that I’ve never experienced in my life even throughout my years of dating.” Will and I came together, and I don’t want to say how because I don’t want to give so much away from the book. But I just believe that everyone has a soulmate. My controversial statement in that chapter is ‘even if you’re married to someone else’ that’s not your soulmate, you still have a soulmate out there.
And you also advise women to not just be looking for a doctor, attorney or corporate executive but also  to be on the lookout for the man who delivers your mail, works for the electric company or  works at a fast food restaurant. Do you feel that is an issue for women in their search for love?
 
Many times women are looking for not just necessarily their soulmate or the man who will treat them well or the man who will love them or be faithful to them, they’re looking for a certain type of lifestyle. I think that can really cause problems for women in the end.

There are many more questions that I could have asked of Kimberla regarding her book The Woman God Created You to Be: Finding Success Through Faith — Spiritually, Personally, and Professionally, but I don’t want to reveal it all. Hopefully, I’ve given you enough for you to want to pick up your own copy which you can HERE!

Kimberla’s books deal with very real issues, including women empowerment, sexual harassment, racial and gender discrimination in the workplace, problems within the church (and the consequences),  Christian/family/moral values, drug and gambling addiction, marriage, infidelity, single motherhood, breast cancer, infertility, sibling rivalry, domestic violence, childhood sexual abuse, mental illness, and the care-giving of a parent to name a few. In addition, Kimberla’s books offer a message of redemption, forgiveness, and the realities of everyday life.

Kimberla resides in Illinois with her husband, Will.

For more information about Kimberla, please visit her website: kimroby.com.

Any thoughts?