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Dr. Teresa Hairston: The Power of God-Given Vision!

"We've made it over!", "New Beginnings!", and "This Is My Year!" are all declarations that resonate amidst the hearts of believers and non-believers alike as the dawning of a New Year arrives. As some of the most exhilarating celebrations around the world grace headlines, we have witnessed many as they proclaimed with open arms "out with the old and in with the new". But wait, what happened to the vision from last year? Where did the expectations from 2008 go? Did your vision come to past? Did you do all that was necessary to connect the dots and take what God gave you to the next level? If so, welcome to 2009, you're on the right track. If not, we want to help you get there!Read more inside!

Dr. Teresa HairstonDr. Teresa Hairston: The Power of God-Given Vision!


www.GospelToday.com


Written by Nichelle Early, Executive Editor

 

"We've made it over!", "New Beginnings!", and "This Is My Year!" are all declarations that resonate amidst the hearts of believers and non-believers alike as the dawning of a New Year arrives. As some of the most exhilarating celebrations around the world grace headlines, we have witnessed many as they proclaimed with open arms "out with the old and in with the new". But wait, what happened to the vision from last year? Where did the expectations from 2008 go? Did your vision come to past? Did you do all that was necessary to connect the dots and take what God gave you to the next level? If so, welcome to 2009, you're on the right track. If not, we want to help you get there!

 


PreachingWoman.com was favored with an exclusive opportunity to talk one-on-one with one of the most precious gems of the Gospel, Dr. Teresa Hairston. Hailed by many as an "Urban Gospel Legend," she graciously accepted our invitation to be celebrated as our featured "Preaching Woman of the New Year." She shared with us the power of God-given vision!


 


Many of you may know her as the remarkable founder and publisher of Gospel Today Magazine or as the congenial host of the Gospel Today TV Show (which airs weekly on the Word TV network via DirecTV); or maybe you've heard her weekly "Gospel Today Update" show on the ABC Radio Network or The Light Radio network. In spite of her phenomenal media accomplishments, what you may not know is that these outstanding gospel accolades have not only provided Dr. Hairston with a voice in the industry, but have also served catalytically as a means of personal preparation to unveil her "preaching ministry" to the world---making her an distinctive voice in the Kingdom. Therefore, we would like to share with you the 'ministry side' of Dr. Teresa Hairston.


 


As a minister of the Gospel, God has favored Dr. Hairston with opportunities to minister across the  nation to impact lives for His glory.  Dr. Hairston has ministered at the "Woman, Thou Art Loosed! Women's conference" (Bishop T. D. Jakes), The National Convention of Choirs and Choruses and many other settings. Brimming with optimism and enthusiasm and a sincere heart toward ministering the Gospel to the least of these, Dr. Hairston is on an incisive mission to win lost souls to Christ in accordance with The Great Commission found in Matthew 28:19: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (KJV)".


 


 Dr. Hairston strongly believes that "ministry is threefold: Reaching people where they are; helping people get to where God wants them to be and service to others." In addition, Dr. Hairston is a woman with exceptional vision that believes, "My goal in life is to use everything that I've been through, everything that I am, and everything that I endeavor to do, to glorify God and build His Kingdom. 


 


PreachingWoman.com asked Dr. Hairston to share with us three principles that she would offer to women who feel they have a dream and aspirations but do not know what to do next.  Dr Hairston offered these three unique principles to encourage women to pursue their dreams:


 


1.)   WRITE- Habakkuk 2:2 says, 'And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.' In other words, what you want to do or become is already done in the spirit, that's what you see in your vision. It is up to you to snatch what you see out of the spirit and download it into the natural. Writing helps clarify and quantify what it takes to do what God has given to you in your vision".


2.)   WAIT - Habakkuk 2:3 says, 'For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.' One of the most important things you can do after writing your vision is to wait on God.  Though the vision tarries, it will not lie. Waiting is a good thing.  The waiting period establishes your trust in God. Just continue to work while you are waiting".


3.)   WALK - 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, 'For we walk by faith, not by sight:' God wants us to trust him as if we are walking around with a blind fold.  He wants to lead us!  We must understand as women of faith, God is on our side, He has our back! Dr. Hairston stated positively.


Additionally, concerning the 'power of God-given vision', Dr. Hairston said, "I believe that God is constantly processing us into our destiny.  We must follow His Word, way, and timing. It is imperative that we be in a place where we don't look outside the Body of Christ and covet what the unsaved has. The Bible says 'Be anxious for nothing.'  We have Heaven's best: peace, joy, and love. When we walk in Harmony with what God has for us, we enjoy His benefits...Once we walk in purpose, all things will work together."


Without a doubt, Dr. Hairston has shown ideal stewardship over the visions that God has given her.  It appears that everything she touches prospers as she moves forward in claiming territory for the Kingdom of God. 


PreachingWoman.com asked her how she manages to balance her career and ministry with such coherence along with a spirit of excellence. Dr. Hairston offered these words:


"God has given me an extraordinary gift of faith. And along with that faith, I've learned the importance of being humble and obedient.  When you accomplish that, there is no door that can be shut in your face. And when times get tough, you have to learn to grab hold to another level of faith, and when you do, it can propel you to another dimension you've never experienced before." In addition, she says that her personal motto is: "When God gives you a vision, He'll make the provision!" Dr. Hairston bases this motto upon Romans 8:28: "And we know that all things work together for good, to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."


PreachingWoman.com asked Dr. Hairston how that scripture applied to her personal life and accomplishments and here's what she explained:


 "I've been through so much; and often times when we go through things we ask, "why?" But, if you don't understand that God has a plan for your life, you will second guess yourself and everything that God has said about you. God allows us to mess up in order for us to understand his grace and kindness.  Everything is a part of the plan and God doesn't waste anything!"


One of the special trademarks widely known about Dr. Hairston is her fervent willingness to be a blessing and a help to others.  She has given liberally of her time and resources to ensure that people, especially women, are provided a platform to share the love and Gospel of Jesus Christ. 


PreachingWoman.com asked Dr. Hairston the importance of women assisting each other in opening doors of opportunity for ministry and she advised the following:


"It is critical that we understand that it's a community of faith that moves God.  In John 17, Jesus prayed that we might be one.  We must be intentional about becoming united and connected. Where there's unity, there's strength.  When a community is void of unity it represents weakness. Therefore, collaboration and moving together is important among women, especially in ministry. I'm always considering who I can help.  We as a body should constantly be looking for people to help."


Dr. Hairston's career story is one that will be forever modeled as a model of grabbing hold of God-given vision. In 1989, as a divorced mother of three small children, she scraped together $300 to invest in her "vision" of becoming a publisher.  Needless to say, that seed of faith has impacted many generations and those to come for the glory of God.


PreachingWoman.com asked Dr. Hairston what it is that she would like for people to know about her personally, and she kindly submitted this response:


"As a person who has evolved: I'm a mother, grandmother, sister, and daughter; I'm still evolving. And, if there's anything that is the truth about me, it is that I don't' think I have it all together, but God has given me a voice. And, anytime you have a voice you have to use it carefully.  It is through my career that God has prepared me to preach the Gospel.  I don't take His trust for granted at all. The Gospel is a new area where God is entrusting me and I don't want to let Him down."


In closing, we asked Dr. Hairston what encouragement she would like to offer women as we move into this New Year and she gently said, "Remember, God will take small resources and cause great returns in the Kingdom, that's the power of God-given vision!"