Episode 36: Kristie Anyabwile

 

From miscarriage to mentorship: Kristie shares how losing her first child in miscarriage led her and her husband to the foot of the cross. Kristie's work in church ministry, alongside her husband, Thabiti, has equipped her with life experience and biblical knowledge that has her passionate about the Bible and passionate about mentoring. She is particularly encouraged when women mentor other women in a way that leads them to a deeper relationship with God and a better understanding of His word. This passion has also led her to publish a devotional on Psalm 119 written solely by women of colour. Listen here as Kristie shares her journey.

 

EPISODE NOTES:

Kristie Anyabwile remembers saying evening prayers every night by her bedside with her grandma. Her grandma was her first Christian influence, but it was only years later, as a newly-married woman suffering the trauma of a recent miscarriage, that Kristie came to truly understand who Jesus was. From the time she and her husband were first rocked by the gospel message they heard on television until this day, Kristie continues to live in the light of that same gospel. Three kids and a few moves later, Kristie’s ministry in the Lord revolves around her family; Anacostia River Church in southeast Washington where she disciples and teaches women in her church, and joyfully supports her husband of 28 years, Thabiti, as he pastors the church; and the work of the Charles Simeon Trust – an organisation that seeks to equip lay folk with Bible reading and teaching skills.  Close to her heart is the practice of women mentoring other women. In this interview, Kristie speaks about what that can look like.

Kristie also shares about the recently released devotional she was privileged to see through from conception to reality.  “His Testimonies, My Heritage: Women of Color on the Word of God is a collection of devotions by a diverse group of women of colour—African-Americans, Hispanic, Caribbean, and Asian women. Contributors include Kristie Anyabwile, Jackie Hill-Perry, Trillia Newbell, Elicia Horton, Christina Edmondson, Blair Linne, and more. It is a faithful exposition of Psalm 119 and incorporates each contributor’s cultural expression both within the teaching and as they bring the word of God to bear on their lives. Readers will be thrilled and encouraged by hearing God speak through his word as it is expounded by these faithful women teachers, and they will long for more.”*

ENDORSEMENTS:

His Testimonies, My Heritage: Women of Color on the Word of God

“A rich collection of wise, talented voices. My soul has been refreshed by this timely reminder of God’s kind and gracious provision for his people through his word. It’s been a while since I’ve read a book that so emphasized the sufficiency and relevancy of Scripture for today’s problems. – KATE MOTAUNG, Author, A Place to Land: A Story of Longing and Belonging; Co-Author, Influence

“His Testimonies My Heritage is an edifying book. What the essayists in this collection have in common are two things: they are all women of color, and they all write out of deep and moving experience of joyfully coming under the authority of holy Scripture.” – D.A. CARSON, President, The Gospel Coalition

“This book is like entering a type of class reunion, where the various shades of skin are beautifully enveloped in the exact same grace blanket. I feel comfortable and in very good company. Our Father doesn’t ignore our context or race-linked struggles when speaking to us about his testimonies, and he soothes us through each other. I invite you to join my sisters and be encouraged and uplifted by looking at his eternal truth through these eyes.” – AIXA DE LOPEZ, Author; Speaker; Board Member, Christian Alliance for Orphans

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• The Revenge of Conscience, by J. Budziszewski
• Anacostia River Church in Washington DC
• Charles Simeon Trust 
• His Testimonies, My Heritage: Women of Color on the Word of God, edited by Kristie Anyabwile

SHOW SNIPPETS:

"I guess part of it is just hoping that we would open our eyes a little bit more in our local context and see who God has placed right in front of us, and that we would take the steps and the initiative to learn from one another."

"I didn’t notice that there is so much that I learn from older women in my life by them just talking to me and telling me about their life."

"She was the kind of person who, just in normal conversation, was pouring out wisdom that she did not even recognise."

"All of us, in the body of Christ, can only (but) benefit when we learn from someone outside of our own culture."

 

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