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Using Her Gift of Discipleship to Mentor Women
By Pamela Dykes
"My calling is definitely discipleship, sharing God’s love and guiding women through the steps that will show them how to find freedom in Christ," says Tammy Powell, widowed mother of two. "I have a heart for the lost, and for those who don’t know how to seek him, and I also want to grow with other women," she said. If you spend any time with Tammy Powell you can see the light of the Lord shining brightly through her. She is a woman who is filled with joy, she exemplifies a type of peace that surpasses all understanding, and she has a special kind of confidence that could only come from the Lord Jesus Christ! When I mentioned this to Tammy she laughed humbly, and admitted that the road to this point has been a long and painful journey. "I have learned to give it all to God and cast my cares upon the Lord daily. I am actually still a work in progress," she said.
Like many of us, Tammy grew up in a Christian home, made a profession of her faith at 7 years old, and she was baptized but, "I never really grew spiritually nor did I really develop a true relationship with Christ," she replied. "I just struggled to live according to the world’s expectations because I didn’t really know God. Basically, I was doing everything in my own in my own strength and it worked for a while but it all began to crumble while I was in Dental school. While I was in this highly competitive environment I always felt pressured to be perfect, and I often found myself in demeaning situations, which was devastating for me because I did not have Christ in my life. My source of strength during this time in my life was my father. I completely depended on him for support and guidance. During my second year of dental school however, my father, whom I loved dearly, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and he died two years later. Our family was devastated by his death financially and emotionally, leaving me feeling angry and bitter. Although I couldn’t see it at the time, what I know now is that even in the midst of this storm, God was faithful," Tammy replied.
"For example, it was my father’s dying wish that I complete dental school and God provided a way for that to come to fruition. I received financial aid, got a job, and eventually I graduated from school, specializing in pediatric dentistry. Another example of his goodness was when David my future husband asked me to marry him. What I cherished most about this experience was that God allowed my father to live long enough to meet David, and not only did they meet each other, but David got the opportunity to ask my father for my hand in marriage. We got married in June a couple of months after my father’s death. Finally, another of the ways that God showed me that he was there was when my son Austin was born. Austin was born on the same date that my father died. God is so awesome! He turned mourning into joy by giving me something to rejoice about on a date that would have otherwise been a time of sadness. God has had His hand on me the whole time."
"My discipleship journey began in 1992 when I went to my first precept Bible study. I did not know that this Bible study was going to be the beginning of major transformation in my life. After my dad died I was angry, bitter, and my heart was very hard, but God used this Bible study to thaw out my heart. I began to study God’s word and I suddenly realized how much I needed God and I also realized how much I needed His word. When I studied the Bible, God showed me who He was; He showed me His character and His grace. As I searched His word I began to ask Him some really tough questions. While reading the Bible one day, the Lord gave me a word and it was James 1:19-21, "So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save our souls." I had a Damascus road experience; reading this scripture was life changing because it addressed everything I was going through at the time. I realized my own sin and how I needed to be saved. I also realized that my anger had caused me to sin. It all just started clicking for me. I realized that the Word was not in me and I begged God to show me Himself, to let me know what it meant to know Him, because I couldn’t do it all by myself. Right then and there I totally surrendered and I stopped trying to do things in my own strength!"
"During this time some really great things happened to us. My husband and I both dedicated our lives to the Lord and we were both baptized. Taking this monumental step had a huge impact on our lives. We had covenant marriage, we prayed together and we also studied God’s word together. In addition to developing spiritually, we were also thriving in many other ways. We had our own practice in Knoxville, Tennessee, we belonged to a wonderful Church, and we both had mentors who were discipling us. My mentor was a woman who had a lot in common with me. She was a pharmacist and she was a mother of four children. This woman really taught me what it meant to be a disciple of Christ. God continued to prepare me for what was ahead. While I was living in Knoxville I was involved in a mother’s ministry called Parents Encouraging Parents (PEP). I was really growing spiritually and then suddenly I was diagnosed with cancer (Stage 1 Renal Cell Carcinoma), a disease that can be very devastating. The doctors were able to remove the tumor in January and while I was recovering I was asked to lead a discipleship ministry although I was a little afraid that God had called me to this ministry. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the time for this to come to fruition. In June, exactly six months after my surgery David, my husband was diagnosed with colon cancer. God showed up in this situation as well, because He allowed us to sell our practice and our home quickly (within four months), and we moved back to Memphis."
Once again God was faithful. He really provided for my whole family during this season. Our children were attending Central Day School and someone from Central Church was always there. People prayed with us and for us continually and they also provided us with support, companionship and food. Many wonderful people from the church cooked meals for us several times a week. As God transformed me, I also saw something amazing in David during this time. Although he was very ill, David witnessed to people throughout the whole time of his illness. His faith was unwavering. He would tell people, ‘I know God has healed me, whether He leaves me here on earth or takes me home to heaven.’"
Well God did heal David by taking him home heaven. He lost his battle with cancer in 2003, but Tammy said that although it was very painful she can see His grace in it all and she knows that He is still working in her life.
"God has really changed me over time," said Tammy. "When my dad died, my life was all about me, and when my husband died, I was more concerned about others. God continues to build my faith and trust in him said Tammy. I have learned through my trials, that without God I am the victim and with God I am the victor! I have now learned to put all of my battles at the foot of the cross and rest knowing that whatever may come whether it is good or bad, God knows what is best for me!"
Right now, Tammy has put her dental career on hold to answer Gods call to discipleship. She is putting life’s lessons to use in ministry mentoring and teaching women what it means to be a follower of Christ. Tammy is a Bible study teacher and she is the co-coordinator of the women’s mentoring ministry. In addition to this Tammy acknowledges that the most important disciples in her life right now are her children, Christian 12, and Austin 10. "I felt that it was important for me to spend as much time as possible with my children to help them learn and grow spiritually so that they will come to develop a relationship with Christ themselves. Actually, it is truly my hope and prayer that everyone would come to know the Lord in an intimate way and that they know that this relationship is all about reading His Word and knowing that with the help of the Holy Spirit, God will meet you in prayer."
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