Just recently, accomplished Alabama-based minister/businesswoman Nia was asked to share in great detail her present endeavors.
And just like that, a life-enhancing, emotional testimony unfolded for all the right reasons.
“I am a planter in the kingdom vineyard,” Nia, 43, told Making Headline News during an exclusive interview.
A disabled United States Navy veteran and a retired Department of Labor Counselor, Nia is actively involved in a variety of kingdom-based endeavors, most notably an E-Magazine and a Radio Talk Show, both of which are powered by her forthcoming publication, “Untold Chronicles.” In addition, she has authored several books, as well as conducts regular seminars, and hosts a prayer line.
Having admittedly birthed these of endeavors out of what she describes as “the hurt, the shame, the disappointment, the ridicule, the defamation of character, the back stabbing, the neglect for my soul and the souls of others,” Nia doesn’t shy away from the notion that she’s steadfastly walking in the purpose for which God created her.
“This is now my purpose in life that initially was not seen through my natural eyes, but after an encounter with God, it was revealed to me that my testimony was to be someone else’s salvation,” Nia explained while referencing the familiar passage that is Romans 8:30. “But I first had to be tried, tested and fit for the Master’s use. To whom He calls, He qualifies.”
For what it’s worth and because of the immeasurable, God-orchestrated calling on her life, Nia can dauntlessly profess that she’s one who is surely qualified to function in the endeavors to which God has strategically assigned her.
“First, I love the interactions with meeting people in all walks of life and being able to tell them about my personal experiences and how I found Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. And, how after seeing Him through the eyes of others (leaders, mature Saints, and those that accepted Jesus in their lives before me), and finally realizing that I myself had not being taught or shown how to know — having an intimate relationship— Him for myself,” Nia said.
As for the spiritual and competitive drive that have greatly fueled her desire to diligently advance the kingdom for such a time as now, Nia appropriately alluded to what she deems her “bulldog tenacity,” the kind of passion that is synonymous to that of David.
“Though I was small like David in stature and size, I had to have a ferocious nature,” Nia said. Due to being what my family and society deemed as being not the norm, I had to figure out how to navigate through life on my own. My environment gave me no choice other than to be a natural fighter and, when I turned to the church, where I was supposed to have solace and refuge in order to not have to fight alone, it was quickly revealed that the difference between what I was accustomed to in the world and what I was now — being subjected to in the church — was the words, because the actions were exactly the same.”
A proud 1992 graduate of Jess Lanier High School in Bessemer, Alabama, Nia sold out completely to God when she dedicated her life to Christ in April 1994, during which she served in the United States Navy and was based in Honolulu.
“See, I was born into an environment where I was predisposed for failure, teen pregnancy by multiple fathers and an impoverished lifestyle,” Nia recalled. “Over the course of 23 years, the experiences and encounters that I was faced with set the stage for me to be able to take an honest look at myself first, and then be willing to be transparent about my own interactions.”
Upon finishing high school, Nia advanced her education, first by earning an Associate of Arts Degree in General Studies, then a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Science from Tulane University in 2009. Consequently, she earned a Master’s Degree in Christian Counseling from Trinity Theological Seminary in 2013.
As for what has shaped up to be a flourishing ministry, it was due in large part to Nia’s array of transparency that this big-hearted, beloved, spiritually aggressive and devout woman of faith had ultimately possessed the courage to outlast the enemy with God, her Helper, leading the way.
“Those events paved the way for me to have the courage to expose the enemy concerning the interactions of those that were supposed to lead me through this journey,” Nia said.
Armed with an assortment of immense spiritual gifts that, to her credit, have afforded her the golden opportunity to minister in such establishments as Mississippi, Alabama, Philadelphia, Missouri, Florida, Illinois, Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, and the nation’s capital, it’s safe to assume that Nia’s well-publicized ministry has been embraced by many throughout the Body of Christ.
Yep, that’s just like God.
“The word of God is for everyone that will accept Him,” said Nia, alluding to Luke 14:23. “but my assignment to the Body of Christ — because everyone has been given a particular assignment, gift and calling — is to the Millennials. Those in this era that are misunderstood, downtrodden, talked about, given up on, ridiculed, hated and shown extreme amounts of prejudices need a voice to speak to them and for them.”
To grasp a thorough concept of this rather fervent, bold approach by which Nia customarily takes, look no further than what she labels her “niche by God’s design.”
“(It) has been to those already in a relationship with Him, but have suffered at the hands of those that lead them,” said Nia, explaining in detail her mission for her latest endeavors. “This epidemic continues to plague the Body of Christ in a way that casts a dark and derogatory image over us.”
Wait…because she has more to add to such an intriguing, thought-provoking notion.
“See, we all have played a role at some point in this infection diseased community,” said Nia, referencing Isaiah 65:8. “The hurter — the one who did the hurting — the on-looker of the hurt that is being done — the one watching the hurt being done to someone — and the hurtee — the one that has been hurt — but is yet giving out the hurt that they themselves once experienced.”
All of which essentially sums up why that Nia is a planter in the kingdom vineyard makes all of the sense in the world, all of which practically explains why her unique, awe-inspiring presence in the modern-day church is so prevalent for a time such as now.
Talk about having a massive and influential kingdom impact.
“Throughout this journey, I have experienced a high-level of spiritual warfare with a great level of non-comprehension…just extreme amounts of hurt,” said Nia, who has been serving in her ministry for over five years but have been rooted and grounded in the Body of Christ for a nearly a decade and a half. “These experiences have allowed me to grow into the person I currently am and, the entire reason that I do what I do for the Body of Christ, I never want to see anyone endure what was thrust upon me.”
Interestingly, Nia emphasized, it all goes back to what she describes as her level of admiration, love, and compassion for people, just as God commands us through His word.
“(My love and compassion for people) continues to overwhelm me,” Nia said. “So much so that I will give all I have and all of my time to forever serve them and bring them into a level of understanding of where they are and what God has called them to do as well.
“This brings to mind several specific instances that occurred that may shed a little light on my tenacity,” continued Nia, while offering thorough breakdown, one that goes something like this:
NIA: IN HER OWN WORDS
(As told to Making Headline News)
2003 – I had been serving at this ministry for over five years and had experienced nothing but continual death to my spirit. I was talked about from the pulpit, I was embarrassed on more than one occasion, my character was on trial, my marriage place in jeopardy, finances constantly lacking because of giving and no reaping and no glimmer of hope at the forefront of my life. Needless to say, this was all at the hands of my SPIRITUAL LEADERS!
2005-2009 – In a very odd place in my life confused, broken, battered by the words that had been spoken spiritually and naturally, plagued by condemnation of my own self-inflicted wounds and destroyed by constant open scars and reminders of those that were supposed to comfort me in these stages of my life. Instead my name was spoken from lip to lip, church to church, city to city where they knew me. What should have been silent, and an indiscretion shared amongst leaders and myself was handed out like a free chicken dinner after church on Sunday afternoon.
2016 – Everything was great, OR SO I THOUGHT. I had finally overcome many obstacles through the blood of the lamb and the words of my testimony, I told GOD yes to whatever he wanted from me and I was moving forward to my next phase in him. Starting preparing to launch my ministry in 2015 and was aware that we would officially be New Era Ministries (where the millennials dwell) in January 2016. I had all things in order and family and I were ready to go. Don’t you know the enemy has to throw in a monkey wrench or he would not be himself. A couple of supposed to be pastors from a big city, Mega Ministry and high ranking platforms….or so they said. New to an area, had the same vision, and decided to move forward together. Of course you know this ended badly and the events that transpired took me completely out the game, vowing NEVER to preach again. The events above not only affected me greatly but also my family who more so than I vowed to NEVER put their trust in “church folks” again.
For more information about Nia or for booking information, contact Omekia McNeal at 561-900-5079. Also, send email to: [email protected]
LISTEN IN TO NIA AND BE BLESSED:
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MORE OF NIA:
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Andre Johnson is Founder and Publisher for Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former staff reporter the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send email to [email protected] or to [email protected]. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.