Mr. Rodney Lyles shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Rodney, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
For the past seven years, my mornings have followed the same deliberate sequence, and I credit this routine with shaping who I am. As soon as I wake up, I Pray. This first act centers me. It’s a moment of gratitude and intention before the day begins to pull me in different directions.
Next, I make my bed. It’s a simple act, but it signals to my brain that rest is over and discipline begins. From there, I read the verse of the day. I don’t skim it—I sit with it, letting it set the tone and direction for everything that follows. Then, I’ll listen to a morning scripture as well, reinforcing the message and giving my mind something positive to chew on while the world is still quiet.
Only then do I turn to my work. I start by reviewing the tasks I didn’t complete the day before. These aren’t burdens—they’re unfinished promises to myself. I tackle them first, clearing mental clutter and making room for what’s new. Once those are handled, I move on to today’s priorities with a clear head and a calm spirit.
This routine has been the backbone of my growth and stability. It’s not just about productivity or faith; it’s about creating structure, purpose, and peace before the world has a chance to interfere.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Rodney Lyles, and first and foremost, I am a child of God. That’s not just a statement of faith—it’s the foundation of everything I do and everything Feeding Kids by Faith stands for. I serve as the executive director of Feeding Kids by Faith Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with one clear mission: to abolish youth hunger by serving hot, balanced meals and healthy snacks to children in need.
Feeding Kids by Faith is God’s organization, and I’m simply here to manage it as He leads. I believe deeply that without God, none of this would exist. My story is pretty simple—when I surrendered my life to Jesus, that’s when this blessing was given to me. The vision to care for kids, to feed them with dignity and love, and to do it in His name, came only after I put my trust in Him. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” That’s exactly how this journey has unfolded.
At Feeding Kids by Faith, our approach is personal. Every meal we serve is prepared with intention—healthy, hot, and nourishing, because we believe every child deserves more than just calories; they deserve care, respect, and hope. Our work is about more than filling stomachs. It’s about planting seeds of faith, love, and possibility in the hearts of young people who might otherwise feel forgotten.
Romans 8:18 reminds me that “the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” The challenges are real, but there’s a purpose in all of this. My assignment is to follow God’s lead, to manage His organization with humility, and to make sure every child we encounter knows they matter—not just to us, but to God.
If there’s one thing I want you to know, it’s that Feeding Kids by Faith is proof of what happens when you give your life to God and trust Him to lead. This isn’t my story alone—it’s a testimony to God’s faithfulness, and every meal we serve is a reflection of His love.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
Before I ever understood my relationship with God, I knew my mother, Marian Jane Henderson. She’s the kind of person who makes you believe in goodness before you can even define it. If you asked me who shaped my sense of self, it isn’t a question that requires any soul-searching. The answer is my mother—hands down, no contest.
Growing up, my mother was the single greatest influence on my life. She was a single parent, and while that’s a phrase people use as shorthand for struggle, I don’t think it captures the magnitude of what she did. Obstacles? She faced them daily, but never let those burdens touch us. If she was struggling, she didn’t let it show. She moved through every challenge with a kind of quiet power, almost like a superhero hiding in plain sight.
But it’s not just her resilience that shaped me—it’s her Faith, and the way she passed it on. Long before I had my own relationship with God, my mother made sure I knew who Jesus was. She taught me, not through sermons, but through the way she lived and loved. She showed me that when the world feels empty, and when you think there’s no one left in your corner, you can always go to Him. She taught me the difference between being alone and being lonely, and how Faith bridges that gap.
She also believed in me—fiercely, relentlessly, sometimes stubbornly. She never missed a chance to push me forward, but she wasn’t shy about calling me out when I was slacking. Looking back, I think that’s what real support looks like. She was my biggest fan, but she held me accountable. Whether I was right or wrong, she was always there, ready to wade into the mud on my behalf. Sometimes, that meant defending me when I didn’t deserve it. Other times, it meant telling me hard truths I didn’t want to hear. Either way, she never left my side.
All of this—her strength, her Faith, her presence—shaped how I see myself. She gave me the foundation that made it possible to find my own Faith. Without her guidance, I don’t know if I ever would have found God. She taught me that my worth isn’t measured by my accomplishments or failures, but by the love I give and the grace I accept.
In the end, everything I am traces back to her. She showed me what it means to be resilient, to believe in something bigger than myself, and to stand by the people you love. My mother, Marian Jane Henderson, is the reason I am who I am today. If there’s any goodness in me—any strength, any Faith—it started with her.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
I cannot control everything!
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
Fred Henderson, Charles Matthews, Sunny Phommavongsa, Louvis Johnson, and Tony Mitchell
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
Football changed my life in more ways than I can count. It taught me discipline. It gave me structure when I needed it most. On the field, I learned about teamwork and sacrifice—how to push myself past what I thought were my limits, and how to trust the person next to me to do the same. Football showed me the value of hard work, the sting of loss, and the thrill of victory. It gave me a sense of belonging, a brotherhood, and a reason to wake up every morning ready to grind.
But as much as football shaped me, it was never my true calling. It’s what I know how to do, not what I was meant to do. My real purpose is to help our youth become the best version of themselves. I want to give them the tools, the confidence, and the vision to build a future that’s bigger than anything I could accomplish on the field. That’s the work that feels right in my bones—the work that will matter long after the final whistle blows. Football was the vehicle that got me here, but my calling is to create a ripple effect of hope, strength, and possibility for the next generation.
Image Credits
Rodney Lyles
