Today we’d like to introduce you to Jayne Patton.
Hi Jayne, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was raised the daughter of a Southern Baptist minister and while that may stir up all sorts of ideas about the potential wildness of preacher’s kids – I didn’t really fall into any reckless behavior growing up. I did, however, believe in the idea of young marriage and didn’t have anyone tell me that it was ok to wait, to pursue my education, or even just to find a job.
There was always just this underlying emphasis on getting married and that somehow marriage would be the best-case scenario for any young woman trying to find her place in this world. So as a determined 19-year-old, I found a 21-year-old military boy who suited me just fine. I quickly convinced him to marry me before I was “too old” and he readily agreed. Unfortunately, while I was good for a while – he didn’t find me good for the long term. He soon got involved with a girl at his work and ultimately left me for her.
I was now a 21-year-old, uneducated, divorced young woman just completely lost in the world. I decided that my religious upbringing was worthless and chose to chase after everything that this world had to offer. No one told me that making such terrible choices would leave me depressed and feeling even more alone. Time would pass and I would meet my current husband when I was 25.
It was about 6 months into that marriage that the weight of my sinful choices would catch up with me. In my desperation, I sought out a Christian counselor and was introduced to the person of Jesus Christ.
Not a new religion (I didn’t need any more religion), not a new “hustle hard and you’ll be fine” mantra. No, I was introduced to what a real and relevant relationship with Jesus looked like. I discovered that He could offer me forgiveness, heal my broken heart, give me purpose in this world, and deliver me from the darkness I had found myself in.
From that point on, I’ve tried to live my life in such a way that if anyone I meet is feeling lost, lonely, depressed, or overwhelmed that I introduce them to Jesus and help them discover how much He loves them. How much He longs for a real and powerful relationship with them.
This has led me to minister in churches doing women’s conferences and retreats, keynoting faith-based events, ministering to women in maximum security prisons, taking women to tour the land of Israel, launching a non-profit (Altered Ministries), taping a YouTube show (Breaking Bread with Altered Ministries) supporting an orphanage (Samuel’s House) in Venezuela through the sale of my devotional.
Offering a T-Shirt of the month sale with proceeds going toward multiple charities around the globe through my website, and now serving as the Women’s Ministry Director at my home church, (North road Community Church in Moscow Mills).
I will never go back to that broken and rejected young woman. Why? Because Jesus gave me a future – and it’s for His glory alone that I live today.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No one has an easy road. Truly. Everyone has struggles, (If they say they don’t, they are lying to you.) This world brings a level of pain to our lives we were never meant to carry alone.
Sometimes, whether it’s through the choices of others that have negatively impacted our lives (i.e. my husband’s affair), or because of the unfortunate choices we can make ourselves (I have made MANY), we can be left feeling shattered most of the time. But the struggles we encounter really can give us direction on the kind of person we want to be to others. When I gave my life to Jesus, everything changed.
I still had struggles but now I had a Savior – that was a game-changer with every struggle I’ve faced since. He helps me in my marriage, in parenting, in ministry, in everything! Jesus really does have an answer for every question we have, honestly – HE is the answer. I don’t know how to explain it, or Him exactly – I just know it’s the truth.
I was someone before Him, and now I am someone different. Death to life. Beauty from ashes. Of all the regrets I have in this life, choosing Jesus will never be one of them.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
There’s a huge part of me that finds it hard to believe why anyone would find me exemplary. I just try to love people along the way to show them how much Christ loves them.
I love supporting charities, I love writing books that encourage women’s hearts, and I love public speaking and leading women into a more meaningful relationship with Christ. I love the conversations I have with women that remind them of their value and purpose.
I’m a fierce believer that there isn’t anyone Jesus doesn’t want to draw close to. I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunities God has given me to serve others and just want to keep saying “yes” when He brings me new ones.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
If I could end this interview in any sort of way, I’d just want to remind women that they are seen.
They are valued. God hears their hearts when their mouths can’t even form the words. He can fix it, whatever it is. As for me, I was one way – and now I’m another.
This is because of Jesus Christ alone and that’s what I’d want every woman to know. What He did for me, He can do for you. Don’t ever, EVER lose hope!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.alteredministries.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alteredministries/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlteredMinistries
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/Truly-Known-Devotions-Gods-Grace/dp/1683148576/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1736DXN6B7PTG&keywords=truly+known&qid=1652837927&sprefix=truly+known%2Caps%2C124&sr=8-1
Image Credits
Morgan Patton
