WWL Global Connections

THE POWER OF THREE: ABOUT KAYLA FOLLIN, LIZ STREDDER, AND CONNIE HECKER

written by Carrie Christopher

PART I

We prayed with her. Her breathtakingly beautiful face beaming, shining, and inviting love. She was a child of God, His child. She was absolutely darling, from head to toe. Her voice pierced our hearts with an English accent set aside for only the elegant beauties of this world. She carried purpose-filled words of God, provided to all from the depths of her heart. She was radiant, prepared for something that none of us could understand. She was battling stage 4 cancer, and from the discouragement on her lips, she needed hope for another day. Her sisters had set up a Zoom prayer call, some of them living in the United States, while she lived in England.

There we were as a ministry team with the God-blessed opportunity to pray for and with her. She invited us into her pain, her suffering, and her great travail as she fought the one battle none of us ever desire to experience; life versus death. But there she sat, in this Zoom meeting, with grace-abounding courage to keep fighting. We prayed; we prayed in our ashes and in our tears. Her husband popped in on the Zoom call. He was a man of honor, clearly held in high esteem from the Lord. You could see that this man wore Christ’s love. He would’ve given his very own life in exchange for his wife’s. You could see the Holy Spirit harbored deeply in his heart as he wrestled with his wife’s illness. There he battled, day in and day out, tirelessly seeking the Lord for healing. This family was purely in love with Christ, willing to fight and also willing to follow Jesus no matter the cost. Their lives marked with the radiance and imprint of Christ’s everglowing glory.

Onto this Zoom call came a stranger to intercede, a heavenly God-sized miracle. This woman had gotten an invitation from a pastor’s email encouraging folks to join in prayer. We were blessed by this dear woman and intercessor named Connie, who did not know our gracegal living all the way over in England, but joined us out of love, sacrificing her time to pray for a need that was brought to her attention.

Days later, we got word that God had strengthened our sister in England after our time of intercession. She was able to walk more than she had in previous days. Inspired by this good news, we all wore garments of hope for her, hanging on every bit of healing in the Word of God.

Now, this warrior princess’s voice had touched us inwardly in such power that we invited her to recite Psalm 91 during one of our Facebook Live monthly events. It was there that we saw continued glory pour forth through her life. Even in her pain and suffering, she was willing to speak God’s Word forth, not afraid, in love to nations.

As time went on, though, we lost her. We lost her presence in the body of Christ. We lost her beaming radiant smile and her warm glow of Christ that she carried. We lost her undeniable JOY and the generosity that lived inside of her. How could it be, and why did God allow it? Questions infiltrated her family, her friends, and our ministry. We all stood overcome by grief and a lack of understanding. And more profoundly, we couldn’t even imagine the unmatched grievance that her dear husband and sisters must have been feeling.

Liz Stredder

PART II

It had seemed like an impossible dream. Some said it shouldn’t be done or that it couldn’t be done, while others watched and waited, testing all prophecies and claimed words from the Lord. Yet my heart and mind were intertwined with Kimberly Hobbs’ encouragement and the unrelenting voice of God. God had spoken of this Voice of Truth magazine months ago, and now He said it was time to “gather.” As a leadership team, we began to gather in faith and prayer; without having the financials, without having any paid staff for the initiative. We were praying and hoping. God began gathering laborers by His goodness and only by the presence of His Holy Spirit speaking to our leadership team “Pst.” The Holy Spirit nudges, “This one over here.”

Some of those God pointed out were seasoned writers, and others were new to the pursuit of writing as a worship-filled expression unto Him. But we trusted, we trusted in who He picked and who He brought. The only hurdle now was, “Who on this green earth would be the graphic designer to piece together this puzzle? Who could take all of these worship-filled expressions of praise through art and writing and fulfill the very dream of the Voice of Truth Magazine?”

We had interviewed and considered two amazing graphic designers. They both had the skill and, clearly, the Christ-infused hearts to work with us, but the reality was we had no funding whatsoever.

I remember grieving the process of saying goodbye to these incredible and beautiful women of God as He led them and us elsewhere.

But God had a plan. Again Kimberly’s encouragement encircled my mind, God had already chosen “the” one.

Remember the woman named Connie that I mentioned in Part I of this column? Connie had joined us to pray for Liz, even though she did not know her. On that fateful Zoom, we had discovered that Connie was an avid blogger and a theatre professor at Liberty University. By God’s will and grace, Connie had committed to writing in Voice of Truth.

One day, while on the phone with Connie, I heard the Holy Spirit prompt me. “Ask Connie about a graphic designer or college intern.”

When I obediently brought up the topic, God catapulted Connie into action. By that day’s end, she had already sent an invitation to design the magazine across the campus.

Connie Hecker

Fast forward to one of my most discouraging days; a fiery trial and battle had come upon me. But God had a victory in store as I checked my email. There it was, shouting God’s favor to open: a professionally written email from Kayla Follin, a college student who was offering her heart to this God-sized mission. Not only did she have the talent and expertise to design the magazine, but she also offered her service in exchange for college credit. There it was, heaven’s breakthrough.

The gates flung open wide with the presence of God’s provision. Even before we sealed the deal with Kayla, God clearly and lovingly whispered to me, “This is the one I have chosen.”

heart and her time as the Lord creatively births in her a triumphant song of glory. This tender, beautiful princess is with us, fighting the battle of faith with love in her heart and a smile on her face as she serves you, as she serves me, and as she serves women globally.

Like the story of David when Samuel went looking for God’s next chosen King - Kayla would be our very own David, slinging shut the forces of hell with the provisions and blessings of God. God sent Kayla to propel and complete this project. What once seemed impossible was now deemed possible by and through Jesus Christ. This daughter paved the way for this magazine to come alive graphically. Our sister Kayla sacrifices hours of her

So much thanks goes to Kayla Follin. And so many praises go to God.

Kayla, our dear sister, as you design this very spread of the magazine, may your life and light shine so brightly as you have done immeasurably more in talent and creativity than we could ever ask or imagine. You are so loved, Kayla Follin. Your life is used as a light to the nations.

Kayla Follin