Have you ever wished you could sit down in a casual coffee shop with one of our authors and speakers and chat? We are so thankful for the amazing women of God we have the privilege of working with regularly. And while we can’t all gather in our favorite downtown coffee shop, we want to give you the opportunity to know them a little more personally.
Every other month we’re sharing a fresh “coffee chat” with a member of the Lifeway Women family to give you the opportunity to get to know her a little better.
This month, get to know Whitney Capps and Georgia Brown!
1. Tell us about your writing process. Any favorite pens, locales, teas to drink, or music to listen to?
Whitney: I couldn’t possibly pick my favorite music. That’s like picking my favorite book of the Bible or my favorite kid! Impossible. I love everything from ’80s ballads to the Beatles, Bon Jovi, and Boyz II Men. And Christian music? Goodness, I can go old school Dallas Holm and Sandi Patty to slightly older school Steven Curtis Chapman, Caedmon’s Call, and Point of Grace. And I also love new stuff from Maverick City Music to CityAlight.
Now, we could talk about office supplies all day! My favorite pens are all varieties of Sharpies. I’m especially fond of the Sharpie S-Gel (.5)! And I love all things Rifle Paper Co.!
Georgia: OoooOoo! Bring on the COLOR. When I put pen to paper, flair felt tip pens are a must. And to highlight, I have fallen in love with Zebra Mildliner Highlighters! I’m a big fan of writing in the stillness of our sunroom as my fluffy orange cat snuggles next to me while I type away on my laptop. You will usually find me sipping on a cup of Bengal Spice tea or a mug full of a warm vanilla latte. And music—I love worship music. But if it’s not worship, I’m usually listening to the soundtrack of Joyful Noise or The Preacher’s Wife!
2. What is one of your favorite travel destinations? Is there somewhere you have not been that is on your wish list?
Whitney: Georgia and I could hang together at Rosemary Beach. It’s our family’s favorite spot to relax and, of course, EAT! We also love New York and taking in a Broadway show. Italy is on my bucket list and yes, of course, the Holy Land.
Georgia: It may sound a little cheesy, but I love good ole Gatlinburg, Tennessee. A cabin tucked in the mountains? Sign me up. I feel close to the Father when I am out in His creation. I also feel the same way about the beach. Rosemary Beach is my favorite! And somewhere I want to visit? Where do I begin? To name a few, I would love to travel through the Holy Land and see the countryside of Ireland!
3. What is the best advice you have ever received?
Whitney: All my best advice comes from my parents or one of my dad’s sermons.
Marriage: “Love only Jesus more than your spouse. Not your children. Not yourself.”
Parenting: “When they are young, show, ‘I protect you.’ In the middle years, say, ‘I love you.’ In the teen years, say, ‘I trust you.’”
Ministry: “Love and serve the local church first. Let ministry grow from there.”
Georgia: “You won’t always be happy. Happiness comes from the happenings around you. But joy? You can always be joyful. Joy comes from Jesus, and no one can take Jesus away from you.”
4. What’s something God has been teaching you lately?
Whitney: With my health challenges, I’m learning the struggle between being faithful and being fake. When someone asks how I’m doing, there’s a tension. The Lord has been so kind and close. It’s true. So true. But what’s true has also been that some days are just incredibly hard. I want to be honest about the hard and the holy. But finding the balance has been difficult. I’m still learning.
Georgia: In this season, I feel so seen by Him. Maybe that’s because I’m looking for Him in every moment of every minute. I’m learning to practice and pursue His presence. It is far greater than any platform or performance one could attain. And through this, a deeper understanding of His love has bloomed in my soul. My Father in heaven truly is my best Friend. And as I’m joyfully dancing through this season of singleness and worshiping in the waiting, I know I am seen, known, and loved by Him. In His presence, there is the fullness of joy, and that’s where I want to be.
5. What are some new things you’ve learned along the way as you prepare for Lifeway Women’s Forum?
Whitney: We all seem to keep grasping for “normal.” I think few of us even remember what that was like. Leaders are tired. Now more than ever, we need the truth that God sustains his church and His people. Not innovative programs. Not new, better strategies. Just the kind, loving hand of the Lord. That’s freeing and scary. But true, nonetheless.
Georgia: The bride of Christ has been through a crushing past few years. Through the pressing, He is purifying His people. And as I have been praying over this year’s Forum, I am reminded He is near as we navigate and ask, “What is normal?” He is still in control and greater than our confusion. And even still He is not rocked off His throne, nor surprised by the days that left us with our hands lifted high to heaven. I am expectant as we rally together with our sisters in Christ to be reminded and refreshed in the truth that as “crazy” as our “normal” may be, we were made for such a time as this.
Join Whitney and Georgia at Women’s Forum in Nashville this November!
Whitney Capps is a bible teacher and author with Lifeway. Her book, “Sick of Me” and teaching curriculum, “We Over Me” released in 2019. She is founder and CEO of Simple Seminary, an online learning platform that teaches women theology with solid teaching in a simple, accessible format. Whitney and her husband, Chad, live just outside Atlanta raising their four boys. She’s a cancer survivor, tired mama and happy shoe-collector.
Georgia Brown is a lover of Jesus and people. Born and raised in Arkansas, Georgia now calls Music City–home. She’s a recent graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, with a degree in songwriting. Georgia’s post grad life is filled with speaking, hosting her podcast, “Faith & Friends”, and writing & releasing original music. Georgia’s prayer is to be a light for the Gospel on and off the screen. & Georgia is so grateful to be your sister in Christ.
