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 several of our authors as we talk to our Lifeway Women’s Leadership Forum speakers!
Caroline Saunders
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was little, I wanted to be a waitress at Denny’s. For some reason, Denny’s seemed like the ultimate happy place. I think because of waffles? I’m still passionate about waffles, but to be honest, Denny’s has lost its luster. (No offense to any Denny’s die-hards out there.)
What is one of your favorite travel destinations? Is there somewhere you have not been that is on your wish list?
My husband and I took our three kids on a big road trip last year from our home in Mississippi all the way up to New York City and back. There were about seventy-three meltdowns (mostly mine), but we had the best time, and we all want to do it again. One of our favorites was Ocean City, New Jersey, where we enjoyed the beach and the biggest pizza slices you’ve ever seen. My husband had to do a lot of work to talk me into this trip, but now that we’ve got one under our belt, I’d love to do another. It’d be fun to see more of New England or venture toward the Grand Canyon. I liked that there was always something new but that we were all together and able to adapt our travel as we needed.
What is the most impactful spiritual book you’ve read (other than the Bible)?
Last year, I reread The Chronicles of Narnia series for the first time as an adult, and wow! The Last Battle was particularly wonderful, and it truly contributed to my joyful anticipation of Jesus’s return. Also, I’ve noticed that A Gospel Primer by Milton Vincent has become formative both in my understanding and enjoyment of the gospel. The book points to the gospel’s beautiful simplicity yet undeniable significance. It’s so special when a book goes beyond teaching to lead us to worship!
What is the best advice you have ever received?
When I was first married, my dad said to me, “Caroline, you need to pray that God will turn your husband into the man He wants him to be, not the man you want him to be.” I promise you, this made zero sense in my brain for years. At the time, I responded to my dad, “Why is that not the same thing?” I couldn’t fathom that God would shape Luke differently than I would shape Luke. Now I laugh when I think about how arrogant that is! I was trying to shape my husband into my image rather than trust God to shape Luke into His image. (I wrote about it some here if that’s helpful for anyone.) But God has used my dad’s comment like a seed to teach me this: God is the Shaper, and I’m not. This really impacts how I interact with my husband and kids, humbly entrusting their growth to God rather than hustling to make them into my image. It also impacts how I interact with myself. Am I shaping myself? Or am I submitting myself to God and letting Him shape me? It’s become truly foundational for how I view Christian growth.
What are some new things you’ve learned along the way as you prepare for Lifeway Women’s Leadership Forum?
You know, any time I prepare to teach or do something similarly intimidating, I come face-to-face with an old concept that always feels new. It goes like this: (1) I do everything I can do to prepare; (2) I get undone; (3) God does. The “undone” part gets me frazzled every time until I remember it’s an opportunity to humbly settle into my weakness and experience God’s strength. I have never gotten off a stage or turned in a writing project and thought, Wow! I am so awesome! Instead, I am always impressed with what God did and relieved I get to depend on Him. Yes, I partner with Him and use my gifts in the preparation stage, but I am also brought really low beforehand, and I think it’s His merciful protection against me feeling impressed with myself. So, I’m busy “doing all I can do” now, but I’ll see y’all when I’m all undone and have to trust God to do! I already know I will learn this in a new way. It’s kind of a hilarious torment because I really do want to just feel like I’m awesome. But God knows I’m a glory-hog, and He protects me from myself.
Melissa Kruger
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
It’s so random, but when I was in elementary school I wanted to be an eye doctor. I think it was because I got my first pair of glasses in fourth grade and felt like my life was transformed when I could finally see the world around me clearly! Then I realized how many years of school it required, and I changed my mind and decided to become a teacher.
What is one of your favorite travel destinations? Is there somewhere you have not been that is on your wish list?
Hands down, my favorite destination is Italy! My husband and I traveled for two weeks in northern Italy for our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, and we loved every minute of it. The food was amazing, the people were delightful, and the sites were beautiful. Now, we dream about when we can find time to go again!
As far as places I’d love to visit, I’ve never been to Israel and I would love to go.
What is the most impactful spiritual book you’ve read (other than the Bible)?
In college I read a biography about Amy Carmichael called A Chance to Die. She served as a missionary in India rescuing and caring for children for most of her life. Her example of sacrificial living shaped me at a formative time in my life. When ministry is difficult or I’m asked to do something that feels out of my comfort zone, I remember the phrase she often quoted, “See in it a chance to die.” From a theological perspective, Knowing God by J. I. Packer has influenced me the most in understanding the character of God. It’s such a rich, wonderfully insightful book.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Best advice: Saying no to what is good allows you the freedom to say yes to what is best. My husband reminds me of this truth all the time, usually reminding me that I need to say no more often. There are so many good things to do, but sometimes they crowd out the best things we could be using our time to do. The older I get, the more confident I feel in understanding what I’m uniquely able and called to do. It also helps me to remember that my no to a good opportunity might make room for someone else’s excited yes!
What are some new things you’ve learned along the way as you prepare for Lifeway Women’s Leadership Forum?
As I’ve been studying Romans 16, I’ve been struck by Paul knowledge of and encouragement of the women in the church at Rome. He viewed women serving in the church as needed and necessary (not simply “allowable”). We all need encouragement and support as we serve one another, and if half of the body isn’t using their gifts, the church can’t function properly. Paul recognized the importance of their labors, and he publicly thanked them for their service—we should do the same!
Melissa Spoelstra
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Sometimes a teacher. I also remember playing secretary a lot with my friends—I had a Merlin that I pretended was an office phone.
What is one of your favorite travel destinations? Is there somewhere you have not been that is on your wish list?
Glenrose, Texas, has hiking, canoeing, and a place where three rivers come together. I love reading in a lawn chair in the Paluxy River! It used to be longer trip when we lived in Ohio for over two decades, but now it is only about an hour away from our home!
What is the most impactful spiritual book you’ve read (other than the Bible)?
So many good ones! Margin by Dr. Richard Swenson stands out to me as a message I have come back to again and again. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality was also super impactful.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
A kind Sunday school teacher told me that I didn’t have to wait to follow Jesus until I could be good all the time—she said I could follow Him imperfectly. That was good advice! I made a decision that day to give my life to Him.
What are some new things you’ve learned along the way as you prepare for Lifeway Women’s Leadership Forum?
Right now I’m learning a lot about moving forward—through change, grief, and new opportunities. I love that the Lord desires us to experience even more of Him through all of life’s ups and downs.
Alexandra Hoover
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
OK, I absolutely love this question—so fun! I wanted to be a business owner and fashion buyer for Nordstrom!
What is one of your favorite travel destinations? Is there somewhere you have not been that is on your wish list?
I would love to visit Greece one day. It looks breathtakingly beautiful!
What is the most impactful spiritual book you’ve read (other than the Bible)?
The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W Tozer!
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Always think more about God than anything else.
What are some new things you’ve learned along the way as you prepare for Lifeway Women’s Forum?
I’ve learned and unlearned so much about leadership and what it looks like in our lives as I’ve recently walked through some leadership changes and transitions of my own. I’m learning that slowing down enough actually does help you hear and see God better.
Derwin Gray
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I always wanted to be a football player.
What is one of your favorite travel destinations? Is there somewhere you have not been that is on your wish list?
My favorite travel destination is Hamilton, Montana, the area where my wife is from. It’s beautiful and peaceful.
I have never been to Japan. I’d love to visit there and preach the gospel.
What is the most impactful spiritual book you’ve read (other than the Bible)?
The most impactful book I’ve read is Conformed to His Image by Ken Boa.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Let Jesus love you. You do not have to impress Him.
What are some new things you’ve learned along the way as you prepare for Lifeway Women’s Forum?
Women are incredible ministry leaders. Starting with my wife Vicki, the cofounder and executive director of staff development at Transformation Church. I have witnessed Jesus bring His Father glory through my sisters in Christ. Since the start of the church, women have been essential to the health and power of the church.
