Beyond The Social Media High-Five

Hello, my friend, I don't know if I've properly introduced myself. We've high-fived on social media, but when you subscribed to receive emails from me, we entered into a whole other level of friendship. 

The first thing we do when making a new friend is introduce ourselves, which is what I will do today. Also, I'd like to share some of our ministry's journey.

Let's start at the beginning; my name is Nichole Chavez, and my husband James and I live in New York. We have grown kids, so we're in that free to run a hundred miles an hour for Jesus phase.

Both my husband and I grew up in Church with our Dads as pastors. But James and I have very different stories. I wasn't a fan of the whole PK life thing. But, after abuse at my dad's hands, I decided that I needed my one-way ticket to Heaven, but I would never serve Him or His people. I made this proclamation to God when I was young and hung on to it for as long as possible. You can read my whole testimony of how God rescued me and brought me through abuse, unforgiveness, hurt, and pain in my book, The Silenced Army.

God pursued me gently, lovingly, and patiently brought me into a relationship with Him. The relationship I didn't want but badly needed (you can find the whole journey in my book).

On January 17, 2016, I wrote and published my first blog, FEARLESS, mostly because I needed that word to stare me in the face every time I stepped out of my comfort zone. It was a real beauty (not). I had so much growing to do, but I kept going, swallowing my pride, silencing insecurities, overcoming obstacles, and trusting that God would equip me where I lacked (which was more than not). 

My husband and I were pastoring a Church in Oklahoma and decided to start small groups. James asked me, "so when will you start your small group." My response – What? Me? Why? He reminded me that there was this whole leading-by-example thing that I was privileged to do.

I thought, we already do enough; we work hard, eat, breathe, sweat, and bleed God and Church. Indeed, you don't need me to do one more thing.

I was convicted, so I signed up to be a leader and host—the focus – studying the Women of the Bible. 

A hand full of ladies signed up, none of us had ever met, and the first month was awkward, to say the least. However, everyone got there on time and left exactly sixty minutes later. Over time we began to meld together, and a beautiful friendship emerged. 

Three of those ladies are now on our Board of Directors and were the first to sign up to financially support this budding ministry that God put in our hearts.

On December 15, 2017, we signed our articles of incorporation, and Nichole Chavez Ministries was born; we were officially a non-profit organization!

I didn't want this ministry to be named after me, but God hadn't revealed our forever name yet, and honestly, I think we had to grow into it. So after asking God for a name, He revealed it to us in ----- MOBILIZED that's what God named us.

Mobilized means to assemble and prepare for action.

On social media, our website, nicholechavez.com, and all our media, "we encourage Christian women to unapologetically and boldly live their faith out loud."

I believe women are called, appointed, and set apart to fulfill the calling of going into all the world (which sometimes looks like all the world around you) to share the Good News of Jesus. 

My calling is to encourage, challenge and equip women to do just that.

Since I am limited in how I can encourage, challenge and equip on social media, we knew we had to offer an opportunity that focuses on equipping women to confidently and courageously live MOBILIZED in Faith, Purpose, and Life. 

In February of 2023, we launched MobilizHer, where "we equip Christian women who want to exponentially grow in their relationship with God by teaching them easy applications to a deeper understanding of God so they can be empowered to confidently and courageously live, Mobilized in their Faith, Purpose, and Life" through monthly Bible studies and teachings.

I could never have imagined this life, this passion for Jesus, and this urgency and excitement to teach, encourage, challenge, and equip women like you and me to be all in with Jesus. To not look back or to the left or right, but to pursue Jesus with all you've got, and while you're doing that, bring others along with you.

Thank you for allowing me to join you on your faith journey; it truly is an honor and privilege.

Now it's your turn; tell me where you are from and how Jesus has changed your life.

Love ya,

- Nichole