Interview With Kathi Macias

Questions by Rita Prochazka

Kathi can you share some of your testimony with us?

I wasn’t raised in a Christian home but always believed in and desired to know God, so I attended several churches throughout the first twenty-five years of my life. I came to believe that Jesus was the Son of God, born of a virgin, who died on the cross “for the sins of the world.” But on July 5, 1974, when I was praying, I saw myself standing in a huge crowd of people, some crying and some shouting, all staring in one direction. I looked the same way and saw Jesus, stumbling toward Calvary, the cross heavy on His back. I could see the pain on His face, and I began to cry. Then He drew up even with me, lifted His head, looked straight into my eyes and said, “I did it for you.” Those five words changed my life forever, as I came to understand that although He did die for the sins of the world, He also died for mine. That’s when it became personal, and I received Him as my Savior at that moment.

KATHI MACIAS

What is your favorite Bible verse and why?

I have many but I suppose 1 Timothy 1:15 is at the top of my list: “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.”

Briefly, what are some things you have learned in your walk with God in this season of your life?

This brand new season is delightful! Because I have finally come to the place of saying, “Not my will but Yours, Lord,” I am free to do only what He brings my way – – nothing more, nothing less. There is a wonderful freedom in that.

How have you prepared or been prepared for your ministry?

I have always loved words and can’t remember ever wanting to be anything but a writer. When I became a Christian in my mid-twenties, it was exciting to see how God guided me into the Christian publishing world. I entered at the absolute ground level (an editorial assistant at a Christian publishing house) and learned from some of the best in the industry. I also attended Bible college, which helped tremendously. I later served for several years as a Christian counselor and overseer of small-group ministries at a large church in my hometown.

Can you share a time, recently, where you saw God working in your life; either in your ministry or personally?

Without going into details, I very recently found myself committed to a group outing (mostly nonbelievers) that I truly did not want to attend. I sensed the Lord telling me to go but to specifically avoid certain aspects of the gathering, even though there was nothing inherently wrong with doing them. I prayed for God to intervene each time I was asked to join – not because I would be tempted but so I could gracefully decline. It was amazing to see how He faithfully answered that prayer time and again throughout that three-day event.

Kathi will you share something about yourself that most people would not know? It can be fun or serious.

I once spent an entire day on death row at San Quentin. It came about as a result of a national prison ministry I’d been involved with, but I never expected it would open the door for ministry on death row! We never know where God will take us when we say yes to His leading.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Besides leading others to Christ, it would have to be at a local book-signing event for my (then) newest release, “No Greater Love,” a novel set in South Africa just before the fall of Apartheid. A young man of about seventeen came to the signing specifically to tell me he had read my book and wanted to let me know that it made him want to “lead a noble life.” That was the best book review I ever received, as well as a powerful testimony of God’s hand on that project.

Would your life story make a good movie?

LOL! Probably not. Though much of it was exciting to me, I doubt it would hold anyone else’s interest.

Where do you see yourself/your ministry in five years?

I imagine I’ll be doing much the same as I’m doing now – enjoying my large family (children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren) and helping others write/edit their books. But who knows what God may have in store? I can’t wait to see!

Questions by Deborah Malone

Kathi what advice would you offer to other seasoned women on ways to stay active in ministry?

Consider these latter seasons of life to be the most precious and to seek God continually on how He would have us spend those last seasons. And even as we seek to be a blessing to others during those seasons, balance that with the daily reminder that soon and very soon we will breathe our last here on earth and step into the presence of the God of the Universe who loves us unconditionally. It will help us maintain proper perspective.

Have you ever felt “too old” to be used by God? What made you decide God could still use you in your winter season?

On occasion, yes, usually when I hadn’t yet realized that I was leaving one season behind and moving on to the next. For instance, I used to travel a lot, speaking all around the country at women’s retreats and writer’s conferences. I always felt energized at the prospect of my next journey – until I didn’t. My first thought was that I was too old to continue serving the Lord as I’d been doing. Then God would remind me that leaving one season of service behind simply opened up the door to the next season. I love where I am now and how I’m serving Him, though it no longer involves extensive travel.

What seasoned woman in the Bible is an inspiration to you?

Sarah. To bear and raise a child at her age is astonishing! I get tired just thinking about it. LOL!

Tell us a little about your ministry.

God has used me primarily in writing/editing, but also public speaking (something I never dreamed I would do). Now I speak almost exclusively to groups in neighboring towns, meaning I can drive there and not have to go to an airport. The twist on my writing is that I am now concentrating more on helping other writers through collaborative writing and/or editing, rather than writing new books of my own.

Kathi what challenges have you had to overcome in your seasoned ministry?

Only that I get tired more easily and have to compensate accordingly. I can’t get annoyed or discouraged because I can’t do as much as I did when I was younger.

Kathi thank you so much for taking the time to visit with us on “Bloom in Your Winter Season.” I gained a lot of encouragement from your answers. Deborah Malone and Rita Prochazka

Bio: Kathi Macias (kathimacias.com) is a best-selling author of nearly 60 books, as well as a popular speaker at writers’ conferences and women’s events. She and her husband, Al, live in Southern California where they enjoy spending time with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.