INTERVIEW WITH KATHY REGAN

BY RITA PROCHAZKA AND DEBORAH MALONE

Kathy, can you share some of your testimony?

I became a follower of Christ in my early twenties. Several years later I started corresponding with Charles, who as serving a 120-year sentence in a maximum-security prison. After writing to each other for over six months, I started visiting him. I hoped to be an encouragement to him, and yet I was inspired and challenged spiritually. As I continued to visit weekly, I found myself drawn to Charles’ hunger for Jesus, his servant attitude, and determination to make something positive come from his crime.

Over time our friendship grew into a deep love for one another. Charles was under the parole system, which meant that there was a possibility he might never get released, and if he did it could take a long time. After being together seven years, Charles and I were married in the prison chapel. I had to entrust my future over to the Lord, holding on to hope that Jesus would lead and guide us.

The years turned into decades, and there were times feelings of hopelessness and discouragement crept in as we dealt with numerous denials, setbacks, and loss. Yet, every hardship we encountered only strengthened our love for one another and made us more determined to press into the Lord.

And then, after 35 years of incarceration, 22 years of marriage, and being together for 29 years, Charles was granted parole and sent to a halfway house. Our prayers were finally answered and our dream of one day being together on the outside came true!

But those dreams didn’t last long. A few months after his release, Charles began to struggle emotionally. His past came back to haunt him, and he believed the lie that God could not love him because of his crime. He was convinced that he was a burden to me, and I would be better off without him. He asked for a divorce.

When I heard the word divorce, I was in shock and my whole body began to tremble. The pain was gut wrenching, and my heart felt like it was breaking in half. What should have been the best time of my life turned into a devastating one. Our marriage as a “free” couple was over before it was ever given a chance. My dreams were shattered, my world was turned upside down and my heart was crushed.

I asked God to help me pick up the pieces of my life and move forward. He was so faithful as He walked with me through the darkest period of my life. I spent time learning to lament, or express my grief to the Lord, by reading Psalm. In Psalms we are shown that it is okay to express our emotions to God, we shouldn’t deny, suppress, or ignore them.

I thought I tarnished God’s reputation and that there was no “good” that could possibly come from my marriage ending. Well, the truth is that God decides how He will use our story not only for our benefit, but for others good and His glory. God is faithful to His Word.

One blessing was that I wrote a book about my journey called, Still Believing – Holding on to Hope in Heartbreak. Writing this book took me on a path of healing where Jesus made something beautiful from my brokenness and has drawn me into a deeper and more intimate relationship with Himself. Another blessing is having the opportunity to share my story with different church groups, as well as hearing from people who have read my story and how it encouraged them.

In your walk with God in this season of your life, what have you learned?

I have learned to appreciate each day and to consider it a treasured gift from the Lord and to make the most of it. I don’t want to take anything for granted, like my health, relationships, and freedom. I have also learned to be more intentional with my free time as well as my interactions with others.

How have you prepared/been prepared for your ministry?

As I look back, I see how my “career’ has prepared me for my current ministry. When I graduated with my social work degree, I went into social service where I helped research, create, and teach various life skills curriculums to students and school faculty. I have always felt comfortable with public speaking. And then the skills I developed in my professional career helped me when writing my book.

What would your advice be to other “seasoned” women on ways to stay active in ministry?

I would ask her to consider what she is passionate about and then get involved in that area. For example, it might be serving at a pregnancy center, feeding the homeless, visiting a nursing home. Also, look for opportunities to interact with intergenerational relationships. As seasoned women, we have so much to offer to younger women/youth from our life experience.

Kathy, can you share a little about your ministry?

By sharing my personal story with openness and transparency of how God met me in my deepest disappointment, my desire is for others to experience the hope, healing, and freedom that Christ offers. In my sharing, I speak on our identity in Christ, His amazing grace, and forgiveness.

What challenges have you had to overcome in this time of your “seasoned” ministry?

I praise God that I have been healthy in this season of my life. The challenge I have overcome is dealing with loneliness or grieving things I missed out on (like having children.) When those emotions come, I acknowledge them, let myself feel sad, etc., and then I talk to the Lord about them. I also find it helpful to reflect on all of the blessings I have, meditate on Philippians 4:8 or other Scripture, and then remember God’s attributes and who He is.

Kathy thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your experiences as you bloom in your winter season. Rita and I thank you for taking the time to encourage other women.

BIO:

Kathy is an author and public speaker who has shared her story at women’s groups, prisons, and at other gatherings. She wants others to experience the hope, healing and freedom that Christ offers.  She likes to hike, exercise, watch sunsets, explore the outdoors, and spend time with loved ones. After receiving her degree in social work, Kathy worked in social service for more than twenty years. Since 2005, she has been on staff at Calvary Chapel St. Petersburg. Kathy lives in the Tampa Bay area in Florida.

Kathy can be reached at kathyrlee.com.

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