INTERVIEW WITH MELONY BROWN

By Rita Prochazka and Deborah Malone

Questions by Rita

Melony can you share some of your testimony?

I didn’t start going to church until 7th grade. We didn’t have an active youth group. I listened to the sermon on Sunday mornings, but it went over my head as I missed the foundational stories taught during the elementary school years. My mom wanted me to go to church while away at college, so she found a church for us to visit. On our first visit, I met a good-looking guy named Jeff who also attended my college. While we dated, he introduced me to the Bible stories I didn’t know. Finally understanding the gospel message, I was eager to commit my life to Jesus. That good-looking guy named Jeff and I have been married for thirty years and have served at church in various ways!

What is your favorite Bible verse and why?

Hebrews 2:13 Amplified Bible Classic Edition, “My trust and assured reliance and confident hope shall be fixed in Him.” This verse is my fight verse. When I get weary or overwhelmed when fighting to overcome challenges, I say it out loud on repeat. It refocuses me. It reminds me I can get through any challenge with Him.

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

Consistently seeking Him equips and empowers me for the zigs and zags of life. Being obedient to His voice fills me with joy and leads to unbelievable opportunities. Our stories matter. When people know our stories of overcoming life’s toughest challenges, they know they are not alone in their challenges. They realize that God can and will work in their lives, too.

How have you prepared or been prepared for your ministry?

When I felt God leading me to focus on the message of overcoming, the why behind my decades of fighting to overcome neurological struggles made sense. I wouldn’t trade any of it. I must have more to learn and then share as I continue to face challenges that test my ‘challenges won’t stop me,’ mindset. With God’s strength and guidance, I keep moving forward.

Melony, can you share a time, recently, that you saw God work in your life, either in your ministry or personally.

Our next door neighbors are Indian. I’m unsure if or which religion Manisha practices. She was excited to buy a copy of my book, Challanges Won’t Stop Me: An Interactive Survival Guide for Overcoming and Thriving. Because God is mentioned on page 3 and repeatedly throughout my book, I believed she would likely not finish it. Surprisingly, she shared with my husband and me that she loved it as it gave her so many new things to think about. In fact, she has it on her nightstand and reads from it every night. She was eager to buy a copy of my second book, Keep Moving Forward: An Interactive Survival Guide for Overcoming and Thriving. I’m praying she has a similar response to the message! Go, God!

Will you share something about yourself that most people would not know? It can be a fun fact or serious.

I am a Jeep girl through and through. I love driving it on outdoor adventures with the top off! I will drive a Jeep until I can’t get myself in or out of it!

Melony, this is Deborah here. All I can say is, “You go, girl!” You are my kind of woman.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Earning my master’s degree in education and teaching in public schools as well as private tutoring is my greatest achievement. The neurologists who treated me/my stroke when I was two told my parents that a high school education would be my ceiling due to the damage my stroke caused.

Would your story make a good movie? Why or why not?

Maybe. I’d suggest waiting until after Jesus calls me home. I have a feeling He’s got more in store for me!

Where do you see yourself/ministry in five years?

I hope I’m still writing books, sharing God’s message of overcoming at women’s retreats, and podcasting. I plan to adapt the message of my first book to teens and young adults and publish those.

QUESTIONS BY DEBORAH MALONE

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

My best advice for seasoned women to stay active in ministry is to spend time seeking God in Bible study, prayer, worship, and silence/solitude that is not connected to preparing for ministry. Spend time in those disciplines to know Jesus better. He will speak to you and wrap you in His love. You’ll be reminded He is the best gift you’ve ever received.

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

Nope! We need experiences, failures, setbacks, doubts, and challenges to season us. We gain wisdom and perspective only by going through these life events.

Well said Melony! – Deborah Malone

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

Elizabeth is my favorite seasoned woman in the Bible. I wish we knew more about her younger years, but I love how it’s clear she knew God’s voice (Luke 1:42). Even in her older years, God continued to show her favor. Being chosen to be the mother of John the Baptist was quite the honor. She boldly broke tradition, which said her son was to be named after his father. She said, “No! He is to be called John!” (Luke 1:60). I love that Elizabeth welcomed a pregnant Mary into her home for three months. Oh, to have been a fly on the wall during their conversations!

If you’ve had illness or physical limitations, what accommodations have you made to continue in ministry?

Since my brain surgery in 2016, I’ve struggled with neurological fatigue. Even after taking a month of medical leave to sleep then reducing my hours to part-time, the fatigue lingered. I “retired” from teaching and have been tutoring part-time since then, which allows me more time to write and podcast. About four years ago, I began taking Adderall, which significantly helped with my fatigue. Additionally, I have to take a nap every day or every other day.

Melony, can you tell us a little about your ministry?

In 2012, I attended a writer’s workshop about building a platform. I spoke to the presenter afterward about building a platform as a fiction writer. She asked me a few questions about the theme of my novels (which was consistently about overcoming challenges) and then suggested I build a platform by interviewing real-life overcomers. I began interviewing women and sharing their stories in written form on my website: http://www.melonybrown.com. In 2018, I attended the Blue Ridge conference to present my book proposal. Three literary agents liked my book idea and the ministry had grown from interviewing overcomers, but each literary agent suggested I start a podcast. With fear and trepidation, I started my podcast in January of 2019. I’ve completed five seasons with a total of 89 episodes. Between the written stories and my Challanges Won’t Stop Me podcast interviews, I’ve interviewed over 150 courageous women who’ve overcome a variety of life’s though challenges. I self-published Challanges Won’t Stop Me: An Interactive Survival Guide for Overcoming and Thriving in September of 2022. It has won three awards! I self-published the second book of the survival guide, titled Keep Moving Forward: An Interactive Guide for Overcoming and Thriving in October 2023. I have begun working on the third book in the series, which will be a devotional that will continue the same hiking/journey theme. I have spoken at events in the past, but the fatigue from my health challanges has made it difficult to commit to speaking events, which usually fall on the weekends. My husband and I have prayed for my turoring business to become as needed sessions rather than 12-15 students every week so that I won’t be fatigued on the weekends for speaking events.

What are some challenges you’ve overcome in this time of your “seasoned” ministry?

I’ve discovered the rumor that one’s circle of friends grows smaller as we age is indeed true. Writing is a solitary adventure, and one which many people truly don’t understand. As an outgoing and social person, I miss interacting daily with my teaching colleagues. While I have writing/speaking/podcasting friends all over the country who are wonderful to chat with over the phone or text, it’s not the same as stopping by to chat with a teacher friend every morning to catch up before the bell rings. I’ve been intentional about cultivating friendships with the women I interview.

About Melony Brown:

Speaking about my journey of overcoming decades of health challenges, as well as what I’ve learned along the way, offers encouragement and hope to audiences.

The thread that unites the stirring to teach, write, podcast, and speak is caring for and encouraging those who struggle.

It’s my passion. And my purpose.