INTERVIEW WITH SARA SHAFFER

by Deborah Malone and Rita Prochazka

Questions by Rita:

Sara, can you share some of your testimony with our readers?

My parents faithfully took me to church every Sunday for services and Wednesday for choir practice from the time I was six years old. Traditions abounded, and I learned a lot about Jesus. However, when I was 14, I participated in a prayer vigil on Good Friday very late at night. I was in the sanctuary near a beautiful display of candles they’d lit to offer light in the dark. As I watched the dancing flames, all of a sudden it was like God jumped out at me. Suddenly the 2D Sunday School Jesus revealed Himself as the 3D Living God! In that moment all I could do was mutter, “I’m Yours. I’m Yours!”

In college, my faith deepened, and in my early twenties, attend a new church and started hearing the Bible taught like never before. I encountered the deep and vibrant Living Word and was hooked! At that church I met my first husband. Less than a year later we were married and not long after that we relocated from Minnesota to Colorada where he’d always dreamed of living.

Five months to the day after moving, Josh took his first ski trip in the Rocky Mountains. I stayed home to wait for a weekend when they’d be offering ski lessons as I needed to learn. As I walked out to go to church that Sunday morning I found a note on my doorstep from the local police. I called them as the note requested, and within a few minutes an officer was in my home.

“I have bad news,” he began. My thoughts raced and I prayed Josh was in a hospital somewhere. “Joshua was killed in a ski accident yesterday.” The word killed seared through me, and I had the sensation of trying to wake myself up from this nightmare reality. I was twenty-six and widowed. But I was not alone.

Josh and I had become very involved in our little church in the short time we’d been in Colorado. My new friends and family came around to give great comfort. As I prayed about my new, unexpected future, I decided to stay in Colorado. God gave me time to heal and put new dreams in my heart.

Several years later, I met Myron in our singles group. For two years we were just friends, when on day, he asked me to go dancing. We talked every day from that night out, and five months later, we were married.

That was twenty years ago, and I count myself “twice blessed” to have married two godly men. Myron and I had our first child in 2007 and our second in 2009. Our two teenage girls are our joy, and when I feel some days like an “old mom,” I rest in the fact that this was simply God’s plan for us.

About a year after our first child was born, I was part of a women’s Bible study. One week the teacher on the video shared the simple truth of how we need to pray and read the Bible every day. Like that 3D moment so long ago, this jumped off the screen and into my heart. By God’s grace, I’ve been in the Bible daily since 2008, through the birth of baby girl number two, toddlerhood, till now.

Sara, in this walk with God in this season of your life, what are some things you’ve learned that might be of encouragement to our readers?

That He is my energy and strength and that I do not need to have everything figured out. I’ve learned that I need to get up every morning, ask God His plan for the day, and then be obedient to all He asks me to do. Everything gets done, and life is much more balanced when He’s in charge – not just in theory, but in each minute of the day.

How have you prepared/been prepared for your ministry?

God’s allowed me to experience several traumas in life including the loss of my first spouse. I’ve had health issues, job loss, and have seen God’s undeniable faithfulness in it all. He’s also given me training as a musician, speaker, writer, Bible teacher, and entrepreneur. I now can manage the work and have the skills to do the work He’s called me to do.

Questions by Deborah

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

I recently heard someone say, “The need is the call.” If you see a need, consider how God might be asking you to help. Your insight, experience, Bible knowledge, and wisdom are invaluable. Methods change, but truth and human nature are consistent throughout time. Be flexible on “how” things get done, speak truth, and be willing to keep learning.

Can you tell us a little about your ministry?

I help Christian authors, speakers, and leaders to develop in three ways. I assist them with having:

A Clear Purpose – a focused understanding of their calling.

A Confident Presentation – a great talk delivered with confidence (often born from a book they’ve written)

A Clear Path – a marketing strategy that will help them reach a wider audience and increase their impact.

I also love to speak, and especially to teach Scripture. My book Six Ways to Sunday: Bible Study Techniques for Anyone, and its Companion Journal are on Amazon.com. I want everyone to know the thrill and transformation of encountering the Living God through personal Bible Study.

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

As an older mom, I still have teenagers at home. Currently, I’m 51, and they’re 17 and 15. My biggest challenge has simply been to find balance in “work” and “home,” though my husband and kids are my biggest cheerleaders! Also, having children at this stage has help me with being willing to face the numerous technological challenges and needs having a ministry can now involve. My kids are always happy to help both with online ideas and correcting my slang. Ha!

Sara, Debbie here. I am so glad you stopped by to share with our readers today. I personally know your ministry is helping others grow and be able to spread the Gospel with confidence (as you pointed out). You have met your challenges with faith and perseverance, and it shows. You are an example and encouragement to others!

Bio: Sara Shaffer is an award-winning speaker and #1 best-selling author. Her engaging approach leaves audiences inspired and ready to take on new challenges. Sara is also a Speaking Consultant for Christian authors, and leaders who are looking to widen their audience, increase books sales, and have a greater impact. Sara, her husband Myron, and their two teenage daughters live in Colorado.