My guest today is Lori Moody. Lori and I were paired together in a writer's group as partners in a writing challenge right smack dab in the middle of Tropical Storm Imelda. During that time, she was such an encouragement. Demonstrating love and compassion during a time I was overwhelmed and hurting was a beautiful gift she afforded me.
Enjoy reading a little about the ministry she is involved in and how God is using her in the lives of women near and far.
Welcome, Lori...
1. Tell us a little about yourself. Upbringing, early adult life, marriage, kids, grandkids….
I’m a Louisiana girl but have lived in Texas most of my adult life. I was reared in a Christian home where church was a vital part of my life and it was there that I made a decision as a child to follow Christ. I have been married to my husband, Scott, for 40 years. We have three wonderful adult children and five grandchildren on this earth. Scott was a senior pastor for 36 years and is now a Professor of Preaching. We both work from home and are enjoying life as empty nesters.
2. Ministry can be both rewarding and difficult, how has God sustained you through the years?
You are so right about ministry, Gina. It’s rewarding in many ways. God gives opportunity to be part of the lives of people and you experience so many highs and lows with them. Many times you are part of the most important decisions they make and the milestone experiences of their lives. You see God working in families and even changing the trajectory of those families for good and for the Kingdom. But along with that, ministry sometimes has its low moments. Just the very public nature of ministry can be a struggle. Add to that the fallen nature that we all have and the fact that you are dealing with eternal things that the devil hates, and you have a recipe for difficulty.
God has sustained me and never left me. In the lowest moments, He met me there. He taught me to extend forgiveness as He has forgiven me. He has helped me to look beyond the immediate and to see people and situations in light of eternity. That has given me patience in ministry. I have learned to follow Jesus and to reach out for help when I have needed it. His Word and the truths in it have been an anchor holding me steadfast when my flesh wanted to run the wrong way.
3. Can you share a time when you feel God provided hope during a difficult circumstance? (personal or ministry related)
Personally, the year 2015 was a difficult year for our family. Our daughter carried and gave birth to our granddaughter, Annie, who lived for only 3 hours. It was a season of grief for me like no other. I write about it here…
4. At this stage of life, what doors has God opened for you to serve others?
God has given me opportunities to teach the Bible in my local church as well as at women’s conferences and retreats. He has given me the honor of serving our state Baptist convention in the area of women’s ministry. One of my favorite areas of serving others is with my husband as facilitators of retreats for pastors and wives. We work with Double Honor ministries to encourage those who serve the church.
5. Share with us about your ministry to ministry couples.
It’s one of my favorite things—to invest in the lives of those in ministry. God took my experience as a pastor’s wife, my love for people and my joy of cooking and put them together to give me the opportunity to serve those who serve the church. People in ministry love deeply, serve endlessly, work heartily, learn continuously, and many times struggle with burnout. The church as a whole is under attack in our culture and this puts a target on the back of those who lead the church. Double Honor ministries provides week long retreats that are free of charge and specifically geared to provide rest for those in ministry. This year Scott and I plan to facilitate a retreat for husbands and wives together, and I plan to facilitate one for women only. As ministers and wives of ministers, there are unique places of opportunity, influence, and blessing but also great responsibilities and sometimes hardships. Double Honor Ministries is committed to loving those who lead the church and I am honored to work with them in this endeavor.
If anyone reading this is interested in attending a Double Honor retreat, please feel free to contact me.
For more information about Double Honor: https://doublehonorministries.com/
6. What are you working on these days (writing and speaking)?
I’m currently studying the book of Philippians in preparation to teach a women’s Bible study at my home church this spring. I’m also preparing to teach at a women’s conference in February.
7. How has the last year changed the way you have ministered to others, even your own family?
Like many others, I’ve had my share of online meetings and Zoom calls. Lots of ministry and speaking opportunities have been done this way, and it has been a big learning curve for us all. It’s been a time to rethink and reevaluate the way we do ministry. Several of my speaking engagements were cancelled or rescheduled because of the pandemic. We’ve been forced to be creative in reaching people and it’s helped us to see that there is more than one way to get the gospel message out. God is creative in his ways and workings and He has brought good out of this terrible pandemic.
Personally, it has made me more aware of my home and has been a vivid reminder that the care and nurture of those in my home is entrusted to me. My first line of ministry is my home and family and I must be willing to serve God there first.
8. If you could share something with the overwhelmed mom or wife today, what encouragement would you give?
Remember there is a season for everything (Eccl 3:1) and this is a season. Even though your overwhelming circumstance may seem unending, it is a short time in the overall scheme of your life. Trust God to do His work in you and don’t be so hard on yourself. Serve God by serving those in your home. I love the reminder given to us by the great preacher and writer Charles H. Spurgeon, “You are as much serving God in looking after your own children, and training them up in God’s fear, and minding the house, and making your household a church for God, as you would be if you had been called to lead an army to battle for the Lord of hosts.”
We are all ordinary women serving a great God and He wants to show Himself strong in our circumstance.
9. What is your go-to scripture when you need hope?
“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil” (Hebrews 6:19 NKJV) This verse is written on my heart and has strengthened my soul on many occasions. In stormy times of uncertainty and chaos, the steadiness and surety of Jesus brings me comfort and hope.
Lori Moody is a wife, mother, grandmother, homemaker, and women’s leader. She is married to the love of her life, Scott Moody. For 40 years they have shared life and ministry.
Lori presently serves on the Women’s Ministry Leadership Team of the Southern Baptist of Texas Convention. She and her husband have partnered with Double Honor ministries to lead retreats that encourage those who lead in the church. She speaks to women’s groups at the denominational level and the local church through conferences, retreats, and banquets.
Lori and her husband, Scott, live in Southeast Texas where you might find her playing with her grandchildren, reading, crocheting, or preparing to minister when called upon.
You can connect with Lori: