Andrena Sawyer's Blog

Lies, lies and more lies. If, like me, you bought into that narrative, you've been misled. Legacy is a commodity, and it's created by those who refuse to stay in their place. The rich get that, which is why some pay millions to be memorialized to ensure it. For the past year, I've been captivated by the stories of two men-—Nabeel Qureshi and Colin Kaepernick. If you've never heard their names, here's the short version: Nabeel Qureshi was a former Muslim apologist who became a well-known Christian teacher. I've known about him for some time, but a year ago at age 33, he announced he was in the advanced stages of stomach cancer. Colin Kaepernick is a "former" NFL player who started a silent protest in response to what appeared to be an increase in police brutality and the murders of unarmed people of color. Amadou Diallo. Sean Bell. Eric Garner. Sandra Bland. Michael Brown. Freddie Gray. Alton Sterling. The list of people of color killed in police custody kept getting longer and longer, so Kaepernick started to sit, then kneel in silent protest. Since both of their stories first enamored me, both have lost a lot. Nabeel passed away September 16, 2017, and Colin is without a job seemingly blackballed by his employer. First, let me say that in a time when men are frequently emasculated, it was encouraging to see leading men forge ahead despite hardships and persecution. That's a story for another day. In the last year, here's what has intrigued me about both men: they both had a lot at stake when they decided to live life strictly by conviction. They decided that the purity and peace of conviction was more important than comfort, reference points or any other temporary thing life has to offer them. At 31 years of age, I have a deep appreciation for this. I know my generation is known for complacency. I can admit that, and it's not completely unfounded. In a time when paper chasing and insta-fame are all the rage, it was refreshing to see men take a stand so boldly for what they believe in, even if it meant hate letters, threats on their life, severed relationships, ostracization, or even financial loss in Colin's case. Did they know that it would cost all of this? I'm convinced so. No one takes a stance consistently without counting the cost. I respect them even more for that. The compensation for untainted and uncompromised conviction has never been cheap, but it will always be worth it. So, what now? In the case of Colin Kaepernick, I pray the community he's sacrificing for honors our own request for a new type of leader by standing by his message. Now's not the time to be silent and immobile after getting on our various soapboxes to condemn inaction.In the case of Nabeel Qureshi, I pray his legacy as a truly unashamed believer stirs us to take a stand against whatever persecution we encounter. The gift of life is bigger than the 80 years some of us will have, by the grace of God, on this earth. There's a legacy that awaits after that time is done. What will yours be?_______________________________________________________________________Andrena Sawyer is the President of , and the Founder of the . In addition to her work with nonprofits and small businesses, she leads workshops on personal and professional development for women across the country. She is the author of The Long Way Home, Ponder It In Her Heart, and The Other Side of Assertiveness. Follow her on twitter or Instagram 

I’ve been in the church almost all my life. I know the nuances, rituals and the expectations. I am confident that I can walk into many church services and, with a hidden microphone, explain to a new church attendee the appropriate times to stand up, sit down, talk back to the preacher, and clap their hands. Most of the rituals are recognizable and beautiful as they reflect a collective commitment to a journey that’s not always easy. When I shout back “amen” as the preacher gets riled up, it’s because he’s speaking to a situation that I’m currently in, or found myself in at some point. I can assume the same for most of the people around me, and I appreciate that shared experience. Here’s what I don’t appreciate: for some reason, we don’t like to talk about some of the ugliness that comes with these rituals and nuances.Let’s be honest, church folks are some of the meanest, vindictive, gossipy, envious and manipulative people in the world. Church hurt works because of the double-edged sword known as grace. By grace we have been saved, and by grace we know we will be forgiven. The funny thing about grace is, once we begin to understand it, it is only the love of God Himself that will keep us from abusing it.I used to joke with my friends that some of the worst men I’ve ever dated were Christian men. For some reason, the boys I dated in my missionary dating daysappearedhumbler, more gracious and more devoted. Same is true with my friendships with women—the un-churched were, many times, more friendly, less judgmental, and much less eager to celebrate a misfortune. It bothered me, and to be honest, sometimes it still bothers me. In the church, I’ve seen or been victim to abuse of position, manipulation, sexual abuse, crowd-think or mafia culture, bullying, sabotage and too many other things to list. Beyond the actions, what hurt the most was the source of the action—brethren who are supposed to be connected to me by what we believe is thicker than the blood flowing through our veins. For some reason, we don’t like to talk about it, as if ignoring it will make it go away. It doesn’t.I went through a season some time ago when the weight of church hurt almost crippled me. I remember visiting a good friend of mine who unknowingly shed some light. Apparently, she’d been a victim as well, and so had I….for years, and didn’t even know it. As we talked, it was like my eyes were open for the first time, and the shock of daylight after a long night hit me. It explained why people I knew who were once zealots for the gospel said they no longer believed, and it was why those who once danced in church services questioned the existence of One they used to passionately cry out to. That moment hurt, and I began to wrestle with God. In my wrestling, I came away with a few things.Church people sometimes hurt each other because church people are…people. Hurt people hurt people, and all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We expect better of church folks because we misalign our expectations. Contrary to what some believe, church folks have never been God, and they will never be God. That revelation broke me…in a good way. It didn’t take away the hurt, but it lightened my expectations, especially when I think about ways I may have inflicted church hurt myself—knowingly and unknowingly, if I’m honest. Truth is, there isoneperfect savior. That doesn’t excuse recklessness with our words, but it strengthens me to hold someone accountable when they want to enforce their man-made rules in my life, or when they want to inflict their unhealed hurts on me. I think about 1 Peter 4:10, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”Recognizing the source of church hurt strengthens me to lower the expectations on my brethren. I now understand that they’re merely working out their own salvation, in the same way that I’m doing. It also allows me to fix my eyes of Jesus—the author and finisher of my faith. Church folks aren’t God. Truth be told, some church folks aren’t even Christians. That understanding allows me to walk in freedom, victory and a laser-sharp focus on the only One whose opinion really matters at the end of the day.If you’ve been a victim of church hurt, I pray you find the grace to walk in freedom of forgiveness today. If you’re been a perpetrator, I pray you find the strength to walk in humility to acknowledge what you’ve done. Our ultimate devotion is not to be perfect people (here on earth), but to be a reflection of a divine work that continuously unfolding in our hearts._______________________________________________________________________Andrena Sawyer is the President ofP.E.R.K. Consulting, and the Founder of theMinority Christian Women Entrepreneurs Network. In addition to her work with nonprofits and small businesses, she leads workshops on personal and professional development for women across the country. She is the author of The Long Way Home, Ponder It In Her Heart, and The Other Side of Assertiveness.Follow her on twitter or Instagram@Andrena_Sawyer 

The idea of Donald Trump being an underdog is laughable. According to him, he’s worth billions of dollars. Even if he’s exaggerated his financial worth, anyone with eyes, ears, and a working mind can see that by any standard, he’s certainly worth a lot. He has managed to build an empire across industries with imprints locally and internationally—think hotels, television shows and pageants. He has a beautiful family that, regardless of what goes on behind closed doors, maintains a united front, impenetrable by anyone not carrying their last name. Hate him or love him, we have to be honest and admit that the man is worth a lot. Except in politics. In that space, underdog is too kind a description.Prior to a year ago, many laughed at even the possibility of what transpired on November 8, 2016. Nothing on The Donald’s extensive resume would have led to us to believe that he could pull off such a big political upset. While the rest of the world rightfully mourned, here’s why I smiled: the Donald’s win was a reminder of the same grace and sovereignty that I’ve experienced more often than I can count. Stay with me. I’m not of the camp that believes that The Donald was sent by God Himself to save America, and I am not of the camp that believes that God will use The Donald to humble America. I’m merely an onlooker, admiring the glaring traces of sovereign fingerprints.If I’m honest, the shock of The Donald being the 45th president of the United States hasn’t worn off. Like everyone else, I’ve had over 3 months to process it, but it still doesn’t make sense how an absolute novice can beat not one, but several political powerhouses. That, to me, is the fingerprint of God. I think about Romans 13: 1, “…there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God…” and Daniel 2:21 “…He removes kings and establishes kings…”Whether you like The Donald or not, his path to the White House is nothing short of a miracle, and that should encourage you. It’s a reminder that regardless of your background, what is meant for you will be yours. There aren’t enough credentials, competitors, or enough preparation that can stand in the way of what is meant for you.I believe God is a just God, and I also believe He’s incredibly merciful and proactive. As a believer who is an immigrant, woman and business owner, I know the next few years will require faith that God will protect, provide for and guide me and mine. However, I am confident that as surely as He is my God, He is also God of those who have different political, social and economic values. When He moves, He moves in the context of His sovereignty, and not according to what we deserve. He’s been doing it longer than you and I have had breath in our lungs, and He will continue to do it long after we don’t. He chooses whom He will. Simple. That means He chooses the Davids as well as the Sauls. Your qualifications, other people’s expectations, the vehicle that He uses to elevate you can’t stand up to the fact that He chooses and approves you. Faith means we don’t get to believe that only when it’s flowery and in our favor.Stay encouraged, folks!_______________________________________________________________________Andrena Sawyeris the President ofP.E.R.K. Consulting,and the Founder of theMinority Christian Women Entrepreneurs Network. In addition to her work with nonprofits and small businesses, she leads workshops on personal and professional development for women across the country. She is the author of The Long Way Home, Ponder It In Her Heart, and The Other Side of Assertiveness.Follow her on twitter or Instagram@Andrena_Sawyer 

We live in a culture that sensationalizes “purpose.” Somehow, we’ve come to believe that this illusive concept is the missing link to an assurance of fulfillment, riches, and comfort. However, anyone who has embarked on a journey to find their purpose knows that the quest is not an easy one. It’s often laced with heartbreaking moments of sacrifice. For us dream-chasers, that vision for our lives often keeps us up at night. Fortunately, over time most learn how to manage the pendulum of emotions that go from extreme highs of pride and joy to extreme lows of impatience and the sorrow of sacrifice. Until one day, you realize that if you are a dream-chaser, who is also a believer, the dream is simply not enough because God really does not care about you chasing your dreams.Alright, maybe it’s not that He doesn’t care. After-all, the Bible makes it clear that He cares about every area of our lives, including a seemingly minute detail like the numbers of hairs on our head (see Luke 12:7, Matthew 6:8, and Psalm 139:17-18). From Genesis to Revelation we see a picture of a God that cares about so many things like poverty, justice, children, mercy and civil rights, to name a few. The challenge is to understand that beyond all of these things, He cares about His glory first and foremost. This means that anything, including our comfort, that stands in the way of His glory cannot and will not take precedent over that primary concern.Self-help gurus, motivational speakers and the like have led us to believe that fulfilling our purpose is our primary goal in life. It sounds noble enough that if we walk in our purpose as business leaders, authors, motivational speakers or entertainers, we will create a platform that shows the world what God can do. That may be part of God’s plan for us. However, here’s what it definitely is not: God’s plan is not for a life dedicated to a pursuit that exalts self as the chief architect of any one person’s success. Such a life results in us being the focal point of anything good in our lives. The reality is that every good and perfect gift comes from Him. When our plans work out, it’s a testament to His grace, but we quickly forget that and charge our success to our work ethic, our networks, and our plans. When things sometimes fall apart in our journey, it jolts our faith because our focus has been on our vision and not His glory. We insist that because God has given us a vision for our lives, He must come through. That’s true only if that vision exalts Him before it exalts anything else.To my fellow dream-chasers, be careful with prayers that insist on deliverance that leads only to our comfort. Way beyond our comfort, God cares about His glory and our holiness. Period. Because He cares about His glory, He puts us in position to testify of that glory. Be mindful that His glory and our holiness could mean being a position that is desperately uncomfortable. A common snare from the enemy is to get us to believe that discomfort equates to God’s anger or ignorance. It doesn’t. Both our comfort and discomfort are meant to turn our hearts back to Him in submission and honor. If your dream demands that God always makes your path straight, then it probably promotes self-reliance and not God-reliance. He is under no obligation to honor that. In my journey as a fellow dream-chaser, I have come to rely on this truth only: promotion comes from God, but we exist not to seek promotion. The promotion is sometimes a byproduct of that glory, not the purpose of our existence._______________________________________________________________________Andrena Sawyer is the President ofP.E.R.K. Consulting, and the Founder of the Minority Christian Women Entrepreneurs Network. In addition to her work with nonprofits and small businesses, she leads workshops on personal and professional development for women across the country. She is the author ofThe Long Way Home, Ponder It In Her Heart, and The Other Side of Assertiveness.Follow her on twitter or Instagram@Andrena_Sawyer 

I’m a pretty emotionally-cautious person. It’s not often that my affect actually reflects what’s going on deep in the recesses of my mind. I tend to take information with a grain of salt, process it, then process it some more, before I react. This is why it has sometimes taken me months before I even mourn for a loved one, or to share joyous news that would cause most people to shout from rooftops. However, this week I wept—publicly and loudly—for people I don’t know. I wept at work, in front of my staff, for children that I may never meet. I wept for families whose pain resonated so deeply that it made me angry.As a Christian, this matters. The pain matters. This fear matters. The brokenness matters. All of it matters. It matters to God, and it should matter to everyone—black, white, woman, man, child.This week, the more I processed the fate of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, the angrier I became. I was angry at their public executions, angry at systematic failures, angry that my children may grow up numb to these types of incidences, and angry at the fear that was brewing inside for my own life. What angered me the most however, was the seeming apathy of other believers. Like the inability to look away from a bad car crash, I found myself drawn to angry Facebook postings that drew responses from people who were blaming victims and using the bible to spew insolent and careless rhetoric. It all hurt so bad. So last night I did the only thing I know to do when I am overwhelmed this way—I prayed.As I was praying, I was reminded of the book of Exodus and the ordained killing of all the Hebrew male children. A community was fearful, chaos was rampant, and children were being slaughtered for what was beyond their control. I was instantly also reminded of 2 Chronicles 7:14 which says, if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray, I will heal their land. I was convicted, not for my anger, but for compartmentalizing my faith and giving into my desire (although seemingly justified) to fuel my rage.My rage causes me to want to protest. It makes me want to ignore (to put it nicely) White people, and to use every platform I have to fuel other people’s anger—in hopes that if we’re all angry enough, we can cause change. Some of these things aren’t inherently bad, but given the wrong set of circumstances, they can take things from bad to worse quicker than most can blink an eye. What I’ve decided to do instead is to choose faith over rage. I’m not talking passivity and blind ignorance, but I am talking about faith that comes from strength that chooses peace in times like this.To my White brethren, if you believe you are a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, you have to see what’s happening as symptomatic of brokenness for a community that has historically been controlled by fear, violence and deprivation. A passive and intolerant stance does nothing to help that brokenness. In fact, it is offensive and arrogant. Righteous indignation calls sin…sin. Bigotry is sin. Racism is sin. Oppression is sin. Control by fear is sin. Violence is sin. Lukewarm-ness is sin. The quicker we can all admit that, the quicker the healing will begin. My prayer is that if you are guilty of any of the above, you choose faith—the kind of faith that may denounce some of your privilege, but advocates for your oppressed brethren.To my minority brethren, choose faith. As difficult as it is, choose faith—the kind of faith that we know without works is dead. The faith that raises awareness, educates the community, advocates, cares for the widows and feeds the orphans. Choose the faith that is compelled to action, but not controlled my anger. The kind of faith that refuses to be baited into foolish arguments, and chooses not to spew hateful and divisive rhetoric. My prayer is that we choose faith that remembers that action without faith is self-reliance and sinful, and with that knowledge we remember to wage war where it really matters—before the throne of grace._______________________________________________________________________Andrena Sawyer is the President ofP.E.R.K. Consulting, and the Founder of theMinority Christian Women Entrepreneurs Network. In addition to her work with nonprofits and small businesses, she leads workshops on personal and professional development for women across the country. She is the author of The Long Way Home, Ponder It In Her Heart, and The Other Side of Assertiveness.Follow her on twitter or Instagram@Andrena_Sawyer 

I turned 30 two months ago, and if I’m really honest, it’s all been very anticlimactic. I don’t actually feel different, but there is a constant awareness that I am older and I should feel different. A big part of this is because I spent my 29th birthday having a pity party in anticipation of turning 30 this year. Silly, I know, especially considering the fact that tomorrow is not guaranteed, much less another year. My closest friends couldn’t understand why I was having a premature break-down,

Thinking of taking the leap into entrepreneurship? Congratulations! Check out these 4 practical tips for moving from idea to implementation.   This is a 5-part series for those who are tired of just talking about the idea, and those who are ready to take the idea to the next level in 2016.   

Thinking of taking the leap into entrepreneurship? Congratulations! Check out these 4 practical for mitigating your risk. While you may not be able to avoid risks completely, there are ways to lessen the impact.  This is a 5-part series for those who are tired of just talking about the idea, and those who are ready to take the idea to the next level in 2016.  Video #1: https://youtu.be/Cvw8zBhwKds Video #2: https://youtu.be/eDuxqxbwLrk Video #3: https://youtu.be/zd5SYZngyy8Video #5:

She's beautiful, successful, and let's face it, she's probably one of the most powerful women in the world right now. Before the Illuminati authorities ostracize me from the Body, let me preface this article by saying I am not a Beyoncé "fan." I have never purchased Beyoncé’s music (for several reasons that I won't get into right now), but as an entrepreneur, I have tremendous respect for her hustle. If I was not a believer before, Beyoncé weekend…I mean Super Bowl weekend, made me a believer. Love her or hate her, we can all learn at least two things from Beyoncé.The Art of ExcellencePlain and simple, Beyoncé is good at what she does. This past Saturday, twenty-four hours before the long awaited Super Bowl 50, the world was consumed with its own motions. As we all went about our day, most people I knew were not thinking or talking about Beyoncé. Within the hour of releasing her video for "Formation," she had metaphorically broken the internet and was trending on very social media site. Twenty-four hours later, she was performing the hit single that everyone now knew the words to, on the largest stage in the world. Within minutes of that performance, she announced a world tour that literally crashed her website.Lest we forget, this is the second time in about two years that Beyoncé has done a surprise release for her fans. Somehow, they're still surprised. Love her or hate it, her track record is very clear—she doesn't just set the bar for excellence in entertainment, she clears it.The Art of Staying FocusedThere is another thing that I have noticed about Beyoncé. Even back in her Destiny's Child days, her circle seemed small, and there is rarely any drama involving her in the tabloids. If you are perceptive enough, you may have noticed her small gaffe during Sunday's performance. You know, the one where she almost fell over during her routine? You may not have noticed it. In fact, I'm sure majority of the people who watched the performance probably didn't notice it either. That's how quickly she bounced back, and there's much to be learned there as well. I've watched many Christian women allow their slipups to cripple them. Instead of moving on with our metaphorical dance routine, we allow the mistakes to go from a distraction, to becoming the main attraction.If you remember correctly, a little over two years ago, Beyoncé’s husband and sister got into a scuffle in an elevator. Somehow, Beyoncé managed to avoid the drama. For months, I tried to figure out how she remained unscathed after that debacle. The answer is simple: she manages to put distractions in their proper context.Twenty-four hours after Beyoncé/Superbowl weekend, my timeline was filled with women arguing about Beyoncé—her level of consciousness, her talent, the amount of clothes she has on, and yes, whether she is part of the Illuminati. Again, let me be clear, I think such adulation of a mere human being is...unhealthy. Beyoncé may never meet most of us. She may not even care about us beyond the portion of our paychecks that goes into building her empire. However, the truth is that we can all learn a few things from the economics of what Beyoncé does, and how she does it. I am of the school of thought that whatever we do, we must do it well. I take Colossians 3:23 literally. I have seen way too many Christian women (and men) attempt to do things "for the Lord" in a way that appears mediocre, at best. On a daily basis, I interact with people who start with brilliant ideas, and never follow through. If nothing else, Beyoncé reminds me that we all have talents. While we may not all have the resources that she does, we all know the clear difference that a touch of excellence makes. My hope is that whether you love her, hate her, or barely respect her, we can look at her and admit that there is a standard of excellence. As believers, we should be defining that standard, not be shamed by it.

Faith has never been my struggle. In fact, I thrived in situations that required faith. It’s caused me to see God in real ways that only fueled my thirst to see Him demonstrated in bigger ways.I remember my sophomore year in college. I knew that there was no way I was going to have the money to cover the balance of my tuition that a scholarship didn’t cover. My father had a candid conversation with me that he would not take me to school that year because we didn’t have a solid plan. The way he saw it (being the rational and protective father that he is), driving me from New Jersey to Washington DC was only a set-up for embarrassment and heartbreak later. My response? That same day, I took the train from New Jersey to New York, then took the bus from New York to DC. I packed enough clothes to last me at least a month, because I just knew things would work out. Sure enough, after a lot of crying, praying and fasting, I ended that year in good academic and financial standing with the university. I went on to graduate in 4 years.While I was in DC, I thought the Lord was leading me to start a youth outreach. I proposed the idea to a friend who responded, “what if someone gets shot?” He wasn’t asking to discourage me. He was challenging me to think through all possibilities. Truth was, I had no money (barely paid my tuition), I was a foreigner in the area, and my support system consisted of other 18 year olds who were also trying to figure out life. I discarded reason (and his questions), and went on to do the outreach anyway. That outreach, Rock, the MIC, lasted for 5 years, and served an average of 150 youth each year. I saw God provide thousands of dollars, some of the most talented (and popular) Christian artists graced the stage, and the most unlikely people connected to serve the community. Faith has not been my struggle. Until recently.When I decided to become an entrepreneur in 2012, I had no idea what it would entail. I knew God was opening some doors. He’d increased my confidence in the abilities He gave me, and the previous season brought harsh disappointments that left me broken and with no choice but to seek God earnestly for direction. I was hearing clearly in that season.I have watched Him do incredible things through my company, and in me. It’s also been a journey that has stretched me in ways that I could never imagine—financially, emotionally, relationally, and physically. I’ve gained and lost weight on this journey, made and lost money and possessions, gained and lost relationships, and sacrificed more time than I can account for. A series of my decisions recently led me to a crossroads that required me to choose between closing the doors of P.E.R.K. for good, or pushing through a little bit more, just in case there was the mother load of breakthroughs on the other side. Pushing through has meant having to learn what scarcity looks like (all over again), and constantly rejecting the pressure to live life comparing my journey to others. I cry out to God almost daily about why He’s answered quickly for me before, but now the answers seem more interspersed.Here’s my conclusion: my 18 year old faith is no longer enough. The thrill of believing for the impossible is now exhausting and not as exciting. It’s a perspective that comes with the expectation of maturity. A good friend once teased me that I was a glutton for punishment. Perhaps he’s right, or perhaps choosing to believe that the God of Elijah and Abraham who anticipates needs (1 Kings 17:6, Genesis 22:13), and the God of Esther who favors unqualified people, often requires faith that is produced through what appears to be suffering.What I’ve learned in this process is that faith often goes against reason. It is often clouded by fear, and the barometer cannot always be past experiences. God’s nature doesn’t change. He still does very much with very little, and I believe He is looking for ways to demonstrate His glory to us. Perhaps the faith He is looking for is not for performing the spectacular for us, but through us, so that His glory remains His own (untarnished and solely His). When our faith of yesteryear is not enough, we must take hold of the truth that we are finite and God is not. Patience is required to seek and wait for the response. He is sovereign and sensitive at the same time. That truth ought to be enough to remind us to take His promises as our own each day, as we wait to see in what new ways He will manifest His glory, grace and kindness toward us.