WWI – Donna Lewis, A Woman After God’s Heart
Recently Christian Women Living Magazine caught up with one of our very own and conducted an interview. This lady has a ministry that is about to explode and she has been a part of CWL since the beginning. She has a heart for women who are hurting, lonely and confused about God’s word. Meet Donna Lewis, CEO of Breathe Life Ministries and author of Toxic to Transformed.
Cyndi Kay Green: Please give us a brief introduction to Donna Lewis; who is she and where is she from.
Donna Lewis: I am originally from Portland, OR . Since 2017 I’ve lived in the Smoky Mountains, not too far from Chattanooga. I’m a wife who has been married almost 20 years to the love of my life. I know that sounds cheesy, there’s just no other way to describe him. Jade is my guy!
I am a mom to three beautiful grown children. They still live in the Portland area and yes, I miss them like crazy!
Though it’s not the same, I have filled my empty nest with two dogs, Zeplin and Pink, and one very fluffy cat, Muffin. She’s napping next to me as I type!
CKG: How did Breathe Life Ministries come to be? When did God show you that you would be walking in this ministry?
DL: Breathe Life Ministries was born in 2018, one day before my birthday. It came suddenly, as an answer to a decade long prayer. I had been praying to know specifically what God had for me, along with a strategy to fulfill it. That morning, as His birthday gift, He downloaded it to me. Worship & Words of Life!
CKG: You have a great 100 day devotional book about being transformed, what led you to write that book?
DL: In my research to build Breathe Life Ministries I learned writing a book is a critical step. Publishing is very much like earning a degree, it adds credibility.
As I prayed about what to write, I remembered someone saying “write what you know”!
Well, there’s one thing I know, and I know it all too well: verbal and emotional abuse.
I’d experienced it daily growing up and was married to a covert abuser over 10 years. To top it off, my abusers did not stop the torment after my marriage to Jade. They actually got worse.
Emotional abuse is very difficult to buttress against, especially when it involves family and a co-parent. It takes education, training and time.
The damage to my soul was extensive. I came away with severe Complex PTSD. Depression and panic attacks were debilitating at times. Anxiety was just normal living to me.
But, God! There was one constant through it all. One thing I could always rely upon: His immutable Word.
Since my early twenties I have loved devotionals and journaling. I saved almost all my journals. I knew I had meaningful material inside them for this project: scripture, meditations and revelations right at my fingertips.
Truth: God’s word heals. God’s word transforms the heart and renews the mind. When we drink it in, He faithfully applies it like a balm to all the broken places, restoring them to life and filling us with purpose. I wanted to get this message into people’s hands in a way they could easily digest it.
That is how Toxic to Transformed, 100 Words of Life to Renew the Mind came to be.
CKG: Tell us about Life Streams and how it began.
DL: It was actually the brain child of Stephanie, our editor in chief at CWL! She became inspired by my live-casts and had a vision to do devotionals, with multimedia content. So as we brainstormed together Life Streams was born. I do the devotional video along with PDF study guides. The study guides provide a platform for deeper study on each topic.
CKG: What influenced your salvation? Share your experience of coming to know Jesus.
DL: I was raised in a Conservative Baptist Church that prioritized the Word of God. I have never known life without Jesus and the Word of God being part of it. But, as for an intimate, life changing experience with God that was much later.
At 16 I realized “I really don’t care if I know Jesus or not” . I felt dead inside with the revelation and it bothered me. At that moment, I prayed a simple prayer, “God, help me care”.
A few years later I found myself attending an Assembly of God church. It was there I was introduced to the filling of the Holy Spirit. I experienced the presence of God entering my life for the first time. I truly FELT born-again. The Word of God became living and active. I had an authentic, intimate relationship with Jesus for the first time.
CKG: What do you believe is successful?
DL: Because of all the abuse, I felt I had to prove I’m valuable, intelligent and strong. For the majority of my life, either consciously or subconsciously, I believed a big paycheck and fancy title would do that. I worked hard, but got nowhere.
After years of striving, I felt totally defeated. Then God, as my loving, beautiful Daddy, opened my eyes to His Word. Jesus said, “My bread and my meat is to do the will of my Father, who sent me.”
I am His Child, that is the only title that will ever matter. He is my supply, that is all the provision I will ever need. Executing the will of God with love each day is all that is required of me.
Success is when I stand before Him, one on one, and He says, “well done!” It’s that simple.
There is nothing wrong with titles and money, but my heart must be solely devoted to the LOVE of Jesus Christ and working His purpose in the world.
The quest to achieve apart from this truth will end in destruction.
CKG: What are your hobbies?
DL: I am a passionate motorcyclist. I experience no greater delight than when I’m on my Harley, cruising a beautiful Smoky Mountain back road. It’s pure heaven!
CKG: You have recently started expert interviews, if you could interview anyone who would be your first choice and why?
DL: I promise this is not political advocacy in any way! But if I am to be totally honest with my answer I can’t think of anyone I would rather interview, alive today, than President Donald J. Trump. He is fascinating!
What a life he’s had! From international business, to television and then finally the White House. He’s experienced the pinnacles of human achievement and the depths of human failure. And talk about trials! He has been through more investigation and criticism than anyone in the history of the United States.
If I could be certain that I was having a transparent, authentic exchange, it would be the interview of a lifetime!
CKG: What has had the biggest impact on your relationship with Jesus?
DL: When I was a single mom I laid in bed one night and prayed “God, I know you love me. I just wish I could feel your arms around me and hear your voice in my ears. I need You with skin on.”
Not long after that, I met my husband Jade. As much as humanly possible, he loves me the way God loves me. He speaks to me, the heart and kindness of God every day.
Jade has been a daily reminder of how much Jesus LOVES me, personally.
CKG: What is the most profound and life changing thing you have heard, whether it be advice or a sermon?
DL: A little over 30 years ago, a Romanian theologian named Joseph Tahn spoke at my Christian college. He had been persecuted under the tyranny of Nicolae Ceausescu. To this day I’m still processing his words.
If I were to paraphrase, it would be, “God is not Santa, He is sovereign. Trust in His sovereignty. Honor His sovereignty even if it costs you everything. When life is at its worst, know that God is sovereign.”
Do I confess to fully comprehending Joseph Tahn’s message? No. Has his life message impacted me more than anyone else? Yes, without question.
CKG: What do you see as the biggest gap between women today and their relationship with Jesus?
DL: In my observation, women have fallen into the trap described by Paul in 2 Timothy 3:7. We are “ever learning but never able to come to the knowledge of truth.” I believe it stems from a very natural place.
We long to feel empowered, strong, capable and beautiful. This longing can be a huge vulnerability, especially if we have been traumatized. Left unattended it creates a vacuum in our soul. The question becomes, what is going to fill it?
If we choose Jesus, who is “the way, the truth and the life”, then we become unified into Him and the vacuum is filled. (Remember the woman at the well? John 4: 13 & 14)
If we choose knowledge without Him, then we are ever learning yet never satisfied. Worse yet, the knowledge actually becomes a path leading further and further away from the truth that would heal us.
CKG: What is your favorite part about ministry?
DL: Knowing that I’m doing exactly what I was created to do, with the people I’m created to partner with. It feels whole and full of energy! And, it is in this environment that miracles happen. God on display!
CKG: Where does music fall into your ministry?
I believe God is about to use it for outreach. My husband and I are working on a project of classic rock cover songs to perform at restaurants and other public venues.
What I’ve seen happen in my previous ministry with PureFusion is that people will get touched by a particular song, then while I’m on break, come up and begin sharing their life story: It’s an open door for Christ to step in and do what He does best: heal and restore!
Worship will continue to play a fundamental role at Breathe Life Ministries. It will be in the form of spotlighting various worship artists and their ministry. I will still share in worship, but only from time to time as the Lord leads.
CKG: How can our readers get in touch with you?
DL: Breathe Life Ministries
Web: breathlifeministries.com
Facebook@BreathLifeMinistries
Youtube@Breathe Life Ministries Donna Lewis
Email: breathlifeministriesdonna@gmail.com
On behalf of Christian Women Living Magazine and our readers, I would like to thank Donna for taking time to give us a bit of insight behind Breathe Life Ministries.
