Hi, I'm Andrea, and I am overjoyed that you are here! I hope that as you further connect with our community that you will find yourself growing deeper in intimacy with Jesus, becoming stronger in your identity in Christ, and walking through the rest of your life free from the bondage of the enemy. It was for FREEDOM that Christ set us free (Gal. 5:1), but most often, people don't know how to grab hold of the freedom that is already theirs in Christ.
My Past...
As a young adult, I struggled with anxiety, depression, abandonment, anger, and suicidal thoughts. I grew up in an abusive home and didn't know how to trust the Lord with all the broken pieces of my life. I also grew up in church and knew what the Bible said about the Lord healing the brokenhearted and turning our sorrow to joy, but I didn't know how to apply these scriptures to my life and see real change.
My Journey...
My journey started when I began seeking freedom in Christ from the oppression that hindered me. This longing to be free birthed in me a desire to see others set free and walking in the fullness of the Lord. Scripture is full of beautiful promises available for believers, but it was rare to see these promises in my life or the lives of others believers that I knew. I wanted to know why. Over time and through seeking, trusting, and applying scripture to my life, Jesus took a very broken young woman and transformed me into a confident woman full of joy and hope. I made a determination that I did not want to just read scripture, but I wanted to live it out in my life.
My Family...
I met Sean, my feisty, "tell-it-like-it-is" red head of a husband before my first semester of college. We started our life and family much earlier than I had planned. I graduated with a Bachelor's in English and walked the stage 4 months pregnant with my first child. I never planned on starting a family so young, but the Lord interrupted my plans. I am so grateful He did! The Lord has used my husband and children over and over to shape, challenge, and strengthen me. We have three amazing children: a determined, resilient, artistic 19 year old daughter, a go-with-the-flow, musically gifted 17 year old daughter, and an "all boy", athletically gifted 12 year old son. I wouldn't change a thing!
My Ministry...
In my thirties, I went back to school to pursue a Master's in Organizational Leadership. This program changed the course of my ministry. I signed up for a class that culminated with a trip to Rwanda, Africa. The Lord spoke to my heart in Rwanda and began weaving together the different threads of my life. I founded I Will Stand International, a ministry that works to rescue, restore, equip, and empower vulnerable women and children around the world. I told the Lord in the beginning of IWSI that I didn't want to be a ministry that worked on character development or simply put a band-aid over issues. I told him that I wanted IWSI to be a ministry that He used to transform people at a foundational level. I wanted to see real and authentic freedom from oppression. When I prayed that prayer back in 2012, I did not fully understand what I was asking, but since then, the Lord has been teaching, preparing, and sending me people for this very purpose.
My Commitment to You...
I am honored, excited, and grateful for the culmination of content, trainings, coaching, and events that have been birthed as a result. My passion, purpose, and mission in life is to partner with you and share the knowledge needed to walk in the fullness of Lord, completely unhindered from the bondage of the enemy. Not only do I want to share this knowledge, but I want to walk with you on your journey to freedom. There is no greater joy than watching this transformation. So, welcome! I am glad you are here. I have walked where you are going. I am here with you and am happy to take your hand and show you the way.
Always in Service,
Andrea Williams
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