As our nation celebrates 250 years (Happy Birthday, America!), I thought it would be the perfect time to recognize one of my favorite organizations—American Heritage Girls (AHG). AHG is a Christ-centered character and leadership development ministry whose mission is to build women of integrity through service to God, family, community, and country. AHG was founded in 1995 by Patti Garibay, who I had the pleasure of recently meeting at Turning Point USA's Women's Leadership Summit. Their vision states:
What a beautiful alignment with Pray Her Forward!
AHG invests in girls ages 5-18 by partnering with churches and families to help them grow their faith, develop practical life skills, serve their communities, and embrace biblical values while incorporating a robust patch program. Since 1995, AHG has grown from one troop of about 100 girls to over 70,000 members in all 50 states and six countries!
I had the joy of exhibiting at their 30th anniversary event last summer in Ohio, and I always make a point to visit them at overlapping conferences!
One reason I love AHG is because, in a culture that often challenges biblical identity, AHG provides a foundation rooted in Scripture while addressing topics like family and relationships, life skills, health and wellness, leadership, and character development to name a few. I encourage you to check them out below for the girls in your life!
🦪 Pearl of Wisdom
This week's Pearl of Wisdom is an excerpt from the testimony I had the privilege of writing for American Heritage Girls' devotion guide.
Victory Through Mentorship & Community
I remember a season in college when I found myself running from God instead of walking with Him. I wanted to fit in, struggled with FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), and slowly found myself drifting from the strong faith that had defined my younger years. I met Jesus at a young age, but quickly realized that intentional time with Jesus and with fellow believers is paramount when it comes to our walk with Christ.
Before I left for college, I was on fire for the Lord and the fruit was evident in my life. Once I got to college, the fruit began to spoil as I surrounded myself with unhealthy influences and made choices that were out of step with my character. Looking back, I can pinpoint what made the greatest difference: godly mentors and Christ-centered community. I stopped seeking wise counsel and began trying to navigate life on my own terms.
But God.
In His faithfulness, He pursued me. He led me to a Christian graduate school where He surrounded me once again with believers who encouraged me, challenged me, and pointed me back to Christ. Through confession, repentance, and the loving support of mentors and friends, I found victory over the areas where I needed healing and rediscovered the joy of walking closely with Jesus.
If you're feeling far from God or overwhelmed by the giants in your life, remember this: God often provides victory through the people He places around us. I encourage you, at any age, to invite trusted, Christ-centered believers into your story.
As several of my favorite verses on wise counsel remind us:
👯 Inside The MentHer Collective (TMC)
This month in TMC, we're thrilled to have Dr. Joe Malone as our guest speaker to align with Session 7 of More Precious Than Pearls: Sex, Purity, and Self-Control. "Dr. Joe" is a nationally recognized speaker, researcher, and educator with more than 30 years of experience in health, human performance, and sexual wellness. Known as the "Sexual Integrity Scientist," he combines scientific research with biblical truth for helping people navigate identity, relationships, and sexual integrity.
Dr. Joe has a wealth of knowledge, and you can join TMC anytime to hear our conversation on Tuesday, July 14 at 7pm EST!
What's On My Shelf 📙
I'm currently reading (and loving) Dr. Joe Malone and Sarah Harris's book, Battles of the Sexes, a research-packed look at 21st-century relationships between females and males. It explores the fascinating role hormones, brain chemistry, and our God-given design play in dating, attraction, and relationships. Although written for a secular audience, it's an encouraging read for young women who want to better understand their bodies and navigate today's dating culture with greater wisdom.
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