Today we’d like to introduce you to Iris Rhett.
Hi Iris, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
“From Rejection to Resurrection: How Jesus Redeemed My Life —
Body, Soul, and Spirit”
By Iris Darlene Stokes Rhett, Jacksonville, FL
My praise has been and will always be: “To God Be All The Glory.”
They said I wasn’t wanted.
But God said, “I’ve already written your name in the Book of Life.” (Revelation 3:5)
I was adopted as a baby, and for years, I didn’t know. When I finally found out, I created an alter ego named Samantha—a friend who carried all my pain. I thought I was broken beyond repair. I thought rejection meant I wasn’t loved. But John 3:16 changed that.
But God had other plans. (Jeremiah 29:11)
What began as a story of pain became a journey of power. I walked through depression, suicidal thoughts, addiction, and a marriage on the brink—all while carrying the weight of not knowing who I truly was. I gained weight, lost my health, and one doctor even told me I wouldn’t live past 50.
But God said, “Not today.”
And it wasn’t just my body that struggled—my mind did too.
I’ve lived with dyslexia my whole life. School wasn’t about intelligence; it was about survival. I could read the words, but they moved on the page.
Comprehension? That was a battle. I barely made it through.
People thought I wasn’t trying.
Some thought I wasn’t capable.
But God knew.
And now? Now I love to learn.
Theology, prophecy, history—I dive in deep.
Not because it’s easy, but because He opened the door no man could shut.
They said I wouldn’t live past 50.
They didn’t know I’d be preaching past 60,
writing books,
raising fish from the dead,
and telling the world:
If God can use me—He can use you.
At 64, I’m not just alive—I’m awake. On April 24, 2023, I suffered three cardiac arrests in 24 hours at a local hospital here in Jacksonville. I was clinically dead.
In that moment, I stood in God’s throne room. My entire life flashed before me—
the pain, the pride, the unforgiveness.
And the Lord said, “Your heart is black with unforgiveness. Go back. Forgive. Be free. If I let you stay here, you’ll end up separated from Me throughout all eternity.”
That shook me to my core—and it still does.
I came back not just to breathe, but to preach.
I forgave those who hurt me. I asked forgiveness from those I wounded. Some were gone, so I visited their graves and spoke healing into the soil.
And God gave me peace—a peace that surpasses all understanding.(Philippians 4:7)
Even in the mystery—not knowing why my heart stopped—I trust Him. My defibrillator may fire again. But if it does, I’m ready. I want to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”(Matthew 25:21)
And get this—the woman who raised me? I always thought she was simply kind. I knew she was anointed. But after both my biological and adoptive mothers passed, I took an AncestryDNA test… and discovered she was my blood relative. She didn’t just adopt me—God used her to claim me and give me identity.
That’s not just love.
That’s divine order.
I’m a licensed and ordained minister at The Citadel Church of Jacksonville under Bishop Terry L. Hill Jr. and Lady Kim Hill, where my anointing is protected, flowing, and on display for God’s glory. I host a live Facebook podcast—A Prayer Room Moment w/Elder Iris (APRM)—soon to be featured on Purpose Inspired TV on Fire Stick, and Roku. I’ve written several books, including my biography and a children’s book series, Hello, Mr. Lion, which is the rebirth of Samantha—now a child who praises God instead of my pain.
I’m a constant prayer warrior. Ask anyone in my family—they’ll tell you: Iris stays in the face of God.
And about that favorite color—purple. It’s not just a preference. It’s a revelation. When I was searching for who I was, I looked up the meaning of my name, Iris. The Lord showed me a picture of a field full of purple irises—radiant and vibrant. From that moment, I fell in love—not just with the color, but with the calling behind it.
And God confirmed it in a way I’ll never forget.
In 1997, while stationed in Florida, I worked nights at a nursing home. One evening, my husband called me and said, “One of our fish died.” We didn’t have pets—just an aquarium, our little piece of peace.
When I got home, I saw the fish floating. I put my hand on the glass and prayed—nothing dramatic, just faith. Then I showered and went to bed.
The next morning, my husband ran in shouting, “What did you DO to that fish?!”
I thought, Oh no—it’s still dead.
But he said, “It’s swimming!”
I fell to my knees laughing and praising God.
He used me—to raise the dead.
And my husband still tells that story today.
That’s who I am.
A woman who prays.
A woman who believes.
A woman God named—and then anointed—Iris.
For seven years, I ran the Destroying the Yokes of Bondage Revival in my hometown of St. George, SC—always around back-to-school season. We gave out school supplies, but we gave out something deeper: hope.
Shout out to Pastor John C. Smalls, the Bethel AME Church family, and all the local pastors and congregations who supported the vision. And a special shout out to my 104-year-old biggest supporter, Dr. Clara Dixon Britt—Auntie. (Hebrews 6:10)
In my life, I made financial mistakes—unpaid bills, lights cut off, evictions, cars repossessed. But today? We own homes in Florida and South Carolina—paid in full. We tithe faithfully because I know:
Everything I have is not mine—it’s God’s.
My husband, Samuel, my high school sweetheart, has stood by me for over 43 years. We’re retired now, but our ministry is just getting louder. We’re not slowing down. We’re spreading the gospel—one story, one prayer, one book at a time. God has blessed us with four beautiful children (Tori, Akeem, Shaneka, Tr-Shy). We also had 6 grands (Ja’Nyah, Demetria, Shanetria, Londyn T.J., Janie – went to be with the Lord at only a few weeks old).
There was a moment—after over 21 years of prayer, for my son, who’s incarceration, after the grief had worn me thin—when God asked me the unthinkable:
“Are you willing to let him stay… and still praise Me?”
Not, “Will you trust I can bring him home?”
But: “Will you trust Me… even if he never comes home?”
And in that silence, I gave God the hardest yes, I’ve ever spoken.
Tears everywhere. Heart breaking.
But I said:
“Yes, Lord. If this is Your will… I’ll still praise You.”
That surrender didn’t just change my prayer.
It changed me.
Because I stopped begging for a different story—
and started believing His purpose was enough.
And in that surrender?
The chains began to fall.
Not just for him.
But for me.
Today, I’m also pursuing deeper revelation-I’m currently attending Glory to Glory School of Theology in Columbia, S.C., just three semesters shy of my PhD in Theology. This isn’t just about a degree—it’s about deepening my walk, sharpening my voice, and preparing for the next wave of assignment.
I still wonder if my heart will stop again. But I carry something stronger: faith.
Because the same God who brought me through can keep me—all the way home.
If you’ve ever felt unwanted, broken, or too far gone, hear this:
God is not the author of confusion. (1 Corinthians 14:33)
He is the God of redemption. (Ephesians 1:7–8; Titus 2:14)
And if He did it for me—
He’ll do it for you. (Romans 5:8)
The best is not just coming.
It’s already here. (Ephesians 3:20)
Glory to God! Hallelujah!
The End
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Has it been a smooth road?
No—but it’s been sacred.
I’ve carried the weight of adoption, dyslexia, depression, and a heart once black with unforgiveness. In 2023, I died three times in one day and stood in God’s presence. He sent me back with a mission: *forgive, preach, and set the captives free.*
My son’s been incarcerated for over two decades. I’ve prayed, fasted, and wept. And God asked me, *“Are you okay if he never comes home?”* I said yes. Not because I wanted to—but because I chose His will over my dream.
That surrender broke chains.
Now, I’m finishing my PhD, launching a TV network, and teaching others to read and pray—because no one should feel too broken to be used.
This road wasn’t smooth.
But every scar points to His Grace.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
What do I do?
I’m retired from Bank of America. I was apart of their Mortgage department.
I’m a prophetic voice for the broken.
A teacher, preacher, and prayer warrior who’s been through the fire—and came out with a message: *God isn’t done with me.*
I specialize in **prayer, deliverance, and prophetic activation**—helping people break strongholds, hear God’s voice, and step into their divine assignments. I host *A Prayer Room Moment (APRM)*, where we pray in the Spirit, release prophecy, and encounter God’s presence—live and unfiltered. We also bring awareness to those who help others via live interviews.
What I’m most proud of:
I’m finishing my **PhD in Theology**, and I’m launching *APRM* on **Purpose Inspired TV, Fire Stick, and Roku**—bringing revival into people’s homes.
I’ve also created a **children’s book series w/coloring book**, *Hello, Mr. Lion*, to teach kids about God’s love and power through story. For every Hello, Mr. Lion book or coloring book sold, $1 goes directly to Kairos Outside to help sustain and expand the life-changing work we do for family members with incarcerated loved ones.
Encouraging people to have HOPE in Jesus.
One day I’d love to Teach people who struggle to read—especially those with dyslexia—how to engage God’s Word with confidence.**
Because no one should feel too broken, too slow, or too rejected to hear from God.
**What sets me apart?**
I don’t just preach breakthrough—
I’ve *lived* it.
Cardiac arrests.
A son in prison.
A heart once dead in unforgiveness.
And God raised me—not to hide the scars,
but to **turn them into a megaphone.**
I’m not polished.
I’m *prophetic.*
Not perfect—
but *passionate.*
And I’ll never stop declaring:
**“God is still in the resurrection business.”
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Something surprising most people don’t know?
Even when I step into the pulpit, go live stream on my podcast, – APRM, or give any type talk, my stomach drops.
Every. Single. Time.
I still get nervous—because I know I’m not just speaking words.
I’m stewarding *fire from Heaven.*
And that weight? I don’t take it lightly. It’s not me, it’s all God. Knowing this, humbles me.
People assume because I preach boldly, I’ve got it all together.
But the truth is, I’ve lost *so-called* friends—because truth offends what deception built.
And yes, when I mess up? I own it.
I’ll confess, repent, and walk back into grace—because integrity matters more than image.
But here’s the deeper layer:
I’m *hard* on myself when I fail.
Old wounds whisper, *“See? You’re still a mistake.”*
That lie lived in me for decades.
And though I’m healed, it takes a minute to silence that voice when I stumble.
But I’m learning.
I’m growing.
And I’m letting grace cover what shame once claimed.
Because I’m not perfect—
but I’m *purposed.*
And that’s enough.”
Pricing:
- Wedding Officiant Services – Custom, Spirit-led ceremonies tailored to your journey (pricing varies by location and details—reach out for a personal quote)
- Hello, Mr. Lion” Full-Color Storybook** – $15 – **“Hello, Mr. Lion” Coloring Book** – $10 -Book & Coloring Book Bundle – $22 (save $3!)
- APRM Logo T-Shirt** – $30 (wear your prayer journey with pride)
- Autobiography: *By Faith I Believe*** – $13 (plus $5 shipping & handling, if needed)
- *Coming Soon:* Prophetic devotionals, Bible study guides, and more teaching resources. **All proceeds support prison outreach, literacy for struggling readers, and expanding the *A Prayer Room Moment* mission.** **Visit:** [www.aprayerroommoment.com](http://www.aprayerroommoment.com) to order, connect, or request services.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aprayerroommoment.com
- Instagram: https://ww.intagram.com/irisrhett
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/IrisDarleneRhett
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/IrisRhett
- Youtube: https;//youtube.com/irisrhett
