Today we’d like to introduce you to MINISTER SONYA KIRKPATRICK
Hi MINISTER SONYA, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Background:
The Pearls and Prayer started in 2014 when Minister Sonya was transferred for work from Rockford IL to Orlando FL. In Orlando away from her family in IL, she continued her calling as an ordained minister she accepted several speaking engagements. During these speaking engagements, she witnessed a lot of backbiting, gossiping and hierarchy. These experiences were not comfortable in her spirit. She prayed and the Holy Spirit said to her that she was just as guilty as those who she witnessed by not following Matthew 18:15 – 16 addressing the faults of our fellow brethren.
Then the Holy Spirit took her to Matthew 13:45-46 regarding how precious Salvation is to our Christian walk. And that is how Pearls and Prayer started. God blessed her to meet Pastor Marjorie Smith who walked the journey with Minister Sonya for the kick off of the 1st Pearls and Prayer workshop in Orlando FL blessing 71 women. From 2015 to current we have:
• MINISTRY MEMBERSHIP:
o Leadership include 12 Women of God | 501c3 Board – includes 5 local business in FL, MI, CA and IL.
• COMMUNITY:
o Blessings in a Bag (over a million blessing in a bag distributed)
distributed to Homeless and Abuse Shelters, in high Homeless areas, schools and hospitals
These bags include toiletries, a snack and a message from the ministry
o Working with the underprivileged in jails, schools and abuse shelters
o Feeding the Homeless throughout the US on Wednesdays and Saturdays
• Online Ministry (over 45,000 hours of content delivered):
o “5 Minute Pearl” | This broadcast is every Saturday focusing on our purpose.
o Hour of Power via our Website: pearlsandprayer.com
• Workshop (over 125,000 women, children and men have been in attendance over our 10 years):
o We host an Annual Workshop in the FL area once a year
o Several smaller workshops throughout the US during the year
• 501c3:
o All donations are Tax deductible.
o Currently seeking donors to help with our community efforts and work in the Harvest.
o Board of Directors include women from several states and occupations which include Director of HR, RN Parole Supervisor, Warden of a Prison, and many other professions.
Currently we are preparing to celebrate our 10th Annual event which will be on the Utopia of the Seas Cruise ship July 18 – 21, 2025.
501c3:
In 2020 we became a 501c3 Faith Based Organization. Until our 501c3 status the ministry was funded by the Lead Team with Minister Sonya being the majority funder. As of today’s date 11 Women currently serve on the Lead Team being lead by God, Trusting in our Advocate Jesus Christ and directed by the Holy Spirit.
Work in the Harvest:
Our small but faithful and committed team has:
• lead 49 events throughout the USA
• served over 29000 women
• dedicated more than 25,000 hours of service to the homeless, abused, elderly and incarcerated women throughout the US, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Athens Greece and Jerusalem.
• Our online presence include Radio and Social Media via our 5 Minute Pearl every Saturday at 5p ET.
The ministry has been blessed to be represented by minister Sonya in the US and many countries.
Mission:
Our Mission is guided by these scriptures for the Pearl Matthew 13:45-46, for Prayer James 5:13-15, for Love I Corinthians 13 as we:
• JOIN: God in HIS Work through experiencing HIM daily
• Carry out our ASSIGNMENT as Emissaries – Ambassadors for God as stated in 2 Corinthians 5:20
• LOVE: As God loves us with unconditional/never ending love to maintain and transform relationships
• SERVE AN AUDIENCE: OF Women of all ages
• EQUIP: Women with tools to follow their God Given Purpose
• ELEVATE: Women by being their Sisters to Inspire Support Teach Elevate Recognize.
• FOCUSING: On SALVATION as a precious and necessary tool in walking with God
• TEACHING: That Faithful Prayer for each other brings miracles of LOVE
• FORGIVING: Ourselves and others as God has forgiven us
• PRAYING: Fervently for direction, correction, spiritual and physical strength as “we go ye therefore” As in Matthew 28:19-20
• FAITHFUL: In our walk to celebrate the good and learn from the mishaps and there have been many but we have faith.
Continuing the work:
Because we are not stopping in this 9th year, we already have more events coming up this year.
• Feeding the homeless every other Wed and partnering with Home beyond Measures on Saturdays
• 5 Minute Pearl every Saturday at 5p ET
• AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO ENJOY OUR SISTERHOOD AS WE SERVE IN UNITY
• Partnerships with Shake Dance Culture and Home Beyond Measures
• We are a member of WWtWOW (Women Witnessing the Word of Wisdom) International Conference
• Supporting the “We are Our Sisters Keeper” in Johannesburg, South Africa under the leadership of Pastor Jubeida
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has NOT been an easy road. The very focus of our ministry (to lift up Women – to follow Matthew 18:15) has came into our ministry. This has caused some to leave the ministry and others to leave while speaking negative of the ministry and Minister Sonya. Finances have really been a burden on the ministry with only 1 year of being in the black (9 years in the red). Most financial responsibility falls on Minister Sonya.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an Account Executive at Procter and Gamble. I have worked for Procter and Gamble for 22 years with a speciality in Sales and Marketing. I use my creativity and customer service skills to make the BIG sales and meet our yearly goals. I am proud of coming from a Secretary to an Account Executive within the 1st 3 years of being employed at P&G
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Serving and encouraging others. Being able to bring my entire self in the building/meeting. Travel is my hobby – I LOVE TO TRAVEL!!! of course, my family and friends!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pearlsandprayer.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pearls_n_prayer?igsh=MWNka3JudW9yYWJ2Nw==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BFTDkCYTd/
- Youtube: @pearlsandprayerorlando5580
