Check Out Lindsey Sima’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsey Sima.

Hi Lindsey , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
For years, I have loved people and for years I knew I was called into Ministry. However, the timing of that calling was never quite clear so as God prepared me, I waited in joy as a mom of 4 and wife to my amazing husband who is a captain on Jax Fire Dept. I have been blessed with many serving opportunities within and outside the church and have also worked part time as an interior designer.

In April, I was invited to a retreat, The Fire Retreat, by a dear friend, MaryLyn.
The retreat was filled with the presence of Jesus and beautiful women. I knew He was going to move in mighty ways that weekend but he had much more in store than I could have ever imagined.
During that weekend, I kept hearing a word in my spirit during worship. That word was River.
I was prayed over a lot that weekend also also had sweet blessing spoken over me.
I came home from that retreat and knew that God was calling me to start a Ministry and within a week, the vision was clear as day. River first came in Genesis 2. There was a River in the garden of eden and its job was to nourish and care for the land. The river eventually breaks off outside of the garden and into 4 rivers. This is a symbol of God’s blessing and provision. The name came! Rivers of Eden Ministries.
We as women are just like those Rivers….called into many different directions but when It is led by the voice of God and it is for His glory, every single calling and direction is good and blessed.
We are an equipping ministry and our mission is “Blessing and Empowering Women to Know God, Hear his voice, and Go in the direction He is calling them into”
We get the honor of blessing what God is doing in the lives of women and helping them walk in their God given identity.
We will have 4 large gatherings a year and then a few smaller workshops that will serve as equipping tools, helping women strengthen and walk out their GO that they feel God is leading them to do. Some of the topics of the workshop will be : How to share your story, the power of forgiveness, walking in daily Rest, etc.
We just had out first gathering and 100 women came. We are blown away as we did not advertise this first gathering very much. We believe this is just the start for Rivers of Eden and we hope that we take this beyond Florida, teaching women all over that they have a God given identity and they are so needed, valued, and they too can Hear him and GO.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There is a constant peace so that makes it smooth in many ways but the sacrifice is far from “smooth”

When you are called to do something big, it can feel exciting at first but then reality sets in. Time, money, sacrifice, and saying no the things the world makes look so appealing. Every yes is a no to something else.

My husband and I along with our lead team have been blown away how God just keeps showing up and providing so while I will say it isn’t exactly smooth, it is so so good and so beautiful.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I was an interior designer for years. I love taking places and spaces and making them homes.

It is cool to see how that gift has prepared me for the vision of Rivers of Eden… taking a dirty barn and turning it into a place that is filled with beauty and wonder.
I am excited to see what other barn style venues open up for us and how we are going to make old places into new life giving spaces.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
1.Never and I, always and us… and God gets the glory.
I have a lead team that is right beside me and their voice matters just a much as mine. Melissa, Shannon, and Emily, you are the hands and feet of Jesus and I bless you for saying yes to ministry with me.

2.I don’t need a “front seat”. I never want to loose eyes for people and if I am too concerned with my platform, I may miss a beautiful woman in the back that could bless me or me bless her.

3. God speaks. Listen! God took a word, turned it into a vision, and now it is a reality. I am daily seeking his voice and sanctification.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://riversofedenministries.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riversofedenministries/