Empowered Women of Impact: Lessons from Pastor Teresia Karanja

Hey, bold women! I can hardly contain myself as I write this blog post. 

I must admit that I’m slightly biased about this post but in the best way possible. You see, Pastor Teresia Karanja and I share something in common. We’re both village girls at heart.  

Pastor Teresia is soft-spoken and humble yet bold and powerful when she preaches. She’s also incredibly funny during her sermons. As a fellow village girl, seeing such a fantastic woman staying true to her roots is impressive.

This past weekend, I was honored to attend IHC’s 25th Anniversary Complete Women’s Conference. Let me tell you, the atmosphere was fire!

The conference was on empowering women to become women of impact. I couldn’t wait to draw from the wisdom of the featured speaker, Pastor Teresia Karanja, a woman I had heard so much about but had never seen in person until this conference.

Pastor Teresia is a humble woman clothed with a gentle demeanor and strong voice.

She shared her story from being an orphan to becoming a woman of audacious faith, and it was nothing short of inspiring. I learned that God has been preparing her for this role of empowering women all along.

Her authenticity was evident as she shared captivating stories of how God intervened time and again throughout her life, even as a young woman from the village. (Can all those from the village say a big Amen). 

Her testimony filled the place with joy and gave us hope for what God was planning with our lives. 

An Audacious Faith

When she cleared her eighth-grade studies, Pastor Teresia Karanja had no means to pursue her high school education. So, she approached the principal of a particular school to seek admission, holding only to her faith. As other parents lined up to seek admission for their children, Pastor Teresia did it alone. 

She was so audacious that she even requested the principal to let her plead her case in her vernacular language. In an unexpected twist, the principal granted her admission.

During this momentous time, she formed a habit of affirming herself. She often reminded herself, “My future will be bright.” “Just because I am an orphan does not mean I am finished.”

Drawing from Judges 4:1-24, Pastor Teresia spoke about Deborah, a woman of impact who led with strength and wisdom. This great woman (and the only female judge in the Old Testament) was a prophet, a judge, and a poet.

Lessons from Deborah: A Woman of Impact

According to Pastor Teresia, Deborah’s story has a lot to teach us as Christians and women of impact. 

1. Know Your Calling

When you are in your place of calling, you are secure because you know that God is directing your steps and path. You also have this confidence even when things in your life are not going according to plan. 

Pastor Teresia believes that knowing your calling is the one thing that will help you remain steadfast through your challenges. She learned this from experience, facing loss and brokenness in her family and ministry. 

2. Partner with God and Others

We cannot do life alone. Just as Deborah worked with Barak and the people of Israel, we must collaborate with God and His people. There is power when we do things together as the body of Christ.

3. Follow God’s Leading

Once, as a young athlete, Pastor Teresia was competing in a school marathon, and one of the guides from the competing teams decided to mislead her so she would lose the race. However, she discerned the guide had lied and followed the right track. 

What’s the point of this story?

There will be many distractions as you pursue your purpose. However, if you remain in God, He will order your steps and lead you to the right place. 

4. Arise and Shine

Like Deborah, we must rise and shine in our different calling areas. To do this, we must take hold of God’s word, let it shine in our hearts, and allow it to guide us. When His word takes root, we will rise in power and purpose.

5. Be Strong and Courageous

Like Deborah and Joshua, we need boldness and strength to fulfil God’s assignments. Pastor Teresia emphasized the importance of courage and knowing who has called us in the face of challenges.

6. Speak Life Over Yourself

One of the most profound lessons was the power of our words. Pastor Teresia shared how, as a young girl, she spoke life over her future, believing she would attend high school despite the odds.

Just as the woman with the issue of blood declared, “If I can touch His garment, I will be healed,” we must also prophesy life and victory over our situations.

7. Have Faith in God

Without faith, it’s impossible to please God. You must believe that God rewards those who seek him. Pastor Teresia reminded us of the story of Mary, who accepted God’s promise and boldly declared, “Be it unto me according to your word.” We, too, must believe God’s word over our circumstances and trust Him with the desires of our hearts.

8. Be Faithful to Your Calling

Pastor Teresia Karanja encouraged us to be faithful in whatever God has entrusted us, even when no one is watching. Faithfulness in whatever we have been entrusted with is important, for it’s not by might nor by power but by God’s Spirit that we succeed.

As she concluded, Pastor Teresia left us with a powerful promise: God is our protector, and he will watch over us in our callings. He will equip us to do all things and be His glory.

Let these lessons help you boldly and faithfully walk in your calling, knowing that God is with you at every step. 

Parting Shot from Pastor Teresia Karanja

As I sat there on the third row from where Pastor Teresia Karanja stood, I felt the nudge that every daughter and woman in that room was feeling. Like so many others in the room, I was ready to rise and embrace my own God-given purpose.

It was amazing.

Find the whole sermon by Pastor Teresia Karanja here: