A woman born with a significant birth defect. A prognosis of speech issues. A God who ends up using this woman to minister to thousands.
These are the experiences of Anna Nash, founder and director of Beacon People and author of “pathFinder” and “wayMaker,” resources that help women find their purpose through whatever talent or skill God has given them.
“People need others to come alongside them, to hear the song in their hearts and remind them of it, to help them understand what exactly the Kingdom of God is on earth, how they play a role and how they feel purpose and fulfillment through that. Then God is ultimately glorified and His Kingdom grows because of them being responsive to the call,” Nash said.
Unique abilities
Beacon People started as a group of women who wanted to find out how to grow the Kingdom of God through their unique abilities. During their monthly meetings, Nash developed a discussion related to the women’s experiences and callings.
“Then they started bringing friends who would say something like, ‘This is so encouraging and inspiring and all these women have their “things.” How do I know what my “thing” is? How do I align who I am with my work on earth for fulfillment in God’s glory?’” Nash recalled.
Nash’s next step was finding a book to address this question. She and the leader of a second Beacon People group found some good, related resources but they weren’t satisfied.
So Nash developed the first edition of “pathFinder: A Journey Towards Purpose.”
“As people worked through ‘pathFinder’ more and more, I saw their hunger for God grow because their lives were created by design, and they had a Creator who cared enough about them to give them an assignment on earth to grow His Kingdom,” Nash said. “The more they found out about themselves as God’s children and being commissioned by Him through love and grace, the more questions they had about God.”
Perspective
After realizing that many questions were about God’s character and the feeling that God is distant, Nash developed “wayMaker: To See and Experience God Like Never Before.”
“Recognizing the pivotal significance of how individuals perceive themselves in relation to God, I embarked on a quest to present the narrative of God in a fresh, impactful light,” Nash said. “Delving into His Word, I saw 10 defining characteristics that served as the foundational framework for this enlightening journey within the pages of ‘wayMaker.’”
All of the material and details for “pathFinder” and “wayMaker” are very purposeful — even the capitalization of the names.
“I wanted it to be more about the Finder and the Maker than the path and the way,” she said. “So at the end of ‘pathFinder,’ you’ll hear me say purpose is not found in a mission, a vision, a calling, a new idea. Purpose is found in your purpose Giver. Focusing on Him will clear the path.
“The same with ‘wayMaker’ in that the Maker is the One we focus on. It isn’t only finding our way, but following the One who has made the way.”
Beacon People is a networking support group where women can share what God is currently doing in their lives and callings and can get feedback and assistance where they may be having roadblocks. Though the main group is based in Birmingham, groups have popped up in other areas.
Some of the talents and callings, like nursing, teaching or writing, that God is using in Beacon People members might not be considered unusual. But there are some very uncommon ways these women are serving God.
Karen Williams is using homemade candles to share about God’s healing power. Melissa Loudon brings community to refugee women through activities like a knitting group, complete with child care. Dawn Davis-Courtney helps people sell their homes and property by effectively staging them.
Carrying the torch
And recently, Nash had two women who didn’t know each other independently contact her to ask how clogging skills could possibly be used for the Kingdom.
This idea is being passed down to a younger generation. Though she didn’t create an official Beacon People group, Nash’s daughter has used the materials to mentor high school and college students.
“There’s just something when you know your next generation is carrying on the torch of what you believe. I do not take that for granted. I’m highly grateful,” Nash said.
When it comes down to it, Nash simply wants to help others become confident and find fulfillment in God’s callings in their lives.
“It’s just so beautiful to watch God speak to them and use them and empower them to just go do what they were made to do and love so much. It’s just the best ever for me. I’m so honored and humbled that I would get to be one who walks with them on their journey and makes it happen with God’s help and equipping them and giving them resources and connection.
“When I do that, I feel like an artist who’s just presented the most beautiful painting. It’s an unbelievable feeling.
“I point people to connect with Him, to hear from Him. And He’s so faithful to do that when they do that.”
More information about Beacon People, “pathFinder” and “wayMaker” can be found at beaconpeople.org.
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