Meet Dr. Gladys Childs

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dr. Gladys Childs a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Gladys , so happy to have you with us today and there is so much we want to ask you about. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others developed certain skills or qualities that we are struggling with can be helpful. Along those lines, we’d love to hear from you about how you developed your ability to take risk?

I grew up as the youngest in a family of five children. Extremely shy and a stickler for following rules, my dad pushed me to get out of my comfort zone. My first memory of this was when I was around six years old. We were on a vacation and staying at a motel with a swimming pool. There was no diving board or slide, so Dad took one of the lounge chairs and positioned it where it hung partially over the water — making a diving board. He sat on one end to hold it down so my brother and I could spring off the chair into the pool.

I was horrified:
He had moved the lounge chair out of place.
He had it hanging over the water, which surely wasn’t allowed.
He wanted me to jump on and down like a diving board.
He had to explain to me how it was okay to do this and give it a try, as well as what did I have to lose.

While the story may sound simple and silly now, it was the beginning of my dad pushing me to look at the world differently, think outside the box, and do new things. He would say, “Just give stuff a try; if it doesn’t work out, what do I have to lose?”

Years later, my husband stood before me and said someone had asked him to start a new church, then asked if we should do it. I told him, “Why not? The worst we could do is fail.” With the little seeds my dad planted and the pushes he gave me to explore and try new things, I had grown into a woman who thought of failure as just another possibility — not one to be feared.

For me, taking a risk today is not difficult because failure is no longer something to be feared—it’s a stepping stone to growth. I’ve learned that failure isn’t the opposite of success; it’s part of the journey. Each time I fail, I gain experience, wisdom, and resilience. Rather than viewing it as defeat, I recognize it as a crucial step toward achieving my goals. Knowing that God can use even my setbacks for a greater purpose gives me the confidence to take risks without hesitation.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

Dr. Gladys Childs is an author, speaker, pastor’s wife, and mother. Currently, she is the University Chaplain at Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth and the Women’s Group Director at LifePoint Fellowship in Haslet, Texas.

“Authentic” is the word most used to describe Gladys and her ministry. Her passion is meeting people at the intersection of life and faith to provide a relevant understanding and hope in God. No stranger to heartache herself, she grew up in a non-church-going family with an alcoholic mother and came to know Christ at age 14. A survivor of trauma, she firmly believes in God’s ability to overcome life’s difficulties. She is funny and direct as she connects with her audience, talking openly about her pilgrimage through life’s unexpected joys, sorrows, and struggles. As a truth teller, she doesn’t hesitate to answer difficult faith and life questions without offering pat answers. She has the uncanny ability to speak honest truth in kindness, opening doors for personal transformation.

Gladys Childs’ ability to connect with audiences concerning personal discipleship and core educational issues has made her a much-requested speaker. She has traveled the country as a keynote and featured speaker to do presentations and workshops for conferences and lead day-long or multi-day interactive seminars for college students, women’s retreats, church groups, and staff members. Gladys’ focus is on helping individuals be F.R.E.E. to Thrive©. (Fostering faith, releasing abundance, enriching relationships, and empowering strength.) Gladys speaks on four main topics: apologetics, fruit of the spirit, relationships, and personal strength/resilience. Her book on the fruit of the spirit, “Busting Barriers: Overcome Emptiness & Unleash Fruitful Living,” is available on Amazon.

Gladys and her husband, Thomas, have been married for 29 years and have one son and a miniature poodle, Whiskey, who loves being the center of attention. You can connect with her at gladyschilds.com

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

In my journey, three qualities have stood out as the most impactful: authenticity, truth-telling, and relevance. Embracing who you genuinely are makes all the difference, even though it can be challenging.

Authenticity:

Honesty with Yourself: Authenticity starts with honesty about who you are, what you believe, and where you stand. It’s not about figuring everything out but being honest about your struggles, doubts, and growth areas. Take time to reflect. Ask yourself, “Am I fitting into a mold, or am I becoming the person I’m meant to be?” Journaling can be a powerful way to explore your true self.

Stop the Comparison Game: Comparing yourself to others undermines your authenticity. Focus on your unique path, embracing your victories and setbacks. Surround yourself with people who appreciate you for who you are, not who they expect you to be.

Living Out Your Values: True authenticity shines through when you live according to your values, even when uncomfortable. Stating your beliefs is easy, but living them out consistently sets you apart. Start with small, bold steps. If something doesn’t align with your beliefs, don’t compromise. Over time, these decisions will shape your character and make your authenticity undeniable.

Being authentic transforms your life and deepens your connections with others. Being authentic means walking in your truth, even when it’s messy. The world doesn’t need another version of someone else; it needs you. Embrace your true self and let your light shine.

Truth-Telling:

Integrity Over Convenience: Telling the truth is essential for integrity, even when difficult. It might seem easier to bend the truth sometimes, but cutting corners with honesty will cost you in the long run. Practice truth-telling in small moments—when no one is watching, or it only affects you. These moments build your character and create a foundation of trust.

Truth in Love: Truth-telling doesn’t mean being harsh. Scripture reminds us to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Before sharing the truth, ask yourself: “Is what I’m about to say truthful? Is it necessary? And is it kind?” The goal is to build up, not tear down. Truth without love can be brutal, while love without truth is empty.

Facing Hard Truths: Sometimes, the hardest truths to face are about ourselves. Growth comes from being honest about your shortcomings and mistakes. Admitting failures can be tough, but there’s strength in owning your truth. Confront your blind spots and accept accountability to stay grounded and credible.

Truth-telling opens doors to trust, deeper relationships, and inner peace. Let it be your compass, guiding you in the right direction.

Being Relevant:

Listen Before You Speak: Relevance starts with listening. Don’t assume what people need—truly hear their struggles, hopes, and questions. Ask questions, be present in their stories, and understand their heartbeat. This helps you speak into what matters most to them.

Adapt While Staying True: Being relevant doesn’t mean chasing every trend. It’s about adapting to the world around you while staying true to your core values. Use modern tools and formats to communicate timeless truths. If you’re new to this, don’t fear trying new things, but always ask: “Is this true to who I am and what I stand for?”

Meet Real Needs: Relevance is about addressing real issues and solving problems. If what you offer doesn’t meet a need or answer a question, it may fall flat. Find practical ways your message or work can improve someone’s life, even in small ways. People connect deeply when they feel understood.

Being relevant is about significance, not just popularity. Focus on understanding your audience’s world and offering lasting value. By listening, adapting, and meeting tangible needs, your work will remain impactful no matter how much the world changes.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

I’m excited about collaborating on speaking engagements and events centered around faith and inspiration. Whether you’re organizing a book club, church class, or any gathering where my book could spark meaningful discussions, I’d love to partner with you.

Let’s connect if you’re an event organizer, group leader, or passionate about exploring faith-based topics. Reach out, and let’s discuss how my book and I can contribute to your events through engaging discussions, speaking engagements, or workshops.

You can learn more about me by visiting my website at gladyschilds.com. You can also contact me at info@gladyschilds.com.

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