We’re looking forward to introducing you to Kia Saunders. Check out our conversation below.
Kia, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me right now involves a lot of fasting, praying, writing, creating, and developing. I have a routine in which the first thing I do when I wake up is pray and spend time with the Lord. After prayer and meditation, I seek God for what my day is going to look like. I ask Him for instructions and to order my steps. Once I’m up and dressed, I begin working on those tasks. Because I just released the business and ministry endeavor that He’s had me to build over this past year, much of my day looks like completing administrative and other tasks for the business and creating content for social media to build an online presence for the company. This is in addition to continuing the creation of content for my own page. Additionally, going to the gym regularly during the week is also vital for me.
Because much of what I do relies heavily on me hearing God clearly, a good chunk of my day is dedicated to studying the Bible, other theological and philosophical texts, and finding time to pray again in the middle of the day. Then, once all of my duties for the day are done, I end my day the same way I began–in prayer and meditation, and often reading some type of personal devotional and/or journaling.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Sure. My name is Kia Saunders and I am minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ, educator, writer, consultant, mentor, coach and Christian content creator. About 3 and 1/2 years ago I started creating content and ministering online, offering Bible studies and creating posts that spoke biblical truth. Over the last year, however, things have somewhat shifted.
Birthed from a God-given dream, the Lord instructed me to create a business called SALTED™. SALTED™ is a company rooted in Matthew 5:13 which says, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing …”. It is a company that converges my years of experience as a licensed educational leader and biblical scholar to provide high-quality, innovative strategies for those seeking to transform faith-based education programs and initiatives. So, whether you are a church, faith-based organization, or individual with your own ministry, we help to build and/or transform whatever education efforts you have or would like to have, both in person and online. This could range from topical studies, membership tracks, discipleship programs, schools, or anything in between. We even provide curriculum building and alignment services as well as training and development workshops for your educational staff or team. For example, this summer we had the honor of providing a 3-day professional development intensive training for a group of teachers of a small K-12 school at a local church in Raleigh with a diverse population of students on how to employ effective teaching and planning methods to strengthen the instruction of its teachers.
Not only do we help others build their education programs, we also provide our own courses around various theological, doctrinal, and spiritual topics and create other resources to teach, empower, and strengthen believers in their walk with Christ. For example, earlier this year we created and launched a 6-week Discipleship Boot Camp which was an online course to help believers deepen their faith and understanding of what it means to be a disciple of Christ; we are currently in the process of making this an asynchronous online course for individuals, and a curriculum for other churches to employ. We just hosted a Masterclass on the Purpose & Power of Prayer the end of August, and I’m also in the process of writing my first book entitled, “The Purpose and Power of Prayer: What It Means to Pray Like Jesus and How to Do It”, to help believers understand how to pray more effectively. It will be available for purchase early September! We have so many things in the works as we work toward fulfilling our long and short-term goals.
Overall, our mission is to fulfill the Great Commision by making disciples of all men, teaching them in the ways of Christ according to Matthew 28:19-20.
What makes this company so unique is that it takes research-based, pedagogical practices used in education and brings them to the sacred space to help improve and align educational efforts with the goals of the organization. Additionally, it is important to note that SALTED™ is more than a company, it’s a movement—a movement to transform the landscape of how believers are prepared, trained, and instructed to “go into all the earth.” We are on a mission to empower believers who refuse to conform, supporting them to lead, transform, and boldly influence the world around them with conviction and confidence.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I would say my grandmother. My mother tells the story of how my grandmother would say of me, “She’s an anointed child”. She made this statement when I was very young, not even 5 years old. Coincidently, that is one of the meanings of my name, “anointed”, which I didn’t find out until recently. But, she saw in me very early what others didn’t, and what I wouldn’t see or truly understand until years later.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I think there have been plenty of times where I wanted to give up, but I can’t say there’s been a time where I almost did (if that makes sense). For me, giving up is not an option because of the burden that God’s placed in me, but I do think you must have those moments in which you allow yourself to “feel”, and God understands that too!
What I am called to do is not easy, especially when you’ve been called to pioneer. But the pain is necessary to remind you to rely on a strength that is higher than yours. Without pain and weakness, pride can enter. And in my line of work, pride can cost you much, but when you humble yourself, and admit that you can’t do it on your own, that’s when God steps in and says, “Good, because I never asked you to”. He then exchanges your weakness for His strength which enables you to get the work done.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
That I please God, achieve my goals, and fulfill my purpose. I know it may not sound like much, but when I think about this question I know that my closest friends and family will say that I’m a very mission-minded, focused individual and always have been. My circle is very small, but those who know me know that I’m very serious about the path that I am called to walk and will obey God at any cost. This is not to put myself on a pedestal. I’m human and have made my share of mistakes, but my commitment to God is unwavering. I think they would also say that being a woman of integrity is important. They know how important it is to me that my private life matches my public image.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people will tell how I was one of the world’s greatest reformers–that is was my faith, and obedience to God that ushered in the change the world so desperately needed. I hope they will say that I was one whom God used greatly to change the trajectory of this nation’s (and the world at large) landscape so that the justice it so desperately stood in need of came, and is still impacting lives even after I am gone. I hope to leave a legacy that will offer a way of life void of the corruption, inequality, hatred and injustice for a future generation that was faced by its predecessors.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.salted513.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saltededu?igsh=MTF6ZjY1anc0eWIxeQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
