We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Andrea Gates. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Andrea below.
Andrea , thank you so much for joining us and offering your lessons and wisdom for our readers. One of the things we most admire about you is your generosity and so we’d love if you could talk to us about where you think your generosity comes from.
My generosity comes from knowing first hand what it feels like to have nothing. I have been there. I have been the evicted person with all my belongings being put out in the street. I have been the person who woke up, went outside, and discovered my car had been repossessed. I have been the pregnant mother with no lights, no money, and no food. I understand what it feels like to scrape up change from in between your car seats to try and come up with gas money. I know what it feels like to be living in someone else’s home and they don’t want you there, and you have no place to go. I’m blessed to be on the other side of these past experiences, but I shall never forget. For that reason, I live to give.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I wear many hats at this phase in my life. I am a founding pastor, realtor, pr & marketing director, a thought leader, and a mom.
My greatest honor is being chosen by God to lead His people. I don’t take that lightly and it is my greatest desire to do so with the upmost integrity and the purest heart.
Professionally, the communication sector is where I thrive. It is the place that allows me to create and bring my ideas to life. Along with that I have been trusted to assist and walk multiple families through the home-buying process.
In whatever space I am afforded to serve, I want the experience of those I’ve served to be life changing.
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?
If you are going to build or sustain anything, resilience is a must have. You must have the grit and grace to navigate every season.
With resilience comes commitment. Commitment isn’t commitment until you do it when you don’t want to. You have to be willing to be present and all in, and not be led by your emotions.
I would also say, knowing you belong in the room. Even when it’s tough and nothing looks like what God said, know that you were chosen to occupy the space you’re in. Because many challenges will come that will make you second guess that very thing.
To anyone beginning your journey in whatever arena you feel called to, surround yourself with those who will love you but also correct you. Keep people in your circle who will uphold you in private and in public. Resilience, commitment, and knowing you belong in the room will grow over time as you purpose to never give up.
Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?
I would spend it traveling the world, serving in my highest capacity, and making unforgettable memories with my family.
I would also purpose to pour out of me anything and everything I could that I know has the possibility to help others succeed, grow, and become their greatest and highest self.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://andreagatesministries.com
- Instagram: @andrealynngates
- Facebook: Andrea Gates Ministries
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