We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Heather Thomas Van Deren. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Heather Thomas below.
Heather Thomas, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
Everyone has a purpose, a God-given ability and gift to make an impact in the world. My journey began as a child. My talents and gifts in the area of music and acting were nurtured and encouraged by loving parents. There was no holding me back, though! I was born to perform. As I grew older and came to know Jesus Christ as my Savior, things began to shift. I learned my gifts and talents were for reasons far greater than myself. As a matter of fact, it wasn’t about me at all! The more I became willing to let GOD be my guide, the more opportunities He exposed me to. Having a higher calling to be who we were created to be is much more rewarding than focusing on ourselves. We were meant to focus on others. In the end, it’s always a win-win situation!
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
In my current journey of life, all ministries I am involved in are under my main ministry, “HTV Ministries”. Love is what it’s all about, and that love comes only from God, from Jesus Christ. I am thankful for where I’ve been, where I came from, where I am now, and where I am going. Simply put, I have learned to rely on God and follow His path, although not without plenty of struggles along the way! I have had multiple nationally-charting Christian Country songs, some I’ve written. I have numerous award-winning music albums, and my 6th album is releasing in 2024. I am fervently serving Christian churches, events and venues in music. I have some of the best musicians in the country working with me in the recording studio, with my long-time friend and producer, Greg White. Through outreach ministry, God opened a door to my current TV and Podcast testimony series called “What Love Means”. We’re in our 6th year. I enjoy traveling to folks who are looking to share their life story of how they were redeemed from sin and emptiness by asking Jesus Christ to be their Savior. The show is touching lives and changing people! Recently a new podcast became available, and I am partnering with journalist Brant Fricker, as we dissect the life of living out loud for Christ, unapologetically and deliberately. Recorded live weekly, our broadcast is called “Warrior Talk – Get Inspired, Be Empowered!” In addition to all of these blessings, and as a director of W-3 Network (Women’s Whole Worth Ministry), a nationwide conference will be launched in 2024 to equip and empower women in ministry through various speakers and singers. We are calling the event “Boots on the Ground”. My goodness, I am overwhelmed with thankfulness just thinking about all these things!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
This journey of mine has been long and with lots of bumps and bruises. My advice to others who are in the early stages of serving the Lord through ministry…. don’t expect everything to just fall into your lap. God guides, yes, most definitely. But He expects us to put our feet to our faith, to be exemplary in everything we do, to believe in our calling. Even though we may doubt ourSELVES, we should NEVER doubt God! Love, trust, faith and hard, hard work are all part of being the best you can be for Him. Surround yourselves with a small circle of people who are happy to be part of your destiny. Those who hold you back, hurt you, discourage you, have no place in your journey. Learn to die to yourself daily; in other words, choose every day to reach out and help those around you. Even when you are having a hard day, there’s just something about making others smile that will heal you too. Walk only through the doors that you know are from God – learn to recognize the temptations of the devil, and stand firm against him. When you’re doing things right, you can bet he’ll be after you. Praise the Lord and walk on!
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
As a Christian, a Jesus Follower, of course my answer to that would be the Bible, God’s Word. I’m thankful for little things throughout my life, like Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, even teaching the little children in church (where I probably learned as much as THEY did!). Christian friends, family and mentors helped me learn the great truths in that Bible, and I have forever applied them to my heart. B-I-B-L-E: Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth! If you want to know who God really is, the personality and heart of Jesus Christ, just get in that book. You’ll never regret it. I certainly haven’t. Not even once!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.htvministries.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heather.vanderen/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/HeatherTVanDeren
- Other: Rumble – https://rumble.com/user/countrygirlsings
