Meet L.A. Warren

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to L.A. Warren. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

L.A. , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I’ve always carried a deep compassion for people who struggle — often through no fault of their own. Even as a pre-teen, one of my siblings jokingly — and sarcastically — remarked that I was always helping someone. In hindsight, it was an early glimpse of my calling.

As a teenager, that instinct took shape in action. I was entrusted with going door-to-door in our community, collecting donations to purchase floral arrangements for grieving families. It was sacred work, and I learned early that service often means showing up faithfully, without applause.

That pattern continued throughout secondary school, where I was elected annually as a class officer. During those years, I also discovered my love for writing while volunteering on the yearbook staff. I didn’t realize it then, but storytelling would become another way I served — by giving voice, visibility, and dignity to others. That experience foreshadowed a journalistic path rooted not in headlines, but in human impact.

After college, my roommate joined the Peace Corps. He often sent photos of himself working alongside local farmers in Accra, Ghana, helping to build sustainable futures. Watching his service stirred something deeper in me, strengthening both my spiritual resolve and my desire to serve beyond myself. Eventually, I adopted families in Ghana and Nigeria, helping provide food, medicine, schooling, and training in various trades, including solar installation and shoemaking. A decade later, many have flourished in their education and repaid that support by helping others in need.

I remember a roommate once calling me a “crisis junkie,” half-jokingly, because I was always quick to step in when others were hurting or overwhelmed. The words sounded offensive, yet they carried a measure of truth. There has always been a pull on my heart toward people in crisis, especially in a world where compassion often feels scarce — even as I deflected attention from my deeds, preferring instead to exalt God.

Today, as an author and career journalist writing about many topics that positively impact people, I understand my purpose more clearly, shaped by scripture in Matthew: “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.”

Service is not something I do — it is who I am.

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?

After decades of working with major newspapers — including the Houston Chronicle, Indianapolis Star and Hattiesburg American — I transitioned into public relations and strategic communications in higher education. I currently serve as a research writer at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, following previous media roles at Jackson State University (radio, TV and public relations) and a brief stint at the National Institutes of Health.

Throughout my career, I’ve loved telling stories about STEM, research, innovation and public health. But my greatest passion has always been human-interest storytelling — sharing the extraordinary experiences of everyday people. Those stories offered hope and healing: a kind of “chicken soup for the soul.” Today, that same heart for storytelling fuels a larger mission — helping people discover their purpose through true story and testimony.

More than two decades ago, I founded a publishing company, which became LA Star Status, LLC, in 2024. The creative and consulting brand provides professional editing for both emerging and seasoned writers, along with media services and image consulting. At its core, the brand helps individuals refine their voice, elevate their message, and step boldly into who they were created to be.

Much of my work and community outreach is shaped by my faith and commitment to uplifting humankind. As a disciple of Christ, I am deeply focused on helping people overcome the crippling effects of fear and teaching them how — and why — to build strong, unshakable faith. My personal testimony anchors this work and embodies the message of “faith over fear.”

That testimony inspired my new book, “Be Bold. Be Brave. Believe. Be Blessed.” This riveting true story unfolds like a thriller after I was abducted at gunpoint and driven to a desolate Mississippi highway. What should have ended in tragedy instead became a divine journey marked by life-saving miracles — where fear was conquered by faith, and ordinary moments were transformed through God’s grace.

The book is designed to help readers uncover their own light and step boldly into their calling. It is also a heartfelt — and urgent — plea for others to share their testimonies, because you never truly know who will be strengthened or saved by your story.

Months before writing the book, I shared my near-tragic encounter in 2019 with a few family members and close friends, both here and abroad. After a local TV journalist in Mississippi read the prologue to my book, he remarked, “Wowwww! Thank you for sharing your testimony! I really appreciate, and it’s actually helping me! I lost my sister, and fear has been screaming ohh so loud! You’ve encouraged and reminded me to use my faith! And I already feel better and lighter!”

Just two months earlier, a Christian brother I have known for more than a decade was kidnapped in his African country. During his weeklong captivity — part of a deadly money ritual — he prayed and reflected on my testimony of God’s divine intervention as kidnappers circled him, chanting incantations.

Our escapes bore striking similarities. Despite injuries and physical weakness, we both outran our tormentors. Wearing only light clothing, I sought refuge on a frigid night in February. My African brother, however, was stripped naked during a satanic ritual and forced to flee for his life. He leaped into a raging river, swimming furiously to escape, then emerged and ran deep into the jungle. I, meanwhile, tossed myself from a speeding vehicle, rolling violently across hard pavement before sprinting into a pitch-black forest to cloak my whereabouts.

He ran for hours before finally collapsing from sheer exhaustion. I ran and ran until I slammed into a barbed-wire fence.

The following day, he was rescued by a tribe of fishermen who carried him to their village and clothed him while he was still unconscious. I trudged to the home of an elderly couple, where my rescue began.

Our survival was nothing short of miraculous — me ejecting myself from that speeding vehicle, and him maneuvering past massive alligators and other wild animals. Through both of our harrowing journeys, God dispatched His angels, and we survived. This is the power of sharing a testimony.

Beyond these earth-shattering incidents, what excites me most in this season is where storytelling, faith, service and purpose converge — and the opportunity to impact lives.

Presales of “Be Bold. Be Brave. Believe. Be Blessed.” are NOW available through my company website, LAstarStatus.com, and include a limited autographed hardcover edition. A virtual book launch is forthcoming, followed by releases on Amazon in paperback, ebook and Audible formats in January 2026.

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?

The three qualities and skills that have been most impactful in my journey:

1. A sharp spiritual compass
My faith grounds every decision I make. It gives me clarity in uncertainty, courage in adversity and a sense of purpose beyond personal ambition. Because my direction is rooted in something eternal, I’m less likely to be swayed by fear or pressure.

2. Strong communication, especially reading and writing
The ability to listen deeply and read and write critically with intention has been central to my work. Communication is not just about conveying information; it’s about connection. Words have the power to heal and transform lives.

3. Confidence built on boldness, bravery and belief
My confidence is built on trusting the calling placed on my life. Boldness allows me to step forward, bravery helps me endure challenges, and belief sustains me when the path is unclear.

My advice to those early in their journey:

Fear God, not man. When we live for purpose rather than approval, we gain freedom and the courage to walk boldly into who we are created to be.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

Over the past 12 months, my greatest area of growth has been learning to remain disciplined and intentional — especially in bringing my first book to completion. With many distractions competing for my attention, I sometimes yielded to less urgent matters, delaying a project that was deeply personal and purpose-driven. This period taught me that procrastination can stall productivity and postpone impact.

I came to understand that what I truly needed was uninterrupted time — space to write and reflect. Throughout the year, I prayed consistently for greater wisdom and the time necessary to complete the book. That prayer was answered in an unexpected way.

When my position was eliminated amid widespread federal funding cuts that forced many organizations to recalibrate, I entered an eight-month period away from the traditional job market. While challenging, that pause became a pivotal turning point. With greater clarity and wisdom, I consolidated my financial obligations early, reducing stress and freeing my attention. That discipline created the focus I needed to finish the manuscript and begin implementing a thoughtful marketing strategy.

More importantly, my faith grew exponentially during this period. I prayed and proceeded with clarity rather than reacting from emotion or fear. That spiritual maturity became just as significant as the professional outcome.

In God’s perfect timing, my obedience and trust were met with His grace. Just one week after submitting my book for publication, I began a new and deeply fulfilling role. Looking back, I now see that what felt like an interruption was actually divine alignment. God sharpened my focus and prepared me for the upcoming season of purpose-driven work.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Gary Hufham

Marina A. Coryat

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