Meet Michelle Apples

We were lucky to catch up with Michelle Apples recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelle , 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?

Most people would say that I am courageous and I take risks that often don’t seem calculated, or make any sense. I have sold everything and moved to a new country with 2 suitcases, my dog and the faith that I was supposed to be there.

My faith is the number one thing in my life. Being courageous and taking risks stems from my confidence that if God has called me to it, then he will provide for me through it. I have seen Him show up in many different ways through out my entrepreneurial journey which has allowed me to trust that the risks I take will always have the reward at the end of it. It continues to strengthen my faith and my ability to trust Him deeper than I trust myself.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I started The Christian Singles Hub back in the fall of 2020 out of what I saw was a need for Christian Singles to connect and to be in community. I heard a statistic that the number one demographic leaving the church was singles in their 30’s and older. After sitting at many tables, hearing the heart cry’s of many singles over the age of 30, it wasn’t that they were leaving because their were no prospects for marriage, but simply because they were overlooked, consistently felt like they didn’t belong, and almost as if they were perceived as something was wrong with them for not being married.

As someone who was in my thirties and still single this was something I also faced. I was often overlooked because of my relationship status, and I felt as if people walked on eggshells around me because I was a single female.

I knew something needed to change. I love the church and I know the church can’t be everything for everyone, which is why God gives purpose and calling’s to His people to bridge the gap, be the change and make a difference. I stepped out in faith to hopefully bridge the gap by creating creative solutions for social problems. The spaces I created would allow Christian Singles to meet, connect, be in community, fuel their faith and have hope risen that they are not alone in this season.

From 2020 to now we have seen thousands of people from around the globe join in one way or another whether that be a retreat, our annual summer camp, our weekly talk show, our podcast, in person or online gatherings and our virtual speed dating events. We have seen the lost come home, broken hearts lifted and people who were mourning their singleness now rejoicing and embracing the season they are in.

It’s been one of the greatest honors of my life being able to see people arrive as strangers and leave as family and to grow closer to Jesus through it all. I believe our biggest breakthrough is yet to come and we cannot wait to see what God does in and through it all. We have so many retreats, events, trips and so much more coming up! We are just getting started.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Three Qualities/Skills/Areas of Knowledge that were most impactful

Integrity – I think number one hands down is integrity. I believe that most people I come into contact with will recognize my heart for our mission and want to become involved. There seems to be a trust that builds with your audience when you lead with integrity.

Perseverance – Entrepreunership is not for the faint of heart. It takes perseverance to not want to throw in the towel when things get hard. You often feel like you are on an island and the only thing that will keep you going is the perseverance you have to get you through the trials.

Communication – communication is so important because it allows people to feel respected in your organization and helps ensure things run smoothly.

I would encourage anyone on their own journey to really hone in on who you are, your giftings, talents, abilities, and skills and how you can use them to propel yourself forward. Find out the things you are really good at and some of the things you aren’t and learn to delegate the things that may be someone elses talents.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

In the past 12 months we have seen an exponential growth in the business. As much as growth is always a good thing, it also means being able to handle the growth that is coming. This year we really had to look at how we delegate, what we delegate and re-evaluating what isn’t working in the business. As someone who loves to be in control this has been so challenging but so rewarding for me to really be able to empower other leaders into their giftings and talents while also honing in on my own.

Doing this has not only allowed us to have more growth, but also allowed me to feel less overwhelmed, and ultimately more joy in the vision that God has entrusted to me.

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