Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Monte’ Burley. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Monte’, 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.
When it comes to myself finding Purpose, I can honestly say that it has been a long trying process. From misguided steps to missed timing to depression and even suicide. The Journey to my purpose I perceived started in middle school, you know a teenager with high aspirations and goals in order to pursue a career as a doctor or in the Paralegal field. A young male of three kids to a single mother just knowing that life is getting ready to be my canvas and pay me back for the things that I felt I had to endure for better. Always Thinking to myself that I know how and the way that my life was getting ready to turn out. I can recall back in high school (Phoebus High School) around 11th or 12th grade things begin to shift where it was supposed to be my “Glory years” turn very stressful the road seemed as if it was now rocky and uncertain though the passion for my goals and desires never went away just seemed even more impossible to obtain. It was time to begin to look at colleges the acceptance letters were there, but the financial resources were not, even with financial aid. This is when at the time where i was attending a church I heard many say God has a major call on your life and that you carry a prophetic mantle on you. I heard it but denied it because my heart was not there and I was stuck in the mindset of “Not me, I’m not known enough furthermore I’m a nobody that people do not even care that much to listen to on a regular let alone something like that”.
I heard a small still voice concerning one particular college that did not carry a pre-med degree, but it had a bachelors in pre-professional science that yielded the same benefits and opportunities. I knew this was the voice of the Lord, but this was all new to me. I found myself saying ” Why in the world would the Lord tell me to go in the school in the sticks” I had just finished my internship while in high school for medical assisting. I then proceeded to follow my dreams and Go to this school that was in the middle of nowhere in Ferrum, VA. At this point I thought things were about to start looking up, but no things got worse. What do I mean you ask? Classes were going well, grades were going well, and I found campus living interesting however, it seemed as if something was always waiting for me around the corner. Walking in the direction of my dreams but feeling weighed down. This was actually that the beginning of purpose being awakened to me but because I was so focus on the one thing in front of me, I could not read nor decipher the bigger picture that I was a part of. It was in freshman year that the voice of God truly began amplifying in my ear and I began hearing him more clearly that I was used to. This is where I began to realize that there was more to my story but still not admitting to knowing that I was one of God Prophets or carried the mantle but knew that he had more for me. So, I started this search for a church or person that could help be with this loud voice that would pop up in my head and share things that i should not have known. This was difficult being that I was in college in the country and knowing no one at all. What I found out later was this was a great place because it allowed me to not be easily influence but to seek with pure intentions as if I was a kid who received a new toy. It was not until I was in my sophomore year in college when I heard the voice of the Lord call me Prophet audibly. It was at this moment that i found purpose and at this moment when I felt like I was being crushed literally. Choas broke out for me on campus, and I was feeling as though that God was speaking to me concerning everyone but myself and I needed it the most, feeling like I was by myself and that the hearing of the Lord had got me in trouble and ostracized and I no longer wanted my dreams I just wanted to STOP!!! I remember saying If it takes all this then I don’t want it. I just remember laying on my dorm room flyer weeping and saying how tired I was. I found myself in this moment no longer caring about my dreams and aspiration to the point I recalled taking cough medicine and going into a deep sleep to the point where people had to call the campus police to find out if I was ok. In front of people, I had a smile but behind the smile was a weight that couldn’t be shaken. When I woke up, I just remember God saying “” Are you tired of doing things your way now I’m breaking somethings for greater”. To be honest at that moment I didn’t understand the totality but at that moment I said, “God I will trust you i don’t understand but I will trust.” So the Lord began showing me what I was getting ready to face and it had to do with following him and allowing him to reroute my plans. What I learned was that because I denied my purpose and my call it did not matter who else believe because it would never manifest until I became ok with standing up and standing out. Until I grasp that mindset God could not use me, the way he wanted because I was fighting purpose which was fighting him because it didn’t fit into my plan of becoming a doctor. Where I would have only been influential in one area, I was graced to be influential in many communities and foreign countries, family homes and to those who have been incarcerated. That gave up hope and gave up God. He gave me a voice and a reach where I didnt have one to build, teach, empower and reach a people all over the globe.
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?
I am a Tax Professional Under Myra J Notary and Tax Services. I believe in educating those in business, non-profit, and the everyday individual about how money can work for them concerning their taxes and the tax system. In this I teach how to stay ahead of the game and what decision to make throughout the year in order not to be in a whole at the end of the year to prevent the losing of assets and income unnecessary while preparing for the future as it pertains to retirement or the rainy day. When you can legally set yourself up for the future to let your money work for you. The Most interesting thing I enjoy about taxes is the understanding the economics and how the government system works in order to prepare a people when things are not exactly being said but its being written within tax laws and restrictions. For example, this is the first year that I have seen the government give credit/deduction for cash donations of approximately $20,000 or more nothing less. Something that all non-profits need to pay attention to because this can limit donations and operations for future endeavors.
I am also the Founder of Fire of the Ruach Ministries that was established in December of 2014. Where I have established the “Rise of the Paga” School of Intercession (established 2016) that is geared towards Intercessors, Intercessory Teams and those that have a heart to pray from all different walks of life and stages. This school empowers, equips, and strengthens to build a hedge of protection by holding on to the horns of the Altar to remain planted in the faith. We have also established the “School of the Prophetic” (Established 2018) This school is not limited to Prophets but everything concerning the prophetic from Seers and Dreamers to Scribes, Prophetic voices, and Prophets. This is used to bring and birth an unadulterated understanding regarding the Prophetic to Purify that false appearance and face that is currently in the church and around the globe using biblical principles and precepts, so that God’s people can rise up in their rightful place where God has called them to line. One thing I always say it is difficult to align and run after a purpose or dream that you, yourself do not understand or can comprehend the totality of. All courses given by these schools have workbooks that I have created under the leading of the Holy spirit with the Holy Bible. Teaching is surely a passion of mine to see destiny unlocked and for people to run after everything that the Father has for them and to just succeed in purpose and wear Purpose Well.
What do I have coming up? This year Fire of the Ruach Ministries will be establishing our first physical Hub in Columbia this year in 2024. We are conducting a soft launch via Facebook group online ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/636599741914226/?ref=share ) as we prepare for the launch keeping prayer upon our lips as the Hub is erected under the leading of the Holy Spirit.
As well I will be Facilitating our first Prophetic Intercessory Intensive Retreat called “Drenched” September 6-8, 2024 in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge Tennessee.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Three Most important qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that impact my journey I would say is Humility, Prayer and the ability to be adaptable. It is vital to be able to adapt in order not to become stuck on a particular way or path to accomplish a thing because it limits an individual’s ability to become and succeed. Otherwise, everything you look at will seem like failure because it doesn’t match according to the design, map, or route you have created. There is nothing wrong with planning but it’s always good to have a contingency plan when plans change to reach your expected destination or goal. This kills and shift our mind from roadblocks that keep us stuck not progressing or regressing but just existing. Be humble enough not to close the door to opportunities that could catalyze you in the direction needed to prosper, excel, and progress. This opens a door to be teachable and remain teachable along the way allowing yourself to build your bookbag of success to increase your skills in order to obtain what it is that you are running after. The Question is Do We know what we are running after? This is where prayer comes in to receive guidance, clarity, understanding, and fortification to not given at the first sight that things don’t work but it allows us to build ourselves back up and to conqueror a thing according to: Romans 4:17 KJV (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
When it comes to the most helpful to help me overcome challenges, I would like to list two individuals. The first being my leader and covering of Genesis International of 10 plus years Apostle Sy Sromanieson who has pushed me and held me up in some of my darkest moments. She taught me that there can be life after “defeat and failure” and that you can live through your toughest moment, survive, and bounce back greater than ever. Apostle Sy has also taken me under wing and girded me into the Apostle I am into ensuring that I was properly equipped for my purpose and call with all the tools needed to be who God called me to be.
The other individual that I would like to honor is my tax mentor Natasha Walker of Greensboro, Nc who passed away on New Years Day 2023. Who pushed me to take a chance and take the training to be able to do taxes professionally and legally. She gave and taught me the skills to be a professional in the tax industry while teaching me key components to know about business structure, etiquette and Clientele Building in the marketplace. One of her favorite saying was “I have a Wealth Gap to fill” And “that there is enough money out here for everyone to eat”
Contact Info:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/monte.g.burley/
- Other: Email: [email protected] Class registration Link: linktr.ee/monteburley
Image Credits
Dawn Photography and Shots by Jay
