Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Vilmarie Contreras. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Vilmarie , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
To be frank, I did not find my purpose. Purpose found me. I’ve discovered God’s Faithfulness pursuing me when looking at the details of my life. The Lord has been with me, guiding me and leading me. Now, I did not grow up in church, so for me, these are not things I came to acknowledge until later in my maturity in Christ. Before church, I cruised through life, hoping things would work out.
All the qualities that led me to this point developed in the process of being found by my purpose.
It was late one evening, sitting at my table that my husband made for me with a small table lamp that I had placed for lighting. I can’t remember the reason I was sitting there in the first place; no one was downstairs, so it was simply me and my thoughts. When suddenly, I started speaking in my heavenly language; it was so abrupt, and at that moment, there was a pen and pad. I understood that this was a message being downpoured by the Lord, and so my hand put pen to paper. He gave me colors, he gave me a vision, he gave me a mission, he gave me an entire ministry guideline within moments! It was an extremely incredible moment. Immediately, I began to work on what I understood to be a kids ministry. To be completely transparent, I’ve never organized a ministry event before or run one. Now, I was a part of two separate Ministries, and I was privy to see the operations of what ministry functions looked like. However, during that period, I was simply a volunteer in one and a part-time dancer in the other. Also, being led and not leading.
The idea that the Lord would use me is a blessing and an honor, to say the least. The climb to get this ministry on its feet was a working progress that was an adventure and a challenge worth the battle. The Lord gave everything that was needed; all that was required of me then and even today was “Faith,” which seems to be the most consistent word during this journey to have Faith and trust that the Lord will see me through no matter what comes my way. Today, I am proud to have successfully organized three entire events that continue to grow in size, and I am now working on my fourth (R.T.O.J) Royal Trees of Judah Dance Ministry event coming soon, 2025.
I genuinely and earnestly believe that what is for you will always be for you. No devil or man can close a door the Lord has opened, and no man can open a door that the Lord has closed. In this process, I’ve found peace in the middle of the storm because “The Lord My God is in it.” One very important advice: lean not on my own understanding because my thoughts are not his thoughts, and my ways are not his ways. Everything he does is greater than me. The Lord has been consistent in his request for me to have Faith. The type of Faith the Lord develops through perseverance, and through my perseverance, my Faith develops. I have thanked the Father everyday, since, that he has found me worthy of such a ministry. The Lord has put the future in my hands, and I am to steward it as unto the Lord. Being Holy as the God that I serve is Holy.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Apart from being a leader of a Kids’ ministry also considered a parachurch a branch off a tree. I am very active in the church, partaking in Local church volunteer positions such as Ushering and “For His Glory”. Additionally, I am a part of another parachurch called “Sheprayed,” in which I hold a leadership role in the Bible studies for women gladly assisting my leader, Zuleika Guzman, in bringing women to the feet of Jesus. It’s through her Faithfulness unto the Lord that I’ve become the woman I am today.
Creativity is my thing, so I love to paint, worship, and flag. I have an extensive flag collection. Lastly, I am a mom of three and happy wife with a husband who also serves the Lord.
The greatest blessing I’ve encountered until this point is serving the Lord with my whole family. Especially alongside my husband to watch him grow and become the man he is today. and knowing how far God has brought him and how much God will continue to develop him has been one of my greatest joys. ❤️
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?
1. Understand the Value of commitment. Let your yes be yes, and let your no be no.
-Many times, people do not understand the weight that they carry.
-If you are going to volunteer, make sure that you serve that ministry, place, or thing as unto the Lord.
-Your “no” is as important as your “yes.”
2. If you are going to serve
-Remove from your mind that you’re doing this as a favor to them. You’re doing yourself a disservice by thinking this way.
– If you are going to serve in the house of the Lord. You serve the Lord, not people.
-Stop being inconsistent. Be
dependable.
3. Be someone of good character
– Choose peace whenever possible.
– Love beyond yourself
– Forgive as often as God requests. Which is what? All the time.
4. Be a person that shows up
-Despite any flaws, you may hold up about yourself. Always be the person that shows up.
– Never give up
-Keep fighting to be a better version of who you are today!
5. If you mess up today the good news is
– There is always 1 minute later. Every moment is an opportunity for change.
– God’s grace and mercy is knew everyday.
6. Have Faith and count it all Joy.
7. Lean on God and not on your understanding
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?
3 Major people in my life that has helped me overcome have been
1. My mother-in-law, which I call my Naomi. This woman has been like a pillar in my life; she believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. She pushed me when I didn’t know if I could push anymore. She prayed for me and my husband through so many things. She has been the glue that the Lord has used to sustain me in my life and this Christian journey called “the way.”
2. Zuleika Guzman. “Sheprayed President” and my leader, which I call my David. This woman has been so Faithful to the Lord and so resilient and so honest with me. She never sugarcoats anything, and because of that, I know that when it comes to advice in every area of my life, I can depend on getting “What I need and not what I want.” These are the type of people I prefer to be surrounded by.
3. My wonderful Husband, Daniel Contreras, has been my backbone. He keeps me sharp and on my toes, and for that, I am forever grateful! My husband makes things happen; from the day I met this man, he has been my Mr. Waymaker. He is the type of man that if there is not a road to cross on, he will build it. If something does not yet exist, he will make it. It never ceases to amaze me the things he manages to do.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rtoj_danceministry?igsh=NzdrcndkZXVidzBu
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rtoj23/?ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBT
Image Credits
Some images were taken by more than one individual in our church he goes my stretch but his name is George Johnson, and Julie Cruz.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
