There is always a woman you meet where you can see God through her. When I encountered Fendi Godwin and watched her sermons, I could feel her live spirit and automatically knew she was on fire for God. Throughout the weeks, Fendi and I finally got on one accord for a feature! As a Godly woman, she is very transparent about how its not always easy doing God’s will.

When GOD sends you on an assignment, HE cannot fail.” –Fendi Godwin

LaFendi Godwin, founder of Fendi Godwin Ministries

What motivated you to start your ministry?

LaFendi: “GOD. The preaching ministry is a calling that I could no longer hide or run from. In short, as I child I can still recall having dreams of myself, preaching as an adult, but I never told anyone. I also can recall being prophesied to that I was called to preach the gospel. However, I was full of fear and doubt. But I’m grateful because GOD has a way of bringing a person that hid in the back to the front. As I developed a prayer life, GOD spoke to me and specifically told me my assignment. Shy of 25 years old, I eventually yielded and obeyed GOD because I did not want my disobedience to hold anybody back who may need what God has placed on the inside of me. My previous Pastor asked me to preach on a platform service in 2013 and he would not take no for an answer. That preaching moment is what propelled me into my purpose.”

What is the simplest advice you can tell a woman who hasn’t found God yet?

LaFendi: “No matter your relationship status, you have not experienced unconditional love until you have embraced and found GOD for yourself. Although I have been saved (accepted Jesus Christ) since I was a teenager, I am just now discovering how much GOD really loves me. In my latter 20’s, I’ve finally realized that the real reason why I love God is simply because He loved me FIRST! He loves me without me having to do anything to earn His love. When you consider all of your inadequacies, flaws, insecurities, and even mistakes, but understand that a man named JESUS still loves you anyway, it made me realize how in love with God I really am. So, “Fall in love with GOD” is my advice because He is unlike any other person on this earth.”

I know mental health is important to you. Explain why it’s important to be mentally fed as well as spiritually fed.

LaFendi: “I am a Mental Health professional and I have 7 years of mental health experience. I have spent almost 5 years currently working at a state psychiatric hospital. My undergraduate degree is in Psychology, but I never had a desire to work in the mental health field, it happened naturally by employment opportunities. However, I’m positive that my profession was not a coincidence with God. With that being said, having a healthy mind is essential! It would almost be pointless to be spiritual, but mentally unhealthy. As a state worker, I’m limited on what I can publicly say about this topic, but I’ll just say this: Prayer is my sanity. As a Christian, I believe that spirituality and mental health coincides. Professionally and holistically, I believe in the 8 dimensions of wellness: Emotional, Environment, Financial, Intellectual, Occupational, Physical, Social, and Spiritual are all pieces that make a pie whole. Strive for wellness in every area, but most importantly, don’t allow your spiritual tank to go empty or else you won’t have any gas to operate on.”

What bible scriptures get you through your roughest days?

LaFendi: “Honestly, it depends on the day and how I’m feeling. Today’s scripture that helped pull me back to shape on such an emotionally distracting day for me was 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalted itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” Don’t allow the battle that is in your mind to distract your entire day. Pull down the stronghold in prayer and keep going!”

What impact do you want to leave on this earth? How do you plan on doing it?

LaFendi: “I want to be EFFECTIVE and leave lasting impressions on people, with a strong emphasis on young girls and women. My personal experiences throughout my private life have created a passion and an avenue, through preaching, for me to be able to help encourage others. I have a compassionate heart for counselling, helping, and inspiring others. However, in the future I would love to have a mentorship and a non-profit organization for girls, teens, and women. I can also see myself being an author in the future. It might sound cliché, but a lot of gifts that God has given me, I can see myself as a vital instrument with helping to build the church and doing ministry work. I absolutely love doing work for the kingdom, because it does not feel like work to me while doing it. I love to serve in MANY capacities!”

Who are some Godly women who influence you in a positive way?

LaFendi: “There have been many women who have had a helping hand in my life! For starters, the woman who birthed and raised me, my Mommy! No matter my age, I never stray away from my home training and principles. To the Godly woman who lived a lifestyle of prayer before me that foreshadowed to me how I desire to one day have a Christian household, filled with Godly love and prayer. To the woman who led me to salvation and taught me the importance of NOTHING BUT THE WORD as my solid foundation! To the woman who taught me to be okay with being that teenager that was not having sex and holiness was essential for my life. To the woman who took time to talk to me, pray for me, and encourage my self-esteem so that I could mature into a confident woman! I have made sure to let these women know my appreciation and gratitude. The fact is, I take many learning lessons from many women, whether it’s a simple conversation or me watching married women from afar and modeling the behaviors that attracts me. I’m always looking, learning, and striving for growth.”

Briefly explain your roughest season or transition.

LaFendi: “Wow. My roughest season is being all by myself. My immediate family relocated to Georgia, while I remain in New Jersey. Also during this time, dependency on certain friendships and relationships fell apart. The tears and lessons of being alone have been the most difficult for me. There have been highs and lows, disappointments and setbacks, but it’s through those moments where I have learned about total dependency on GOD. I also learned more about who Fendi really is, and through those tough moments I’m grateful for it because I am growing and getting stronger.”

How do you cope when things go awry in your life?

LaFendi: “I pray about everything, I vent to close friends, and those difficult things that bring me no understanding of the experiences, I journal and talk myself through it. Once I do that, I eventually cling on to my faith and keep walking through life.”

Which is the biggest challenge you had so far as a preacher?

LaFendi: “Transparently, I would have to say feeling unsupported and misunderstood. It’s a walk where many won’t understand why God called me, but yet He called me. Also, being disciplined and learning how to get out of my way and God’s way. As a fairly new preacher, three and a half years, learning how to walk in submission for the sacrifice of the ministry is challenging. Preachers have a different life style. For instance, I might want to hang out on a Saturday night, but the sacrifice that comes into play is to stay home, pray, and study my Bible. Preaching is such a huge responsibility! It is still a huge adjustment for me, personality wise, to be able to stand before people and declare the gospel. However, I’m grateful that I found my purpose. Preaching has been one of the most difficult things that I have ever done, but it’s also the most fulfilling. Lastly, the preaching ministry for me is something where I often felt that I needed someone to help hold my hand and stand by my side as I embraced the call. But one of my favorite sayings that I’ve learned from another woman in ministry is, “When GOD sends you on an assignment, HE cannot fail.” My dependency should be solely on GOD.”

Besides the Bible, name a book that changed your life.

LaFendi: “The People Factor” by Van Moody really helped me. Understanding people skills and how to build healthy relationships is one of the greatest skills to acquire.”