JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Rev. Deborah D. Jenkins, author of Leading Through Adversity
(Urban Christian Publishing)
Rev. Jenkins examines the lives and ministry of major biblical prophets including Daniel and Jesus Christ. She journeys through some of their most difficult challenges and apply their responses to today’s challenges to provide readers with clear and succinct lessons for leading even in challenging and adverse times.
Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Leading Through Adversity?
Rev. Deborah D. Jenkins: I began writing the book during my last year of seminary. There were so many questions in my mind about church and how decisions are made, favoritism, perversion of the Word of God, recognizing the will of God, etc.
I was unsure if I was in God’s will or had I become such a pawn in the way the church operates that I could no longer hear the voice of God. The book became a journey in self-discovery. Little did I know that the Lord was seeding me for my own ministry as church planting and founding Pastor of Faith @ Work Christian Church!
JP: What sets Leading Through Adversity apart from other motivational?
DDJ: Leading Through Adversity is a Leadership Manual for Christians. I like to believe there is also benefit to non-believers as well. It is a book of Lessons drawn from the lives and ministries of leading prophets in the Bible–chiefly Jesus Christ.
What distinguishes it from other leadership books is that I found it impossible to write a book on leadership that didn’t include youth leadership. In the middle of this powerful book is an entire chapter dedicated to the leaders of the church tomorrow.
JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Leading Through Adversity getting out to the public?
DDJ: I am uniquely blessed to have worked in the social services field for my entire secular career and as a result have met many wonderful people. As a result, my book has been able to transcend the church and be presented and used in workshops in many different venues. I have enjoyed great success with the book. If I increase my marketing efforts by 30%, my success would be that much greater.
JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Leading Through Adversity?
DDJ: Because I am a preacher, I write on a consistent basis. That had prepared me for working within deadlines, structuring my writing and setting realistic goals. I am a very systematic writer. It took me a year to complete the book.
Believe or not, I did most of my writing on the crowded trains of the NYC Subway system. I believe that focus is the key to completing a writing project and indeed all tasks. I plan how much I want to achieve in a two hour period (which is the minimum time I allow per day) and set out to achieve my goal.
I am a deadline driven person, so I will give myself harsh deadlines which ensures that I complete 50-75% of the stated goal within a 60 day hard deadline. It’s a calculated game that I engage in with myself to turn out a finished product.
JP: What’s next for Rev. Deborah D. Jenkins?
DDJ: Well I am finishing my second book, Preparing the Princess to be Queen and prayerfully it will be completed by mid-May. I will begin an aggressive marketing program for that book. Hopefully hit more times than I miss.
I have actually started a more ambitious project called Dvineexpressions Book Club. We are rolling it out in two phases–the first of which is the 1st Annual Christian Self-Published Author (C-SPA) Book Awards. I am extremely excited about this because first it is not a money scheme. It is a project that I believe God has called me to lead.
There are so many anointed men and women of God who have been called to write books that will bring glory to God and reach many. That’s not easy, as I have found from time to time. I have gained a lot of experience and want to share it with others.
We are launching the awards at this year’s Book Expo America African American Pavilion. It will lend credibility, and exposure to industry leaders that may have an impact on these awesome authors. I am in a great place in ministry, business and most of all with my family.
http://dvineexpressionsbookclub.com
Facebook:Â Rev. Deborah D. Jenkins
Contact:Â Rev. Deborah D. Jenkins
Dvineexpressions Book Club
revdebjenkins@dvineexpressionsbookclub.com
dvinexpressions@aol.com
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