Who Is This Woman?

Lydia Ministries International Ministering to Ministers

Who Is This Woman?

Susan was honored to be chosen as a Cambridge Who's Who of America

Susan's presentations are appropriate for many settings, including leadership training events, women's retreats, church conferences, pastor appreciation services, etc.

Susan speaks from her heart and years of experience. She has pastored over 10 churches. Susan has known many joys of ministry, and she has been blessed to witness miracles. She's seen people's lives changed, witnessed families restored, and many other fruits of ministry. However, she also knows what it is like to feel alone, discouraged, and misunderstood. She understands wanting to lead, to enable people in fulfilling their dreams and desiring to see them draw close to God as they grow spiritually. Susan has experienced the disappointments that can occur when inner-church conflicts cripple the life and ministry of the church.

On the flip side of this, Susan has also enjoyed being a pastor's wife. Her husband was a faithful ordained elder for more than 30 years in the United Methodist Church. She watched through tears as he faced many of the same disappointments that she had. She cheered his ministry on and celebrated with him when he saw God working in the life of the congregation and community.

She stood by him when church conflicts and other church misunderstandings challenged him to fight for his ministry, his life work that was the very heart of who this man was. When Gary died in an auto accident, God left Susan behind to share the knowledge that they had gained through their experience.

Susan says, "We know there is a serious problem within the church community. Many people are leaving the church due to unresolved conflicts and misunderstandings with pastoral leadership. We have got to build bridges of trust, communication and understanding between our pastors and church communities.

Pastors are losing their ministry within the church and many do not return to ministry of any kind. We need to implement restoration processes in our churches. We must learn how to relate to our shepherds, to communicate with them and their families, and to make sure that their needs are met, spiritually, emotionally, and financially.

It can be damaging to a church's moral whenever a minister has to leave, for any reason. It is most damaging whenever the minister is forced to exit under poor circumstances. What can you do to encourage your churches ministry with your pastoral leadership?"

A good place to start is with establishing a "Lydia Ministry" within your church. Contact Susan today, and schedule her to speak with your church or group!

Gary and our youngest grandbaby, Owen

Who Is This Woman and What Is Her Story?

Susan comes to you with an ecumenical background, Baptist, Presbyterian, and Methodist. She attended a Lutheran College and a Methodist Seminary. She has a close affiliation with several Messianic congregations, both in the US and in Israel. From traditional to freewill to Pentecostal, Susan ministers to the sheep of God.

Susan says that she never dreamed when she was a child building bridges in the ditch beside her N.C. home for her Barbies that God would later call her to build bridges for Him. "God has called me to build bridges of peace and understanding between the clergy and the laity", Susan states, "These bridges are both practical and spiritual and the goal is to build up the Kingdom of God". She says, "There is a tragedy that has struck at the heart of our churches, an epidemic that is robbing our churches of leadership and our ministers of being able to fulfill their CALL from God and it results in the loss of our shepherds! When the Shepherds are destroyed, the flock scatters!"

Susan goes out to encourage both the shepherds and the flock. Weaving together Biblical truth with practical insights and humor, she brings a message that ministers to the heart of the church: the pastor and congregation.

Susan became a widow on June 21, 2005 when her heart and soul mate, Rev. Gary Ferrell, was killed in a tragic automobile accident. She confesses that while this has been one of the greatest tragedies she's ever experienced, she's also felt closer to God than probably at any other time of her life.

Susan and Gary had a combined family of 8 children and twelve grandchildren. She knows what it is like to raise a family in the church, and to juggle the needs of a family with the call of Christian ministry. Her practical and spiritual insights are of great value in bridging the gap between clergy and laity. Susan speaks to the heart of women, leaving an imprint there that will not be easily forgotten in days to come.

In her spare time, Susan writes, weaves, spins yarn, smocks, sews and volunteers in her community. She has served with Red Cross, volunteered as a chaplain in a local hospital, was President of a local sewing guild and served in the court system as a Guardian ad litem. In addition, Susan has volunteered as a rapid response chaplain with the Billy Graham Association.

Please remember, Lydia Ministries International survives on your gifts! 100% of your gift goes to ministering to ministers and their families.