Dr. Brenda Sawyer: A Woman Graced for God’s Purpose
Encouraging Young Women to Believe in Themselves and Their Dreams!
Every young woman has a dream tucked away, a spark waiting for someone to help it grow. For Dr. Brenda Sawyer, those sparks became a mission. From classrooms to stages, she has dedicated her life to guiding others toward discovering their strength, voice, and purpose.
Her journey began with a deep love for learning and teaching. With 2 master’s degrees in education and professional development, she went beyond mastering her craft. She learned how to inspire transformation, understanding that education shines brightest when combined with encouragement and opportunity. This insight became the foundation for GIRLS WALKING WITH INTEGRITY EMPOWERING FOR DESTINY (GWWI)®️, a platform created to help young women find direction, confidence, and their own voice.
As a best-selling author, her words touch minds, spirits, and hearts. She shows that true empowerment grows from belief in oneself, belief in dreams, and belief in the ability to rise above challenges. Through workshops and coaching sessions, she blends practical guidance with heartfelt inspiration, helping individuals and communities step into their potential.
Her leadership across education management, nonprofit work, and entrepreneurship rests on a simple principle: integrity and purpose guide meaningful success. An honorary doctorate recognizes her dedication and influence, but her real impact lies in the lives she touches, the confidence she restores, and the inspiration she sparks.
She proves that influence grows from action and example. Every story shared, every life encouraged, every dream ignited shows a truth she carries: walking with integrity opens the path to a destiny worth claiming.
Living in the Fullness of God’s Love and Purpose
The Bible tells us in Matthew 22:37 to love the Lord with all heart, soul, and mind. Dr. Brenda knows that she truly loves the Lord, but she cannot claim to love Him as much as He loves her, no matter how hard she tries. God’s love for her is unconditional. He demonstrated this by giving His Son, Jesus, to be crucified on the Cross for her salvation. That is a debt she could never repay, and each day, she continues to reap the harvest of His love and new mercies.
Every day, God proves His love by allowing her to see a day that was never promised. Through His love, grace, and mercy, she is able to make the impact she does on the women she mentors. For such love, she is profoundly grateful, knowing how deeply her Heavenly Father cares for her. Who would not serve a God like this, one who did not count it robbery to give us His all?
Dr. Brenda is grateful to be a woman who has been graced for God’s purpose. This truth reassures her that God has a divine plan and intention for her life. When she remains faithful and trusts His process, He empowers her to fulfill the assignment He has called her to complete.
She believes that faith, trust, and obedience are the keys that unlock the door to God’s grace and purpose in her life. Hebrews 11:6 reminds us: “But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” It is through her time of praise, worship, and prayer that she is able to seek God and discover His divine purpose for her.
Trusting Divine Timing
There are times when people think they have their lives all planned out, but only God has the authority to order and ordain their steps. They do not operate on their own timetable; God works in His own time, according to His perfect will.
Whenever Dr. Brenda tried to move ahead in her own strength, things never worked out the way she hoped, because they were her plans, not His.
She now understands that God’s plan for her life is what gives it true meaning and purpose. He has graced and anointed her with the gift of teaching and imparting knowledge to others, something that began as early as the tender age of five.
She always aspired to be a teacher. As a young girl, she would gather the neighborhood children and teach them math. Whenever they answered correctly, she would clap and say, “Good job!”
Imparting knowledge and offering encouragement became a daily passion, one that eventually led her to pursue a professional career in education.
Teaching, Mentoring, and Leading with Purpose
Throughout her thirty-year journey as an elementary school teacher, Dr. Brenda’s passion for developing young minds grew stronger with each passing year. She remained committed to equipping her students with not only academic knowledge but also real-world understanding and lifelong skills.
She made it a priority to ensure that her classroom environment was both conducive to learning and inclusive for all students. When conflict arose, she implemented resolution strategies to help students take responsibility for their actions.
As a leader, Dr. Brenda believes accountability is essential, because God holds her to a higher standard. She must first be accountable to Him before she can effectively lead and serve others.
In leadership, she strives to be accountable and consistent, especially in her call to ministry. Her ability to lead with both accountability and consistency builds credibility among the women she mentors.
In retirement, Dr. Brenda has come to understand how using her God-given gift continues to open doors, allowing her to teach, encourage, and impact women across global platforms.
Her message centers on mentoring and equipping women with strategies to move from pain to purpose. She does this by encouraging, empowering, and transforming lives through the teaching of biblical principles and practical application. Before she speaks, she always prays and asks God to show her herself first, so that the impact of her message leaves an indelible legacy of confidence and purpose for future generations.
God’s mirror image of Dr. Brenda requires full surrender. She must yield her will to His and ask that her flesh be crucified. She knows that in her flesh dwells no good thing and she must decrease so that He may increase within her.
Decreeing and declaring is part of her daily discipline, affirming that nothing can be accomplished in her own strength, only in God’s. As Philippians 4:13 declares, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
If she is surrendered and walking in obedience, she fulfills the grace of God’s purpose for her life. When she finds herself outside of His purpose, she recognizes that it is God’s grace that lovingly brings her back on track, right where she is meant to be.
When teaching and mentoring women, Dr. Brenda first partakes of God’s Word, so that what she delivers is not just information but revelation. An empowering message must come from a place of conviction and authenticity.
She also prays continually to remain rooted and grounded in her faith and firmly anchored in the center of God’s will. For her, the center of His will is the safest and most secure place she can be. In this season, she knows that her voice is vital, and God allows her to speak up and speak out, shifting atmospheres with the message He has given her. She remains committed to being the change she wants to see in the world.
The Power of Prayer for Women
In the midst of today’s uncertainty and turmoil, Dr. Brenda encourages women to center themselves in God’s will by engaging in what she calls a “Prayer of Faith Exercise.”
She guides them through it in the following way:
First, she suggests they find a quiet place to sit, be still, and focus on discovering God’s purpose and will for their lives.
Second, she encourages them to surrender themselves completely to God’s will, setting aside their own agendas and desires.
Third, she instructs them to close their eyes, shut out the distractions around them, take a deep breath, and pray for God’s wisdom, clarity, and direction.
Dr. Brenda teaches that prayer is a fundamental spiritual discipline, a vital connection between the individual and God. It is a sacred space for communication, reflection, and divine guidance.
She explains that prayer transcends cultures and religions. It fosters inner peace, resilience, and a renewed sense of purpose. In a noisy and chaotic world, it is through prayer that women find their grounding and alignment with God’s perfect will.
Women are empowered through prayer, where they can express gratitude, seek guidance, and intercede for themselves and others. Dr. Brenda emphasizes that prayer helps them deepen their faith and teaches reliance completely on God, their true Source of power.
As she teaches women about the value of prayer, she also introduces them to scientific studies that highlight its psychological benefits, including stress reduction and improved emotional well-being. These findings affirm what is already known spiritually: that prayer brings peace, clarity, and healing.
She emphasizes the importance of cultivating a consistent prayer life so women can experience spiritual growth, develop a stronger relationship with God, and witness the transformative power of divine intervention in their lives.
Dr. Brenda’s passion for teaching and empowering women in prayer extends to building a sense of community through collective prayer. It strengthens relationships, fosters unity in the Body of Christ, and creates a spiritual bond that uplifts everyone involved.
She often reflects on current research that highlights prayer’s positive impact on mental health, its ability to enhance focus, reduce anxiety, and offer comfort during life’s most difficult challenges.
For believers, a consistent prayer life is a foundation for faith, spiritual maturity, and closeness with God. As Scripture reminds in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.” This verse has become a guiding principle in her leadership.
Being a woman graced for God’s purpose means Dr. Brenda has the privilege and responsibility to intercede at any time on behalf of others in need.
She believes that prayer underscores the transformative power of surrender, trust, and obedience, reinforcing the truth that God is always in control and remains the ultimate Source of guidance, strength, and provision.
Empowering Women Through the Words They Speak
Dr. Brenda is graced for God’s purpose to continue teaching and equipping women on the importance and power of their words. One of the Scriptures she often references is Proverbs 18:21: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Speaking what God says about them brings abundant life and aligns them with His promises.
As women in leadership, she emphasizes the need to be intentional about edifying and uplifting one another at all times. She highlights the importance of thinking before speaking to avoid the regret of words spoken carelessly or in haste.
She encourages women to begin changing the narrative by recognizing that their tongues carry power and that every word they speak carries an assignment connected to their destiny. They are called to speak only what God speaks, nothing contrary to His Word, because His Word is truth and life.
Dr. Brenda feels blessed and honored to be graced with the gift of teaching and empowering women in leadership. Her mission is to equip them with knowledge, confidence, and practical skills to lead effectively in various spheres, whether in ministry, business, community, or personal life.
She is committed to providing women with a sound biblical foundation, using Scripture-based teaching to affirm their identity, clarify their purpose, and strengthen their calling in leadership.
In addition to biblical teaching, she offers ongoing training and strategic skill development in areas such as communication, decision-making, conflict resolution, and servant leadership.
Empowering women through testimonies is another key component of her work. When women share their stories in a judgment-free zone, they not only glorify God but also inspire others to do the same.
Sharing testimonies builds a sense of community and sisterhood, encouraging women to complete rather than compete with one another. It opens the door to collaboration and authentic connection.
These testimonies often spark faith-based discussions, giving women the opportunity to ask questions, seek wisdom, and gain real-life insight rooted in both experience and biblical truth.
She teaches women how to actively engage in service and ministry collaborations that empower them to lead outreach efforts within their churches and communities. These collaborations help build a strong network of support among leaders, encouraging them to pray for one another, remain accountable, and practice the spiritual disciplines essential for leadership integrity.
Encouraging Women Leaders Through Faith and Collaboration
When Dr. Brenda provides leaders with opportunities for collaboration, she witnesses how transformative it can be. Many become more digitally empowered through online webinars and social media presentations, learning how to use technology as a tool for outreach and connection.
Her collaborative efforts also promote mentorship by pairing emerging women leaders with more experienced women. This allows them to observe, learn, and eventually step into leadership roles. Through this process, women gain the confidence to co-lead Bible studies, business meetings, and personal development projects.
Leadership training includes teaching the art of effective communication. Dr. Brenda offers workshops that help women develop and deliver devotions, inspirational messages, and public speeches, so they can lead with clarity, conviction, and confidence.
In addition to leadership skills, she empowers women to practice conflict resolution, equipping them to handle disagreements and misunderstandings with grace and empathy. She often reflects on Amos 3:3, which asks, “How can two walk together except they be agreed?” Agreement and unity are essential.
When women walk in agreement, they are better equipped to lead diverse groups, engage with different cultures, and foster mutual understanding and respect. True leadership thrives in unity, and collaborations become powerful tools that shape strong, purpose-driven women who lead with wisdom and compassion.
As a woman graced for God’s purpose, Dr. Brenda promotes unity and equity in leadership by striving to be the best teacher and leader she can be.
She understands that she must first lead by example, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide her, before she can effectively lead others. When she is led by the Spirit, she is empowered to empower other women to lead with purpose, a purpose that must first be aligned with God’s divine plan for their lives.
Dr. Brenda remains committed to helping women leaders embrace the beauty of their uniqueness, knowing they are fearfully and wonderfully made by God, the Author and Finisher of their faith.
As a leader of women, she has taught the importance of celebrating resilience, the ability to bounce back from life’s challenges and continue moving forward in God’s purpose and plan.
Learning to celebrate resilience means understanding that the challenges women face are opportunities for spiritual growth. Each difficulty is a divine setup for maturity, strength, and transformation.
Within every leader lies a seed of purpose, growth, and development. Dr. Brenda’s role is to help women recognize and nurture that seed, knowing that their purpose and assignment are vital to advancing the Kingdom of God on earth.
Through intentional mentoring, women come to realize that nothing is impossible with God. They begin to believe what Philippians 4:13 declares: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Dr. Brenda thanks God for gracing her with purpose, to teach, to empower, and to equip women for such a time as this. She stands in confidence, knowing that through Christ Jesus, she is more than a conqueror.
Resource Books by Christian Women Leaders:
Fervent by Priscilla Shirer – A prayer strategy guide for women leaders based on the power of God.
Lead Like a Woman by Deborah Smith Pegues – Biblical insights for women leading with confidence and grace.
Jesus, CEO by Laurie Beth Jones – Leadership principles from the life of Christ.
The Deborah Anointing by Michelle McClain Walters – Empowerment for women called to lead with courage and faith.
Godmother by Lisa Bevere – Equipping women to lead others and rise into their God-given roles.
She sincerely prays that these resources will benefit women in the leadership roles God has called them to. She encourages remaining humble in the calling and exemplifying integrity and confidence at all times, continuing to be a woman graced for God’s purpose by following the calling and anointing He has placed on their lives.
Reflection Questions – In Her Words
What does being “graced for God’s purpose” mean to you personally? How have you seen God’s grace at work in your life or leadership?
In what ways are you currently aligning your plans and actions with God’s will for your life?
Are there areas where you need to surrender more fully?
How do you use your words?
Are they life-giving, encouraging, and aligned with Proverbs 18:21?
Have you experienced a moment when trying to lead in your own strength didn’t work?
What did you learn from that experience?
How are you helping to build unity, equity, and resilience among the women in your sphere of influence?
What more can you do?
What are some ways you can cultivate a more consistent and intentional prayer life? How can prayer strengthen your leadership?
Who are the women in your life that God is calling you to mentor or empower? How are you helping them recognize their God-given purpose?
What spiritual or leadership gifts has God given you that you may be underutilizing? What steps can you take to fully activate them?
How do you respond to adversity or setbacks?
Are you able to celebrate your resilience and see challenges as opportunities for growth?
In what specific ways can you begin to change the narrative for the next generation of women leaders? What legacy do you want to leave?