Steve and Kathy Gray - What's Happening

Empowered Women - Running the Race for God

You don't have to be broke, bored, or bothered anymore, women! That's a rallying cry that's coming forth to the women of God from the ministry of Steve and Kathy Gray. Encouraging them to step into position and into their destiny with God, this ministry is raising up women of influence and authority.

The misconception of women's roles in the church has long been a thorn in the flesh for women as well as for church leaders. As Steve Gray relates, "We're still dealing with prejudice and bad theology concerning women." While it's true that Paul, in the early stages of the church, did not allow women to speak in church but rather to "learn at home," in further reading in the New Testament, it becomes obvious that as these women were raised up in the things of God, they became active ministers, serving in various capacities in the church. The same thing is happening today, as women receive the training and backing of leaders in the church.

One woman, Mary Deas, an Associate Professor of Mathematics in a local Kansas City college, has experienced an empowering through the ministry of Steve and Kathy to become an effective woman in the workplace - and an empowered woman in her church. "There's been a boldness that has arisen in me, and I'm amazed at the way I respond to issues that come up," Deas shares. Deas and her husband serve as members of World Revival Church and also are the studio audience hosts for the live tapings of The Steve & Kathy Show. In speaking of her role in ministry, she's found that gender is not an issue in this ministry. "What matters is your heart toward God," she shares, "and if you're faithful and committed."

Although actively working to raise up women along with men in ministry, Steve brings balance to the women issue with his recent comment on The Steve & Kathy Show, "We need to understand where our culture is (concerning women in ministry) and work with it and not against it. Our goal is to reach people, rather than prove a point." Reaching people is the goal of the House of Hope and Healing, a 24-hour prayer outreach founded by Gray and directed by Heather Eschenbaum. She relays how she stepped into this ministry, "All my life I've wanted to help people, but there was no opportunity until I met Steve Gray and he said, 'Here's a ministry, here's an opportunity.' As a woman, that's just not given."

Heather is a woman who has proven to be faithful and committed - and receptive to the transforming power of God. "When I came to this church, my whole life was in shambles. Steve Gray takes people who are broken... and he empowers them. He's given me a purpose, because he's given me an opportunity."

Opportunities come as women see a need and help to fill it. Sometimes it's a matter of being in the right place at the right time - with a right heart. Steve and Kathy encourage women of all ages to be "in position" within the body of Christ. Kathy shared at a recent gathering of women and brought further perspective to women's roles in today's church, "A position is a function and not a title. And to be in position, you must first be in Christ."

With the backing of her husband, Kathy Gray is raising up a generation of women who know who they are in God and can function effectively in the body of Christ. She has helped countless women become free from bondage and depression to be able to carry the presence of God into their workplaces and homes and churches. "God moves through calling, anointing and gifting, not through gender," she believes, and she has lived this as she has ministered alongside Steve for 30 years of ministry.

Those callings and giftings are available to young and old as women of all ages experience freedom and empowerment. "I was fearful," shares 23 year-old Nichole, "very intimidated and extremely shy, and I covered it up with a wall of anger." Nichole first came to the ministry of Steve and Kathy when she was a teen. "I never thought in millions of years that I would ever have any opportunity of being any different," she says. A graduate of World Revival School of Ministry, Nichole is a completely different person because of this ministry. In her words, "Steve Gray is a champion for women. And I'm living proof."

Nichole works closely alongside Steve and Kathy, helping with many of the day to day activities of their ministry. She has a unique view of the ministry as she sees ministry opportunities delegated to the faithful and committed. "For some leaders it's really risky to delegate and hand over areas that they're responsible for. Steve Gray is not afraid to do that. He hands over and trains and builds people up. And it is amazing - he really gives women the opportunity to be and to do."

So what can women do who want to step into ministry? "Carry something," Kathy Gray encourages, "carry a presence. Carry the anointing, the vision, the plan and heart of God." She continues, "I think there's a new move for women that is beginning to happen. And they're like fillies at the starting gate and they're saying, 'Come on men, let us out of the gate and let us work with you to run this race together.'"