Daily Inspiration: Meet Crystal Joy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Crystal Joy

Hi Crystal, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I think my assistant did a pretty concise job in defining me in my BIO. If you don’t mind, I will share what he put together.
CRYSTAL JOY BIO
“My mission is to creatively teach, inspire and encourage empowerment.”
“Witty”, “Altruistic”, “Sincere”, “Multi-faceted”, “Compassionate” are just snapshot of how the many friends, colleagues and audiences describe the one of a kind Crystal Joy. Her resume is as unique as her soul – determined yet comical. Regardless of the circumstances, she is a fighter, not just for herself but all who come in contact with her. She makes application of her unusual attributes through her church, family, career and community by her ability to stand strong with or without a smile on her face knowing the hope that she can never deny in Christ. “It’s the strangest thing, the more challenges, disappointments, and heartaches you have in life, the more you realize how true and able God is to fulfill every area of your life. He is definitely my all in all.”
Crystal gives all the credit for her accomplishments to God. She knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that her gifts, talents, education and hands-on experience in an array of industries was orchestrated for her to utilize in glorifying God while serving His people. She conveys this through her passion for the arts and compassion for people.
Growing up in the Methodist church, she moved multiple times as a pastor’s kid to numerous cities in the United States. Although uprooting a family year after year is challenging and stressful, she has seen it as a unique opportunity to grow in social skills and a simple revelation: EVERYONE wants to be loved, accepted, respected, valued, appreciated and honored (L.A.R.V.A.H).
After high school and training in the arts, Crystal continued her education in Telecommunications, Social Work, and counseling, and finished her formal training with a Masters in Administration and Education.
Her background consists of public school teaching, radio show host, television and film actress, writing,producing and performing in plays, conducting training workshops in the arts and ministry arts programs as well as a product developer, acting, singing and writing curriculums and books. Her last role in a film was with the late actor/comedian Robin Williams in BOULEVARD. She is currently full time at Born Again Church as a Dept. Head and Producer of Living Parables Drama Ministry and formerly the Host Radio Personality on “Joy In the Morning” on WQQK-92Q Nashville on Sundays. She is the author of the book “Who ART in Heaven? Understanding and Incorporating the divine symmetry of arts and academics” is now available as ebook or paperback. For booking contact Gabriel Alexander at CJoyMinistries.com

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Just about anything worth having, is work to attain. No it has not always been a smooth road. Life is hard…but God is so good. I think we make it hard when we don’t stay close to Christ. I mean, I have learned that some things that happen in your life are totally out of your control and other situations are poor choices. Having a solid relationship with Christ…listening to and recognizing His voice, His character and His presence AND obeying His directions can help one avoid some difficult situations. I look back and see the hand of God all over my life…especially His grace and mercy. One example is finances. Most were not raised to understand money and how it works and the purpose of tithe and offering. Churches, parents, teachers, school systems are in the mindset of go to school, get good grades, get a good job, maybe build a career, retire then die. It is not established in this country to teach OWNERSHIP and STEWARDSHIP. And based upon the economy and more debt with more educated and non-educated families, we are not teaching and learning the truth. Case in point, it was debt that held me back from moving forward way to often. Plus, the poverty mindset was not helpful in the least. NOW that I am a Financial Coach with a highly repridable company, I have learned so much of the truth about money and stewardship, I decided to be a part of the company and share with others.

Another rocky road for me was people – pleasing. Growing up, society, the church and my life with my parents and siblings, was continual bold and subtle references to my value tying into whether I had a spouse and could keep a spouse and have children. If I stayed single, I was expected and pushed to help the “church” which translated EVERYONE. Hilarious! This mindset created a lot of setbacks. It was difficult to move forward. Yet again, I HEARD the Lord’s voice but my mindset kept me from following through with HIS direction and I sabotaged myself one too many times.

Praise God I am finally on the right track. NOW I can help others. NOW I can do the things I love freely…no traditional crazy bondage mindset from the past.

Everyone can change for the better and grow. First we have to choose to and accept the growing pains toward success. It doesn’t happen overnight. Honestly, it should not happen overnight. It took time to build the stinkin’ thinkin’ and it will take time to “bleach” it out…”Febreeze” is not going to get it…the core…the foundation of the foolish thinking.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Teaching.
The essence of my view of teaching is in my book. The way I think and process is in my book. “Who ART in Heaven”. I strongly believe that everything is connected on purpose by God so we will HAVE to connect with each other in order to accomplish the purpose and plan God has for our lives.

When I teach, I utilize my entire being…acting, singing, dancing, references to science, literature, and more. I love to make sure I apply as much clarity as possible. I don’t want anyone to walk away clueless.
And…I love to apply joy.

I am a fun and engaging MC/Host of events. I love to make everyone in the room feel valued and loved by the time they leave the event.

I enjoy coaching. I love to help remind people of their value and the powerful purpose God has for them. I love to encourage them to keep seeking God and allow Him to reveal to them all the gifts inside. THEN encourage them to share those gifts.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I take calculated risks.
I guess you would say, I have a history of staying on the safe side of the fence and never coming close to standing on the edge of it with hopes I fall on the right side. Coming from a very cautious and conservative background, I tend to watch and pray and wait. In some cases, I have taken a leap and regretted the results to the degree I swore I would never take it again.
Fortunately, in the last several years, my mindset has changed. I still do my research and I do more of something I now take very seriously and realize the value. Prayer. I have over the years built more confidence…or should I say faith, because even when I mess up, He is there to comfort, heal and guide. I feel immensely embarrassed in some cases, when i have messed up. Yet, the love and compassion Christ shows me, helps me to navigate through the next steps of getting back on track. There’s no one like Him.

Pricing:

• My book is $20
• My introductory price for my Creative Coaching Group is $299
• My fee for MC/Hosting events, Speaking and Workshop leader is through my Virtual Assistant Gabriel Alexander, contacting him through my website CJoyMinistries.com
• Financial Consultation is free

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.CJoyMinistries.com
• Instagram: @contactcjoy
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crystal.mclinjoy
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cjoycreative/
• Youtube: @Takejoyonyourjourney