Today we’d like to introduce you to Maggie Kavanaugh.
Hi Maggie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I was a single mom who went back to school to get an education as an adult. I took a job working for a large insurance company for security. In 2005, I accepted a position in Middle TN and was bi-vocational. Claims Adjustor by day and ministry by night. In 2014, I married my Jr. High sweetheart resigned from the corporate world and moved to the country to start a homestead.
From 2012 to 2019, Moving Forward Ministries was primarily coaching, counseling, educational services, and speaking. For years I have conducted conferences, retreats, and intensives, but in 2019, I feel the call to media broadcasting. I started serving to help at WHTN in Mt. Juliet and began broadcasting on Youtube; In 2020, the founders of Creative Motion Network wanted my content on their network. I officially launched three shows on the web, “Keys to your BEST life,” an interview format talk show, “Godfidence Today: Moms Edition” talk show, and “Keys to your BEST Homestead .”Both talk shows are also podcasts.
In Jan. 2022, Keys to your BEST life won the “Edge Award” for the best talk show with issues and was also nominated for Best Show for the “Red Letter Awards” for Woman of God. We are currently working on starting a broadcast called Godfidence Teen Edition. Teens discuss real-life issues and how to overcome the stresses of teen life.
Because of all the years of working with people who were struggling emotionally and marriages that needed healing, I saw firsthand the devastation of the family. Specifically, with mothers and daughters so, we launched the Godfidence movement. We have conducted three conferences for mothers and daughters, focusing on building relationships. We create an atmosphere of transparency where they can talk about the tough stuff.
This year’s conference theme is “communication navigation .”It will be held at the Hilton Double Tree on Oct. 1st and will be the first Sat. of every Oct because of the anti-bullying month. This all-day event and special luncheon are unique because it includes not just adults as speakers and panelists but teens themselves are included in the event. It is power pack day where they leave with keys to be confident in all they do. At this event, they will learn effective communication, safe communication, relationship love languages, and more! The day will close out with a celebration performance by Nedy! The first 50 teens registered will receive a free hoodie, and all mothers will receive a free book. I believe that Gen-Z deals with things other generations did not have to contend with; therefore, I have made it my mission to bridge the generations with truth, love, and encouragement.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Life was rough in the early years. I grew up in a dysfunctional, broken home. I endured various traumas, leading to a destructive lifestyle in my early years, which led to becoming a dropout. After two births and two miscarriages, I was diagnosed with cervical cancer in my twenties, this was a tough time because my mother was dying of cancer, and I was in the process of leaving a co-dependent marriage. After many years of pain, sickness, addiction, and co-dependency, I had an encounter with Jesus and have never been the same. I went back to school, got my Bachelor’s Degree, and went on to earn a Masters’s degree. At that time, I realized that freedom was possible. That is why I am so passionate about seeing people overcome their past.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am the founder of Moving Forward Ministries with my husband, Kevin. Media, coaching/Biblical counseling, and conferences.
Had we loved to hear about any fond memories you have from growing up?
My childhood was challenging; growing up in a dysfunctional family left me with few childhood memories. But two memories stand out of fun times; one was getting all the kids lined up in the driveway, and we would play church. I would be the neighborhood priest and conduct catholic masses, and all the kids would come and confess. Quite crazy, thirty years later, I ended up in ministry. The other is downtown Indianapolis at Christmas time. To this day, I always visit downtown Indy when I can.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.movingforwardministriestn.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MovingForwardMinistriesTN
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/maggiemotivates
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRgOt5OYlGgo8efZojtcPAg
Image Credits
Headshot Jo Russell Photography (my sister permits me to use it.
