We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Terri Savelle Foy and chat about goal setting strategies, finding purpose in life and setting New Year’s resolutions. A portion of the interview appeared in Daystar’s January Newsletter, but you can read the full interview right here!
Q: Your dad, Jerry Savelle, is one of the world’s great preachers of the faith, how was it growing up with a dad like that?
A: My dad is my hero! One of the things I love about him is that he is the same in front of thousands as he is at home. He is such an example of the love of God to me. I did have to learn that just like God is no respecter of persons, neither is the devil. I didn’t get a free pass at troubles because my dad is Jerry Savelle, I had to learn how to stand against the devil and fight him myself.
Q: Tell us about how you found your true purpose and began following your dreams. Was there a certain “turning point” moment?
A: In 2002, my life and my marriage were falling apart. During this time, I made a commitment to do five things every day, just trying to survive. Those things were: spend time in prayer, listen to a faith-building message, read, review my goals, and exercise. Little did I know, those habits became a catalyst to my destiny. I began working harder on myself than I did on my work at home job and that has led me where I am today. I’m happy to say that I’ve continued doing those 5 five habits to this day (and we’re still married)!
Q: So many people who grew up in ministry walk away from the Lord, why do some make it and others don’t?
A: Let me start by saying, ultimately each person has to decide if they are going to follow the Lord or not for themselves. I do believe the devil attacks families serving God’s kingdom in particular to try to stop the impact being made. Personally, I think one contributing factor could be when minister’s families are so strict at home. Some kids feel like they missed out on so much that they completely turn their backs on God and go the complete opposite direction. My parents always made a life of serving God attractive and fun. I also think that because my parents expressed such forgiveness when I made big mistakes that enabled me to see God as a forgiving, loving Father that I could run to instead of run from when I messed up.
Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to someone who is still searching for their purpose in life?
A: My dad taught me to always take a journal and a pen with me in my prayer time and spend time listening for God’s direction. His Word says, “My sheep know my voice.” Practice hearing the voice of God and begin writing down whatever comes up in your spirit (even if you’re not sure it’s God’s voice or your own head…just write it down). Everything I’m doing today has been a result of the Lord speaking to me. I’d also like to add that there is a connection between your passion, your potential, and your purpose. Think about those things you have a passion and a skill for. Another way to put it is the problem that annoys you and bothers you the most is what you were created to solve. It’s likely your passion!
Q: Have you had to overcome stereotypes in your ministry? And what would you say to others facing this issue?
A: I’ve been blessed with many opportunities to speak at secular events to 14,000 businessmen and women, and I do have to overcome the stereotypes of being a woman, a very feminine woman, and having a soft-spoken voice (or some say “childlike”). One businessman said, “When you first walked on the stage, I thought ‘what’s this chick got to say?’” My French Publisher expressed his challenges with me by saying, “First, you’re a Christian in this nation, then you are a female and third, you don’t look like a preacher.” I’ve overcome these stereotypes by joking about the obvious, but more importantly, studying to show myself approved and by declaring with my mouth that God is opening doors for me and causing my gift to bring me before great men.
Q: What’s one of your New Year’s resolutions for 2016?
A: I keep hearing this phrase in my spirit, “It’s better to be world class at a few things than mediocre at most things.” I don’t want to be an average or mediocre teacher; therefore, I plan to invest more time reading books in order to grow more, learn more, and prepare greater messages. I know the best way to start a habit and keep it is to do it at the same time each day. One of my New Year’s Resolutions is to read 30 minutes or more every day so I continue growing and learning.
Q: Do you have any specific strategies for goal setting?
A: How much time (space) do you have! Here are a couple of goal setting quick tips:
- Goal setting starts with vision. You’ll never leave where you are until you see where you’d rather be. If you cannot see something on the inside (in your imagination and with the eye of faith) you will never achieve it on the outside.
- Decide exactly what you want. I love this quote from Mark Twain: “I can teach anybody how to get what they want out of life. The problem is that I can’t find anybody who can tell me what they truly want.”
- Write your goals down. The most successful people in the world understand the power of the pen. It provides clarity to your dreams. I’ve read how the chance of achieving goals increases 98% just by writing them down.
- Be specific. Don’t just set a goal for “financial increase.” God could bless you with $20 and that would be increase, but if you need $7,534.72 write that down.
- Set a deadline. Deadlines create a sense of urgency and they motivate you to complete your goal.
Q: What kind of fears have you faced in pursuit of your dreams, and how were you able to overcome them?
A: I was overcome with insecurity and fear for much of my life. To think that I minister on TV or to crowds around the world now would have been impossible. I had to start feeding my faith and spending time with the Lord. He began to change me from the inside out. Faith and fear are two opposite forces and you can’t be full of both. If you’re full of fear, you need more faith. The number one method God has given us to increase our faith is “faith comes by hearing”. I began a daily habit of “pushing play” by hearing a faith-building message. Then, I started making positive declarations such as: “I am confident to speak to live audiences. I am in the perfect will of God. I have sought the Lord and He has delivered me from all my fears.” What you repeatedly hear, you eventually believe. And you believe your own words more than anybody else’s. My thoughts began to line up with my words. I’ve also learned that you can’t wait for the fear to go away before you step out. In fact, I had to learn to put myself in uncomfortable situations in order to stretch and to grow into the next level God has for my life.
Q: Dreaming is easy, making them happen can be hard. What are 3 practical tips on how to begin making your dreams a reality?
A: Here are some practical tips:
- Write your top 10 goals for the year. Imagine it’s December 31, 2016 and you look back over the year and say, “This has been the most amazing year of my life!” What would need to happen for you to say that? Whatever it is, write it down. Write down your top 10 goals for this year.
- Write them down every day for 30 days. Habakkuk 2:2 clearly tells us to put our dreams in writing. In Napoleon Hill’s classic book, “Think and Grow Rich,” he interviewed 500 millionaires to discover if they had anything in common that made them so successful, people such as John D. Rockefeller, Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison, etc. The one trait they shared was each of them had clearly defined and written goals. When you write them down every day for a month, it becomes so engrained in you, and your motivation goes to a whole new level.
- Keep them before your eyes. Out of sight is out of mind. I recommend creating a vision board or using a dream book and keeping it somewhere visible. There’s a powerful principle in the Word of God that reveals we ‘become what we behold.’ Your life moves toward the dominating images you keep before your eyes. (Refer to the story of Jacob and the cows in Genesis). Here’s the key: when what you see on the inside becomes bigger than what you see on the outside, God will bring ideas, opportunities, resources and relationships to see your dreams come to pass.
Never allow your age, your past, your mistakes or other’s opinions stop you from dreaming. Don’t look at the years you’ve lost, look at the years you’ve got left!
Q: The recent attacks in Paris have everyone talking about France. What makes the country so special to you?
A: I graduated from Texas Tech University with a degree in French, and I never really understood why I was so interested in that language. When my dad took me on a trip to France, I absolutely fell in love with the French people. In 2008, the Lord spoke to me and told me to make an impact in that nation for Him. Since then, we have given away over 22,000 copies of one of my books translated in French through the streets of Paris. Statistically, Evangelical Christian believers account for only 0.8% of the population and 80% claim to have never seen or owned a Bible! However, I’m declaring consistently that Jesus is Lord of France and I am committed to doing everything I can to impact these precious people.
Q: Daystar just recently launched on “Free” in France – the only Christian Television Network in their programming line up! What kind of an impact do you think this will have?
A: I was so excited when I heard Daystar launched on “Free”! I really appreciate the Lamb’s commitment to bring the Gospel to France (and around the world). The French people are so hungry for the Word. Romans 10:14 (NLT) says, “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” God is using Daystar to reach the French people and believe this is only the beginning of a spiritual awakening that is coming!
Q: NEXT Conference 2015 is right around the corner! Who should come, and why?
A: Yes, the NEXT Conference is January 22-23 in Rockwall, Texas! This is a conference for people who don’t want to repeat another year like last year. There is a leadership focus at NEXT for business owners, entrepreneurs, pastors and ministry leaders. I will be sharing, along with my special guest, Dr. Dave Martin, on the practical side of accomplishing your vision and how to set and achieve the goals God has put in your heart. When the vision is clear, the results will appear!
To learn more about Terri Savelle Foy, visit www.terri.com.