When She Serves

Brenda Leavenworth
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Monthly

When She Serves: Real Talk, Practical Tools for Ministry is a podcast for women in ministry hosted by Brenda Leavenworth. With over 30 years of ministry experience and a degree in biblical studies, Brenda is uniquely qualified to train and guide the next generation of women leaders in the church. Co-hosts include Rosemary Cady, Kelly Bell, and Krista Fox, each bringing their collective experiences, research, victories, and failures to consider and discuss a range of topics from a biblical and practical perspective. Visit our website at https://whensheserves.com

  1. Jul 15

    An Interview with Leona Karni - What's Going on in Calvary Chapel?

    In this episode of When She Serves, Krista Fox sits down with veteran missionary Leona Karni, whose more than four decades on the mission field have taken her from Israel to Thailand to Liberia and beyond. Leona shares her testimony from the beginning — a childhood altar call at age nine, a season of rebellion and drug use as a hitchhiking Buddhist in 1970s California, and the moment God spoke audibly into her apartment and set her on a path back to Him. Leona also opens up about the year she spent studying Hebrew Scripture with her Israeli husband to determine for herself whether Jesus was the Messiah, and the surprising verse in Exodus that God used to settle the question for good. From there, the conversation follows her calling into full-time missions: a prophetic word spoken over her at a roadside rest stop in Louisiana, a jaw-dropping story of buying a house with a single dollar and no income, and eleven and a half years serving trafficked and at-risk children in Thailand. Now in her 80s and living in Bradenton, Florida, Leona is still stepping out in faith — currently working to launch a Bible school in the Peruvian jungle and to build a network of women across South America who intercede for pastors and churches. She and Krista talk candidly about discerning God's voice, pushing through seasons of doubt, and why being "used of the Lord" is still, after all these years, the greatest joy of her life. Leona's childhood introduction to the gospel and her years walking away from faithComing to Christ after studying Hebrew Scripture to test whether Jesus was the MessiahA prophetic word delivered by a stranger at a roadside rest stopThe remarkable story of buying a house in Chestertown, Maryland with a one-dollar down paymentEleven and a half years on the mission field in Thailand working with children vulnerable to traffickingCurrent work in Bradenton, Florida, including plans for a Bible school in the Peruvian jungleAdvice for discerning God's call and pressing on through seasons of doubtLeona is the author of several books available on Amazon, including Chosen in Love, which tells the story of her inward journey from anger to the freedom of God's love as she ministered around the world. 👉 Find it on Amazon 🎙️ When She Serves Podcast When She Serves is created for women who serve in ministry, offering global voices, biblical wisdom, and encouragement for women in ministry leadership. In This EpisodeGuest BookConnect

    An Interview with Leona Karni - What's Going on in Calvary Chapel?

  2. Jul 1

    Dysfunction #2: Fear of Conflict (The Five Dysfunctions of a Team)

    Brenda Leavenworth, Kelly Bell, and Becky Dente continue their five-part discussion of Patrick Lencioni’s The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by focusing on dysfunction #2, the fear of conflict. They explain that conflict is inevitable in life and ministry and that avoiding it often pursues “artificial peace,” producing passive-aggressive meetings, parking-lot conversations, and unproductive decisions. They discuss common fears behind conflict avoidance, including isolation, misunderstanding, loss of control, and difficult emotions, and emphasize creating safe spaces for respectful truth-telling, listening well, keeping conflict about ideas not people, and refocusing on mission rather than ego. Using biblical examples and passages, they stress handling truth with humility, sometimes knowing when to step back, and addressing issues early. They recommend Lencioni’s book, Conflict Management for Faith Leaders by Dr. Houston Thompson, and studying Proverbs.

    Dysfunction #2: Fear of Conflict (The Five Dysfunctions of a Team)

  3. Jun 15

    Spiritual Gifts: Using Motivational Gifts

    Spiritual Gifts: Using Motivational Gifts When She Serves PodcastHost: Brenda LeavenworthGuests: Krista Fox & Christy Duff In this episode of the When She Serves Podcast, Brenda Leavenworth is joined by Krista Fox and Christy Duff for a practical and biblical conversation about motivational gifts and how God uniquely equips His people to serve the Body of Christ. Drawing from Romans 12 and the broader biblical teaching on spiritual gifts, the discussion explores how understanding our God-given motivations can help us serve more effectively, build healthier ministry teams, and grow in our calling. The conversation encourages listeners to identify their spiritual gifts, embrace the unique ways God has wired them, and use those gifts faithfully in ministry and everyday life. Whether you're serving in church leadership, volunteering behind the scenes, or simply seeking greater clarity about your purpose, this episode offers encouragement and practical insight for discovering and using your spiritual gifts. What motivational gifts are and why they matterThe difference between gifting, personality, and callingHow spiritual gifts strengthen the Body of ChristRecognizing the ways God has uniquely wired youCommon challenges that arise when we misunderstand our giftsLearning to appreciate and collaborate with people who are gifted differentlyPractical ways to begin serving within your areas of giftingEncouragement for women serving in ministry and leadership✨ God has uniquely gifted every believer for service. ✨ Understanding your motivational gifts can bring clarity to your calling and ministry role. ✨ Healthy ministry teams thrive when diverse gifts work together rather than compete. ✨ Spiritual gifts are intended to build up others and glorify God. ✨ Discovering your gifts often happens through serving, community, and spiritual growth. Romans 12:3–81 Corinthians 12Ephesians 4:11–161 Peter 4:10–11When She Serves PodcastWhen She Serves Conference & Ministry ResourcesKrista Fox serves alongside the When She Serves ministry team and is passionate about equipping women for effective ministry leadership through biblical teaching, discipleship, and practical ministry training. Christy Duff brings years of ministry experience and a heart for encouraging women to discover their God-given purpose, gifts, and calling within the local church and beyond. For additional podcast episodes, conference information, resources, and encouragement for women in ministry, visit: When She Serves If this episode encouraged you, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who is seeking to better understand and use her spiritual gifts in service to Christ. Episode SummaryIn This EpisodeKey TakeawaysScripture ReferencesResources & LinksAbout the GuestsKrista FoxChristy DuffConnect with When She Serves 00:00 Stop Striving Solo 00:35 Show Intro And Series Setup 01:52 Why Motivational Gifts Matter 04:06 Romans 12 Gifts Overview 06:10 Gift Of Prophecy Explained 08:35 Where Prophecy Shows Up 11:24 Gift Of Serving And Martha 14:25 Gift Of Teaching And Training 18:22 Gift Of Exhortation In Love 22:29 Truth in Love 23:46 Gift of Giving 24:58 Spirit Led Generosity 28:59 Leadership and Administration 31:08 Compassion and Mercy 35:06 Every Role Matters 38:45 Helps and Closing Charge Connect Whensheserves.com Facebook Group Instagram

    Spiritual Gifts: Using Motivational Gifts

  4. Jun 1

    Spiritual Gifts - Using Manifestation Gifts

    In this episode of When She Serves, Brenda and guest Janie Alford begin a three-part series on spiritual gifts by focusing on the manifestation gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:1–11, emphasizing that these are visible works of the Holy Spirit given “for the profit of all,” not badges of spirituality or tools for entertainment or profit. They discuss how the Spirit distributes gifts as He wills and why they must operate under Scripture, with discernment to guard against misuse, false prophecy, celebrity culture, and manipulative or fraudulent practices. The conversation defines and distinguishes word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, healings, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues, and interpretation of tongues, including biblical guidelines for order in corporate worship (especially 1 Corinthians 14) and encouragement to desire and practice these gifts in the church and everyday ministry. 00:00 Fake Prophets Warning 00:52 Series Overview 01:40 Purpose of Gifts 04:04 Misuse and Discernment 05:37 Reading 1 Corinthians 12 07:30 Gifts as He Wills 08:55 Word of Wisdom 12:21 Word of Knowledge 15:48 Gift of Faith 19:53 Healing Gift Abuses 24:31 Miracles Defined 25:06 What Counts as Miracles 26:34 Salvation as Miracle 27:33 Gift of Prophecy 29:24 Discerning of Spirits 31:56 Tongues Explained 34:16 Order in Worship 36:05 Prayer Language Benefits 39:30 Singing in Tongues 39:54 Interpretation and Testing 42:47 Gifts for Today 44:59 Scripture Wrap Up 45:39 Final Encouragement

    Spiritual Gifts - Using Manifestation Gifts

  5. May 22

    The Five Dysfunctions of a Team - Dysfunction #1; The Absence of Trust

    The Foundational Dysfunction: Overcoming the Absence of Trust on Ministry Teams In this episode, the hosts begin a five-part series on Patrick Lencioni’s The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by focusing on the foundational issue: the absence of trust. They discuss how unmet expectations can breed suspicion, and define trust as believing the best about others, especially when mistakes, lateness, or failures occur. The conversation emphasizes that trust grows through leader-initiated vulnerability, honest communication, and creating a culture of grace rather than performance, where people feel safe admitting weakness, asking for help, receiving correction, and taking risks. They outline consequences of low trust—self-protection, filtered conversations, dangerous feedback, performative meetings, buried conflict, and breakdown of collaboration—and suggest practices like direct conversations, defending teammates, clear expectations, valuing discipleship, using strengths and personality tools, investing personal time, and apologizing quickly.

  6. May 8

    An Interview with Sheila Sells - Poimen

    Today, Krista sits down with Sheila Sells of Poimen Ministries for a rich conversation about her life and calling to minister across remarkably diverse settings. Sheila has served as an assistant chaplain during her tenure as an officer in the Wyoming Air National Guard, and has walked faithfully alongside her husband as he stepped into the role of lead pastor at Calvary Chapel Cheyenne. Whether you're in ministry, exploring your own calling, or simply in need of encouragement, Sheila's hard-won wisdom and gracious spirit are sure to leave you uplifted. We pray that this conversation encourages you to continue to lead with humility and transparency by the filling and empowerment of the Spirit. --- When She Leads is a podcast for women in ministry hosted by Brenda Leavenworth, Krista Fox, Rosemary Cady, and Kelly Bell.Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠info@whensheleads.org⁠

    An Interview with Sheila Sells - Poimen

  7. May 1

    An Interview with Amy Nunnally - Transitions in a Church

    In this episode, Rosemary chats with Amy Nunnally to talk about her experience as a pastor's wife as they stepped into the new role of leading Legacy Christian Fellowship. She opens up about the faith it takes to leave the familiar, find your footing in a new congregation, and discover how God is uniquely calls people to lead and serve in seasons of unknown. Whether you're in a season of transition yourself or simply need encouragement to trust God's placement in your life, this conversation is filled with wisdom, vulnerability, and hope for every woman walking a path of purpose. We pray that this conversation encourages you to continue to lead with humility and transparency by the filling and empowerment of the Spirit. --- When She Leads is a podcast for women in ministry hosted by Brenda Leavenworth, Krista Fox, Rosemary Cady, and Kelly Bell.Email us at ⁠⁠⁠info@whensheleads.org⁠

    An Interview with Amy Nunnally - Transitions in a Church

  8. Apr 16

    Empty Nest Syndrome

    In this episode, Brenda and Krista sit down to discuss the real, and often painful experience of entering the empty-nester phase of life after your children move out. They reflect on how your identity, purpose, and calling shift when daily motherhood changes, and how God often uses this season to deepen calling rather than diminish it. Listeners will be encouraged to embrace the season with trust, seeing it as a time for renewal, deeper dependence on God, and fresh opportunities to serve. We pray that this conversation encourages you to continue to lead with humility and transparency by the filling and empowerment of the Spirit. --- When She Leads is a podcast for women in ministry hosted by Brenda Leavenworth, Krista Fox, Rosemary Cady, and Kelly Bell.Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠info@whensheleads.org⁠⁠

    Empty Nest Syndrome
See All (109)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

When She Serves: Real Talk, Practical Tools for Ministry is a podcast for women in ministry hosted by Brenda Leavenworth. With over 30 years of ministry experience and a degree in biblical studies, Brenda is uniquely qualified to train and guide the next generation of women leaders in the church. Co-hosts include Rosemary Cady, Kelly Bell, and Krista Fox, each bringing their collective experiences, research, victories, and failures to consider and discuss a range of topics from a biblical and practical perspective. Visit our website at https://whensheserves.com

Information

  • Creator
    Brenda Leavenworth
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    109
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Brenda Leavenworth
  • Show Website
    When She Serves