Beyond the Pulpit with Sade Solomon

It’s Feature Friday time!!!!! 🙂 Ah. . . I’m always so excited for these features because I’ve interviewed such AMAZING women! It’s so exciting to hear their stories and receive gems while doing so. Our guest today is Sade Solomon who runs beyondthepulpit.tv! What I love about Sade is, she’s so open with her relationship with God. I landed on Sade’s Instagram Page (click the link & follow her) and instantly felt rejuvenated. She has a great blend of professional style photos, motivational quotes and her captions speak to my soul! It’s just great to come across a page where the woman isn’t deliberately showing her butt, breasts and half naked. It’s nice to get some “fresh air” so to speak! LOL. Alright enough of my blabbing. . . let’s get onto the interview!

Tell us about yourself and why you started beyondthepulpit.tv!

I am a woman who decided to drop everything she knew and was comfortable with to chase after her dreams. Since having the faith to change careers seven years ago, I’ve been on this relentless and complex journey to discovering my life’s true purpose. I’m passionate about my walk with Christ, and I believe I was created to share His love with all those I am connected to and come in contact with. I’m a dreamer, a visionary, a blogger, and a resilient creative.

Conversations Beyond the Pulpit was created out of frustration that issues we face as millennials were constantly being overlooked by the church. Conversations Beyond the Pulpit is a platform that tackles issues that are controversial and taboo.

Were you raised a Christian? If not, how did you become a believer of Christ?

I was actually raised Catholic. My life before I was saved was very different than my life today. I never embraced the concept of being in relationship with God. Once I found Christ for myself, my life changed drastically ( but not overnight). Funny enough I was telling someone the story of my salvation yesterday!

In 2010 I took a leap of faith and quit my job as a social worker. It was in my 6 month “season” of unemployment that God began to speak to me. I didn’t know it was God’s voice, at first, but I listened anyway. By me taking heed to His voice, supernatural and unimaginable doors began to open in my life. I began to walk in PURPOSE. Over the past 7 years, God’s afforded me the opportunity to change careers and travel the world.

In today’s society, do you think it’s easier for people to stray away from their religious beliefs? If so, why?

Most definitely! With the way the church is set up, it’s pushing people ( especially millennials ) further from God rather than to Him. The church, which is supposed to bring people to Christ is pushing them away. I see alot of dishonesty, control, and oppression in the church. The issues we face as women and millennials are being swept under the rug. Everyday I struggle with my place in the church however, I haven’t yet given up hope. Also, many think it’s easier to follow their own lead than to be accountable to a higher power. I chose the latter.

What do you do to keep your faith alive and close to your heart?

Talk to God alot!!! That’s my main man for real! If it weren’t for my relationship with Him, I don’t know what I’d do or who I’d be. I bring my doubts to Him, my fears to Him, my concerns to Him, and my burdens to Him.

Would you say that your religious beliefs helped your personal/dating life or made it more complicated?

As for dating, both lol. My religious beliefs have made it easier for me to sift out men who are not “for me”. It’s also complicated things because I’ve had to give up what I know and my desires to follow God’s lead. Overall, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Before Christ, my ideas of relationships and marriage were completely twisted. I’m now in a place where I know who I am and what I deserve; I’m unwilling to settle for scraps. As for my personal life, my religious beliefs have made it much easier! I have undeniable peace, faith, and joy because of God.

I see you traveled to Israel. . . I’m jealous! Can you tell us what you experienced during your time there?

It was the most spiritually enriching trip I’ve ever taken. I felt the intense presence of God for the full 10 days. God did a new work in me! He freed me from some things that I was unknowingly still bound to. He showed me that He favors and loves me in a way I’ve never felt before. He equipped me for ministry.

Your taste in fashion is impeccable! Are you currently in the industry? If not, will you pursue it?

Thank you so much. Yes, I am currently in the industry. I work as a product developer for Candie’s. I also studied fashion design after changing careers. I would say that my sense of style and ability to create is truly God-given.

Have you ever experienced judgement by something you were wearing? If so, how did you overcome it? If not, what would you say to someone who was?

Oh yes! I was a member of a spiritual abusive and oppressive church that tried to conform me into their image of what a Christian should look like. I was manipulated into thinking that a Christian should look a certain way. After being freed from that ministry God began to speak to me about how He created me. This is why I take fashion so much more seriously now. I embrace who I am as a woman and a Christian. I don’t believe Christianity is a “look”; it’s a heart issue. I use wisdom and discretion but I wear what I feel comfortable in and what I believe looks great.

What are your three biggest words of encouragement to live by?

FAITH + PURPOSE + RESILIENCE

Anything else that you would like for us to know?

Seek God and God will direct you to your purpose. We have all been given gifts, talents, and abilities, by God, to use for His glory and our good. God’s word says: your gifts will make room for you! This means that your God-given abilities will open doors for you! In order for you to walk in your God given purpose you must be relentless in chasing Him and your dreams.

If you’re in the NYC area, I’ll be speaking on a panel with other creative millennial women. Here’s the link: CLICK HERE!

To stay connected with Sade, please make sure to join her newsletter at beyondthepulpit.tv and follow her on Instagram @SadeSolomon! I hope you all feel as rejuvenated as I do with this week’s Feature Friday post!

Until next time ASSASSINS. . . Stay Motivated!