Our interview this week is with Brooks J. Young, a dynamic young woman who is the Executive Director of Touching Heart Ministry, a faith-based, non-profit organization with the mission to restore faith and build hope in women of all ages. She is also an author, hosts her own radio show, and is the Editor-in-Chief of the recently launched online magazine, Victorious Magazine.
Joan: Brooks, first I must say you have an interesting name. Would you mind sharing how you came to be named Brooks?
Brooks:Yes, it is unusual. My great-aunt was given the privilege of naming me. Before I was born she declared that I would preach the Gospel and bring souls to Christ. She said she was sitting in her room in prayer and the name came to her but when God gave it to her it had an "s". My mother and father approved.
Joan: Yes, God will do things like that, I believe, to set a distinctive mark for His purposes. Well, tell us about Touching Heart Ministry
Brooks: Touching Heart is a faith-based, non-profit organization dedicated to helping women help themselves. We offer programs and services to restore, rebuild and renew the lives of young and adult women. The women who come to our organization are looking for spiritual, physical and/or emotional healing. At Touching Heart, we believe God has provided us the opportunity to fulfill their needs through encouraging women to seek their purpose and find themselves, learning their true value in the process.
Joan: How/where did you get the vision for your Touching Heart Ministry?
Brooks: The vision came from God when I was in a hard place in my life. Five years ago,I was going through a divorce and illness. I had no desire to live. I wanted to die - fast, quick and in a hurry. I am so glad it was just a passing thought because I would have missed out on all opportunities that God presents to me daily.
Joan: You mentioned you had some challenges in sustaining Touching Heart. What happened?
Brooks: Three years ago, my faith journey really began. I must confess, I was a very spoiled child. Whatever I needed, my mother and father made sure I had it-- more-so my father than my mother. Well, my father passed away and I quit my job on faith to start Touching Heart and by the end of that year I was broke. My divorce was final and I had loss my home and car. My mother who is very well-off declared I was "grown" so I was on my own. I had to trust God for every meal and even for a place to stay. He provided everything that I needed and more.
Joan: Awesome! When we trust Him, He always comes through for us. Well, share with us the purpose of the ministry, and what are some of the things that you do?
Brooks: The purpose of Touching Heart is to provide a safe haven where women know God dwells and to restore their lives for the glory of God. We offer several program and services that women online and locally can receive. Our most used services are Bundles of Blessing where new mothers receive a basket with brand new baby items for their bundle of joy, the Project Heartbeat Program where we give donations in the form of vouchers through sponsorships, clothing, referrals to shelters; and the L.O.V.E. (Leaving One Vulnerable Experience). This program is designed to provide information and resources for victims of Domestic Violence.
Joan: Can you share with us some things you've seen God do through this ministry?
Brooks: God has definitely moved through Touching Heart. We have women who were clients and now 
volunteer in the ministry. For the last three years, we have helped 1208 women and 324 children and we are still growing in numbers and by God's grace.
Joan: That's wonderful! You recently launched an online magazine, Victorious Magazine. What prompted you to start the magazine?
Brooks:It was God. I am definitely not one to start anything of that magnitude without God giving me the go ahead.
Joan: I just want to interject here that I read your Letter from the Editor which I found to be very inspiring, especially for someone facing the challenges of "birthing" a dream into being. What does the magazine feature?
Brooks: The magazine features articles that empower women to walk in their purpose. Each article written is beautifully crafted by other Christian women who seek to connect with the reader in a positive way. We all have seasons of testing, and through it all God has always brought us out VICTORIOUSLY!. We may have some bruises but we came through and for that we are victorious women.
Joan: You also have a radio show. Tell us about that.
Brooks: Victorious Voice radio show first aired October 5, 2008. We air every Thursday at 6p.m. EST.
Joan:Brooks, you are definitely one busy young lady. Thank you for your interview, and here arethe different places our readers can find out more information about each of your ministries.
Touching Hearts Ministry
Victorious Magazine
Victorious Voice Radio show
Our interview this week is with Brooks J. Young, a dynamic young woman who is the Executive Director of Touching Heart Ministry, a faith-based, non-profit organization with the mission to restore faith and build hope in women of all ages. She is also an author, hosts her own radio show, and is the Editor-in-Chief of the recently launched online magazine, Victorious Magazine.
Brooks:Yes, it is unusual. My great-aunt was given the privilege of naming me. Before I was born she declared that I would preach the Gospel and bring souls to Christ. She said she was sitting in her room in prayer and the name came to her but when God gave it to her it had an "s". My mother and father approved.
Joan: Yes, God will do things like that, I believe, to set a distinctive mark for His purposes. Well, tell us about Touching Heart Ministry
Brooks: Touching Heart is a faith-based, non-profit organization dedicated to helping women help themselves. We offer programs and services to restore, rebuild and renew the lives of young and adult women. The women who come to our organization are looking for spiritual, physical and/or emotional healing. At Touching Heart, we believe God has provided us the opportunity to fulfill their needs through encouraging women to seek their purpose and find themselves, learning their true value in the process.
Joan: How/where did you get the vision for your Touching Heart Ministry?
Brooks: The vision came from God when I was in a hard place in my life. Five years ago,I was going through a divorce and illness. I had no desire to live. I wanted to die - fast, quick and in a hurry. I am so glad it was just a passing thought because I would have missed out on all opportunities that God presents to me daily.
Joan: You mentioned you had some challenges in sustaining Touching Heart. What happened?
Brooks: Three years ago, my faith journey really began. I must confess, I was a very spoiled child. Whatever I needed, my mother and father made sure I had it-- more-so my father than my mother. Well, my father passed away and I quit my job on faith to start Touching Heart and by the end of that year I was broke. My divorce was final and I had loss my home and car. My mother who is very well-off declared I was "grown" so I was on my own. I had to trust God for every meal and even for a place to stay. He provided everything that I needed and more.
Joan: Awesome! When we trust Him, He always comes through for us. Well, share with us the purpose of the ministry, and what are some of the things that you do?
Brooks: The purpose of Touching Heart is to provide a safe haven where women know God dwells and to restore their lives for the glory of God. We offer several program and services that women online and locally can receive. Our most used services are Bundles of Blessing where new mothers receive a basket with brand new baby items for their bundle of joy, the Project Heartbeat Program where we give donations in the form of vouchers through sponsorships, clothing, referrals to shelters; and the L.O.V.E. (Leaving One Vulnerable Experience). This program is designed to provide information and resources for victims of Domestic Violence.
Joan: Can you share with us some things you've seen God do through this ministry?
Brooks: God has definitely moved through Touching Heart. We have women who were clients and now
volunteer in the ministry. For the last three years, we have helped 1208 women and 324 children and we are still growing in numbers and by God's grace.
Joan: That's wonderful! You recently launched an online magazine, Victorious Magazine. What prompted you to start the magazine?
Brooks:It was God. I am definitely not one to start anything of that magnitude without God giving me the go ahead.
Joan: I just want to interject here that I read your Letter from the Editor which I found to be very inspiring, especially for someone facing the challenges of "birthing" a dream into being. What does the magazine feature?
Brooks: The magazine features articles that empower women to walk in their purpose. Each article written is beautifully crafted by other Christian women who seek to connect with the reader in a positive way. We all have seasons of testing, and through it all God has always brought us out VICTORIOUSLY!. We may have some bruises but we came through and for that we are victorious women.
Joan: You also have a radio show. Tell us about that.
Joan:Brooks, you are definitely one busy young lady. Thank you for your interview, and here arethe different places our readers can find out more information about each of your ministries.
Touching Hearts Ministry
Victorious Magazine
Victorious Voice Radio show