Norfolk life coach, speaker and writer, Ruth Tong is passionate about helping women grow tall, dream big and embrace their destinies. She hosts an annual woman’s conference at her church, Eternity Downham Market, and runs courses and events in the community to boost self-esteem in women and teenagers. Sandie Shirley reports.
Ruth is dedicated to helping young and old break out of the confines of the past and reject media pressures to find true worth and value from their creator God.
Her ministry has been birthed from her own misery. Various abuses kept her locked in rejection and low self- esteem during childhood and adolescence, leading to wrong choices that only deepened the wounds. “When the sacred place of a woman’s heart is violated it is a terrible thing,” says Ruth. “It can mean you look for love and affection in all the wrong places.”
Today she has a powerful message to share. Her background in psychology means she understands the dynamics of a woman’s heart and mind and has seen God restore life.
“Suddenly I woke up from the sleep of self-destruction and changed the direction of my life when I was in my early twenties,” said Ruth. “I began by going to church and found new friends who honoured me with God’s love which took time to grasp so you can never under-estimate the power of loving someone.”
It is the power of love that drives Ruth forward in her quest to release God’s best for the women she ministers to. She will be hosting the annual women’s conference on June 11 with the help of a team of women at Eternity. Inspiring speakers and a craft activity will be included – it is all about fun explains Ruth.
Fun is essential when reaching out to the wider community which began with ‘Princess Nights’ for teenagers in 2005. “I had a teenage daughter at the time and her friends were getting into abusive relationships and they had no expectations for their life,” says Ruth whose ministry is always underpinned with prayer.
Pink lemonade in champagne glasses, tiaras and a photoshoot were part of the gentle evangelising ‘prom’ events that included talks from women with diverse careers. “We also ensured the girls knew the nights were staged because they were fearfully and wonderfully made so we spoke God’s word over their lives although they did not know it.”
Ruth is currently helping mums at a local children’s centre to widen their horizons and grow in confidence through Hillsong’s Shine self-esteem course. The seven-week course is proving a success and other doors are opening to take it into the wider community, explains Ruth.
She runs the sessions with church member Libby Manning. The women on the course are loved, honoured and nurtured during the hour-and-a-half sessions that aim to give them worth, strength and purpose. The lesson plans provide a framework so they can be tailored to each group explains Ruth. “We include refreshments and there is a small gift and some inspiring quotes to take home each week while role play encourages them to share heart issues.”
www.ruthtong.com/blog
www.weareeternity.com
Pictured above is life coach and writer Ruth Tong.
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