These meetings were where my great-grandfather was saved and then later called to preach. Many revivals sprung from these meetings my family would preach in, where many were saved and called into the ministry. I am proud to have a heritage of followers of Jesus. Even though I grew up in the church, I did not have a personal relationship with Jesus until the Lord encountered me at 19 years old.

I was steeped in sin and addicted to drugs and running as far as I could from the Lord, but one day on my bedroom floor Jesus encountered me, and met me there, and I surrendered my life that day and was truly delivered and set free. It was a marking moment in my life that forever changed me. I got into a discipleship class very quickly and began to really grow in my faith. Even though I am grateful for the background of my family and the foundation it set for me, I still had to know this Jesus for myself.

I did not feel the divine call into the ministry until a few years later. I was doing the work of ministry with many others, and began helping in the youth group, which was really a passion of mine. I desired to help other young people who struggled like I did.

It was after I was married and had small children, I was attending college, and preparing to go into the nursing program, when I felt the Lord speak to me personally. He said to me one night, when I was filling out the paperwork to send in to enter the nursing program, “Is this what I have called you to?” I paused and He asked me again. I’ll never forget it. I, of course responded to Him, “no”.

This was the day I truly felt the call into the ministry. I desired to give my everything to Jesus and fulfill my assignment on this earth for His glory. Therefore, I did not go into the nursing program. I ended up leaving college to pursue full-time ministry. I feel the apple did not fall far from the tree when it comes to my family, I ended up stepping into the heritage my family had come from.

What is the WV Prayer Alliance?  What is your role there? 

The WV Prayer Alliance is a network of intercessors, prayer groups and praying churches that span across all 55 counties of WV. WV Prayer Alliance is currently celebrating 8 years of building unity through prayer for awakening across the Mountain State. Through the WV Prayer Alliance, the state is organized into 10 prayer regions which work to connect all 55 counties. ( https://www.wvprayer.com )

WV Prayer Alliance is part of the Appalachia Prayer Coalition, a network of prayer that is connecting the 423 counties of Appalachia from New York to Mississippi. ( https://www.apcwv.com )This is all under the direction and leading of Apostle/Pastor Jay Morgan from Jesse, WV.

I connected to the WV Prayer Alliance in 2019. My role in this ministry is only a small part of what the fullness of this ministry entails. I am a co-coordinator along with Becky Keener for our region, which is the New River Region, consisting of Webster County, Nicholas County, Fayette County and Raleigh County. I help in organizing prayer gatherings for our region alongside Becky, and I also lead prayer for Fayette County.

We call believers to come together in unity and prayer to see God’s will be done on earth as it is in Heaven and to see His Kingdom advance. I love the WV Prayer Alliance because it consists of many different people with different denominational backgrounds, which I believe makes up His Church, the Bride of Christ. The focus is Jesus and prayer with intentional action to see awakening come to our land, and to see many souls birthed into the Kingdom of Heaven.

How long have you been singing? And what is the story behind the CD you released, "West Virginia" ? Where can people listen to it?

I have been singing for as long as I can remember. I grew up singing in the church alongside of my sister. Singing has always been a passion of mine especially when I truly began to sing to Jesus and for His glory alone. Worship and honor to the Lord in music and song became the anthem of my heart. To know we can minister to the Lord in song and it be a sweet aroma to Him keeps me in awe and wonder. I believe we were created for worship; and we get to choose what we worship. I choose Jesus.

The song 'West Virginia' was written in 1982 by my dad, BB Secrist. This song was originally released in Nashville by my dad in 1983. He wrote it while driving a truck for the coal mines. He was on his way to work when he began to sing the lyrics and while at work, he finished the writing of this song, 'West Virginia'.

My dad released his song at the West Virginia State Capitol before the Senate and Governor prior to the Governor's Address. It was put on a bill to be voted on for the WV State Song, but John Denver’s piece we all know as “Country Roads”, was chosen.

I believe the song was a prophetic release in 1983 that rang throughout the state of West Virginia. I told my dad, whether he realized it or not, the song carries a prophetic call, "a clarion call!" ; 'West Virginia' carries a two-fold meaning of heritage and a call for prodigals to come home!

The picture on the front of the single is the original picture of my great great grandmother’s log cabin where she held the prayer meetings I referred to earlier, and where my great grandfather was saved. I re-released the song, with my own twist on it, in 2023. You can find it on all media platforms, such as iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify and Youtube along with many others.

I believe with all my heart that the song, “West Virginia”, will ring again throughout the hills of Appalachia and release this two-fold purpose within it to spark a fire in moms, grandmothers, dads and grandfathers to either pick up or begin leaving a legacy and heritage within families of WV. I also believe a clarion call will ring out into these hills and hollers to “woo” the prodigal back home into the arms of the Father! (Deuteronomy 6:4-11, Luke 15:11-24)

How long have you been the Program Director and morning DJ for the Contemporary Christian Radio Station 88.7 Spirit FM ?  What do you enjoy most about these roles?    

I have been with the radio station, serving as the Program Director since 2014. We were originally 106.9 Spirit FM and then became 88.7 Spirit FM. Rick and Susan Lewis are the owners and operators of this local Contemporary Christian Radio station. I have been honored to work alongside them to reach our community.

What I love most about working for this station is first providing positive, encouraging and uplifting music to our listeners. I love the connection God gives with new people and the opportunity to pray and encourage many to follow Jesus, whether for the first time, or to keep going and not grow weary in well doing (Galatians 6:9-10).

What motivates you to share Christ with others?  What challenges do you face in sharing the Gospel of Christ in West Virginia? ..and what are some of the unique blessings in our state?