In the Spring of 2015, Pastor Kelly was in the early planning stages of The Crossing Church's annual women's event called Twirl. Twirl has always been a night where the women of The Crossing get together and laugh, cry, dance, EAT, and learn some powerful truths from Scripture about the calling God has placed on each of our lives. But something about this Twirl felt different.
In the midst of many conversations and Pastor Kelly sharing her heart and ideas, we began to feel a rumbling of a bigger movement taking place. It was in these moments - the quiet conversations between friends where the "what if" questions slowly turned into "we must" statements - that the Fight For A Girl Initiative was born.
On June 30, 2015 we experienced an incredible beginning. Twirl went off beautifully, and women were not only taught how to fight for the girl in them, but they walked out of that room having released anger, hurt, unforgiveness, and brokenness. No longer living as captives, they were now free.
But that's only the beginning.
As #FightForAGirl is being shaped, we don't just want freedom for the women who were able to attend that event. No, we want freedom for the women reading these words (that's you!), for the women in our communities, and for the women around the globe.
Fight For A Girl seeks to empower women globally to rise up into the calling of freedom on their lives. And we want you to be a part of it with us. We want to create a platform where we can learn how to fight for ourselves, our relationships, our neighbors, and our sisters on the other side of the world. We want to see you rise up, and we believe that as you do, the people around you will be freed to rise up, too. Our goal is to be a partner, a bridge, a resource, and an encouragement as we all open our eyes and join hands with each other.
As we do this, the world simply cannot stay the same.
In the midst of many conversations and Pastor Kelly sharing her heart and ideas, we began to feel a rumbling of a bigger movement taking place. It was in these moments - the quiet conversations between friends where the "what if" questions slowly turned into "we must" statements - that the Fight For A Girl Initiative was born.
On June 30, 2015 we experienced an incredible beginning. Twirl went off beautifully, and women were not only taught how to fight for the girl in them, but they walked out of that room having released anger, hurt, unforgiveness, and brokenness. No longer living as captives, they were now free.
But that's only the beginning.
As #FightForAGirl is being shaped, we don't just want freedom for the women who were able to attend that event. No, we want freedom for the women reading these words (that's you!), for the women in our communities, and for the women around the globe.
Fight For A Girl seeks to empower women globally to rise up into the calling of freedom on their lives. And we want you to be a part of it with us. We want to create a platform where we can learn how to fight for ourselves, our relationships, our neighbors, and our sisters on the other side of the world. We want to see you rise up, and we believe that as you do, the people around you will be freed to rise up, too. Our goal is to be a partner, a bridge, a resource, and an encouragement as we all open our eyes and join hands with each other.
As we do this, the world simply cannot stay the same.
Watch this message from Pastor Kelly Dykstra to see how the #FightForAGirl initiative started.
Who We Are {The Fight For A Girl Board}
Pastor Kelly Dykstra
Pastor Kelly used to think she was just along for the ride in life, but then God and her brilliant husband empowered her to stand on her own two feet (usually in sweet high heels) and go after her own destiny. She's passionate about freeing other women up to do the same. Dispelling lies and shining light on fresh truth through writing and speaking are ways Kelly lives out this calling. She's trying to get the hang of being OK with not always being OK, so she'll keep you posted on that. Her favorite things (in no particular order) include Heinz Genuine Dill Pickles, thinking about home decorating, massages, and finding Happy Hour specials in St. Paul, Minnesota, with Eric and their kiddos, Holland, Aidan, and Braden.
Connect: Instagram
Christy Turner
Christy is a prodigal daughter. She grew up as a church kid, but walked away after years of depression and her mom's illness and death. Then God set her free. God wrecked and rebuilt Christy after her first mission trip to Port Au Prince, Haiti. Her heart is now on fire for orphans and orphan prevention. She educates others about shopping to support Haitian families, investing in farmers to support their families, the Haitian economy, and how can we help the children within our reach know and feel the love of our Savior everyday. Christy is unapologetic about her passion for Jesus Christ and the people of Haiti. She loves Star Wars (her first crush was Han Solo), coffee, books, good friends, and margaritas on the patio.
Connect: Instagram
Lisa Snyder
Lisa grew up very confident in her abilities, but very insecure in her identity. One day, she started asking God who she was and what it was that He created her for. Through growing businesses, writing books, studying real estate, and teaching grace-based financial classes, God rebuilt and reshaped Lisa's identity. She firmly believes that we each have a unique and intentional design, and her heart is to equip others to grow their finances so that they have the resources to do whatever it is that sets their soul on fire. Lisa loves coffee, puzzles, and her super hot husband and their three amazing kiddos. She also loves scheming up ways to be and become radically generous.
Connect: Instagram I Blog
Tracy Keech
Tracy is one of those kids who grew up in the suburbs, but always fit in with the ones from the wrong side of the tracks, the black sheep, the rebels. Her life was wild and crazy until God got a hold of her heart, and now her life is wild and crazy and exhilarating and purposeful. She's married to the tallest, funniest, most handsome pastor alive and they have two kiddos - one in college and one in high school. She loves coffee, loud music, and office supplies, and is passionate about helping women find out their past doesn't determine their future. If you use correct grammar, she will love you eternally without abandon.
Connect: Instagram | Blog
Pastor Kelly used to think she was just along for the ride in life, but then God and her brilliant husband empowered her to stand on her own two feet (usually in sweet high heels) and go after her own destiny. She's passionate about freeing other women up to do the same. Dispelling lies and shining light on fresh truth through writing and speaking are ways Kelly lives out this calling. She's trying to get the hang of being OK with not always being OK, so she'll keep you posted on that. Her favorite things (in no particular order) include Heinz Genuine Dill Pickles, thinking about home decorating, massages, and finding Happy Hour specials in St. Paul, Minnesota, with Eric and their kiddos, Holland, Aidan, and Braden.
Connect: Instagram
Christy Turner
Christy is a prodigal daughter. She grew up as a church kid, but walked away after years of depression and her mom's illness and death. Then God set her free. God wrecked and rebuilt Christy after her first mission trip to Port Au Prince, Haiti. Her heart is now on fire for orphans and orphan prevention. She educates others about shopping to support Haitian families, investing in farmers to support their families, the Haitian economy, and how can we help the children within our reach know and feel the love of our Savior everyday. Christy is unapologetic about her passion for Jesus Christ and the people of Haiti. She loves Star Wars (her first crush was Han Solo), coffee, books, good friends, and margaritas on the patio.
Connect: Instagram
Lisa Snyder
Lisa grew up very confident in her abilities, but very insecure in her identity. One day, she started asking God who she was and what it was that He created her for. Through growing businesses, writing books, studying real estate, and teaching grace-based financial classes, God rebuilt and reshaped Lisa's identity. She firmly believes that we each have a unique and intentional design, and her heart is to equip others to grow their finances so that they have the resources to do whatever it is that sets their soul on fire. Lisa loves coffee, puzzles, and her super hot husband and their three amazing kiddos. She also loves scheming up ways to be and become radically generous.
Connect: Instagram I Blog
Tracy Keech
Tracy is one of those kids who grew up in the suburbs, but always fit in with the ones from the wrong side of the tracks, the black sheep, the rebels. Her life was wild and crazy until God got a hold of her heart, and now her life is wild and crazy and exhilarating and purposeful. She's married to the tallest, funniest, most handsome pastor alive and they have two kiddos - one in college and one in high school. She loves coffee, loud music, and office supplies, and is passionate about helping women find out their past doesn't determine their future. If you use correct grammar, she will love you eternally without abandon.
Connect: Instagram | Blog