Amy Sledge

I have been in ministry since I was young, raised by my great-grandmother and grandfather in a family of ministers. After a long marriage ended in divorce, I decided to pursue my bucket list and went back to school from scratch at age 56. I earned three post-graduate degrees in seven and a half years, graduating summa cum laude with a bachelor's in ministry/theological studies, a bachelor's in psychology, and a master's in psychology. In 2006, I started Prayer Works Ministries to do prayer revivals, prayer services, workshops, and conferences focused on prayer. After getting my psychology degree, I founded Greater Works Kingdom Outreach in 2016, a 501c3 nonprofit that does similar work but in a secular form, focusing on positive thinking and helping people develop their potential through conferences and workshops. I host a talk show called 'Let's Talk About It,' which is fun and entertaining but addresses daily issues and life crises that people face, especially professionals who often mask their struggles. We always do the show over food at restaurants, banquet halls, or golf courses, and we have professional speakers in the field of whatever subject we're addressing. In 2024, I started the Shining Star Development Institute under Greater Works Kingdom Outreach, offering a 6-week potential development course on Zoom to help people at any level further develop whatever they're already doing. I wrote the curriculum and facilitator manual myself. I also serve as executive pastor at a church where I've been for 20 years. When I first applied there as minister of music during my divorce, they eventually moved me from the music department to the pulpit, though I remain chairman over the music department. I was recently elevated to assistant supervisor of Australia for the Church of God in Christ, the largest Pentecostal organization, which is now in 60 countries. I'm also producing a theatrical production called 'Freedom for Living and Loving' at Freedom Hall theater in downtown Park Forest, Illinois, with two shows in September. This came from being asked to do my church jurisdiction's women's conference and deciding to make it a theatrical production instead of a regular conference, turning each theme point into an act in the play. The Lord has blessed me with so many things to do while I'm alive on this earth, and I'm grateful.