Jennifer Foltz
- How have you been described by others?
I have often been described upon first impressions as having a “resting bitch face”, that maybe I am unapproachable or angry. A little kiss from God because I am an introvert? Maybe. But once getting to know me I have been described as kind, thoughtful, focused, organized, strong, spicy and helpful.
Since my husband and I followed our call from God to move into a poor community in our city I have worked to not have that face anymore. Before it did not matter to me if I was approachable, because in truth, I did not like most people. But now I want to be a part of our community and I want to get to know my neighbors. I want to be approachable so I can share the love I have to give.
- How would you describe your sphere of influence?
God created me to me a mom, to love on and care for not only my children but others from our community, particularly women. This journey God put Charlie and I on 10 years ago has helped changed the kind of mom I am, the way I see the world and how I want to live in this world has a lover of Jesus.
My daughter, my mom and I all have a very strong bond. And as I have been on this path, I have been able to share with them what I have learned about not only my purpose from God but my growing intimate relationship with Him.
I have met some incredible women in our neighborhood. Women that I share life with, we watch each other’s houses when the other is gone, we share resources and stand in our front yard and talk about the neighborhood and what is going on (gossip). I have been invited into their world and am able share some of my world with them
- What fuels your leadership?
Honestly, I would not consider myself a leader in the worldly definition however what fuels my passion for what I do is my “one”. The first year we started our ministry God told me be a mom and show unconditional love to the women He brought to me. Sandy was my first “one” I give my whole heart and love intensely so that is why He told me wait for His direction of who and when. It is an amazing thing that God does, drawing my spirit to another woman’s spirit when He calls me to someone. It has taught me patience (sort of), how to say no and still give unconditional love, how to let someone walk away and allow them to come back. It is heartbreaking and sacred and I am still in awe that He chose me to do this.
- What is the pressing question that you’re asking?
Lamont is our adopted black son. We adopted him from one of my “ones”. We have had him since birth. God blessed him with such a joyous spirit! I truly think he is the happiest kid on earth.
Because of him I want to learn what my blind spots are in relation to racism. I am born and raised Texas and live in the most socially segregated city in the United States. I want to be able to help our son navigate the racism he will encounter through his life. I want to be better, know more, and understand for him. We want to raise him to be a strong black man who is proud of him culture.
- Why Journey of Hope? And why now?
We have known Jer for a few years, and he has coached us with creating an immersive experience. And I have read Osheta’s books, so I am fan- girling on her. So those are pluses. But the main reason is my husband. Charlie has opened my eyes to so much! He brought the colors into my life; he brought Jesus into my life and created a safe space for me lean into who I was created to be. This journey has been always the two of us. In our community we are not known as The GoodHood. We are known as “Charlie and Jen”. So, continuing this journey of learning and growing should be done together.
4 comments
Jen, I want to learn from you how you are becoming more approachable. How you are going from RBF to someone who others feel is trustworthy and easy to open up to.
Hey Brandon,
I’m not sure if I’m suppose to answer or not but….:
It was all God. When I was first saved I had a lot of broken pieces of my heart to work through. I spent the first 8 years doing healing prayer and learning to listen to what Jesus was saying- who he created me to be. And through that healing I learned that my RBF was more of a protection for my mercy heart than who I was created to be. I didn’t actually think about or try to intentionally heal that but as I trusted Jesus the change just happened 🙂
Jen, I identify with resting bitch face and being thought of as intimidating because I’m introverted and not minding the distance it creates. I appreciate your nurturing mothering/daughtering heart. I want to know about the ability to “say no and still give unconditional love” while you’re waiting on God to show you where to invest.
Jen, I want more of this! You speak so much richness, honesty and “spice” in these few questions and more than that it exudes a love of people and Jesus. I noticed that you said “I would not consider myself a leader…”, because that it was I sad coming into JOH myself. In your words I notice an open-handed and yet fierce love that reverberates revolution of Jesus all through the focus of a mom’s heart. And I want to hear more about, being an introvert and “not liking people very much” to obviously loving people very deeply; and if that relates at all to learning to say “no” while still having unconditional love for people? I am deeply excited to walk alongside and learn from you in this journey.