Welcome back Malachi. I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas, as well as our Readers! Did everyone get what they most wished for? I know I did. I love photography, and received a new Canon camera that just takes beautiful pictures.
We're finishing out the week with Malachi in a two part interview, so be sure to come back tomorrow for Malachi's last day with us a interview more on the fun side of things. You can enter to win a copy of Knowing Malachi by using the Rafflecopter below, and the winner will be drawn at the end of his virtual book tour at the Virtual Book Tour Cafe'.
BK:
Malachi, please tell us a little bit about yourself that wasn't
included in the biography above.
MS: Well
I am a speaker for RAIIN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network)
and I am extremely passionate about bringing healing and wholeness to
people’s lives in every aspect. I am completely fascinated by the
power ‘words’ have in framing our realities so I consider them,
both written and oral, to be my greatest weapon against the perils
that bind mankind. With that in mind, I also host a radio show on
blog talk radio called “Survivors Radio”.
BK:
What message do you hope to get out there with Journey to Malachi?
MS: I
really want people to know that there is healing for your hurt.
Whatever your personal issues are there is hope for freedom and
complete transformation. I also want to introduce the masses to a
portrait of God that has not been popularized by most mass church
media. Usually God is depicted as a hard taskmaster, judging and
holding his ‘children’ to impossible standards. My life has been
transformed radically by a God that just wanted to minister to my
needs and be a balm to my deepest pain…and believe me the pain and
brokenness was deep and at times unbearable.
BK:
After reading your book, there are so many things that are signs of
abuse. Can you tell us few signs that parents should be on the
lookout for?
MS:
Parents should be on the lookout for emotional and physical changes
in their children. Children can display a wide range of symptoms from
regressive behavior to sudden sexual interest. Most of the signs of
abuse are subtle and easy to miss so it’s important to LISTEN to
your children and WATCH their behavior closely. Keep dialogue about
inappropriate touching open and frequent. Insure that your children
know that your primary goal is to protect them and that you are
capable of handling the things and people that may harm them.
BK: I
know that you love working with kids, and I think this is so
important, what would you tell a child that you suspected was being
abused in any way, that would encourage them to come forward?
MS: I
would tell they child that I have been in their position and I
understand why they may fear coming forward. I would reveal to them
the devastating effects keeping my abuse a secret had on my life and
share how breaking the silence was the genesis of my journey to
healing. I would also share with them how much support is out there
and how much safety is available for victims.
BK:
Tell us about Exousia...
MS:
Exousia is a mid-Atlantic prayer-summit that gathers every ninety
days in the southern region of Maryland. It was there that I met my
spiritual leaders and mentors Pastor William and Apostle Yolanda
Powell, who would later be instrumental in my fight for freedom.
Exousia happened to also be the place where I launched my first book
signing. I am happy to say that it was a success and I encourage all
who are interested in experiencing a personal connection with God
outside of the confines of traditionalism to visit
www.exousia4life.com
and plan to be at our next gathering!
BK:
What was it like for you, the writing journey for this book?
MS:
Writing Journey to Malachi was therapeutic yet difficult at times.
The reality of my life’s experience was perpetually being visited
and re-visited in the process of writing and editing. My inspiration
was that someone somewhere would be touched deeply by my honesty. So
now that I have done the hard part of compiling the story, I must
market the experience and spread the healing and hope.
BK: I'm
sure it was an emotional ride, what was the hardest part writing this
book?
MS: The
hardest part of writing this book was exposing how broken I was.
People in my life saw me, but they didn’t see the ‘real me’.
They saw the projection of myself I wanted them to see, but this book
exposed the horrific pain that can be masked by a brilliant smile.
Imagine this book as being like a beautiful model finally taking her
make-up off and exposing her bare face to the world. Like that model,
people had seen me in ministry as being strong and triumphant but I
would fine that it was my vulnerability that would foster my true
beauty.
BK:
What made you decide to take your story down this path, writing the
story and publishing it?
MS: I
wrote the story with the intent to share it with the world. I spent
many hours of many days counting the cost and analyzing the risk. I
decided the ends justified the means and that the cost (emotionally,
socially, financially, etc.) was worth it. Otherwise, my journey
would be in vain.
BK: Now
that your book is published, what kind of feedback have you received
from friends and family?
MS: My
friends and family had the benefit of reading the book before I sent
it to the printers. I wanted to be sure that the story was universal
so I invited people whose life experiences where completely different
than mine as well as those who had very similar experiences. As you
can see clearly from the reviews on Amazon I have not yet received a
bad review. I appreciate that others are able to glean from my story.
BK:
What are you doing now? Are you working on any new projects or
anything you'd like to share with readers today?
MS:
Currently I am working to market Journey to Malachi to the mass
market. I am also trying to break into the college speaking circuit
and really dedicate my life to helping others in a much bigger way
than before. In addition I am taking the personal challenge to write
3 books before the end of 2013. Also, as I already mentioned, I am
branching into blog radio so please take some time to check out my
show on Blog Talk Radio, “Survivors Radio” and follow if you
enjoy what you hear.
Genre:
Biographical
Publisher:
Dog Ear Publishing
Blurb:
When
we face turbulent times, hardships and calamity there is much solace
in companionship. We all want to know that someone has been where we
are and have gotten through the same difficulties we face. When I
wrote Journey to Malachi, I began to visualize myself as a little boy
being abused and recalled all of the feelings that flooded my heart
at that time. My writing literally became a journey in my mind
through my life’s darkest hours and through my writings, I became
my own companion.
As
I wrote, I took several pauses to minister the words of hope, grace
and freedom that I needed.I went deep into my inner sanctum to find
the little boy who was afraid to tell his secret, who needed more
than anything to be loved and accepted and wanted more than anything
to be protected and valued. As the writings progressed, he grew
older and how the bitterness grew inside him and birthed inner
‘demons’ of self-hatred, insecurity, un-forgiveness,
hopelessness, distrust, suicide, anger, resentment and so much more.
I remembered the confusion the sexual abuse caused concerning his
sexual identity and the long-terms effects it had on his mental
health. I recalled the embarrassment and isolation all of the deep
pain that lied beneath a warm smile. He laughed and often made others
laugh but inside there was a fiery hell that tormented him and yet
this was only something he knew. He was so invisible in many ways and
so I begin to tell his story and share the shameful secrets of his
reality.In the midst of the journey, I interjected to share biblical
truths that would later free him (me). Even though his journey seemed
to grow darker and more hopeless, I had experienced the ending and so
I was encouraged to continue to write and get to the expected end.
Journey
to Malachi, is my journey from becoming a powerless victim to a
victorious over-comer! As a reader I invite you to share this
intimate journey with me embark to discover how I became a messenger
of light, liberty and love. Whether you have been through the same
things that I have or simply understand hard times, I plan to grab
your hand and become YOUR companion as well journey together to find
the divine purpose & ultimate overcoming victory that is wrought
from our utmost pains.
Author.Speaker.Youth
Specialist. Specialist in Rehabilitation from Sexual Abuse and
Freedom from Sexual Bondage.
Malachi
Jeremiah Stewart is an ancient vessel housed in a modern body. In
2011, he was entrusted to lead Prophetic Streams Ministries in
Philadelphia, PA as a unique tributary of Kingdom life, by declaring
the finished work of Christ and dispensing the ‘unforced rhythms of
grace.’
Currently,
Malachi is pursuing a degree in Religion and Christian Counseling at
Liberty University and seeks to work in full time ministry, both at
locally and globally. He serves as Youth Advisor & Trainer to
Dominion’s Prophetic & Apostolic Coalition Trans-Continental
(D'PACT), Youth L.E.A.D. and Youth in Ministry (YIM) organizations,
training high school and college students in the areas of evangelism,
spiritual devotion, biblical instruction, and Papa prayer. He leads
IGNITE! a youth evangelistic outreach in the capitol region,
including DC-Maryland-Virginia. As a visionary leader and prophetic
flame, he has a strong desire for souls to be saved, families to be
restored, and for nations to be reconciled with Christ.
Join us tomorrow for our last day with Malachi, and bring your questions for some answers!
4 comments:
Indeed, we are really getting to know him!
Great interview! The more I read about him, the more I want to read the book.
Glad you all enjoyed the interview!!! Thanks or taking the time out to read the post :-)
Great interview!
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