It is my complete joy and pleasure to introduce you to my friend, Jen Swift. We have been friends for two years and we get to battle in ministry together every week (and battle against each other in games often at her house, we are both quite competitive and have been told we are fun to watch for those who are not as passionate as we are). She is one of the realest, most amazing humans you will ever meet and I am so excited for you all to get to know her.

First off, where do you live and how old are you?
I live in the beautiful Napa, California and I am 25 years young (in my quarter life crisis, I guess).

Give me three words to describe you.
Sensitive. Compassionate. Awesome-Sauce. (That totally counts as one word).

What is your day job?
I am currently serving on the worship staff at my church as the Hillside School of Worship Director. I also work as a Home Manager in a transition home for girls who have been victims of human trafficking.

What made you get into that?
I picked up a guitar to play and sing a worship song when I was 16, and I have loved worship ever since. I have served on worship teams and in pastoral ministries off and on since that time. My current position as the Hillside School of Worship Director is a great blend of the two, giving me the space to release the gifts God has given me in worship while also helping others discover and develop their God-given gifts.
For as long as I can remember, a longing has stirred within me to lead those broken, hurting, and intensely in need of restoration through the journey of healing that only comes from Jesus.

My position as a Home Manager allows me to walk with girls through remarkable (and seemingly impossible) transformation. I get the pleasure of seeing Jesus’ relentless pursuit of the broken and His life changing power at its finest every day. It is challenging and draining to say the least, but it is so meaningful and wonderful to serve in this ministry.

What is your ministry of choice when it comes to serving?
That is such a tough question! I have served in almost every ministry imaginable and have loved most of them. I really just love doing ministry that I know touches the heart of God. I definitely sense that the most when I lead worship. I don’t just want to “work” for God and serve people, I want to move Him and touch His heart. When my attention, affection, and adoration is given to Him in worship, it indeed is well with my soul.

What are you most passionate about?
I am quite passionate about coffee, puppies, Parks and Recreation, and anything having to do with superheroes. More seriously, I am passionate about people being free and living in the fullness of life in Jesus. Nothing makes my heart joyful like seeing people know who they are in Christ, and being able to release their God enabled gifts, passions, and abilities. Therefore, much of my life is oriented around helping people dismantle their hurts, discover God and who He created them to be, and release the treasures God has put inside them.

Have you ever had an experience/time in your life where you wanted to just throw in the towel and walk away? What did that look like?
After graduating college, I had nothing on the horizon. Though I walked into my college experience sure I would come out strong and ready to take on the world, I walked out without a clue of what I was built for and what made me passionate. I had less direction than when I started. Though I had a job and new job opportunities, it felt as though each was met with God’s gentle “no”. I watched my peers jump into seemingly very successful positions and communities while I left my job, my community, and moved across the state without much to go off of except a sense that God wanted me to move to Napa. Through that experience leaving my life behind and moving into some big unknowns, God began to uncover my hidden life-long battles with depression and anxiety. I wrestled, for over a year, to healing and deliverance by God’s grace. I wanted to give up many times but God was faithful. I don’t think I could ever find the words to explain just how good He is and all that He did for me in that season. I came to know Him in ways I never did as my Father and Shepherd, and I learned so much about myself. I am more alive and free than I have ever been because of Jesus; and I have learned to trust Him when I don’t understand.

What is the greatest advice you have ever been given?
“Feel what you feel when you feel it.” One of my college professors said this in my class and I never forgot it. Oftentimes, woman can be criticized for being overly emotion. Because of this, I spent a lot of my life trying not to feel. I kept busy, told myself “it’s not a big deal”, and ran from anything that made angry, hurt, or even happy. It was my greatest means of defense to shut down. Consequently, I wasn’t really alive; or at least I didn’t feel that way. I also realized that I was hung up on anything and everything bad that had ever happened to me because I hadn’t given myself the time or space to feel it. Our emotions are signs of life and signs of things that are not to be ignored. I have found it best to feel what I feel when I feel it. Meaning, when I have some kind of emotional reaction, I break away from the day for a moment and just let myself be angry, sad, happy, etc. I feel “it” so that I can find whatever “it” is and give it Jesus. It has allowed me to a much more alive and free person.

What advice would you give to someone who was chasing their dream?
Let yourself fail. Understanding that you are a life-long learner will get you far in life. There is not a single person who has always started everything in life at an “expert” level. Lean in to the uncomfortable-ness of not knowing how to do something. Have grace with yourself, take the pressure off of always being the best, and learn to take risks.

Wake up early. Someone recently told me that successful people wake up early. Research undisputedly shows this; and I have found myself so much more productive when I wake up early and take the time to be fed emotionally, spiritually, and physically at the start of the day. Don’t let the day just happen as it comes, get out ahead of it!

Keep a checklist. It’s quite unrealistic to only ever take things as they come or to let your dreams just go with the wind (believe me, I have tired). You have to get your hands dirty and get things done. Having a “to-do” list will keep you on track to reaching your dreams, and it will help you feel accomplished as you cross things off. Of course, it’s also important not to let your checklist run you because it will ruin you. I have found that starting my week on Mondays by mapping out all the things I need to do that week and setting a realistic deadline is the best thing for me.

Track your progress and celebrate! Things that get measured get done. You will quickly feel like giving up on your dreams if you feel like you aren’t getting anywhere. You should be celebrating yourself every week or at least every month! It will reenergize you and renew your sense of purpose for going after your dreams. So, take the time to reflect your progress and find the growth and accomplishments to celebrate.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you choose and why?
ITALY. The sights, the food, the culture, the history. Need I say more?

What would you make me if I came over for a dinner party at your place?
Hands down…Tacos. And you would love it. We would also play TONS of cards, and I would beat you.

Who has been your biggest spiritual influence?
My pastors and my closest friends have been my biggest spiritual influences. My pastors have tended to be like family to me as my spiritual fathers (or brothers), and they have also been my mentors. They have loved me well, seen my strengths and weaknesses, and challenged me to grow in my passion, gifts, and intimacy with Christ. My closest friends have done the same. They are godly women who have simply been with me through many seasons always championing me through celebration, support, encouragement, and prayer. Both my pastors and my friends have modeled humility to serve beyond self, obedience at all costs, perseverance in all seasons, and a life deeply rooted in Christ.

Who are some Captivating Women you love and how could we find them on social media.

Natalie Garcia –
While Natalie is easily the sassiest person I have ever known, she is also the strongest. She is the perfect mixture of playful and deep making you laugh until you pee followed by making you cry until your soul is a little more free. She has a beautiful way of unlocking people with her presence and speaking straight into deepest parts of the heart in the most needed ways with the breathe, care, and love of God. Natalie is humble, teachable, beautiful, talented, anointed, caring, and, above all, faithful to her Father no matter the cost. I don’t think I have known anyone who is as fully present wherever she is, living and loving without reservation or bias. Natalie is fearless and absolutely unafraid to take risks. She is incredibly thoughtful, and is well thought of by all she comes in contact with. She strives for excellence in all that she does and has one of the most beautiful hearts I have ever seen.

Find her on Instagram @natalie_alexx and purchase her song “Shepherd of My Soul” from the album From the Vine on iTunes.

Marissa Deraya –
Marissa is the person that everyone wants on their team. She is the ultimate woman of strength and support, and she adds SO much to any room she walks in to. Marissa is extremely life giving as I have seen countless times people light up when she walks into a room. I have never known someone so patient, hard-working, dependable, focused, and given to each step of the process. She doesn’t rush ahead because she wants to do things right and well, and she is known to follow through. Marissa has about a million different laughs, each one better than the first (and when she yawns she sounds like Chewbacca). She is incredibly fun, goofy and nerdy, while also being smart, caring, deep, anointed, confident, and just plain cool. She cares about quality; and, in turn, I have found her to be a person of the highest quality within herself. Marissa loves a challenge and does hard things with ease knowing she can overcome any obstacle. She is incredibly compassionate and passionate about what God has called her to; and she is sure to impact this world forever just by being Marissa.

Find her on Instagram @marissaderaya.

Allison Vazquez –
Alli is perhaps the most joyful person on planet earth. Not to mention, Joy is her middle name, and it’s overwhelmingly contagious when she is around. She is always so passionate about the things of God and unafraid to proclaim her faith. Alli cares deeply about people and will give it all to help another at the drop of a hat. She has a natural way of softening people as she loves without limit and is simply Alli wherever she is. Alli leaves her mark wherever she goes simply by being who God created her to be, and she is by all means a dreamer. She is anointed, committed, ambitious, and unstoppable.

Find her encouraging and equipping others on Instragam @_she.is_

What do you think makes a Captivating Woman?
I think a truly captivating woman is one who is life-giving, often in unexplainable ways. She can walk into a room or right into the heart of a person and give life with her words or with her very presence. A captivating woman is also one who is secure. She has confidence that goes beyond the moment and beyond “how it’s going”. She is secure even in the midst of weakness. This is a confidence surely found in the daughter who knows exactly who she is in her Father. A captivating woman is one who is fully present. She doesn’t hold back but is simply present and transparent. She isn’t dull or passive, nor does she hide. She is a fighter, a dreamer, a sensitive soul yet as strong as they come. In being fully present and fully herself, she is beautiful; and she is captivating.

What is your favorite scripture/Bible story and why?
Ecclesiastes 3:11 is (currently) my favorite verse. It reads:

“He has made everything beautiful in its time.”

It is an amazing reminder that beauty takes time. I must confess, I don’t always inwardly and outwardly feel beautiful. There is so much that I think I lack in my character and in my person; however, just because I don’t see it now doesn’t mean it will never appear. There is a proper time for beauty to be revealed; and, often, it needs to first be refined. This verse is an encouragement as I walk through difficulty, uncomfortable seasons, and waiting that there is purpose to it all. I may not see all the beauty I want to see in my life, but I will get there. And I know it will be worth the wait because it will be the work of God and not of my own.