Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Scott.
Chris, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born on the Island of Trinidad and Tobago in the West Indies, but I was raised in Queens, New York. My parents migrated our family to the United States when I was five years old. It was a culture shock and a whole new world for me. I will never forget arriving at John F. Kennedy International Airport in a dressy pink outfit, made by my maternal grandmother. I shivered from the cold air that hit my little body. It was something I had never felt before.
It was in Queens, where I became exposed to American cultural and creative icons like Langston Hughes and Louis Armstrong. By the time I turned 12, I had fallen in love with acting, directing and theater arts. I became so bitten with the theater bug that I would gather my friends in the neighborhood and cast them in stage plays. Throughout those years, I continued to grow a deep love for the arts.
I grew up as a well-loved child. I felt the adoration of both of my parents despite my father’s struggle with alcoholism. It created tension and difficulty, but in its own way, it made me see that I was destined for greatness. At the age of 17, I became pregnant with my daughter, a beautiful blessing; others tried to shun me because of it. Even then, God was stirring up gifts within me. Now, I can share my story to help mentor young ladies experiencing pregnancy as a teenager.
Two weeks after having my daughter, I began studying at City College of New York as a pre-med major. It was during that time that I started to discover my gifts and passions. In my second year of school, I came home and announced to my parents that I wanted to be an actor and was changing my major. It didn’t go over well and they were not amused. But I was liberated because I found my passion, however, I would later learn that passion without knowing your gifts are purpose wasted.
I now see that those experiences and others caused me to develop a heart for people. It made me sensitive to the needs of others and caused me to exercise care with my words and deeds. Our hearts determine why we say the things we say and do the things we do. As my faith grew, I began to hold fast to the scripture, “For we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose,” (Romans 8:28). I felt called.
I can see that every experience that I’ve had, the good, bad, ugly, indifferent, on the job, in the family, in relationships inside and outside the church–coalesced to make me who I am. I have learned that even past sins can be turned into purpose when we connect the dots.
As the years went on, I began a career in Human Resources Management. It gave me the satisfaction of connecting more than 5,000 people to jobs in the South Florida area. Today, I am an ordained Minister and Master Life Coach; to over 300 life coaches globally. For over 20 years, I have trained and mentored ministry consultants, apostles, bishops and pastors to help them better coach their leadership teams to serve more effectively. I am the Global Missions Director at Tabernacle of Praise Church International in McDonough, Georgia. I am also a member of the leadership team of Living Sacrifice Prophetic Ministries in Trinidad and Tobago. I serve in the mission’s fields of Haiti, Belize, Jamaica, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Dominican Republic. My work in missions allows me to support churches, orphanages, and homes for the elderly.
My passion for people extends beyond the borders. It also includes marriage and family. My husband and I lead a marriage ministry called, “LOVING YOU UNTIL.” Our work together allows us to counsel couples both married and dating. We have also launched Global Connections Academy and Global Connections Ministries International to train life coaches and to meet the needs of churches seeking to build their global missions.
I am the author of the book, Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts: Connecting the Dots to Your Purpose, a somewhat autobiographical story that has helped people connect with their gifts and purpose globally. My second book, Treasures in My Heart is an anthology which shared the incredible stories of my 12 amazing co-authors. It made Amazon’s Best Seller list and was #1 in New Releases. My first book is now available in stores and libraries in South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, The Bahamas and throughout the United States.
In 2015, I was presented with The President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA). The national recognition by President Barack Obama highlighted my passion for people through community service.
Academically, I am a graduate of Jacksonville Theological Seminary, where I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology and a Masters in Christian Psychology. I am also a graduate of Ohio Christian University where I hold a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies.
I later used my passion for the arts by creating and leading my own performing arts school. My work with Trinity Performing Arts Academy led me to serve as executive producer on several movies and stage plays in places like; Atlanta, New York, Florida and Washington, D.C.
Since 2014, I have served as the President of the Caribbean Association of Georgia, Inc., (CAG). Through CAG, I have received numerous awards and proclamations for my work in the community. CAG allows me to lead projects which feed the homeless and hungry, help women and children impacted by domestic violence, feed soldiers traveling through the USO at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and aid Caribbean countries impacted by natural disasters.
I have appeared on Fox 5 Atlanta, CBS 46’s Atlanta Get Plugged In, Atlanta Live Channel 57 and several radio stations including Atlanta’s Majic 107.5. In 2017, I received the Director and Producer of the year award from Diamondnique Productions. This year, I received five honors; among them the Production Company of the Year award.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My road has not always been smooth…The experience of migrating to a new country during my formative years in elementary school and struggling to gain command of American English with my Caribbean accent made my path difficult especially in communicating with others. The irony is that now, people can’t tell that I was not born in the United States because my accent often cannot be detected.
I also lived through challenges as a teen mom who experienced homelessness. Though that time was difficult, my daughter is one of my greatest gifts and accomplishments. I now thank God for not allowing me to make the wrong decision back then.
As a child that had a parent who struggled with alcoholism, I grew up in a home where everything looked fine on the outside, but our reality was different. My loving father was a well-respected businessman, but there was a darkness in our home. The violence was surreal. For years, the memories of my parents nearly killing one another would haunt me in my dreams, even as an adult.
Another major challenge was taking care of my mother after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. She was dependent on me for everything and it was very difficult because at times she would forget my name and would ask me to leave. It’s gut-wrenching when your parents, through no fault of their own, forget who you are.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I think my specialty is in affirming and helping to draw out the spiritual gifts that people possess. I am known for my heart for God, his people, and his work. I am most proud of my ability to not be afraid to fail. For me, all things are possible with God. I see challenges as an opportunity to show off his power, love and grace and glory. What makes me unique is that at the heart of my journey, I am simply a Caribbean girl who trusted God to show me who He could be in my life and I put action behind the gifts he has entrusted me to grow and share.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I believe that my steps have been ordered and therefore I have no regrets. Everything that I did, every decision that I made has helped me to be the person that I am today. My life experience is what makes me connect to people who are hurting. It also allows me to mentor others through their troubles and trials.
Today Chris is a Minister and Global Missions Director at Tabernacle of Praise Church International in McDonough and she appreciates Pastors Timothy and Shunnae McBride dearly.
Pricing:
- Certified Life Coaching Course is $550.00
- Acting Classes $175.00 Monthly
Contact Info:
- Address: 2020 Avalon Parkway,
McDonough, Georgia 30253
Suite #355 - Website: www.authorchrisscott.com
- Phone: 6786744200
- Email: Info@globalconnectionsacademy.org
- Instagram: @coachchrisscott
- Facebook: @AuthorChrisScott
- Twitter: @soreal_chris
Image Credit:
Jowanna Daley
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