Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Jasmine R. Gordon.
Hi Dr. Jasmine R., thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
First, a heartfelt thank you to ATL-Voyage for this opportunity. Thank you for the work that you do. It is an honor to be on this amazing platform to share my beautiful, life-transforming story. “I love my life’s story! It humbles me! What a beautiful and impactful story of a blessed life! Who knew that the second child of 8 children born to Mavis and Terrence in Fort William, the rural parts of Westmoreland in Jamaica, would become this “shining light” on a hill in the world today, making kingdom moves and global impact?”
I am from humble beginnings that are interesting, and I take great pride in my life story. From walking to school for two miles one way, with no shoes on my feet, on the stony dirt road every day, to now making kingdom moves and life changing impact on the global stage. When mama was expecting her eight child she became a single mother. Our father left for work as he always did, but this time weeks, months, and years went by, and he never came back. This was a very difficult time in our lives. At the time I was still in elementary school. Our mother (Mama) did not have a job so there was no income. “It takes a village to raise a child” is true in our case because the community was kind to us in helping mama out with food.
As the second child, a teacher who lived very nearby arranged with mama for me to come to her home on weekends to help her out. I cleaned the house and cooked. She taught me to cook a lot of dishes which my mother could not afford to prepare. The money she gave me I gave to my mother. This was truly a rough time in our lives. Yet, as children we did not complain or rebel. We were taught to be respectful, obedient, and to be thankful for what we had.
We were never kept from going to school. Even on days when we had no lunch money mama sent us to school. She had us sign up for free lunch or leave school at lunchtime to go home. Although my mother did not finish school, she knew the value of education and wanted us to go to school. We had no electricity so to get homework done we used a kerosene oil lantern/lamp. There was no kitchen, we cooked on wood fire in the open air. Bathroom was something you structure outside to hide yourself while you bathe yourself with water from a basin. Pit latrine was where you go to use the toilet. A pit latrine is a basic, low-cost toilet system that collects human waste in a pit dug into the ground, often covered with a slab that has a hole. Well, for water we went to the river to fetch water and carry the bucket with the water on our heads. For washing clothes, we went to the river and wash our clothes with our hands. Even so, we had a happy childhood.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My first big challenge growing up was that I did not attend high school. I could not attend high school. Since my mother became a single mother before I finished Middle School (All Age School, the Jamaican term), she could not afford to send any of us to high school.
Now that I finished All Age School, I was not going to the teacher’s home on weekends anymore. Instead, I took on a “bigger” role to help my mother. On Saturdays I went to the market in town. This was Savannah La Mar which was 11.5 miles away. On Fridays I went to get mangoes and buy breadfruit. Then on Saturday morning mama saddled the donkey and loaded the hampers with the mangoes and breadfruits. With the donkey in front of me I walked 11.5 miles to Sav-La-Mar selling mangoes and breadfruits along the way. At the market I bought basic things and brought home the rest of the money.
In school we were taught practical skills such as basic sewing, gardening, home economics, and hand embroidery. Since I could not attend high school mama and I brainstormed about what I could do. During this period of my teen years, I also went to learn dressmaking. This I did Monday through Thursday. For this I walked from my community, Fort William, to another community about 4 miles away. I loved dressmaking and learned the craft quickly.
These challenges were not easy but that was my beautiful life which taught me discipline and how to stay focused. I believed in myself and knew deep in my heart that my life could be better. There was always a vision and focus I had inside my heart, that I would want my life to be better, and I was determined to make that happen.
Church on Sundays was always a must. Attending Sunday school and church every Sunday was a sure cornerstone that gave me hope. Kindness and community service were two ways that mama got us to stay engaged while learning life’s valuable lessons. In the evenings after school and on the weekends each of us would be sent to the home of an elderly person to find out what they need at the shop/store and we would go and get what they needed. At other times we clean their yards or fetch water from the river for them. At the time I did not know that those beautiful life experiences were laying the foundation that would shape the future of my purposeful life. I learnt to be compassionate, kind and caring.
Exactly three weeks before my 19th birthday I gave birth to my first and only son. My second child, my only daughter, was born one year and nine months later. Having two children was a frightening experience and turning point for me. I took stock of myself and concluded that I did not want to have any more children with no profession or way to take care of them and myself. I recommitted fully to church and Christian principles and have not looked back.
Since high school was out of my reach, I decided to get all the books for the various subjects and studied at home on my own. This was hard work, day and night. While at the same time taking care of my two small children. During this time, I also bought myself a sewing machine and did dressmaking for people in my community and surrounding communities. It took me three years to pass all my subjects. This success confirmed to me that I could achieve whatever I set my mind to.
My next step was to work as a pretrained (substitute) teacher. I did this for three years and saved as much as I could and then applied for teachers’ college and was accepted. Since I did not have formal high school education, I made extra effort to work hard in college, and it paid off because I graduated with honors among other recognitions. Right away I received a job in Montego Bay as a high school teacher at the most prestigious high school, Mount Alvernia. While teaching at Mt. Alvernia, I pursued a Bachelor of Middle Grades and Counseling at Western Carolina University. After eight years at Mt. Alvernia High, I accepted a full-time position as a college professor at Bethlehem Teachers’ College. I migrated to the United States during the summer of 1991 and continued in my profession as an outstanding educator and made significant contributions to education as is evident in my awards which are numerous.
My life and work exemplify resilience, faith, and a commitment to serving others, making me a beacon of hope and inspiration for those seeking healing and purpose.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I have always believed in myself and that I could achieve excellence. When I migrated to the United States in 1991, I continued in my profession as an educator. I always loved learning and had a sincere thirst for knowledge. As a lifelong learner, I had my focus set on graduate studies and eventually earned three master’s degrees and one doctoral degree.
I am an accomplished, award-winning educator. My first teaching degree I earned from Mico Teachers’ College in Kingston Jamaica. I earned three master’s degrees in three different disciplines including counseling psychology, Clark Atlanta University; Educational Leadership, Georgia State University; and Master of Divinity, Luther Rice University and Seminary; Doctorate Degree in Education, Univ. of Sarasota; and Doctor of Divinity (Hon). I am an Ordained Minister; Certified Christian Chaplain; a published author, Certified Christian Life Coach, Mental Health Coach, Public Speaker, Professional Development Specialist, Consultant, and Conference Presenter. I have served educators from different multicultural backgrounds and school districts internationally. My exceptional work has earned me honors and awards.
Public speaking is one of my strengths, and I am an articulate motivational speaker at religious and educational events. I am the recipient of numerous honors and awards including recognition from The Atlanta City Council; The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Honor Teacher Award; Teacher Of The Year repeatedly; The Public Broadcasting Atlanta; Academic Honors from Who’s Who Among Students In American Universities And Colleges; among certificates.
In January 2024, I was featured on the Nasdaq Tower Billboard in Times Square New York City, USA. The business capital of the world! My life and work exemplify resilience, faith, and commitment to serving others, making me a beacon of hope and inspiration for those seeking healing and purpose. What an extraordinary journey!
MISSION: Globally reach, inspire, equip, empower, and transform lives God’s way for lasting change and exponential kingdom growth.
VISION: Impact the Body of Christ to effectively perform at the highest level of their potential with excellence and confidence. Serving with humility and purpose.
My brand is Gordon Divinely Directed LLC. This is a global vision and mission based on Matthew 28:19-20. This is a new branding and expansion of my ministry evolved from a one dimensional “Soul Care Healing Ministry.” My brand has two tracks that are intertwined which are education and Christian ministry. Education and Christian ministry were always my passion. It was evident in my teen years that I was a people person because in the community the adults called me “nurse”, and I did not quite know why. As I grew in my profession and experiences it became quite clear to me.
Gordon Divinely Directed Ministry & Academy is accredited by Association of Independent Christian Colleges and Seminaries (AICCS) and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). My academy offers courses live on Zoom as well as online. Some courses are fully online with 24/7 access globally. Courses and programs offered include Leadership Development; Community Service Chaplaincy Certification Program; Professional Life Coaching; Book Writing Coaching; Soul Care Inner Healing Coaching; Purpose Discovery Advocate & Coach. As a public speaker and workshop facilitator, I speak at educational and Christian ministry events. I have a deep love and passion to serve the forgotten, downtrodden, and brokenhearted. Working with me individuals experience inner healing and joy and become equipped to serve their purpose to their fullest potential with confidence and clarity.
*What I am most proud of is my humble beginnings, my interesting life’s journey of ups and downs with difficult terrains (mountains and valleys) and how I overcame them my the help of God to be where I am today making global impact.
I am also proud of the fact that no one can claim that they gave me anything that got me where I am today. I received no “handouts” and no “pull strings” from anyone. I owe all my gratitude to God for His blessings along the way which came in many forms. It is called divine favor.
*What sets me apart from others is my love for people, humility, passion, authenticity, compassion, broad knowledge and hard work. I pursue excellence always.
My website is: DRGORDONDIVINELYDIRECTED.COM
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Along my journey there are many lessons learned along the way. When I examined them all there is a “theme” that emerged. Knowing and believing God is my foundation that embodies everything else. Trusting God in every situation has always been my comfort for He is the only one I can always trust. Over the years, I have come to realize that life is one large classroom, and God is both the teacher and the lesson. The most important lesson I have learned along my journey is that every season, every joy, and every hardship has been shaping and molding me for my divine purpose. I do not know it all, but I have learned enough facts along the way that continue to guide my walk and my wonderful work with humanity.
I used to search for my purpose as if it were a hidden treasure out there somewhere outside of me. A few years ago, God reveled to me that my purpose is within me because I was born with it as a “seed” which God had planted in my heart. Now I know that my purpose unfolds as I walk with God. Every act of obedience, every small step of faith, unveils another layer of who I am called to be.
Titles, accomplishments, and applause will fade, but identity in Christ remains and is of great importance and all that matters. I thank God for my accomplishments and titles because I worked extremely hard to earn them. However, knowing who I am in Christ keeps me grounded when life tries to define me by achievements or failures. I have worked hard, but I have also learned that grace takes me where effort cannot. When I lean into God’s grace, things align more easily, and peace replaces pressure. It is amazing how closely the Holy Spirit works with me providing instructions and clarity. These are not just lessons, they are landmarks. Each one reminds me of how far I have come and how faithful God has been to me.
My journey has been filled with moments of stretching, surrender, and surprising grace. Through it all, I have discovered that life’s greatest reward is not in arriving, but in who I am becoming as God created me to be. I did not have a coach, mentor, or advisor. What I did have was hope in God, courage, self-determination and a mother who was willing to work hard in her struggles to emulate. I knew that I did not want my life to be as difficult so I envisioned what my life could be if I did work hard to make it so.
I can truly say that I have discovered my PURPOSE and I am operating in it and feel complete. As a result, my mission is to help others discover their purpose and be passionate about it. My newest book which should be released by the end of the year addresses that, “THE PURPOSE DISCOVERY BLUEPRING: Helping Teens and Young Adults on the Journey to Identity, Direction, and Destiny.” Find out details here: DRGORDONDIVINELYDIRECTED.COM
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.drgordondivinelydirected.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gordonministrysoulcare/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasmine.gordon.7982
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rev-dr-jasmine-r-gordon-4a5aa252/
- Twitter: https://x.com/DrJasmineGordon
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/drjasminergordon
- Other: https://www.drgordondivinelydirected.com/chaplaincynow
