Meet Rev. Theresa Waters-Dunston | JMT Certified Life Coach, Speaker and Trainer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rev. Theresa Waters-Dunston and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rev. Theresa, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Starting my ministry/business has been a lifelong process. First and foremost, I’d like to make it known that I have a sincere passion for people and purpose. I have been a purpose pusher and destiny driver since I can remember. Over the course of my lifetime I have found myself being a resource that people tapped into to assist them in getting clarity and understanding about their purpose, life, relationships and even challenges. It humbles me to be able to say that people value what I bring to the table and are always seeking me out. Part of how I am wired involves providing individuals with the mentorship, coaching, education, encouragement, tools, and resources needed to navigate their circumstances in order to accomplish their life’s purpose. Life revealed, and I have realized that I am the answer to someone else’s problem. As long as there is a problem, then I am an answer.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
One of the most important questions in life is what is my purpose? Dictionary.com states, purpose is the reason for which something or someone was created, exist or was made. Knowing one’s purpose is critical and helps one to develop a road map for the purpose of navigating the journey and direction of their life. At its inception, Divine Destiny and Purpose (DDP) Ministries is a ministry that was birthed in 2013 to help stuck and stagnant people to become unstuck/unleashed from past hurts and pain and ultimately to empower them to pursue their dreams and fulfill their life’s purpose and destiny. The process to becoming unstuck is not automatic. One has to first make a decision and then take massive action that will allow the healing process to begin. Many don’t know where or how to start and that is where DDP Ministries becomes relevant and significant in providing support. We are unique in that our approach is multi-dimensional and holistic in helping individuals to address mental, spiritual, emotional, social, psychological and relational needs. We believe that people are multidimensional, so in becoming unstuck we much use a multi-dimensional methodology. With this in mind, we established a network of service-based organizations and resources for collaboration and partnership.

Charting our path as a ministry has not been easy. There have been times where we wanted to throw in the towel when obstacles and challenges presented themselves. It caused us to revisit our mission, who we serve and how. Particularly, during this pandemic we have had to shift/pivot, evolve and be very innovative and creative with how we serve and are sought out. Had we decided not to pivot, our ministry would have become obsolete. This pandemic has truly been a learning process that has challenged and forced us to think outside the box in order to remain sustainable.

DDP Ministries also host conferences, seminars, workshops, summits and offers premarital and life coaching services. Through these services and events our end goal is for purpose to arise. According to Dr. Myles Munroe, “…The wealthiest place on the planet is just down the road. It is the cemetery. There lie buried companies that were never started, inventions that were never made, bestselling books that were never written, and masterpieces that were never painted. In the cemetery is buried the greatest treasure of untapped potential.” The truth in this statement is that too many people die with their purpose and potential inside of them, much of which is attributed to being stuck and stagnate. It is important for the world to know that DDP Ministries exist, is available and seeks to tap into a persons potential and rob the cemetery. Our aim is to unleash the purpose that is inside of you so that your purpose isn’t buried 6 feet under, but instead you die empty!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting the metro Atlanta area my very first stop would be the Battery hands down. It is conveniently located off of I-75 and I-285. The Battery is a one-stop shop where you can experience the best of Atlanta. There are tons of restaurants with diverse options, music, shopping and entertainment. There are so many choices, and you get sports and entertainment in one place.

My next stop would be Ponce City Market in order to experience a taste of Atlanta. This venue offers the option of a rooftop experience, as well as live music, shows, entertainment, shopping including fashion, jewelry, home decor etc, and is foodie heaven.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Had I not had courageous, phenomenal, trailblazing women in my life from near and afar, I would not be where I am today, and I would not have taken the leap of faith to pursue my goals and dreams. There are many women whose names I could call, but today I’d like to shoutout a few women that are in my circle; Pastor Joyce Gilmer and Rev. Hope Sutton (both life coaches) are two significant, powerful women in my life that see my passion and my potential and have encouraged, mentored and pushed me to my purpose over the years even in fear. I don’t think they know how important they have been in may maturation and evolutionary process.

I have been a fan and follower of Dr. Cindy Trimm for close to 20 years and have gleaned so much from her as well as her business/ministry model over the years. I credit Dr. Cindy Trimm Ministries as my mentor from afar for providing me with a mindset and model for both ministry/business to aspire to and emulate. Her fortitude, faith, spirituality, intellect, digital and global presence are very impressionable and are something to admire and strive for.

Finally, a special shoutout to my mother, the late Dr. Patricia Hatten for modeling persistence, the life of an overcomer and for always being that constant voice telling me to pursue my goals and to never give up on my dreams!

Website: http://www.divinedestinyandpurposeministries.com/

Instagram: @ddp..ministries

Twitter: @ddpministries

Facebook: @ddpministries1

Image Credits
Vintage Photography Serenitee Media