By Tiarsha Harrison
In life, God intentionally positions us to fulfill our hope, purpose and destiny. Jenya Tomlinson-Jackson, a minister, head worship leader and arts director of Abundant Life Christian Church in Florida knew early on her spirit’s purpose. “At the age of 5, I gave my life to the Lord, but a Wednesday in 1987 when I was 7 years old was a particular special event when the children’s leader prayed specifically for the infilling of the Holy Spirit. I remember that moment and haven’t been the same since,” she says.
Best known for her radiant personality, Jenya is extremely versatile. Besides her various roles in the church, she is also a musician with a phenomenal voice. “I decided to fulfill my desire of releasing an album when I was kicked in the butt from spiritual fathers, she laughs.” The Senior Pastor of Abundant Life Christian Church, Bishop Rick Thomas informed Jenya that he needed an album and she agreed instantly. “I was no longer going to make excuses; I got off my you know what and began to put things together with some amazing folks. I’ll give them a shout out – Octavius Moore, Renee Manchoy, and of course our awesome producer, Josh Dufrene. I thank God for them!!”
Jenya’s album, Conquerors is an outstanding testimony of the truth of God. “Conquerors has everything to do with who God says you are. “In the book of Romans, it says we are more than conquerors through HIM who loves us!! I love to remind people of what God says about them. I tell family, friends, and strangers alike! I think it’s my favorite thing to do,” she confesses. The five songs are all amazing, however, she does have her favorites. “I really do love them all, but Worthy of It All is my first favorite. More than telling people who God made them to be, I love telling God how great He is. I love to recognize Him in all His greatness. There’s no one greater. There’s absolutely no one more worthy of all the praise, all the honor, and all of the glory. This song captures my heart, she says.”
Jenya not only came out with an album, she also shared with the world her testimony. One song on the Conquerors CD, Can You Hear It is quite the tearjerker because it describes a very monumental time in her life. “In 1991, I was in a horrible accident that left my arm severed from my body. It was only hanging on by a thread. That situation looked hopeless. The doctor even came out of the operating room mid-surgery to tell my family that he couldn’t figure out how to reattach my arm. I will tell you right now, God is truly the Great Physician. He stepped in and made a way out of no way. By the time the doctor returned to the operating room, Jesus had positioned my arm in such a way that all the doctor had to do was turn the bone and everything went right back together, said Jenya.”
An exceptional mother and wife, Jenya met her husband at Abundant Life as well. “It was the beginning of 2002, just a few months after I graduated from Florida State University that I saw Rese (he wasn’t a pastor at the time). I thought to myself that I’ve never seen him before, I’ve got to get him involved. Of course, if you ask him this same question, he would tell you something completely different. I went to introduce myself and invited him to our new beginning class that evening. He actually came and started to get involved in the church. He became a friend, then a boyfriend, and the rest is history. We have been married now for 15 yrs. He is still my favorite person!”
In addition to making another future album that changes the world and keeps people on the edge of their seats, Jenya also hopes to inspire everyone through her Instagram videos. “My Sunday morning videos are all about giving people a nudge to get to church. I know there is so much to experience in the house of God. I get to do so every week; no one should miss out. You can be changed forever with just one word. There are such learning and growing opportunities in the right church. I just want folks to get locked into the one [church] God has designed for them. My husband always says that the blessings of God are geographical. If you are in the right place at the right time, you can get exactly what you need,” she explained.
Jenya can be found on instagram at @jenyasheree, facebook Jenya Tomlinson-Jackson and twitter which she just started at @jackson_jenya.
