Today we’d like to introduce you to Reagan Baird.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Reagan. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
It all started when I was twelve years old. That is when I made a choice to pursue ministry to young women. I was at the Dallas edition of The Revolve Tour, a conference for teenage girls to learn about and experience God. It was 2006 and I was listening to Jenna Lucado Bishop speak. I felt in my heart that God was calling me. In an excerpt of writing from March 28, 2012, I wrote, “Sitting in the audience, taking in the words of the speakers, the songs of the singers, and the skits of the actors, I realized that I was called to be up on that stage, too.”
That call, that tug on my heart, that whisper from the Holy Spirit, has been guiding me ever since. Every choice I have made since then has been guided by the decision to pursue the ministry I was called to as a twelve-year-old girl. To gain more stage experience, I pursued theatre in middle school and high school. To sharpen my speaking skills, I joined the high school speech team. To learn how to minister, I volunteered in my youth ministry, became a youth intern, and served on the staff of 3 other churches. I purposed in my heart to study communication and ministry, so I could be further equipped to live out my calling. So at Dallas Baptist University, I earned a B.A. in Communication Theory and I minored in Christian ministry. I served as a leader of the DBU Drama Team that traveled all over North Texas to minister to and perform for youth ministries. I was hired to be a Resident Assistant in the dorms and mentored more than 60 young women over my three years there at DBU. Then, I went on to Liberty University for graduate school and earned an M.A. in Counseling. I became a Certified Christian Life Coach through the American Association of Christian Counselors and had been working to build my this ministry of writing for, speaking to, and coaching young women since then.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
That’s a tricky question to answer! I’ve had this vision for so long and have understood the path I’ve wanted to take, but I wouldn’t say it’s been a smooth journey. There have been lots of bumps and twists and turns; lots of unexpected trials and several incredible victories.
Most of what motivates me is the many of the struggles that I have had to personally work through. I’ve been touched by death, divorce, disaster, abuse, adultery, and assault. I’ve fought a battle against depression and anxiety for over ten years now. I’ve been up and I’ve been down. I’ve been in and out of counseling and on and off of medicines.
All of this personal experience with trauma and tragedy has pushed me to seek hope, find joy, and chase grace. What I aspire to do is to help others do the same.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with 34:18 Ministries – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
34:18 Ministries is born straight from my heart and the vision I believe God gave to me at twelve years old. It is an organization serving all kinds of amazing women through life coaching, writing, and speaking. Based on Psalm 34:18, the heart behind the ministry is to create a safe place for the weak and weary, the stuck and uninspired, the worn and worried — to come together and find their joy.
The name comes from my favorite verse in the world, which is nestled in my favorite chapter of the whole Bible – Psalm 34:18. It says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” This verse is the first verse I ever memorized as a child. It is the verse I have repeated to myself over and over to help pull me out of depressive spells and anxious spirals. It is a verse that came into the life of my family at a time where all hope seemed lost. It is precious to my mother, it is precious to me, and it is what inspires this ministry.
This vision of the ministry comes to life primarily by offering life coaching services to all kinds of incredible women in all kinds of incredible walks of life. I use my education, skills, and certification in life coaching to bring organization, motivation, and education to the visions my clients bring me.
Leading with my weakness, as I like to say, is my approach to coaching. Being honest, open, and vulnerable with the people I work with is my brand, and what tends to set me apart from other coaches. I will never be the coach with a message that I have all the answers or that I have life all figured out. Rather, I am here to partner side-by-side with you, get in the trenches with you, and help you discover a life of joy, no matter the circumstances.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I am always looking eagerly toward the future and always taking steps to accomplish those goals! (I mean, I am a life coach after all – the name of the game here is goals!) So there are tons of plans for the future, big and small.
I am currently seeking kindred spirits to partner with, world-changers to join hands with, and cultural influencers with whom to further the mission. I want to expand the 34:18 community from an online group of gals to a tangible place to join together. I am writing a lot and hoping to get a couple of book projects finished. Basically, there is always a lot going on around here as this budding business and ministry blooms and grows!
Pricing:
- The Initial Coaching Session is completely FREE!
Contact Info:
- Website: 3418ministries.com
- Email: 3418ministries@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/3418ministires
- Facebook: facebook.com/3418ministires
- Other: 3418ministries.as.me
Image Credit:
Jeroen den Otter, Danielle MacInnes, Adria Miller Church, Clint Byers, Anna Sullivan, Kyle Glenn, Kara King, Jason Waite
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
