Today we’d like to introduce you to Stefanie Jane Martino.
Stefanie Jane, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Growing up, my Dad was in the music business. I have always loved singing and dancing, especially when I am working toward a performance. But I saw the life it offered. The continual nights in bars. I was raised by alcoholics; I didn’t want to spend my adult years exposing myself to that. When I was pregnant, I promised my little girl I would give her everything I didn’t have growing up. So, I walked away from performing.
But one day, as I played my piano, God tapped me on my shoulder and asked, “Did I give you these talents to entertain yourself?” I immediately stopped playing and laughed at His question. I believed I was honoring God by not playing out. But I asked God what He wanted me to do, and He instructed me to write my album, “See Me Change?” So, I began to write.
I was given the opportunity to sign with a huge record label. But in the studio, after a long day of recording, sitting behind the sound booth, with Grammys all around me, the producer looked me right in the eyes and said, “You know how this works, don’t you?” I instantly had that sick feeling, where you feel the heaviness in the pit of your stomach. My album is about healing from sexual abuse and trauma, and the producer knew that. He said, “It’s a great message, it will resonate with so many women.” With tears in my eyes, I reminded him I owned all the copyrights to the lyrics and left the studio.
By the grace of God, producer Paul Osborn with Audio Dallas and I met up. We created an amazing project together, and I released, See Me Change? as an independent musician. After I released my album, I sent it to every sexual abuse healing center in the DFW that I could find. One of the executive directors from a rape crisis center reached out to me. We talked for two hours, and by the end of the phone call, I agreed to go through the training to become an advocate for sexual assault survivors in Texas.
This started me on a path I never thought I would be on. Since 2008, I have been extremely active in the community, helping women of sexual abuse feel seen and heard, directing them toward a life of safety and healing. In the last 18 years, I have partnered with 20 different organizations that help women of sexual abuse. While I was busy in the secular world, God slowly opened doors for me to share my testimony in the church. I have since had my testimony published in 4 books, magazines, and many different podcasts. Plus, I love traveling to Brazil on mission for Christ as I share my testimony.
In the midst of sharing my testimony within the church, I noticed areas that needed to be filled. Sexual abuse is not an easy topic to discuss. I understand that. But God wants us to bring His light into the darkness. This is the darkest subject to discuss, so it is most critical to bring the Light in. By God’s grace, He has gifted me with the ability to communicate and spark hope within a survivor.
But, once again, God tapped me on the shoulder. He instructed me to write, “Fear Not For You Are Redeemed.” It is a 365-day devotional journey walking you through your healing with Jesus. God has ignited my passion to preach the Word of God to women who have been affected by trauma. I know firsthand the importance of completely relying on God to transform from the inside out. God is near, and He can heal the broken-hearted. I am living proof, regardless of your surroundings, or how distorted it all feels, if you truly seek a way out, He will lead.
Sharing Hope In Healing organization was birthed out of obedience to God. Stefaine Jane, the founder, has just released her workshop, Mountain Top Vision, Stepping Into A Life of Healing. This is a 6-hour workshop. Helping women find the road map on how to live the Bible out while finding their healing with Jesus through a personal relationship with Him.
Stefanie still feels strongly about being an advocate for sexual abuse survivors first. If you need help getting out of a dangerous situation or you are looking for a place to further your healing, Stefanie has a page on her website that has many resources here in the DFW @ https://www.stefaniejane.com/a-place-for-help
To all the survivors out there. I promise, you are worth the effort to find your safety and healing.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been an easy road. I am a firm believer that it takes a lot of no’s to find the right path that is a yes toward the real purpose of the calling.
As stated on the last page, what happened in the first studio felt like a huge obstacle. In my mind, I could reach the biggest audience by signing with a record company. But the obstacle didn’t stop me; it forced me to find a new solution. The obstacle directed me toward my calling to become an advocate, to fall in love with leading small groups, where I have the privilege to lead survivors in their ability to find their own purpose.
Satan doesn’t like the work I do for Christ. I have had to deal with many obstacles. As soon as one breakthrough happens, a point for God, Satan comes along and tries to counteract… But I refuse to not shine God’s glory.
In 2014, I was working in my ministry 40 hours a week. I personally touched the lives of 200 women that year. The same year, I found out my 15-year-old daughter was pregnant. So, I stepped back from ministry and helped raise my granddaughter. But it also gave me the time to write my book, Fear Not, For You Are Redeemed. The week my book was released was the beginning of the long road of my divorce from my cheating husband of 20 years.
I have many stories of the challenges I have had to overcome. But Sharing Hope In Healing is something I will never stop doing.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Sharing Hope In Healing was founded by Stefanie Jane.
Stefanie Jane is a survivor of child sexual abuse and rape. She uses all forms of media to connect with other survivors, but more importantly, to evangelize and share her hope in healing. Stefanie is an author, singer, speaker, and advocate for survivors of sexual abuse. Stefanie Jane communicates truthfully, from the heart.
Stefanie’s workshop, “Mountain Top Vision, Stepping Into A Life of Healing,” has just been released. It is an interactive workshop. Teaching the participants how to start their healing journey from sexual abuse or trauma, by applying God’s Word into their lives. While they discover who God created them to be. This can be taught in six, one-hour sessions or at a weekend retreat.
Stefanie’s “Fear Not For You Are Redeemed” book was recently released. It is a 365-day devotional pursuing healing in the name of Jesus. In 2009, Stefanie Jane released her album “See Me Change?” which walks listeners through her healing path. As a trained advocate, she knows how to use her talents to shine God’s light on this dark subject. Stefanie loves to share her hope in healing through Jesus Christ, in all the various positions God places her.
www.sharinghopeinhealing.org and www.stefaniejane.com
email: stefanie@stefaniejane.com
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, my happiest moments were when the music was on or when my Dad was playing with the band. I loved the crowd, I loved the people, the community it brought together. In Louisiana, there is nothing better than poolside fun and all the musicians pulling out their instruments.
In third grade, I had a court-appointed mental health therapist. I was required to see her every other week for 6 months. At the first meeting, I asked her if she had ever been touched inappropriately. She said, “No,” so I refused to talk to her. I sat there every week fulfilling my time requirement, but I refused to talk. One day, she said, “If you won’t talk to me, fine, but do yourself a favor and start writing your thoughts and feelings out before they control you.” I took her advice. Little did I know that this became my practice for writing my book.
Growing up was complicated. I grew up in the church, but I endured consistent abuse. Learning that God wasn’t like the father figures in my family was not easy, but God is faithful to show Himself true.
Pricing:
- My book is $20
- My album is avalible on streaming services
- My workshop is $100 a person when I host it
- My workshop is $1000 for churches to host me
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stefaniejane.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stefaniejane17
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/StefanieJaneMartino
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanie-jane-sharing-hope-in-healing/
- Twitter: https://x.com/stefanie_jane
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@StefanieJaneMartino
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/stefanie-jane
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735808997/ref=cm_sw_r_em_api_i_R65YJDYYAMNRFF80N28P
