Today we’d like to introduce you to Faye Gatlin.
Faye, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey began with a desire to create something that would help people navigate real life struggles through faith, encouragement, and practical support. Through personal experiences, community outreach, and witnessing the challenges families face, including hardship, emotional struggles, financial difficulties, and the need for hope, I recognized a gap for resources that minister to both spiritual and everyday needs.
My story, however, was not built from success alone. It was built from survival. Life changed for me in a blink of an eye. I nearly lost my life after suffering from acute blood clots and severe medical complications. I experienced hemorrhaging, underwent multiple emergency surgeries, required blood filtering procedures, and needed four blood transfusions just to survive. I found myself fighting for my life while trying to understand how everything could change so suddenly.
After returning home from the hospital, I faced another devastating reality. I found myself dealing with divorce, homelessness, and a life that felt completely shattered. Nothing made sense. I kept asking God, “What is happening?” and “Why is this happening?” Every attempt to fix things on my own seemed to make matters worse.
During one of the darkest seasons of my life, people I believed would stand beside me walked away. While trying to recover my health, I had to learn how to function differently, including navigating life from a wheelchair, rebuilding strength, learning how to walk again, and learning to perform ordinary daily tasks in completely new ways. At the same time, I was dealing with a second failed marriage, family struggles, a rebellious teenager, and the reality of becoming permanently disabled and unable to work as I once had. Life as I knew it had completely changed.
In the middle of my questioning, grief, confusion, and pain, while I was asking God all the “what” and “why” questions, I heard Him speak clearly to my spirit: “I have work for you to do.” At that moment, I realized I had been trying to hold on to people, situations, and things that God Himself was trying to remove. I was holding tightly to what was familiar, while God was preparing me and my children for a new level and a greater purpose that I could not yet see.
What felt like loss was actually divine repositioning. What felt like brokenness was preparation. God began showing me that even when life appears to be in complete shambles, He is still present in the broken places. My pain gave me compassion. My struggles gave me understanding. My questions produced a deeper relationship with God and revealed a calling greater than my circumstances.
That journey ultimately led to the creation of God Given Grace 8 LLLP and our outreach initiative, The Family That Prays Together, founded to inspire healing, restoration, education, and transformation through faith centered content and community impact. We began creating devotionals, prayer resources, books, and educational materials designed to help individuals and families strengthen their relationship with God while gaining practical tools for life.
As we continued growing, our mission expanded into broader community initiatives, including outreach support, financial literacy education through resources like Collections Handled God’s Way, mentoring efforts, and support for youth and young adults transitioning from foster care and difficult circumstances.
Today, our work continues to grow through publishing, digital platforms, community partnerships, and educational initiatives. What started as a calling to help others through prayer and faith evolved into a larger mission: helping individuals and families who feel broken, overlooked, or overwhelmed realize that their story does not end in hardship. There is still hope, healing, purpose, and a future beyond the pain.
As we continue growing, our vision extends far beyond where we are today. We ultimately hope to become a global movement that reaches individuals and families around the world through faith based resources, education, outreach initiatives, and transformational support. Our prayer is that what God birthed through pain, perseverance, and purpose will continue impacting lives across communities, cities, nations, and generations to come.
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?
No, it has definitely not been a smooth road. The journey has been filled with challenges that tested me physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially. Some of the struggles were not typical business obstacles. They were life altering experiences that completely changed the course of my life.
I nearly lost my life after suffering from acute blood clots and severe medical complications. I experienced hemorrhaging, multiple emergency surgeries, blood filtering procedures, and required four blood transfusions while literally fighting for my life. Overnight, my world changed. After coming home from the hospital, I faced divorce, homelessness, and had to process the reality of becoming permanently disabled. I found myself learning how to live differently, navigating life from a wheelchair, rebuilding strength, learning how to walk again, and trying to perform daily tasks in ways I had never imagined.
At the same time, I was dealing with personal heartbreak, family challenges, raising children through difficult transitions, and the pain of people walking away during some of the hardest moments of my life. There were seasons when I questioned God and wondered why everything seemed to be falling apart. I kept asking, “What is happening?” and “Why is this happening?”
Another major challenge has been rebuilding personal stability and finances for myself and my family while simultaneously building a purpose driven organization. While working to meet our own basic living needs and recover from major life transitions, we still chose to invest in the vision God placed before us. To date, we have personally poured more than $18,000 of our own resources into building this entity because we believed in the mission and the people we are called to serve.
That process has ministered to me personally in ways I never expected. There were moments when releasing resources required tremendous faith because, naturally speaking, those were resources my family and I needed ourselves. Yet I kept hearing the call to trust God and continue moving forward in obedience. Stepping out on faith while facing uncertainty is not easy. Faith does come with a cost. Sometimes it requires releasing what feels safe and trusting God with what feels impossible.
On the business side, building a mission driven organization while navigating personal hardships came with its own challenges. Limited resources, funding barriers, learning new systems, and trying to build something meaningful while healing personally was not easy. There were moments when I wanted answers and immediate relief, but God was teaching me trust, obedience, and preparation.
Looking back now, I realize many of the things I thought were breaking me were actually shaping me. During that difficult season, I heard God say, “I have work for you to do.” I later realized I had been trying to hold on to people and situations God was removing to prepare me and my children for the next chapter He had planned. The road has not been smooth, but every struggle became part of the testimony and purpose behind why we do what we do today.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
We are a faith centered organization and community focused initiative dedicated to helping individuals and families navigate real life challenges through prayer, encouragement, education, practical resources, and transformational support. Through God Given Grace 8 LLLP and our brand, The Family That Prays Together, we create books, devotionals, prayer resources, educational materials, community outreach initiatives, and faith based content designed to bring hope, healing, and practical guidance to everyday life situations.
Our work is deeply rooted in family because family is at the center of who we are, and each of us brings unique experiences and expertise that help shape our mission.
I am a retired Department of Defense federal contract IT Network Administrator with specialized experience in government networking, network security, network infrastructure building, computer systems maintenance, technical support, computer building, and enterprise technology environments. My background included building, maintaining, securing, and supporting network systems and technology infrastructures critical to operations. I am also a DOT professional driver and have built experience across multiple industries throughout my career.
In addition, I previously owned and operated other businesses that were later dissolved as I transitioned into new ventures and pursued opportunities in different areas. Those experiences taught me valuable lessons about leadership, adaptability, entrepreneurship, reinvention, and trusting God’s direction even when the path changes unexpectedly. My professional journey strengthened my understanding of technology, systems management, business development, and resilience through seasons of transition.
Here is the updated Trinity section with your addition incorporated thoughtfully and professionally:
My daughter, Trinity, specializes in DJJ law enforcement and youth related services. Her work reflects dedication, discipline, protection, and a passion for supporting and serving individuals facing difficult circumstances and life challenges. Trinity is also a mother of two and balances the responsibilities of family, career, and service while navigating significant personal challenges of her own. She manages severe ADHD while continuing to push forward with determination, strength, and perseverance. Her journey reflects resilience and commitment, demonstrating that obstacles and personal challenges do not define a person’s ability to lead, serve, or make an impact. Her ability to continue showing up for her family and profession while overcoming challenges is a testimony to faith, endurance, and purpose.
My son, David, specializes in restaurant management and leadership and holds certifications including ServSafe, life insurance certification, and proxy certification. David has also navigated his own journey while living with autism spectrum related challenges and other disabilities. His determination, perseverance, and commitment to growth continue to inspire us because he demonstrates that limitations do not define a person’s value, purpose, or ability to succeed.
Our grandchildren are simply a blessing, bringing joy, love, and daily reminders of why building legacy and creating impact matters.
Together, our experiences from different walks of life contribute to the vision and mission behind our organization. We understand that people do not live life in categories. Families experience spiritual needs, emotional struggles, financial hardship, health challenges, disabilities, and everyday obstacles all at the same time. Because of this, our mission is to help people in a holistic way.
We specialize in meeting people where they are, especially individuals and families facing difficult seasons such as emotional hardship, broken relationships, financial struggles, uncertainty, grief, family challenges, and life transitions. We also provide financial literacy education through resources such as Collections Handled God’s Way, helping people approach financial stewardship and life decisions through practical and faith centered principles.
What sets us apart is authenticity. We are not serving from theory. We are serving from experience. We understand hardship because we have walked through it. We understand rebuilding because we have had to rebuild. We understand what it means to face adversity while still choosing faith, purpose, and perseverance. That combination of lived experience, family values, transparency, and service is what makes our work unique.
This perspective has also strengthened our family’s understanding that many individuals quietly navigate invisible challenges every day while still carrying responsibilities, caring for others, and pursuing purpose. That lived experience deepens the compassion and authenticity we bring to the work we do through God Given Grace 8 LLLP and The Family That Prays Together.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Over the next 5 to 10 years, I believe our industry will continue evolving far beyond traditional publishing or content creation. Faith based organizations, community initiatives, education, and outreach efforts are increasingly moving toward digital platforms, technology integration, and more personalized ways of connecting with people. People are searching not only for information, but for authentic connection, practical support, healing, and communities where they feel seen and understood.
One of the biggest shifts I see is the continued expansion of digital faith based content through online communities, mobile platforms, virtual learning, AI assisted educational tools, podcasts, streaming, digital publishing, and interactive resources. Technology is changing the way people learn, communicate, and engage with faith centered content. We are already seeing people seeking encouragement, prayer, mentorship, and support in spaces beyond traditional church walls.
I also believe there will be a growing demand for organizations that combine faith with practical life solutions. People are facing complex challenges involving mental and emotional wellness, financial hardship, family struggles, disabilities, youth development, and life transitions. Communities are looking for organizations that can provide not only inspiration, but practical tools, education, and real world support.
Another major shift is authenticity. People increasingly value transparency and lived experience. They want to hear from individuals and organizations that understand hardship because they have actually walked through it. I believe testimony, real stories, and purpose driven missions will continue carrying significant impact.
For God Given Grace 8 LLLP and our brand, The Family That Prays Together, we hope to be part of that evolution. We are exploring ways to continue expanding through digital platforms, books, educational resources, AI driven tools, outreach initiatives, mentoring, and community support systems that can reach people wherever they are.
Ultimately, I believe the future of this industry will become more global, more technology driven, and more community centered. The organizations that will thrive are those willing to evolve while staying grounded in purpose, faith, and serving people with authenticity.
Pricing:
- Softcover books: Starting at $19.99 • Hardcover books: Starting at $29.99
- Faith based coaching and consultation sessions: Starting at $99 per session
- Prayer Warrior Community Membership: $2.99 per month Includes opportunities to support community outreach initiatives, prayer support efforts, encouragement resources, and programs that assist children, families, and young adults transitioning through difficult life circumstances.
- Financial literacy ebooks and educational resources, including Collections Handled God’s Way: Starting at $9.99, with pricing varying based on companion workbooks, expanded editions, and educational packages Devotionals, prayer resources, and specialized digital materials: Pricing varies based on content and format
- Community outreach programs and future educational initiatives: Some resources are offered free or through sponsorship and donation support
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thefamilythatprays.com and https://thefamilythatpraystogether.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_thefamilythatprays
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18gaVohQPG/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/godgivengrace8
