Today we’d like to introduce you to Teresa Rice.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born and raised in Greensboro, North Carolina, in a close-knit family where both ministry and hard work in the secular world shaped who I am today. From the time I was a little girl, singing was my passion, and God allowed me the honor of sharing the stage with many accredited artists.
But in 2005, even with all those accomplishments, I felt an emptiness inside—a nudge that there was more God was calling me to. Though it was frightening, I stepped out of my comfort zone and relocated to Houston, Texas. I arrived in a big city with no family or loved ones, nervous but determined to obey the voice of God. That obedience unlocked passions in me I didn’t even realize were lying dormant.
In 2007, I launched TSP (The Secret Place) Ministries, which birthed the annual PK (Preacher’s Kids) Conference—a place of healing for the Body of Christ. From there, doors continued to open. Through conferences, wellness retreats, and ministry work, lives were impacted, and out of that came LIFT (Ladies in Fellowship Together). LIFT became a movement where women from all walks of life gather to fellowship, grow, and apply biblical principles to everyday challenges. What started small has now grown to four active chapters serving Humble, Texas; Lake Charles, Louisiana; North Carolina; and Virginia.
Along this journey, I became a certified life coach and a board-certified Christian counselor. I’m now preparing to launch You Transform Academy and my upcoming podcast, You Transform: Conversations for Change.
Today, I wear many hats—wife to the love of my life, Pastor Eric Bernard Rice; mother, grandmother, businesswoman, executive pastor, and founder of LIFT. But more than titles, my greatest desire is to serve as a midwife to women—to help them birth their God-given purpose.
My story is still unfolding, but if there’s one thread that ties it all together, it’s this: every step I’ve taken has been about saying yes to God’s leading—and in doing so, helping others discover their own “yes.”
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Has it been a smooth road?
Not at all. When I first stepped out, I was supposed to be in a five-year contract, but it ended in three. One of the hardest decisions I ever made was leaving my children behind for a season as I tested the path God was calling me to. It broke my heart, and at times I felt like I had abandoned them, even though my intention was to create a better life for all of us.
Those years brought many obstacles and some very dark moments. I thought I understood faith until I had to walk it out completely alone—depending on God in ways I never had before. Through prayer, tears, and trusting Him step by step, God brought us through.
Looking back, I see how the struggles shaped not only me but also my children. It built strength, resilience, and faith in them, preparing them for their own journeys. And it deepened my desire to help other women know that they are not alone—God can bring beauty out of even the hardest seasons.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about L.I.F.T (Ladies In Fellowship Together)?
I am the founder of LIFT (Ladies in Fellowship Together), a community and movement created to help women grow, heal, and become all that God has called them to be. Through everyday life skills, wellness conferences, and our signature program “Take Flight with LIFT,” we motivate and equip women to thrive as wives, mothers, sisters, leaders, and influencers in their families and communities.
What sets LIFT apart is the atmosphere we intentionally create. I’ve learned to truly listen—to hear the heart of the vessel—and to provide a safe place where women can share openly without judgment. In that space of authenticity, healing happens, confidence is restored, and transformation begins.
I’m most proud of the fact that LIFT is more than an organization—it’s a sisterhood. It has been tried and proven through countless testimonies. We’ve watched women transform right before our eyes simply because they were given a place to heal, grow, and believe again.
In addition to our annual wellness conferences, LIFT offers both in-person and virtual opportunities to stay connected. Our headquarters is in Humble, Texas, but women can engage with us from anywhere through Zoom classes and online gatherings. We host a variety of touchpoints including our Book Club, Inner Circle, “Disciple-Her” Class, Wisdom Wednesdays on Facebook, and our morning prayer call, “Get Up with LIFT.”
Whether meeting virtually or in person, women are able to find their place in this community, receive encouragement, and grow spiritually and personally. For those who want to stay connected, they can subscribe at LiftHOJ.com and become part of a sisterhood that is truly transforming lives.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I love most about Houston is the energy—it’s a city that’s always alive with something to do. There are endless opportunities to connect, meet new people, and reach communities from all different walks of life. The diversity here creates space for real impact and genuine relationships.
What I like least is the heat and the traffic. It can take a while to get where you’re going, but even with that, the opportunities and connections this city offers outweigh the challenges.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.lifthoj.com
- Facebook: Lifthoj
- Youtube: Lifthoj
Image Credits
Photo Credits: The Becoming Project
