Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeremy Stone
Hi Jeremy, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started serving in the ministry with my grandmother, Apostle Mary Gardner, at the age of 9.
My grandmother and my mother, Pastor Tefe Stone, were my anchors. They instilled prayer, faith, and an understanding of biblical principles in me. I’ve always known I’d serve in a strong leadership capacity. It never had to be pastoring, but I knew I was gifted to be leading somewhere in the world.
The absence of my biological father afforded me the opportunity to watch strong women in leadership, not just in the church but in life as well. Women of influence like Apostle Julia G. Berry, Dr. Kajuansa Cornelius, Dr. Brenda Dixey, Dr. Debra Tann, and the list goes on. I watched these women pour their life to educate and empower young gifted – and challenged youth such as myself. I work as hard as I do now to change lives because I feel as though I am indebted to those women for their sacrifice, and the greatest way I can pay them back…is to pay it forward!
I grew up in church so I became fascinated with the charisma, excitement, and expression of worship. From playing church to now being able to minister for some of my favorite preachers and mentors has been so inspiring for me. I used to set up my room as an entire church setting and spent hours yelling, hollering and turning pages in bibles. Most kids wanted toys and games as gifts…some collected cards and cars… I collected bibles! Weird, I know. I eventually grew out of preaching on my grandmother’s front porch to her bushes and neighbors, to wanting to be like the street guy. Thats what the girls I liked, liked (lol.) I went from wearing robes to polos and baggy pants. I went through that whole trying to fit in stage and it never worked for me. I kept going through the changes because I never gave Jeremy a chance to just be Jeremy.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
In the words of Langston Hughes, “Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair!”
I had to learn how to navigate several transitions from public school to private school because my behavior problems kept me from being able to maintain a strong school background. While my mother has been such a strong influence in my life, I recall the times I battled with feeling like I failed her because there were years I just couldn’t get it right. I remember one night I went in the living room and my mother was boohoo crying. I watched my mom navigate struggle, in her own right she was a super woman! Yes, we had help. That’s not our testimony. But after a while you get tired of being the family burden. Having a child at 19, never finishing college until she was well in her 30s/40s… I watched my mom get the job done! She worked, served in the church, kept her head leveled, and literally gave us the best she had. My immaturity made me ungrateful back then, but I’m so glad I saw her cry, but I never saw her quit!
I was the only child for 7 years until my little brother came along. I always longed for brotherhood, so of course I hung around the block, and felt like if I was a part of a gang it’d help fill that void. It worked for some…but it never worked for me. To this day, I’m still friends with some of those guys, but God would only let me go but so far.
My greatest challenge was learning myself. It took me years to develop a solid confidence in myself. I hid my insecurity and rejection in seeking pleasure from places that often times left me more wounded than empowered. So I ran. I ran from school to school. Ran from job to job. Ran from woman to woman, and essentially ran into the church again at the age of 18. That’s when God began to change my life! I rededicated my life with the intent to give God my all. I soon learned that that was easier said than done! I’ve made a many mistakes since then, but I’ve gotten better at drawing closer to God when I mess up, verses running from Him.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My business is a consulting company for creatives looking to find their prophetic and creative edge through personal coaching and development. I’m not only interested in strengthening your brand for the public, I want to get to the core of your life so that your private life will continue to yield public success.
What makes me different from everyone else is – the group nobody wants – is the very ones I’m called to! Everyone has a journey, and no one man’s journey is the same. But the same man can help any man on his journey in many different ways. That’s my job. To be your voice of transition and triumph while navigating whatever space of your journey you are in. From pastoral leadership, to student development, to organizational structure, my gift is to bring you to your most creative self.
My brand includes ministerial training, mentorship coverage, apparel, and leadership training workshops, seminars, and conferences.
What matters most to you?
Family! My grandmother was adopted, so I come from a small family. I lived in the same house for 29 years. My hood was my family. From the neighbors to helped me ride my bike, to my current neighbor who still gets my mails and packages off my porch for me when I’m out of town… i absolutely LOVE family.
I’m the proud father of one beautiful baby girl. She came into my life during one of the most difficult transitions I had endured….divorce. While losing one component of family, God compensated and gave me a sure blessing through my own seed.
I’m blessed to still have my grandmother, the matriarch of our family, still here to see our family growing. Growing up all I knew was mom, aunt, uncle. My uncle lives in Houston, so every Sunday we would do family dinner with my mom, my grandma and a few members of the church. Sleep in peace Elder Jimmy Parker. I’ve recently longed for that nostalgic moment, so I make it my business to take my girls out to eat after church on Sundays to bring that feeling and tradition back. Now, between two churches, and a consistently growing family, I believe now I have more family than I can handle, but as the older generation would say, “I wouldn’t take nothing for the journey!”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thestrongernetwork.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialjstone?igsh=b2poajM1Y2gwM2Z3&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeremy.stone.9?mibextid=JRoKGi
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@jeremystone94?si=kHo0Wj65IRrTRmKC
