Today, we’d like to introduce you to Mardana Tolbert. Mardana was introduced to us by the brilliant and talented Kim Petitt.
Mardana, thank you so much for joining us today. We’d love for you to bring our readers up to speed – can you introduce yourself and share your story?
Hello, my name is Mardana Hunter. As a child my parents didn’t go to church much. However, they sent their kids; my older sister and younger brother. We would go either on the church van, my dad would drop us off or we’d walk. Nonetheless, they made sure we went. I was tuned in to what the preacher was talking about as a 2nd grader. I was tuned in so much, that when my parents would say we didn’t have to go to church, I would cry and beg my parents to take me. I remember one time, the church can was broken, I begged my parents to take me.
My siblings went because my parents told them to go. I was so excited to go. There was a lady in our neighborhood who would have a Bible study. She used puppets and paper people. She would cut out the characters in the Bible story. May God bless her wherever she may be. I was so blessed by her stories.
As I grew to I continued to enthralled anytime someone mentioned the name Jesus! I wanted to know more and more about Him.
When I was in Middle school I met a girl named Carla. She introduced me to her church. It was a Baptist church. I was used to attending a Catholic Church. I remember my first encounter with the Baptist church, It felt like a family I had never met. I fell in love right away. I was so in love with the teachings of Jesus, I stayed at the church until I was a young adult and Carla said it was too much to follow her mother who did not follow the teachings of Jesus at home.
I still reference Saint James Missionary Baptist church when I think about where and when I gave my life to Christ.
Living in a family who believe that being saved is living a life of
treating people the way they want to be treated, is a struggle for me. Once I was saved, I wanted my whole household to be saved.
Over the years, my parents watched me endure trials and tribulations and thought that I was crazy for trusting in God. When I had cancer, I went to one of my treatments. As I walked in the doctor’s office, I spoke to everyone at the desk. One of the nurses became teary eyed. I thought she had allergies. She said, I’m sorry. I just don’t understand how you can be so happy when you come in for treatments. She went on to say, I get angry about the smallest things and you are enduring radiation treatments like it’s just a routine doctor’s visit.
I just know that if I’m going to trust in God, I must be All IN! I can’t trust in God and not act like it. Otherwise it’s not trust at all.
I’m all in. I’ll wear the T-shirt, I’ll live the life that sing about and I will try to live a God-intended life for the rest of my life!
Let’s talk about your work and career – what else should we know?
I have been a Math Teacher for 17 years. I try to look at my time with students as ministry.
So, as we mentioned to our audience earlier, you were introduced to us by Kim Petitt and M-POWERED and we really admire them and what they’ve built. For folks who might not be as familiar, can you tell them a bit about your experience with M-POWERED.
Your brand motivates me! It encourages me to strive for greatness!
Facebook: Mardana Hunter
Image Credits
Selfie: living a God-centered life
