Diva Zone ™ Magazine Power Couples February 2018 - Teaser Issue | Page 4

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When God Speaks,
THE WISE LISTEN: A Heart to
Heart Chat with Pastor Samuel
and First Lady Donna Hayes
by Najiyyah Brooks
“I Met My Husband!” I remember my sister
of 25 years, Donna, excitedly proclaiming, in a
phone call to me over ten years ago. When
she told me how they met and how long they ’d
known each other before she was sure of this
truth, - although quick by the world’s standard
- I was immediately convinced. Donna has
always been spirit led so I knew that this was
serious. Their cour tship was one of stor y
books and their now ten-year marriage has
been a beautiful page turner and one full of
the glor y of God.
in the hallway that God had revealed to him
his wife. The funny par t is when they asked
him who I was his only response “ We have not
formally met, I don’t know her name, but God
has spoken.” And I absolutely heard God say to
me during that same encounter “ There is your
husband.”
PC: How long did you date before marriage?
Hayes: We would love to weigh in on the
necessit y of relational dating. We believe
people date for a variet y of reasons to ascer tain
suitabilit y; feasibilit y of a good time or to grow
When God gave me the vision four years ago stronger in love. However, two people of faith
to publish a magazine that promoted love, believing God has spoken must surrender
communication, healthy relationships, and to the command here is your husband/wife.
balanced Christ-centered marriage, The Hayes The problem with dating seems to be people
were my f irst and only choice to grace the f irst look for hints to uncommit or highlight
cover!
inadequacies that illuminate imper fections
It is my distinct honor to introduce to many justif ying relational f light. The longer the
and present to some, my friends, Donna and dating period the greater focus on negative
Sam Hayes. God’s way is the best way. Singles, attributes creating doubt /anxiet y. There is a
dif ference between secular falling in love and
this is note taking material. Enjoy!
Divine rising in love. We all fall in the process
Disclaimer from The Hayes: We are going of love the power of God in the midst of the
to answer from the foundation of Divinely falling raises you together as one. So, the
Imputed Wisdom; not a worldly practical raising of a couple in love must have a purpose
voice. Some people will believe what we no one wants to keep falling and rising to date
are saying is unreasonable and we will however falling and rising for a married couple
agree what we say may be impractical for is foundational. We guess what we are tr ying
those who are not completely trusting to say is why waste all of this ef for t on dating
in God’s power. Notwithstanding, we ask when you could be writing a marital narrative.
each reader to join us in an upper room
understanding believing in the power of PC: What was it that attracted you initially?
(Donna and Sam provide answers)
the Holy Ghost for success.
Sam: When my f irst wife passed away I came
to understand things had changed. I had
Hayes: We have been married 10 years been in a relationship with her from 13 years
September 2017.
of age married the day af ter I turned 19 and
honoring the covenant till death do us par t for
PC: How did you meet?
23 years. So, I was not prepared for the fast
Hayes: We met at a Church Conference.
pace or the many side roads I can recall pulling
PC: Did you know immediately that you had my car over to the end of the base airpor t
met your wife/husband?
runway with tears in my eyes declaring to God
Hayes: Yes, we knew instantly it was a “I can’t do this, I need restoration dating is not
ver y spiritual moment. God was speaking for me.” I was not attracted to that lifest yle
profoundly in the corridors of the Sheraton at all whatsoever. So, I had to wait for my gif t
Hotel and we were able to conf irm this when from on high and the best way I can explain it
we reconciled our narratives. He subsequently is using the example in the book of Acts when
shared with his church members and friends God told His disciples to go, wait and pray and
af ter speaking to me as we passed one another you will receive power af ter the Holy Ghost has
PC: How long have you two been married?