Minister Erica Standley is a passionate, determined, faith-filled servant of GOD. Minister Erica Standley has a big heart and a passion for serving God and helping others discover their identity in Christ. In addition, she is a true warrior for Christ. An old gospel song says, “I fight all my battles on my knees.” This phase explains how Minster Erica fights her battle. She is literally a posterboard of GOD’S Grace. There is no doubt that people are experiencing the Grace of God when they look at and encounter Minister Erica. Despite what she’s been through, she doesn’t look like what she’s been through. She has overcome many battles, some of which she has never discussed.
When she’s not exhorting and encouraging people or teaching life and biblical principles that assist people in becoming their best selves according to GOD’s WORD, Minister Erica prays for her fellow sisters in Christ. Minister Erica is the founder and CEO of We Pray By Faith LLC and Sisters of Faith Prayer Fellowship International. Erica founded both ministries as a way to use her gift to serve GOD and to be a help to others. Furthermore, Erica just wanted to serve God by being a testimony of how GOD can take any situation, good or bad, and turn it to bless you.
Leticia Starks-Underwood: Who is Minister Erica Standley?
Minister Erica L. Standley: My name is Minister Erica L. Standley. I am the founder and CEO of We Pray By Faith LLC and Sisters of Faith Prayer Fellowship International. I was born and raised in Missouri, USA, and I graduated from Faith Bible College with a Master’s degree in Christian Psychology. I am a mental health advocate and the author of “The Courage to Beat Depression,” and I am also a conference speaker, worship leader, and digital content creator. I have a passion to see people come to know Jesus and grow in their faith by teaching them how to live a purposeful, practical, and powerful life through the Biblical principles of discipleship and prayer.
I love specialty coffee, cooking, and watching competitive cooking shows. I love self-care in a practical sense. I am an avid gospel music enthusiast! Some of my favorite artists are: Commissioned, Dawkins & Dawkins, Jor’dan Armstrong, BeBe, and CeCe Winans circa the ’80s to ’90s, and a lot of other independent Gospel artists. I also enjoy listening to genres like Christian Hip Hop, Rhythm and Praise, Afro Beat Gospel, Worship music, and some CCM. l greatly appreciate learning new things. I am very committed to nurturing relationships with the people around me. In addition to my other entrepreneurial ventures, I am currently working in financial services because I strongly believe that the Body of Christ has the practical life skills and financial resources necessary to fulfill the Great Commission.
Leticia Starks-Underwood: Let’s begin with Sisters of Faith Prayer Fellowship International.
What is the purpose or intent of Sisters of Faith Prayer Fellowship International?
Minister Erica L. Standley: In 2013, God laid it on my heart to begin a prayer ministry specifically for women. I founded Sisters of Faith Prayer Fellowship International as the women’s ministry arm of We Pray By Faith LLC. It started as a weekly prayer call and Facebook page for women where we could pray and encourage one another. Since then, the ministry has grown to reach women and even some men through YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and in-person ministry.
Leticia Starks-Underwood: Why do you believe it is vital?
Minister Erica L. Standley: The Body of Christ must be fully equipped, empowered, and deployed as a united, global community of purpose-driven disciples and prayer warriors. Matthew 28:19
Leticia Starks-Underwood: What need or desire drove you to start a Faith Prayer Fellowship
Minister Erica L. Standley: In 2011, I had a near-fatal car accident. After waking up from being unconscious for quite some time, the doctor diagnosed me with epilepsy. I was having grand mal seizures regularly and multiple episodes at night. It was a challenging season of loss, and I went into a deep depression. During this time, God showed me that despite what I was going through, He wanted me to connect with other women in prayer. With this new assignment, I realized I needed to focus on giving to others and trust God to complete the healing work He started in me.
Leticia Starks-Underwood: If so desired, how can people get involved with and contact Sisters of Faith Prayer Fellowship International? Please provide our listeners/readers with your email address and phone number for Sisters of Faith Prayer Fellowship International.
Minister Erica L. Standley: Absolutely. They can reach me using this link in one click: linktr.ee/ministerericalstandley This has all my platforms in the same place. Those are my email, IG, YouTube, FB, and weekly blog.
Leticia Starks-Underwood: And now, We Pray By Faith LLC? What is the vision of We Pray By Faith LLC?
Minister Erica L. Standley: The vision of We Pray By Faith LLC is to see the Body of Christ disciplined and deployed with the Biblical principles, practical life skills, and financial resources necessary to fulfill the Great Commission.
Leticia Starks-Underwood: What need or desire drove you to start We Pray By Faith LLC?
Minister Erica L. Standley: My desire to teach people how to live a purposeful, practical, and powerful life through the Biblical principles of discipleship and prayer led me to found We Pray By Faith LLC.
Leticia Starks-Underwood: What are your hopes and dreams for We Pray By Faith LLC?
Minister Erica L. Standley: I’m on a mission to build, equip, and empower a global community of purpose-driven and Biblically-sound disciples and prayer warriors through spiritual mentorship and resources, practical life skills, conferences, and prayer retreats.
Leticia Starks-Underwood: Can you tell us about the challenges and obstacles you encountered while starting your ministry and business, whether personal, public, or both?
Minister Erica L. Standley: I think there were times when I questioned myself. I grew up in ministry, but there were times I stepped back from the spotlight because it was a lot of pressure. I would second-guess myself. I sometimes felt like the undertaking was more than I could handle. The truth was that it wasn’t for me to do it alone. God was the One who was beside me the entire time. He carried me a lot of times. When I went through things, I struggled with shame or condemnation as I believed I should be perfect for teaching and leading others. Even though I am NOT perfect, God has used everything I have gone through, even my accident and health concerns, for His glory.
Leticia Starks-Underwood: What advice do you have for women who want to start a ministry but feel they have neither the time nor the resources? What advice would you give them?
Minister Erica L. Standley: My advice to anyone who believes they are called to a public platform is to make sure this is the will of God. You have to be graced for everything you do. If you believe He is calling you to business, educate yourself in the field, you are called to be in. If you are called to the ministry, do the same. Learn and grow. Get accountability and support. Find a mentor if you can. When it comes to provision, get seed into good ground. Then trust God for the increase. I believe in the tithe and offerings. When God leads you anywhere, He provides, anoints, and strengthens you. If it’s God’s will, it’s God’s will. You have to step out on faith. I recently felt God calling me to get more professional in my ministry. He was telling me to launch into the deep. I had to trust Him. I was nervous, but God has handled all that I needed from start to finish. Lastly, make God’s purpose a priority. That means you cannot be everything to everyone. It may mean you cannot go everywhere. That’s okay. Keep the Lord the main thing in your life. He will prosper you in all that you do.
Leticia Starks-Underwood:
Minister Erica Standley, thank you for your example and for trusting GOD. You are a true testament to Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” May GOD continue to bless you and your ministry for the advancement of the Kingdom.
Written By: Leticia Starks-Underwood
Leticia Starks-Underwood is an educator, mentor, student, author, publisher, and podcaster. She holds a B.A. in Biblical Literature from Taylor University Upland, a Master’s and Doctorate in Christian Education from Cornerstone Bible College, Intl Fort Wayne, Indiana. She also holds several Certificates from Cornerstone Bible College, International. She holds a certificate in Book Publishing from IAP Career College. She currently serves as an educator at Cornerstone Christian College Prep Day and High School International, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She is the Founder of You Can Make It Inspiration Online and Print Magazine. She also published several books, which includes “You Can Make It: Hope On The Journey of Motherhood.” She is the founder of The You Can Make It Podcast, Currently Christian Inspiration Blog, as well as The J and J Royal Kids Collection. She also serves as a contributing writer for BlackNews.UK. Leticia is dedicated to spreading hope, encouragement, and the love of Christ through her life and her works to others.