By Crystal McGough, Editor
TRUSSVILLE – Angela Hyche Chambers’ path to ministry practically began when she was in the womb. Growing up with a father who was a pastor, evangelist and missionary, she made Jesus Lord of her life when she was only seven years old at a revival where her father was preaching.
Angela Hyche Chambers
Little did she know at that time what future paths of ministry would be paved for her throughout her life.
After going through a horrific divorce, Chambers founded Restored Ministries in 2013 to share with others how God brought restoration to her own life and circumstances, and how He can do the same for them.
“I’ve been in ministry before. I’ve been a children’s minister and I’ve done preschool and children’s ministry, Bible School, ladies Bible studies and different things,” Chambers said. “Ministry is continued in my life through (Restored Ministries).
“The ministry came about after a 20-year marriage. I had to walk out. I should’ve’ walked out before and I didn’t because I thought good little Christian girls stay and we just make it work. That was not what I should’ve done.”
After the divorce, Chambers took a trip to the beach, and that is where she says God planted in her the seed for Restored Ministries.
“He met me at the beach and showed me through collecting shells that were whole and beautiful and unique that I was going to be that way too,” she said. “He promised me that restoration was going to come in my life. That was 10 years ago, and I have watched the restoration story unfold in my life. So, He has allowed me to speak at churches, events and different things to share that we are more than our circumstances say we are.”
Although her ministry has largely been geared towards women, Chambers says it is not specifically women-oriented.
“Restoration is for us all,” she said, noting that she has spoken to mixed audiences as well. “But primarily I get asked to come to women’s groups. I just share with women about my story and about how through prayer, counseling, hard work, staying in God’s word, being with Christian friends, going to church … you can rise above your circumstances.”
Restored Ministries is also not divorce specific, but Chambers’ goal is to help people in all walks of life understand that restoration is for anyone, no matter what hardships they go through.
“Everybody goes through something; none of us are free from that,” she said. “The Bible says we’re going to face trials and tribulations, but He has overcome the world, and He has overcome in our life. Our completion comes through Christ alone and healing comes through Him. The Bible is full of promises; it’s full of God’s love; it’s full of redemption; it’s full of grace, mercy. No matter where we are in our life, God says, ‘Come home.’ He’s there for us and brings us out.”
Last summer, Chambers participated in a bootcamp for Christian writers, where she met a publicist from Georgia. As the two began to talk, one thing led to another and by October, Angela Chambers had her first published book, a 30-day devotional titled, “Real Life, Real Hope!”
“The devotions are very simple,” she said. “God speaks to me in everyday life, so the devotions are just everyday life. That’s why it’s called ‘Real Life, Real Hope!’”
Chambers said she actually had most of the book’s devotions already written, just through her years of personal journaling. She wrote devotions while sitting at a waterfall, or working in her garden, or even in small mundane tasks like detangling necklaces.
“It’s just how God speaks to me every day in basic life. Just like how Jesus talks in parables, that’s how He speaks to me,” Chambers said. “That’s what has been meaningful in my life. It helps my own growth and I hope that it helps others to grow too.”
Chambers dedicated “Real Life, Real Hope!” to her parents, Arzell and Christine Hyche.
“My dad died one year ago, so it came out pretty much at the one-year anniversary of my dad’s passing,” she said. “That was pretty special. I ended it on how important my parents were to me and my dad’s ministry, and then on salvation.”
“Real Life, Real Hope!” can be purchased through the publisher at akachristianpublishing.com, or through local pickup with Chambers, herself. The book is $8.
Chambers is also a featured speaker on womenspeakers.com. She currently teaches every Friday at the Lovelady Center and is available to speak at church events, ladies’ nights, lunches/brunches and many other types of events.
She can be contacted at angela.restored1@gmail.com or on Facebook at Restored Ministries.
