Debbie Lindell, host of the widely popular annual Designed for Life women’s conference, and co-lead pastor of James River Church, Ozark, Missouri, includes more than inviting stories in her book She Believes: Embracing the Life You Were Created to Live. She also shares her great faith and love for God.

Explaining in the introduction that she calls all female readers “girls” because it “sounds happy and a bit more inclusive,” Lindell clarifies she has been praying for the life of each reader to be changed by this book. Because she maintains a genuine, realistic conversation with us throughout the book, we find it easy to believe she means every word. Lindell also clearly understands the heart of a woman as only another woman can. As Christine Caine says in the foreword, “There is no stopping a woman who believes God.”

She Believes is divided into five sections that are between three and four chapters each. “Believing...You Were Designed On Purpose,” is the section in which Lindell conveys to readers they are a masterpiece created by God, and that their story matters. Intertwined through this section are personal stories, so the reader grasps that the author understands these truths for herself.

In the section titled “Believing...Changes Your Heart,” Lindell explores the topics of faith, prayer, being a follower and a leader, and using wisdom. She says, “One of the hardest things for me as a leader in the church is watching girls who sit stagnant in their faith. They have made the decision to believe in God for their salvation, but that is as far as they go.” (p. 74)

Lindell clearly understands the heart of a woman as only another woman can.

Lindell explains how a believing life can affect the reader’s attitude, peace and more, in the “Believing...Affects Your Mind and Spirit” section. In the chapter, “Treasures in the Darkness,” Lindell focuses on her story of surviving cancer. She offers lessons learned in her darkness. “Darkness makes you listen more closely to God’s voice,” she asserts.

The author discusses unity and togetherness in section four, “Believing...Makes Being Together Even Better.” Lindell talks to readers about being a friend and about connecting with others. “Opportunities to connect with people don’t just happen by coincidence... And when an opportunity comes to share our faith, there is always a decision to be made. We can take it or leave it.” (p. 194) She writes about her love for God’s house and people in the chapter, “Home: Where You Belong.”

The last section, “Believing...Is for Your Future,” encourages readers to follow God’s call to fulfill their dreams.  Lindell says, “It’s easy for me to say that I want to be used by God. The harder part is being brave enough to step out and do what He is calling me to.” (p. 233)

In the “Rise Up and Shine” chapter, Lindell conveys the story of attending a Hillsong women’s conference — where God called her to start a conference in the U.S. “I knew God was calling me to rise up and lead the girls of our church to believe bigger things, to equip and teach them to be faith-filled.” She launched the annual Designed for Life conference, with a recent attendance of over 9,000, and the ongoing Designed Sisterhood ministry at James River Church.

Lindell encourages women everywhere to know that, “God wants you to be part of what he is doing across the earth. He is bringing together his daughters from near and far — those who have been in bondage, abuse, and hurt but are now set free; those who have been scattered and lost but are now gathered and found. God invites you . . . to bring a revolution to the situations that surround you.” (p. 248)

Kay Burnett, National Women’s Ministries Director, comments, “With refreshing honesty, Debbie shares from her own experiences of struggle and triumph, while challenging others to choose to walk by faith in God, in His wisdom and in the freedom He promises.”