OUR MISSION & VISION
To Live With Faith-Filled Intention
Our Story
We are Brett and Glenda, a husband-and-wife team offering individual, couples, and family mentoring. Our unique backgrounds bring diverse perspectives and experiences to our practice. Brett is a South Florida native who grew up Jewish, while Glenda hails from Puerto Rico and had a Catholic upbringing. We are proud to be a Match.com success story, having met on the platform in 2003.
We have the best daughter and son-in-love who are pastors at Emmanuel New Life Church in Burntwood, England who were graciously "replaced" by three furry babies... Bella, Baby & Boom.
Our journey towards developing a relationship with God began soon after we met. We embarked on a search for a church or synagogue and found ourselves at Centro Cristiano Latino Americano around 2005. Unfortunately, our early years together were marked by significant challenges. Brett was admitted to the hospital for a headache, and during his stay, Glenda experienced a mental breakdown. Desperate for help, Brett was released from the hospital to seek assistance for Glenda, leading her to be admitted to a series of mental hospitals, including right after our first honeymoon.
During this tumultuous period, Glenda turned to prayer and reading the Bible. One verse in Isaiah 53:6 struck a chord with her, containing a prophetic word about Jesus' suffering and how "by His stripes, we are healed." This sparked a quest to uncover the specifics of what Jesus had endured. Glenda sought guidance from her pastor, psychologists, and participated in support groups. Despite being told she would need medication for the rest of her life and that she may not be able to function in society due to the frequency of her hospitalizations, Glenda remained determined. With the support of her pastors, a Christian psychiatrist, her husband, and her family at home and in the church, she experienced the miraculous healing hand of Jesus and was completely freed from medication in 2008.
Since then, Glenda has achieved various professional milestones, including successfully passing state board tests for LMT, EMT, and FF. She has been working as an LMT for 18 years and briefly pursued a career in FF/EMT in 2018 before being redirected towards the mental health community by the leading of the Lord.
In 2019, God impressed upon Glenda the importance of becoming more than just a social media spectator and becoming a contributor. This led to the birth of Influence For Purpose on Instagram, where she began sharing her testimony and insights. Initially, sharing through writing or on camera was easier for Glenda than sharing in person. However, she soon realized that consistently posting on one platform (Monday to Friday) had an unexpected impact. It not only helped her grow in sharing her faith online but also empowered her to share Jesus in person.
In addition to Glenda's personal journey, she and Brett were led by God to facilitate resources for a young man experiencing a mental breakdown and reliant on medication. They assisted this family in navigating the challenges they faced. Once again, Jesus glorified Himself by setting this young man free from all medication and guiding him towards pursuing an electrical degree. Despite these experiences, Glenda's dedication to Influence For Purpose remained sporadic.
Fast forward to December 2022, when God pressed upon her heart the urgency of making a daily commitment because many who struggle with mental health are on the other side of the screen. Although unsure of the exact outcome, Glenda chose to obey. Through this journey, she has gained the courage to share her testimonies and the transformative work of Jesus in her life, as well as in the lives of her family. Most importantly, she hopes to inspire others that a life of faith amidst challenges is possible.
In June 30, 2023, @influenciaparaproposito was launched on Instagram to cater specifically to Spanish speakers.
Glenda firmly believes that Jesus is impartial and that His sacrifice on the cross offers freedom to all, including freedom from mental health struggles. This freedom is attained through the renewing of the mind and the development of the fruit of the Spirit, all made possible by Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit.
While Glenda aspired to complete a bachelor's degree in psychology, financial constraints prevented her from doing so. However, she later felt led to pursue coaching certification and attended a Christian coaching conference. At this conference, through the messages of three different individuals, the Lord spoke to her, confirming that she was already qualified to assist people who have dealt with mental health challenges.
Our journey has not only involved overcoming mental health challenges but also weathering multiple attempts to end our marriage. By God's grace and with the support of our community at Community Christian Church, we have grown stronger and united in our mission to help those struggling with mental health find victory in Christ.
We want to emphasize that we do not advise replacing any existing treatment with our mentoring services, and in some cases, we may even recommend it. If you choose to engage our mentoring services, rest assured that we approach our work as humble facilitators, obeying God's calling in our lives.
Our passion lies in living purposefully with faith-filled intention in God, His Word, and His ways. We pray that whoever God leads to us, or whoever He leads us to, will also experience the transformative power of a life rooted in faith.
If you are seeking guidance and support in fulfilling your goals, as a n individual, a parent or a family, regardless of whether you struggle with mental health or not, we are here to serve you. Our utmost passion lies in helping individuals live a purpose-driven life. We are committed to walking alongside you on your personal development journey, providing the tools necessary for identifying your goals, overcoming obstacles, and unlocking your full potential.
Through our mentoring services, we will work together to foster self-awareness, develop new skills, and enhance your ability to navigate challenges effectively. Our aim is to empower you to embrace continual personal growth, bolstering your confidence and equipping you with the clarity needed to envision your future throughout every season of your life.
Let us be your trusted partners as you embark on a transformative journey towards self-discovery, personal growth, and a life defined by purpose.
Glenda's Story
I used to be trapped in a cycle of anger, sadness, loneliness, and insecurity. I looked for happiness in the wrong places, believing I deserved more from life. But my pursuit only led to unsatisfying relationships, nights spent in the clubs, and drowning my sorrows in alcohol.
I was desperate for an answer so I turned to self-help books, trying to make sense of my life based on societal standards, but it only led me further astray.
I thought having a child and being married would fulfill me but instead the actions I took left scars – from going through a divorce and missing precious moments with my daughter, to experiencing mental health breakdowns that eventually led to psychiatric medical care.
But amidst the darkest period of my life, a beacon of hope emerged. I discovered a profound solution to my emptiness – Christ. He showed me the path to healing, redemption, and transformation. With His love and guidance through the Holy Spirit, I embraced accountability for my actions and began a profound Spiritual journey.
Through this journey, I realized that I had a purpose – not only to be reconciled with God but also to help others find their own reconciliation and peace. I found my calling in the ministry of reconciliation – becoming a vessel to guide and support those who are mentally ill or lost, helping them break free from the chains that bind their minds.
Whether you rely on medication for mental balance or seek a holistic approach, I believe that true healing is possible. It starts with a tiny seed of faith, a desire to take accountability for your actions, and a commitment to work towards a healthier and more fulfilling life.
I am here to assist you on your unique journey, helping you uncover the blueprint that God has just for you. Together, we’ll navigate the practical application of scripture, seeking wisdom and understanding to make sense of your past and walk confidently in your truth.
Remember, your mind, like your body, is constantly evolving. By aligning with your Creator and tapping into the power of the Holy Spirit, we can embrace growth and transformation as lifelong endeavors.
I invite you to make a commitment to fight the good fight of faith for the sake of your mental health. By taking this step, you've already overcome half the battle in the spiritual realm. It's just a matter of time until your individual mental health blueprint, intertwined with your purpose, manifests itself.
Get ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery, healing, and unearthing your full potential. Let's find your victory over mental health challenges together, walking in the light of God's truth.
Brett's Story
30 years ago, fresh out of college, I was involved in a business where I was generating a large income but in unscrupulous ways. I tried to make myself feel better by surrounding myself with comfort. I bought all the toys (entertainment system, watches, clothes, cars...) and went to all the places that promised happiness (clubs, exotic vacations), but I found out happiness cannot be bought. I soon found myself addicted to substances that enslaved me further. I was searching for a better life but couldn't find it.
Finally I met Glenda, and when she said she wanted to go to church, I agreed because I wanted to be a supportive boyfriend. Being raised Jewish (mostly in a traditional sense - no real relationship with God), I initially cringed at hearing the name of Jesus, but I decided to replace it with God in my mind just so I could follow along (did I mention it was a Spanish church and I was listening through a translation headset?).
Fast forward a couple months and I found myself so gripped by the words of Jesus that I surrendered my life to Him, and it was by far the best decision ever. And yes, that day I was still hearing the message through a translation. A Jewish agnostic got saved in a small Spanish church hearing the preaching through a head set - God is so amazing!
Shortly after becoming a Christian believer, we faced financial hardship. I lost my business, my investments, we went through bankruptcy, and faced foreclosure. We had faith, but I was feeling like a failure not being able to provide for my family, and then God started showing up in miraculous ways providing for us when I couldn't. At one point I had to bring Glenda and our daughter to a soup kitchen to eat lunch and bring home food from their pantry, but they told us about a church nearby. When we showed up he had so much food to give us that our fridge and pantry was stocked heavier than if we had gone shopping without a budget! There are many other miraculous financial testimonies that I'd be happy to share if you ever wanted to hear.
Even in recent years, I turned to video games and action movies as a way to escape from some of the worries that started to consume me. Thoughts like, "Will we ever have enough to retire? What should we invest in? Even my real estate ventures have gone south! And what do we do when our trusty old car finally kicks the bucket? (Which, let's face it, won't be long since it's from '05!)". But once again, the cure was taking the focus off of my circumstances and putting it back on Jesus.
The point being, is that we've seen and been through a lot from addiciton, mental health struggles, financial ruin, and marital struggles. We're more than happy to be transparent with our lives so that we can share what we've learned and see how we can help you in your current situation - all based heavily on Biblical principles and dependence on God first and foremost.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions you have. i look forward to speaking with you.
