Reaching Women
Annie Goebel
President, Daughters of Destiny
From Ashes to Beauty
“But God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,” (Romans 5:8, NASB).
For Annie, as a little girl, life was filled with fear and the abuse of an alcoholic father. She would lie outside watching the clouds float by, and dream of a place where there was no yelling or pain. One night after her father threatened to kill the family, she went out the bedroom window to find the life for which she dreamed.
Trying to survive as a young girl on the streets was not the fairy tale she had imagined. Hoping to find a wonderful life, instead she found the harsh reality of hunger and begging for spare change to buy food. Many times she was arrested and ended up in jail or strangers threatened her life, but God’s protection of her was as fierce as the enemy’s attempt to destroy her.
Eventually falling into the world of outlaw bikers and further abuse she once again escaped out the window not realizing the Lord was working a readiness in her heart for His way of escape.
Finally, one night under the stars she cried out to Jesus. She realized she had been trying to survive life; but now the One who is life was about to rescue Annie. That night was her time to allow Jesus to rule and reign in her life.
After 30 years of destruction, Annie has now lived the last twenty two years allowing Christ to rebuild her life. “My life didn’t instantly become perfect. I still had to pay consequences for choices I made years ago.” She had to face drug charges and went to the state penitentiary for a short time, followed by three years of probation. Since she was now placing her hope in relationship with Christ and a future with Him in eternity.
Reading her Bible and attending church was just the beginning of an education for Annie, which would prepare her for giving back and sowing hope into the lives of others. After years of hard work in college, she achieved a position tteaching in a high school working with struggling teens and eventually earning her Masters of Science degree.
Annie shares: “I feel for the women in prison. I want them to know there is a lasting hope. Before I really gave my life to Christ and let Him be my guide, my life was filled with no hope.” The little girl who escaped through the window of her bedroom, seeking for love and acceptance, found it in Christ. I believe inside every woman in prison who is lost without Christ is that little girl, still trapped in the bondage of her sin. Going into the facilities as a speaker with Daughters of Destiny, and sharing my story of freedom through Christ is a way for me to help women find their freedom in Him.”
Annie now serves as president of Daughters of Destiny and leads the ministry across the nation.