Shea Pirtle, Founder of JBM

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Shea, a native of southern Tennessee, now resides in north Alabama with her family of five. A disciple of Jesus Christ since the age of 22, Shea's heart is devoted to her growing relationship with Him.

With a commitment spanning 19 years, she stands as a helpmate to her husband and pastor, Chris. Over a decade, Shea's role as a mother to her daughters, Sophya and Raegan, transitioned significantly in 2021, as her family welcomed their son and brother, Oliver, into their family through adoption.

Beyond her reserved nature, Shea radiates boldness and vitality when granted the opportunity to share the teachings of Jesus from any platform. Anchored in her experiences, Shea's narrative weaves the redemptive threads of Christ's teachings into a rich tapestry, illuminating her own path from desolation to spiritual awakening. She affirms her conviction with these words: "Just as God brought Jesus Christ from death on the cross to resurrected life, He has brought me from death to life too."

Her spiritual journey is encapsulated by the inspired words of Paul found in 1 Corinthians 4:1, "I believed, therefore I spoke". This verse stands as a beacon, giving her the spiritual drive to share her personal experience of Jesus' saving grace with others.

Amidst her devotion, Shea nurtures various passions- giving precedence to spending time with family, wherever the day may take them—relishing tacos, treating herself to an iced latte, exploring scenic routes in her Jeep, and embracing walks with her doodle. 

Equally compelling is her passion for writing, as Shea channels her revelations of Jesus within the context of her life experiences onto the pages of journals. These reflections offer insights into her personal journey and spiritual growth, illuminating the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ. Shea also advocates for inclusion and encourages kindness through bringing awareness through her son's diagnosis of Achondroplasia, the most common form of Dwarfism.  

As her journey unfolds, Shea's ministerial path has been predominantly paved with service to children and their families within various vocations. Chris, Shea, and their children have been called to the family ministry of church revitalization.  They are ministering at their third church home as the pastor's family, assisting the church body in re-establishing the health and vitality of First Union Baptist Church.  However, her aspirations continue to evolve, culminating in a desire to guide women through every phase of life toward a deeper, life-altering connection with Jesus, akin to the relationship she has cultivated with her Savior.

Loren Cunningham's quote, "To know God and make Him known" resonates deeply with Shea, revealing her life's purpose. Through her commitment to deepening her relationship with Christ and sharing her faith journey, Shea endeavors to unveil the extraordinary message of faith to all who will listen.

In 2018, I found myself lying prostrate on my bedroom floor, tears streaming down my face, pleading with God to relieve this quiet, reserved, and insecure girl of the daunting calling to speak the gospel to a congregation of women. To my dismay, God didn’t take away this calling. Instead, He equipped me for it. The equipping is nothing of myself but everything extraordinarily His. It’s a mystery why He would use a wretch like me. I have to laugh at the truth that I’m not a fluent speaker, nor do I use big fancy words. I'm not a seminary graduate, and my Southern accent is far from a sophisticated teacher voice. I'm a writer without formal training, not author material. I've spent more of my lifetime entangled in a sinful world than as a believer in Jesus Christ. My faith resume is far from polished, but the record of God's faithfulness in my life exceeds anything that can be captured on paper.

Standing before a group of women to speak the truth of Jesus Christ absolutely terrifies me, but it pales in comparison to the deep importance I place on sharing His message. My fear is no longer about making mistakes; it stems from a deep, passionate concern for others to hear and know His truth. I could easily step back and let someone else take on this role because God doesn’t need me—He simply wants me. He desires me to be at the center of His will, doing what He knows is best for His namesake.

I may never wake up and say, "I’m living the dream." In fact, I often look in the mirror and ask myself, “Shea, what are you doing?” But I will always rise with the conviction that He alone is worth giving up all the things of the world to fulfill His eternal purpose. He alone is the drive to die to myself over and over again so Shea doesn’t live in the ways of self focus. If He is inviting me to be a part of His grander plan, how could I possibly say no? My knees may tremble, and a flush of nerves might wash over me from head to toe, but I am forever committed to the One, to speak about my Savior, in humilty and reverence all the days of my life. 

How about you? Will you join me in embracing His calling?

Blessings_SP