From Silence to Strength with Judy Hannah James

Silence can look like “being a good woman”, “being respectful”, or “not causing trouble”, but it can also keep people trapped in fear, abuse, and spiritual manipulation. We sit with Judy Hannah James, a preacher, Bible teacher, prophetic voice, and women’s mentor who has served in ministry for decades, to talk honestly about what she’s seen and what she’s lived. Judy shares how personal experiences of mental and emotional abuse helped her understand the hidden battles many women face, especially in patriarchal cultures where speaking up feels dangerous.

We explore what it means to be a woman in ministry in India, the resistance that can come from tradition, and why the climate is slowly changing as women claim their voice. Judy explains how she mentors and counsels women by laying a foundation in the Word of God, listening carefully, and helping them move from excuses into real change. We also talk about spiritual abuse, why “anointed” language is not a free pass for control, and how discernment grows when you read the Bible for yourself and stay sensitive to the Holy Spirit.

You’ll also hear practical takeaways around healthy rhythms, rest that actually refuels, prioritising what matters, and balancing calling with family life. Judy’s line lands hard: your children are your first ministry, so don’t sacrifice them on the altar of ministry or work. 

Follow Judy on Instagram @judydennison8

If you’re searching for Christian women’s mentoring, healing after emotional abuse, discernment, Bible study encouragement, or faith-based leadership for women, this conversation will meet you with clarity and courage. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.

Transcript

Welcome And Meet Judy

Mel 1:00

Welcome to Beyond Organised, the podcast that helps you simplify your life and amplify your purpose. I'm Mel Schenker, life coach, speaker, founder of She's Organised, but, more importantly, a wife and mum of four little kids. If you've ever felt overwhelmed, like you're constantly juggling everything but never quite catching up, this is the place for you. Here we go beyond just the tidying up and creating systems. We're talking about real life strategies that bring order to your life, but also we talk about the things beyond the organising, the things that really matter, like your parenting relationships and so much more. So grab your coffee and let's dive in.

Mel 1:00

Welcome back to another episode of Beyond Organised. Today I am joined by Judy Hannah James. She is a passionate preacher, prophetic voice, Bible teacher, and women's mentor who has been in ministry since the age of 15. Judy comes from a strong ministry background with her father founding Baraka Ministries and Missions. And for more than 27 years, she's dedicated her life to preaching the word of God, calling the church back to its purpose, and encouraging believers to be a light in the world. Alongside leading ministry, mentoring women, counseling, and supporting pastors and widows in Northern India, Judy is also raising two children and stewarding many responsibilities with deep faith and resilience. She carries a heart for empowering women, helping people grow spiritually, and seeing lives transformed through God's truth and freedom. Judy is also passionate about living intentionally through healthy rhythms, prioritizing her well-being through fitness, healthy eating, and trusting God's grace to sustain every area of life. Welcome to the show, Judy. Thank you, man. It's so good to have you here. I loved that while we connected not long ago and you were telling me about just all of this, who you are and all this stuff, and I'm thinking, you sound amazing. I would love to hear more about what you do and what inspired

From Family Pain To Purpose

Mel 2:25

you to help women.

Judy 2:28

Yeah. As uh you just introduced me, you know, it's been 27 years since I've helped my father, you know, in ministry. I was uh at the age of 15, you know, I started preaching. So from a young age, uh, since my parents were in ministry, I've always seen them helping, and then I followed in their footsteps. But it wasn't uh until uh recently when I went through different things in my life, you know, uh different kinds of mental and emotional abuse from within family. I started understanding the Indian woman more because uh in different cultures uh the women face different things. Yeah. Since the Indian society is a patriarchal society, uh there's a lot of uh domestic uh abuse, physical, mental, as well as emotional abuse. So uh in the society, the women are not even allowed to speak up, whether it is speak up aga against the elders, even people in family, whether parents or husbands or whoever it is, uh because of fear. They are brought up in such a way through the things that I went through. Uh, you know, I learned how I learned and I'm still learning, you know, how to deal with uh toxic uh people, to maintain a distance, but still loving them, you know, loving the sinner but uh hating the sin. Yeah. Yes, and so it came with a lot of shift in my mindset too, because I understand that I cannot walk in the way that my parents walked in, you know. Sometimes we'll have to change our mindset and they may not understand us sometimes. Yeah. Or for that reason, anyone in the family, you know, when God brings you out of a pit, like Joseph, you know, he was put in the pit. His brothers never understood him because he had a purpose and a code. So from all the pain I went through, I was able to understand other women more. So that's one important thing I've been uh doing for a while now, empowering women so that they know what their purpose is, what their identity in Christ is, that they are not uh supposed to have a spirit of fear. You know, God has not given them a spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and of a sound mind. Also to speak up uh for their needs, their issues, not to be beaten down by the men, you know, the men in their life and you know, people who are narcissistic that can even be women, you know. Yeah, so I yeah, I usually get to the spiritual roots of things because every problem, if you dig deep, the roots are in the spirit realm. So you uh need to get to the roots, uh, but there are other things that you need to do, yeah, not just spiritual things.

Mel 5:26

Yeah, yeah, definitely. I I agree with that, especially when you're talking about abuse and narcissism and all that kind of stuff. There's without going into it too much, there's generally demonic activity attached. And even through the bloodlines, you know, generational, all of that stuff that has to be dealt with. And I'm I'm sure in India, with the culture and the practices and everything as well, that there is probably more specific spirits and that to deal with in that you know, being in the spiritual line, that's something you know.

Judy 6:11

I will never say that I'm all right. You know, you always learn, you have l learned a lot. You know, in 27 years, I've learned a lot with practical experience from childhood, you know. I've been you could say I've been beating up uh devils. Yeah, well, but uh, but you know, new level, new devils, they say. Yeah. So still growing. Yeah,

Women Leading In Patriarchal Culture

Judy 6:35

yep, yep, yep.

Mel 6:36

So wow. So how do you find navigating all of society, I guess you could say, and culture as a woman in ministry, how do you navigate that? Do you have obstacles? Do you have things that set you back because you are a woman in ministry?

Judy 6:58

Yes, being a woman in ministry, especially in India, is very different because, as you know, by the grace of God, I was able to take an advanced diploma in in states, um, associates in practical theology after my bachelor's in technology here in computer science. So that was in states. So I could see the difference between the two societies, especially the freedom and how women are welcomed in the Indian society as opposed to the American society. Here, many men still, you know, they seem to be the boss. Even in ministry, even in my church, it's the men whom you usually see. They they serve the sacraments, you know, for the Holy Communion, or even in the board of elders, or they are the ones who do the main things. Because I think there are people, though our pastor he supports women in ministry. I think there are people in the audience who may not support women in ministry, they would rather have men, you know, leading them. But the climate in India is changing. Uh, there are women pastors, yeah. There are women pastors in India, in the north, and all. I myself am a pastor in a way because I do mentor the pastors that are with us uh in our ministry, taking you know online uh Bible studies and uh classes with them. But I think okay, men need to break uh that obstacle, they need to cross the line. This is a new age, whether in secular fields or in Christian fields, because women have a voice. And in these past years, I think a lot of women, you know, in both secular and Christian fields, they have come out, they're taking a stand. Even I myself, you know, I whatever good God puts in my heart, I bravely put it on social media, not uh not afraid of men or people in position, people in in power. And as a result, you know, people are seeing my work, what I write, they are inviting me to podcasts. And women, especially in India, they need such women to look up to. Because I myself, you know, if I remember myself when I was a child or when I was 15, I was a scared, insecure. Yeah. Most eight-year-olds. Yeah, most 15-year-olds are and I would say till up to, you know, to the time where the biggest trials in my life came, you know. I was a scary little kid, you know, even with my father, if he says turn left, I would do that. No questions, you know, no asking anything. If he says turn right, that's how I was. Till I knew that you could speak up against the wrong that is done in your life. You don't have to sit silent under abuse, or just because someone is above you, whether it's in work or in ministry, or no matter what field, you need to speak up against abuse. You know, because there is also spiritual abuse. Yeah. You know? Yes, definitely. People who are anointed, because I've had experience with that as well, because they think that no matter what they say, you need to accept it just as it is. Yeah.

Mel 10:19

But no, you have to weigh it up with what the word of God says and what yeah, what is actually the truth. And if it's not something that would come out of scripture or or something that God would really say, you've got to measure it against that, and you've got to actually not align with that

Discernment And Knowing Scripture

Mel 10:40

if it's not.

Judy 10:42

Yeah.

Mel 10:43

Yeah.

Judy 10:44

Yeah. I think discernment is very important, especially in these end days for believers, because uh, if you look around, there's a lot of people in spiritual, you know, positions that are falling. So, like the church in Beria, if you do not read your Bible for yourself and know right from the wrong, you will just believe and accept anything that the pastor teaches you. Yeah. So if the person that is pastoring you or people in leadership, if they themselves have a spirit, or if they are not taking care of you properly or abusing you, uh, you will not be able to know the difference if you do not have the Holy Spirit in you and if you do not have the gift of discernment. So these are these end times are times when especially as women, we need to wake up to our call, to our purpose, and read the word and obey the word of God for our sins, you know, not just depend on pastors or prophets.

Mel 11:49

Yeah, yeah, amen. I completely agree. And I used to be that Christian that kind of just went along with what my pastor said. And I I didn't spend a lot of time in the Bible. I grew up a Christian and I I'd heard the verses and and scriptures so many times, but I I didn't really read it. Probably about four years ago, things really shifted, and now I'm I'm in it every day, like I can't get enough of it, you know? And and I and even something that I've read a thousand times, I could read it for the 1,000 first time, and it says something completely different to my mind, you know, like it has a different revelation, it's the living word, it's true, yes. We serve a good God. So I would love to know with particularly with your ministry around women,

Counselling That Starts With Listening

Mel 12:50

how do you help them with what you do?

Judy 12:53

Yeah, so first I get to the roots. We have a women's fellowship here, and I just recently started a new one in my house. First, I give them the word of God because that's the base, and then you go from there, and then when you sit with these women, you talk to them, you get them to open, especially during counseling, if they need time, uh, because each person has a different problem, you know. And each person is wired different. So it is said that in counseling, especially for a woman, if you listen to them, half of their problem is, you know, over. You have given them a solution. Exactly. You just didn't get it out. Yeah. So nowadays my issue is the lack of time, but still I know that is part of ministry, so I make time for that. Uh, but I'm careful that I don't waste time over women if they don't accept the counsel I give and then do something, you know, practically about it. So, yeah, so the first uh is laying the base, making sure that they spend time with God because they need to find their identity, find their purpose, what God wants to do with their life, and according to Romans 12, verse 2, you know, to be transformed by the renewing of their mind. Because uh you need to get rid of all the filth from from the worldly way of living, so that the word of God uh dwells in you, so that the Holy Spirit dwells in you, and He can begin to live inside you and counsel you. So uh that's where you start, and then also when I talk to them in these uh sessions, I get to understand their mindset, you know? Because some people are very excuse-driven, you know.

Mel 14:49

Yes, yeah, and they're not ready, they're not ready for the change. So you know when someone is ready because the excuses aren't there, they go, oh man, that's gonna be hard, but I need this. It's so different to going, oh, oh, but I can't commit that time, and oh, but I've got this going on, and I've got to do this, and I've got to be here, and oh, this isn't gonna work. It's like you you're either ready for this and you're hungry and you want to change, or you don't. Yeah. I see it with the with my coaching. It's the same thing, and it's hard because I help a lot of women who are overwhelmed and dealing with things, but I can't help a lot of them because they're not in a place where they're ready to change or that they want to change. They're still the victim, they're still, you know, all these other things that really have to get counseled and dealt with before they come to see me. And so I am ready to help those who might still have no clue what they're doing. That's fine. But they know that they just they're ready, they're ready for whatever comes next to simplify their life, to make the most of their time, whatever it is, but they're ready. And it's important, and I'm sure it's the same thing with ministry too. You can't make someone change or someone want to be ready. You can't help someone that doesn't want to be helped.

Judy 16:23

Yeah, you can take the horse to the water, but you can't make a drink. Yeah, exactly. Exactly.

Mel 16:32

So, what what's one thing that

Champion Mindset And Real Rest

Mel 16:35

you wish more women knew in what you do?

Judy 16:39

Yeah, you know, from my personal experience, you know, I could say that I was, you know, just like them, but it's the triumphs in my life and God, of course. God is without him, we are nothing. Yeah. But as many people call it, the you know, the champion mindset. The most important thing is I think they need to there needs to be a change in the way we think. I was talking about this to one of my friends yesterday. You know, because most people, most women lose their blessings because there is no shift in the way they think. Starts everything starts with the way you think. You first have pure thoughts, so that you have the favor of God, like Esther did, and then you know, determination. That's one of them. You know, uh life is never easy. You know, when you have when you have kind of uh lived a while, you understand life is hard. So if you want to make excuses, you will never get to your destiny. So determination, all the people who became champions, they were determined that I will make my you know make my way out of this mess, whether it is moms or no matter what you do, secular field or even in a Christian field. And second is hard work. Um yes. Yeah, there is, you know, I look at myself now, I don't have a minute to spare, but that doesn't mean that I don't take rest. Because if I don't rest, hey, I'm sure I will fall down, you know. Yeah, because if I keep on going, yeah, it's so important.

Mel 18:22

Like, yeah, so I I help women with their time and and being organized and all of that. Right. And I tell them, like, it doesn't matter how busy you are, you can always make time for rest. In fact, it is critical that you make time for it at least some point in the day. Like, and from one day to the next, it might only be 10 minutes here, 30 minutes here, and then maybe on one day in the week you actually get to rest for a good chunk. But rest doesn't mean just taking a nap or anything like that either. It can be something that replenishes you and refuels you. And that could be going for a walk or sitting down. It doesn't really matter. It's gonna look different for all of us, but you have to do it. In fact, it's biblical. It tells us that we have to. And even God rested on the seventh day. Are we better than God? No. But like, I'm busy too. I I get it. I mean, the stuff that you do, I you're I think you're a lot busier than me. But between like running the business and my job and four kids and everything else, like I'm busy, but I'm I'm rested too, for the most part. There's, you know, some days don't go to plan, but that's okay too.

Judy 19:49

Yeah, as you mentioned, Mel, you know, God first, and then we need to prioritize. You may have a thousand things to do, but on a certain day, you need to know which are the most important thing, you know. Like number one, you need to, example, for example, if you have uh you need to pay your kids' fees or some fees, you know, electricity bill, you need to get that done because after this, after today, you'll get a fine. So that's that is top priority. So things like those priority, and as you mentioned, self-care. You know, as moms, yeah, we are running behind kids, or if we have husbands, you know, running behind them, our parents, especially if they are old age. But if you aren't cared for yourself, you will have nothing. You know, you cannot pour from an empty cup. So you need to fill your cup in every way, you know, physical, emotional, mental, spiritual care. But if you don't have anything in

Balance Health Family And Ministry

Judy 20:50

your cup, there's no way you will be pouring out.

Mel 20:53

So I can only imagine with all the things that you are doing with your ministry and just helping women, you need to be a pretty organized person.

Judy 21:06

Because otherwise you wouldn't do it. Except for my two boys, you know. I organize, you know, when I have time, but they'll create a new mess for me.

Mel 21:16

Yeah. How old? How old are your boys?

Judy 21:20

Yeah, uh the the older one is 13 years old, the younger is eight. Okay, yeah.

Mel 21:27

So mine are 10, 7, 4, and 1.

Judy 21:31

Yeah, it's very young, one year old.

Mel 21:33

I've still got the young ones, but I I can understand the older ones a bit, but I'm not ready for the teenage years. I'm not ready for yeah. Yeah, it's a little home. I can imagine. I can imagine, but thankfully we've got God, hey, and he he knows how to raise our kids better than we do. So that's so good. Yeah, so good next. Time just goes so fast. Is there anything else in your story that you feel would really be worth our listeners hearing today?

Judy 22:10

Yeah, you know, keep your life balanced. I tell my pastors or and my women, you know, life is heavy, life is hard. Stand on Jesus, stand on God, He's your rock. Though you feel shaken, he will never let you get destroyed, no matter what the enemy throws at you. And learn to balance stuff. For example, my pastors, you know, I tell them, you have to take care of your kids, your finances, your spouse, your health. Because one of them, you know, he has heart problems. So I tell him, don't just keep working and working at the expense of your health. So make time, which is what I also have been doing recently. Because as you age, there's no way you can skip that. Because then God has a purpose over your life. If you want to finish and complete the purpose, your health has to be good. So yeah, and even for your kids, you know, uh, you don't want to be a burden on them. So your health. Health means not just physical health, but if you take care of your physical health, yes, it affects the mind, it affects your whole being. Yet women need to should act they should exercise to keep their mind and so that kids also, you know, have a good impact. They know the value of exercise. So health and take care of your finances, let not anyone suffer because of you. So always balance everything out. I do think of this always that I don't want to sacrifice my children on the altar of ministry. What I mean by that is some people, you know, I am very passionate. I'm so, you know, in love with Jesus and everything, but I have to do what I need to do, you know, cook for them, be it cooking for them. Your mom first. Yes. Your mom before you are a a leader to these other people. Yes. Yeah. Your mom's first. And make please make time for your children because in this social media age, we can easily get uh driven, you know, driven into social media, different kinds of entertainment. But remember, yeah, uh your kids will grow up and uh you don't want to face, you know, the wrath of what you did when they were they were young. By wrath, what I mean is, first of all, um teach them about Christ, you know, lay the foundation for them, and uh make sure you have healthy kids mentally and uh have an eye on them, you know, what is it that they are lacking? What they're watching is it yeah, is it yes, what they are watching. It is uh it is so important that we monitor it, uh, you know, uh in a healthy way. Um and also the way we correct and discipline them, that we are not too harsh. We do it with love, but but we need to discipline them, you know, as the word of God itself says, not to spare the rod from your son. So um your children are your first ministry, not the people in your church, you know. So don't sacrifice them at the altar of ministry or at the altar of your work, you know, they are important. Um uh, but yeah, so just prioritize uh and do the things that are you know most important first and then you know, yeah.

How To Connect With Judy

Mel 25:46

I agree with that. Wise words, wise words. So, Judy, if someone listening wants to get in touch with you, wants to hear more about what you do and and see where they can find you.

Judy 26:01

Yeah, I'm on Instagram. My handle is Judy Dennison8, so you'll be tagging me in that. So they can so they can message me over there. Yes, and I'm available for spiritual mentoring or counseling. I move in the prophetics, so if they need. I usually tell people that you get your prophecy direct from God, read the word of God, prophets should be second. If you need a prophecy, God will bring a prophet to you, and also be careful who you go to, you know? Definitely.

Mel 26:37

I I agree. I've been part of a prophetic school. This is my fourth year now, and um, under an amazing prophet here in Australia, who I've actually gotten to know very, very well. And her daughter now works for me, which is exciting. It is important to make sure that you are getting those words and that counsel from someone you know is really listening to the Holy Spirit and acting appropriately with that too. So I agree with what you're saying there for sure. But it's amazing, it's nice to connect with someone else that understands the prophetic and appreciates it too. And no, the prophetic is not dead, it's not something of the Old Testament, it is very much alive and part of the five-fold ministry with prophets and that too. So, anyway, I won't go into all of that, but I will make sure that all the details are in the show notes so then someone can find you and connect with you, and especially listeners in India and that region. If you are wanting to reach out to Judy, then she is your woman to help you with anything to do with counseling, ministry, even if it is unfortunate, but even if it is to do with abuse, she understands. So, what better woman than to help you? Thank you so much for coming on today, Judy, and for sharing your story as well and what you do. I love hearing stories, particularly of just what God does in us as well. So, thank you for coming on and sharing.

Judy 28:14

Yeah, thank you so much, Mel, you know, uh, for inviting me. Yeah, it's a pleasure. Yeah. It's my very first podcast, by the way. Really? Yeah. So I was very excited, especially talking to an Australian woman.

Mel 28:31

Yeah, we got an Aussie, true blue Aussie here. And I didn't know it was your first. I love it when people tell me this is my first podcast. I'm like, yes. Well, thank you for letting me be your first. If you like this episode, don't forget to hit subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next. And if you want to continue the conversation, you can connect with me on Instagram @shes.organised or for some free resources, head over to beyondorganised.com/toolkit. Remember, organising is a tool to live the purposeful life beyond it. See you next time.