BCF • MYESHA CHANEY: ALL GROWN UP & LIVING FREE! By Wendy M. Reynolds

MYESHA CHANEY:
ALL GROWN UP & LIVING FREE!
By Wendy M. Reynolds

There is a sound- a voice emerging from out of the West that cannot be denied. It is that of Myesha Chaney. The message is clear: Live Free in Christ! Whether Myesha is preaching in the pulpit, electrifying the concert stage with fresh sounds of praise and worship, or taking over the radio waves, she is anointed, passionate, energetic, determined, and authentic.

Her message "Live Free" is piercing the toughest of hearts and compelling people all over the world to take off their mask, break free from fear, get healed from shame and pain, and be the person God created them to be, regardless of their past or the opinions of others!

After speaking with Myesha, I was left inspired, challenged, and stirred up by her humbleness, her wisdom, her conviction, and her determination to complete the full assignment that God has entrusted to her. She uses all of her energy and every platform available to her to spread forth the liberating word of Jesus Christ. You cannot come in contact with Myesha and not feel empowered to do something you’ve never done before. You can’t listen to her music without wanting to lose your mind for Christ!

Myesha is no longer the little girl from Long Beach struggling with insecurities. She is all grown up. She's a woman, a wife, a mother, a preacher, and a recording artist. She overflows with passion, understands her purpose, and exudes the power of God.

Make no mistake, God has her, alongside her husband Wayne, on a mission standing toe to toe with the deep issues that have ripped lives apart and kept people bound for far too long- issues that most people have been afraid to address over the pulpit. She is in combat and she is taking no prisoners. In fact, she is helping prisoners break free and loving every minute of it! I am so excited to present to you... Myesha Chaney!

Wendy M. Reynolds: I’m so glad you are able to join me today. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
Myesha Chaney: I was born and raised in Long Beach, California. I’m one of four children. I’m married to Pastor Wayne Chaney, Pastor of Antioch of Long Beach Church in Long Beach, California.

Wendy M. Reynolds: I’ve heard great things about Pastor Chaney… A powerful Preacher that comes from a line of preachers!
Myesha Chaney: Yes. We married in 2004. We have two beautiful children. Our son was born in 2006 and our daughter was born in 2007. Pastor Wayne was in full time ministry at the church under His grandfather since 2000. He was ordained in 2003 as Senior Pastor. The Church is 50 years old this year. Pastor Wayne comes from a rich heritage. His Grandfather, who founded the church, passed away in 2006.

Wendy M. Reynolds: What was your childhood and family like?
Myesha Chaney: I grew up with a stay at home mother who was very supportive of her kids. My Father was in prison for a part of my childhood. My mom always taught and raised us to believe that we had everything we wanted- everything we needed. We kind of grew up with a false image of life. We didn’t think that food stamps were bad or that there was anything wrong with welfare. We had a house. We didn’t know the house was Section 8 housing. I never understood the welfare system.

When I look back over my childhood, I had a great childhood. I had a mother who supported me in everything I did. I was able to do all kinds of sports and activities. I went to school and loved learning. I think it was around middle school when my dad came home and just enhanced my childhood experience.

Wendy M. Reynolds: Do you thing that it was good that you didn’t understand the welfare process/system?
Myesha Chaney: Yeah. I just didn’t understand and it was never presented to us in a way that made us feel less then. In fact, people thought we were the rich kids because we always wore name brand clothing. My mother would go to the goodwill and buy us name brand clothing without paying the name brand prices.

Wendy M. Reynolds: It sounds as if your mom never allowed the struggles to define your family?
Myesha Chaney: When I reflect on it, I’m glad my mom chose to deal with us the way she did. Even when it came to my father, she never told us he was in prison. She told us he was away on vacation. I didn’t understand that until later on. We would go visit him, but the way things were set up, it didn’t look like a typical jail that you would see on TV or in the movies. I remember thinking, “Well, dad, it’s time for you to come home because I’m a big girl now” and he came home and stayed home after that. Mom shielded, protected, and nourished us. She was home every day, asked us about school, and took us to practices. She put us in everything we can get in. So, it worked out better for me- not to really know or have a concept of what struggle was (as a child) or have the concept of what poor was. We never felt like that- never felt poor.

Wendy M. Reynolds: Did you go to church?
Myesha Chaney: My mom took us to church every Sunday. She didn’t necessarily make us learn but she took us. I had a relationship with God as a child. I remember praying. I have journals that I wrote to God when I was in 3rd grade, so I know I had a relationship with God.

Wendy M. Reynolds: Who or what influenced you as a child?
Myesha Chaney: All of my experiences influenced me or taught me something. If I was in church and the preacher said something inspiring, that influenced me. If I was out with my dad somewhere and people got into a fight- well that taught me something. So, I kind of went shopping in my life. All of my experiences that I picked up shaped and molded me throughout my childhood. I can’t say of just “one” person or thing that influenced me.

Wendy M. Reynolds: Sounds like you were a student of life.
Myesha Chaney: Yes. There is always something to learn. My dad worked so hard. I remember asking him, “Why can’t you be a police officer or fire fighter or something like that so you don’t have to work so hard?” He said, “I’m a convicted felon. I don’t have those opportunities anymore.” Stuff like that made me say that I will never break the law. I didn’t need to get burned to know that the stove was hot. I took at face value that you’re in the condition you’re in because of something you’ve done. Therefore, I don’t need to do anything that would limit my options or my future.

Wendy M. Reynolds: Were there any major obstacles you’ve had to overcome?
Myesha Chaney: Throughout my life, I have had to deal with issues of insecurities as well as lack of friendships. I remember being in high school wanting to be with the popular kids. It’s not that I wasn’t popular. I was just popular for different reasons- popular for going to school, for working, for my attitude about life- but not for being the prettiest or well dressed.

Wendy M. Reynolds: How did you handle it?
Myesha Chaney: I started to take on the mentality of being driven, hard working, and focused. I felt like I’d leave the high school stuff for the kids. I’m going to build my life. I created a mindset that enabled me to function without people. I didn’t need to hang out with kids because “I was working.” Let them hang out at the games- let them waste their lives doing all the fun stuff. I’m going to be the one doing “the responsible stuff!”

My longing for having childhood friends was never fulfilled. It really wasn’t until I married that I discovered that was never going to happen. However, my husband would be my number one friend. We sit up until all hours of the night talking about everything. God took that desire for the childhood friendships- not the friendships that you develop as an adult. I’m talking about the friendships you have from day one- from elementary school- the friends that you grew up with and who tell everything- they’ve been all through your life. I never really had the opportunity to have those kinds of deep meaningful friendships.

Another insecurity was I was always around other people who were more gifted than I was. I always felt like I wasn’t the one who could sing or the one who could act because I was surrounded by people who were much better at it than I was. That ended up being a big part of my delay in doing music, recording, or anything because I felt like there were so many other people who could do it so much better and you know, as long as the music was being made, I’m fine with that.

Wendy M. Reynolds: I’ve viewed your music videos and conference DVDs. The confidence and energy that comes across is amazing. It seems like you were born with it.
Myesha Chaney: Well, when I was a child, I sang. I remember singing from the age of 3 or 4 years old. I sang so much that people in the house were like, “Would you just be quiet. Just go outside and sing!” I would literally go outside and sing because they were tired of hearing me. Singing became a secret passion. People in choirs would ask me to sing, but I just never believed. I never believed.

Wendy M. Reynolds: What changed?
Myesha Chaney: It wasn’t until I developed a deep meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ and grew in my faith in Him that I was finally able to say, “It doesn’t matter about any of those things I thought when I was a kid or in high school. The people who were so great in high school… I haven’t seen them. Now, it’s about God. It’s about the Holy Spirit. It’s about me being available for Him to use me in any way He sees fit.” So, I got over that stuff. I got over the hang-ups, the issues, and the challenges. It’s not about me. I yield myself completely, which is something I work on daily. Forget about what I think! Forget about what I think people are going to say about me or perceive me! I have to do it the way the Holy Spirit leads me to and it makes it effective. So, if you see me and I’m engaging and confident, it is only because that’s how confident I am in God. If I blow it, I blow it in Him. I’m still going to be me whether I sing or not, whether I speak or not and whether you enjoy it or you don’t! The Holy Spirit has led me to do it and that’s what gives me that strong boldness. If it wasn’t Him, it would be challenging for me. That’s why I couldn’t go secular. God gives me the strength to do what I do!

Wendy M. Reynolds: You speak the phrase “Live Free” a lot. What is that all about?
Myesha Chaney: I have learned to live free. That is what I’ve patterned myself after- my music, my speaking. Live free- live beyond all the crap that we pick up along the journey.

Wendy M. Reynolds: But what does that mean to you?
Myesha Chaney: It means having the ability to get outside myself so that God can use me; not to depend so heavily upon the thoughts and the feelings that others have of me; to not use my mistakes and my past as a hindrance to my progress; to not be in bondage to unhealthy thought patterns; to not live in fear; being able to forgive or if you offend someone, the ability to correct it without all the self talk that talks us out of doing the things we know are necessary; it’s the ability to experience life without any shackles- if you want to cry, then cry; the ability to do what you feel led to do at any given time point without anything holding you back.

Wendy M. Reynolds: It doesn’t seem like you’re holding back at all!
Myesha Chaney: Most people are in their 60’s-80’s before they resolve that they’ve done everything they were supposed to do. But I want to do what I’m supposed to do now. I don’t want to say, “I would have loved to do an album but I’m too old or whatever!” No! This is what I need to do and I’m going to do it now. So I have tried in every way, in essence, to live free. When people see me or hear me speak or sing, they should be reminded to live free. That’s why the music is so expressive and the message is so strong.

Wendy M. Reynolds: How did you come up with Hiding Behind The Lipstick?
Myesha Chaney: I was talking to someone about how we are- the condition of the church, about being a Pastor’s wife, and seeing how things are in the church culture. We were talking about people hiding and hiding behind stuff and the concept came: Hiding Behind The Lipstick. I put it in the back of my mind for over a year before I even touched it. Later, when it was time to do the women’s retreat, I said, “I’m going to do Hiding Behind The Lipstick!” I didn’t know anything about it. I just had a title but I knew it was something the Holy Spirit was going to use. There was something there and I just had to find it. I started researching and developing the components.

Wendy M. Reynolds: I love how you connect with the people when you’re ministering Hiding Behind the Lipstick.
Myesha Chaney: In ministry, speaking wasn’t my first nature or gift. That’s something that I got along the way. Singing was my first gift so speaking was something I could do freely. If you didn’t like it, it wasn’t anything bad against me because I’m a singer. Therefore, I had a lot more flexibility with the speaking. I just wanted to communicate in such a way that people understood and grasped it.

Wendy M. Reynolds: Trust me, people grasped it alright! It is so raw, engaging, and it called you out! Whew! I was like, “Umm, Oh, no she didn’t!” People were able to locate themselves and when they did, they laughed as well as cried.
Myesha Chaney: It has been one of the biggest blessings in my entire life. As long as the Lord is doing it, we just don’t play. It taught me a lot. God has allowed me to do something that is not of me. Hiding Behind The Lipstick is not mine; it’s Gods. He doesn’t allow me to get the credit for it. It didn’t originate with me. I treat it very precious. It’s an honor and privilege to be allowed by God to be a part of it but I have nothing to do with it. It never ceases to amaze me- whenever and wherever we minister Hiding Behind The Lipstick, it touches the hearts of the ladies. It reaches them on such a deep level!

Wendy M. Reynolds: Were you nervous at all?
Myesha Chaney: Hiding Behind The Lipstick was like my life- my overcoming. When I did it the first time, I was so insecure. I didn’t even tell anyone that I was the speaker at the retreat because I was fearful that they wouldn’t come. They didn’t know who the speaker was until they got into the room. There were 150 ladies paying money to go to a retreat and I thought, “Surely I can’t speak at this retreat. At retreats, you want to hear other people.” However, the committee and I had this whole thing planned- all staged out and the women came.

For me, Hiding Behind The Lipstick was like going up against Goliath. It was the biggest feat in my entire life- to stand and do “that message” and have the results that we had in our church. It was probably the biggest thing I’ve had to overcome as a person because it was such a challenging word. I didn’t bounce it off of anyone- not even my husband. I just did it. I prayed. I prepared and went out there and did it. At 3am, we were still sharing testimonies and crying. People I thought I had known for ten years… I had no clue… no idea.

Wendy M. Reynolds: Will there be any more Hiding behind the Lipsticks?
Myesha Chaney: We want to do a whole lot more with it. I’m 100 pages in on a book/workbook. I’ve started drafting the stage play and hopefully in the future it will be a movie. It will bring different people’s lives together showing how they hide. We will bring it all together in an entertaining way so people can see themselves. We want to ride it until the wheels fall off so that the message can be clearly understood.

Wendy M. Reynolds: How has your perception of who you are and who God is changed?
Myesha Chaney: My perception of whom God has changed by the various trials, and the things you go through and the hurts that one goes through.

Wendy M. Reynolds: People don’t like to talk about the hurt that can occur inside the church.
Myesha Chaney: Church hasn’t always been and isn’t always a place of healing- not for a lot of people. Church can be a place where people are hurt sometimes. So I have managed to see God in so many ways. He has proven Himself faithful in so many ways- through marriage, births, illness, speaking for the first time and even making a way when people said things about me that were very hurtful and I had to love despite that; I’ve seen Him bring relationships together. It’s through the wrestling and toiling… you know the “I’m going to hold on until you bless me” experiences and other experiences- some good and some, well, … that people shouldn’t have to go through, that really shaped and molded our relationship into what it is today where there is trust and extreme obedience (on my part)-where I really try to hear what God says and do it the first time. There’s a feeling that I can jump off a cliff and He would catch me.

Wendy M. Reynolds: What about you? How has your perception of who you are changed?
Myesha Chaney: I’ve evolved and changed into who I am today by being obedient to the Holy Spirit. As a Pastor’s wife at the age of 21, I started wearing my suits and doing everything I needed to do to fit into the culture of being a Pastor’s wife. However, the Holy Spirit told me that He was trying to get me to reach a different group of people and that I needed to change my dress. So I did. I might have on skinny jeans and pumps during church but it’s me. It’s not offensive to anyone. It’s not going to cause you to flip if you’re a man. It’s going to reflect who I am as a human being, not just the role I play or the position I have. Being willing to take those types of risk in Christ in a lot of different areas makes me who I am.

When I started speaking, there was a pressure to “hoop” and preach and carry on as some of other women tried to do because they were trying to show how equal they were to a man. The Holy Spirit told me, “Your husband does a great job teaching, now you do a better job at nurturing and speaking to the heart.” He has shown me how to hone in on what I do that makes me different and effective. That has made me who I am today.

Wendy M. Reynolds: Do you think your ability to stand up and be whom you are encourages or liberates others who sit up under you or come in contact with you?
Myesha Chaney: Yes. I do think it’s helpful and that’s what gives me the extra confidence to always be willing because I hear peoples say, “If you stepped out and did that, I can to.” For example when I sang at the Susan G. Colman’s ‘Race for the Cure’ at Dodger Stadium, I sang Freedom. I still sang about God. I could have changed it and made it more universal. But I sang I’m free in Jesus. I’m free in Him. It’s all about God. Someone came up to me and said, “I saw the video from Dodger Stadium and I’m so grateful that you kept your stance. You sang just as you do in church. You didn’t compromise.” To the average person, that might not mean anything but for me it meant a lot. It meant I am who I am. It’s evident. I’m not going to change because I’m somewhere where people are not from church. If you want me, this how you get me. This is really who I am. Hopefully that encouraged that person, who is also an aspiring singer, to fully represent God and not change when she is out as well. “If Lady Myesha didn’t change, I don’t have to.”

Wendy M. Reynolds: Let’s talk about the album. Just how excited are you?
Myesha Chaney: We’re so excited! The official release date is July 10th at the Long Beach Gospel Fest that we do every year. It’s going to be something fresh, different, and liberating. There are some streams of worship but there are just some different sounds- just different. I wrestled with it for a while because I’m such a worshiper at heart. I could have created an album consisting of only worship but I had to be obedient to the Holy Spirit and trust God who said, “Go in this direction; it’s going to work.” I didn’t have to give everything on the 1st album. It’s definitely not everything, but it is enough to establish that there is something happening in Long Beach for sure and this is who she is!

The album title is currently “Take it to the World!” I’ve vacillated with the title. The first single, “I came to lift Him” will hit the radio nationwide by May 1st.

Wendy M. Reynolds: Do you have a target audience?
Myesha Chaney: Those who are looking for or desire something fresh- something new and relevant- something real. If you want to do life and church the same way it’s been done for the last 40 years, that’s fine. If you’re longing for something else, if there is a longing in your spirit for something different and real- then I’m trying to come at you!!

Wendy M. Reynolds: I’ve watched you sing your song “Let’s Go Crazy” at the Stellars. It is full of energy and fun! It makes you want to move. I need it on my workout CD.
Myesha Chaney: That’s an exact example of “Living Free.” Let’s go crazy! Let’s lose our minds giving God praise! You’re going to want to stand up and do something you’ve never done before when you hear this music! “Let’s Go Crazy” was a big part of the excitement for us in our church and will be a big part of the viral push.

Wendy M. Reynolds: Well I can’t wait until it’s out. We need to be sure to pick it up as well as call into the radio stations and request they play your songs. Talk about the Radio Show that you and your husband, Pastor Wayne host.
Myesha Chaney: The show is called “Real Life.” It’s on at 9pm on KJLH 102.3 FM (Stevie Wonder’s Radio Station and the only station in LA County that plays gospel music). Our show deals with real issues that Christians and people face and deal with on regular bases. It just gives words to it. We spend time on it and people can call in and give their input and it makes for a great experience for a lot of people. We are honored and grateful that we’ve been given the opportunity to impact people outside of the pulpit. We don’t go in trying to show how well we can teach. We actually get out of ourselves so that we can be relevant and reach people. We laugh a lot; we have fun, which we still do that at home but the typical preacher is not going to have the approach we have. If you come to the church, you would still see the real people. You’re going to see the glory of God but we don’t play. But the radio is our outlet. People not in the area can still listen to it live by internet.

Wendy M. Reynolds: How do you keep it all balance? Some people have difficulty trying to manage one or two things but you…
Myesha Chaney: It’s an ongoing thing that we work at daily as a family. Sometimes God just gives you that supernatural power to do everything and still go to bed at night feeling good. Other times, you find that it’s taxing- taxing on you and the family. I go from 0 to 60 in 2 seconds so with me it’s usually all or nothing. When we did Hiding Behind The Lipstick, my husband was like, “I don’t even have a wife” because I was so in it. We were meeting at the church for hours, on the internet, filming, and editing. We were doing everything because we were so excited about what God was doing. My husband understood. The Holy Spirit told him, “Just give her a couple of weeks.”

Wendy M. Reynolds: You all have so much going on!
Myesha Chaney: Life is like a dance, you know, where you give and you take- where you work and allow life to be more organic than structured all the time. However, now that our kids are getting older, they really need structure. They can’t be at church until 10pm one night and then up late with the babysitter or over friends another night. We’ve tried to adjust our lives for our kids. We try to only allow one of us to go if we have to fly away. At least one of us is at home when the kids get home from school. We just give and take so that they have some type of continuity in their lives. Some things you just have to do and sometimes you have to be flexible to get it done or release some responsibilities to other capable people. We were in church all the time- sometimes 12-15 hours a day- bible studies, staff meetings, ... We had to release some responsibilities so that it’s just not 100% church. Sometimes you have to withdraw.
Keeping a healthy life style and keeping life organized and routine for our kids sake is our today. We don’t know what things will be like when the album comes out but for today, that’s what we’re working on.

Wendy M. Reynolds: Maintaining balance is important as well as not losing your individual self in the midst of everything.
Myesha Chaney: Absolutely. When I started doing music, that gave me the satisfaction of doing something else I wanted to do and it helps with my own value, sort of speak, as my own person. It is something separate from my responsibilities at the church- something that I want to do outside of the long hours at church.

Wendy M. Reynolds: When you’re in the pulpit or on stage preaching or singing, you are so energetic and engaging? Is that how your personality is when you’re not on stage?
Myesha Chaney: (Laughing) Yeah, that’s funny. I talk a lot once I start talking but it’s no problem for me to sit at home and be quiet and not really talk to anybody. I’m wouldn’t call myself an introvert, but there is a difference probably in my normal personality. The “go out and talk and have fun and share yourself” is more like the Holy Spirit has formed me into this over the years but in my true nature, I could probably sit at the computer with a party going on around me and that party would not affect me. I’m not like the social butterfly in my own nature. But because of what we do, and the fact that I’m always thinking there’s an opportunity to reach someone, I’m always willing to listen and stop because it’s not about me. I wouldn’t go to a banquet and not talk, although I could. But certain people just can’t- like my husband. He is an outgoing person. I can go to the grocery store, go through the line, go to my car and be done whereas my husband, he can’t. He would stop and talk to people he doesn’t know. “Hey, I’m Wayne. What’s your name?” He has to get to know the person. Me… well, I’m content with quiet.

Wendy M. Reynolds: Do you feel you’re all grown up?
Myesha Chaney: I think I’m still growing up but yes, for the most part. When you have a husband, kids, a household… I’ve done the professional route. I was a registered nurse for many years. I guess I’m grown up. I may not want to acknowledge that. My responsibilities are grown up. That’s for sure.

Wendy M. Reynolds: God has accomplished so much through you at such a young age- things that may take some people a lifetime. Did you always know what you wanted to do?
Myesha Chaney: I’m honored that He would. I took college classes in high school to become a nurse. I just did it. I was finished. My friends were still thinking about it and I was done- on to the next thing. When I was really young, I remember my family always emphasizing in their conversations, “You need to get a good job with good benefits.” They would give me options: a nurse, a police officer. I felt like I needed to pick something so I picked being a nurse. I just picked it. I didn’t really know what it was all about. My mom was in nursing and my grandma was in nursing. The value system was getting a good job that was steady and consistent. I probably would have wanted to be a singer- I would have wanted to say that but I didn’t feel like that was the value system. So, I just chose being a nurse. I set a goal and accomplished it. I don’t even know if I wanted to do it. When I went through school, started working, and started making all the money at 20 years old I knew then that I couldn’t do it for the next 40 years. So I started to go on and find what that next thing would be. Nursing is a great profession, probably one of the best ones around. However, I knew I couldn’t do it for the rest of my life.

Wendy M. Reynolds: What are you passionate about besides music?
Myesha Chaney: Other than my family…probably women, people, anybody who has been the underdog. I’m passionate about the person who has been the 1%’er. I always felt like I was the 1%er. Even when it came to marriage, there was probably a 1% chance that my husband and I would be together. My husband could have ended up with the woman who had been in church all her life and all of that- and I was none of that, but God was like, “you two belong together.” So, anyone who has ever felt like they were the underdog, not first choice-

In addition, I have come to take on some really important causes like molestation is a big thing for me in my life’s journey – what I plan on spending a lot of time dealing with and shedding light on in the church. Molestation, rape, the effects of abortion- things like that I’ve really taken on- especially through Hiding Behind The Lipstick. There are some things I get angry about beyond measure and I want to help fuel that anger into more stricter laws and shedding light on it in church because people act likes it doesn’t happen. I would love to create some type of safe haven or community for girls where they will feel safe sharing and dealing with something so personal and private. I would love to do that. I would love to spend my life doing that.

Wendy M. Reynolds: Wow, what a beautiful goal and it is needed in our society. Too often, things are swept under the rug and hurting people walk away feeling as they don’t matter or deserve to feel good about themselves- never discovering the beauty within. Well, Myesha, you have led me to my final question that we always ask and that is what does beauty mean to you?
Myesha Chaney: Beauty is being who you innately are inside and being confident in whom you are without regard to what people say about you. Beauty is not founded on how light or straight your hair is or on the outward but just being who you are and allowing that to exude from your person without regard to what people say.

Wendy M. Reynolds: Myesha, thank you so much for sharing with Beauty Come Forth! I have enjoyed speaking to you. I am excited about look forward to all of your upcoming projects. You have our full support!
Myesha Chaney: Wendy, it has been my pleasure. Thank you!

For more exciting information on Myesha Chaney, be sure to visit her website at
http://www.myeshachaney.com