Hello Agape Love family! I want to share my testimony of how I became the 2008 Miss Illinois Plus America with all of you!

In December 2007 I worked with professional photographer Rodney Wright to do a photo shoot. I have a love and passion for singing dancing, and modeling. In order to do this, I recognized the need to develop a professional portfolio that would allow me to apply and submit information for casting calls. After going to a few casting calls, I finally submitted my information to One Source Talent Agency.

I went to a casting call and was accepted by One Source Talent Agency. As I went through this process, I also began to think about other things I really wanted to do. This led me to submit an application to the National headquarters of the Miss Plus America pageant.

The Miss Plus America pageant is founded and run by Christian women. It has received national coverage from Entertainment Tonight and the Insider! The pageant has only been around since 2003. Local title winners from each state compete in an overall national competition in July 2008. I submitted my information, met all of the requirements and the rest is history!

My pastor (Dr. Bill Winston) recently spoke on how God will “hide” things “For You” and not necessarily “from you”. I honestly believe that this pageant was hidden just for me, because I was able to apply and win the title with just four months left until the national pageant!!! How did this happen? Like I said, I believe God hid it from the rest of the state and had me discover it at just the right moment!

I have only held my title for a short time, but wonderful things have already been forth coming. I have been interviewed by radio personality Nikki Woods for the Inspiration and Conversation show! I have several other appearances coming up as well! In addition to winning the Miss Plus Illinois title, I have also been invited to minister in song as a part of a 10-city tour to launch an online shoe business called Diamond Divaz!

God has truly opened and is continuing to open MANY doors for me. The key to unlocking all of these doors is FAITH! I had to step out on faith to work with a professional photographer (which is NOT cheap!), put myself out there and continue to believe that something big was coming. I began to prepare myself so I would be ready when opportunities came my way! I am continuing to use my faith and believing that every need that I have for this pageant has already been met in Jesus’ name! God is putting me in touch with the right people and the right resources so that I can compete without “toiling” to try to pay for everything. I believe that I will sell ads and raise funds effortlessly. That television and radio appearances will come to me in abundance in Jesus’ name! More importantly, I believe that I will be an inspiration for others to go after and succeed at whatever they desire to do through the body of Christ.

I ask that you continue to pray for me as I go for the crown to represent the Kingdom of God!


Best Regards,

Nikeya N. Green
2008 Miss Illinois Plus America
Hotline: 312-436-1531
www.missplusamerica.com


If You are interested in making donations to the Miss Plus Illinois Fund, please send them to P.O.Box 388198, Chicago, IL. 60638

Nikeya Green is a K-2nd Grade Special Education Teacher at McKinley Elementary School in Bellwood, Illinois. She is also an independent Gospel recording artist, aspiring plus-size model, and beauty queen! Nikeya began singing when she was about two years old. Her mother realized early that her daughter was anointed to sing. She allowed Nikeya to sing in the choir at church. Nikeya continued to sing in choirs from middle school through college, but it was her experience with the DePaul Gospel Choir that changed her forever! The DePaul Gospel Choir did more than polish her vocal skills. It reconnected her with God like never before! Nikeya served faithfully with the gospel choir as a Chaplain, member of the Alpha and Omega Dance Ministry, and lead soloist. It was at DePaul where Nikeya met Rodney Young Jr. and Barrie Buckner. Rodney played the keyboard for the choir, and Barrie was a member of the choir. These two formed Youngbuck Productions during their years at DePaul.

In the summer of 2005, Nikeya began working with Rodney on a project called "Relationships, Vol. 1," an album promoting sexual purity and intimacy with God that will be released in 2008. Blessed with the gift of songwriting as well, Nikeya wrote four of the songs on that project. Rodney and Barrie asked her to work with them as a songwriter/background vocalist for various clients at Studio 713. Nikeya's voice has appeared on other projects such as Jason Shepherd and Another Level, The Happiness Club, and Indie Gospel Artist Tracey Barbour. While Nikeya has enjoyed working on various projects, she looks forward to creating her debut CD in 2008 with the help of God and her dynamic production team, Youngbuck Productions! As the reigning 2008 Miss Illinois Plus America, Nikeys will be competing for the Miss Plus America crown in Dallas, Texas THIS SUMMER (July 2-6, 2008)! 2008 is DEFINITELY the Year of Fullness for this awesome woman of God, so be on the lookout for this dynamic songstress/beauty queen in 2008!!!

If You are interested in making donations to the Miss Plus Illinois Fund, please send them to P.O.Box 388198, Chicago, IL. 60638

Because God is a purposeful God and deliberate in all of His ways – I, having His spiritual DNA have decided to put away; not engage in the thought or perception of coincidences. I say this because this month marks the one year anniversary of my emancipation from the corporate world as I formerly knew it. So would it not be God; who is the same yesterday, today and forever to present me with this opportunity via Agape Love to commemorate my “crossing over” experience just as he had Israel to do (by erecting 12 stones) after they crossed the Jordan River into their promised land? Israel was instructed by God to tell their children how He enabled them to cross over the Jordan River. So…I’ll do the same.

It is truly phenomenal how God can transform our lives in the twinkling of an eye. I say that because since my leap of faith into discovering yet another dimension of my destiny; another portion of the purpose for which I was created – I have seen many miracles. To others, one year may sound like sufficient time to leave one career and jump start a new career and thriving business, however, I can only speak for myself because I know that the path and the steps which I have taken were definitely ordered by God to get me to this wealthy place as the owner and operator of Total Restoration Massage Therapy LLC.

After working in the commercial banking sector for 19 years, God called me out. I must say, the one thing that I remember the most was God’s instructions to me about opening my mouth and telling others that I would be leaving to start my own business. He said: “Linda, be sure that you know that you know that you know that it is I who has called you out.” After much confession and meditating on the Word of God (particularly 2 Corinthians 9:8 The Amplified Bible), I was strong in my faith to do what I knew God wanted me to do and to open my mouth to tell others.

I had to have strong faith because in the natural, the business name: Total Restoration Massage Therapy LLC had not yet been revealed to me, nor did I have clients lined up and down the street waiting for me to leave the bank and open my doors for business, nor did I have a bank account lined with money to finance one iota of the things required to operate a business. However, the bible instructs us to: “call those things that be not as though they were.” Therefore, when I received inquires from others concerning the aforementioned issues I would simply answer in the affirmative, because first and foremost, I trusted God, I knew that He was calling me out and I knew that He had all the provisions that I needed - all I had to do was believed and let my actions be indicative of my belief.

Only after leaving the bank did God reveal the business name to me. He told me that because He had totally restored me: spirit, soul and body, He wanted me to be instrumental in His restoration of others and He edified me with a firm foundation found in His Word: Joel 2:25, James 5:14-15 and III John 1:2. Only after leaving the bank did I find a physical building in an ideal location for the business. Only after leaving the bank did I get finances to purchase equipment and supplies for the business and received calls from perspective clients telling me that they saw my ad in a newspaper (please note: I never paid for nor placed any ads – anywhere!).

I am extremely enthusiastic that the yearning to know my own true purpose has forever changed my life and unveiled a new dimension; a business to serve others called: Total Restoration Massage Therapy LLC. When clients and prospective clients enter the doors of Total Restoration Massage Therapy LLC, they are not only seeking quality and effective massage therapy treatments to bring them relief from challenges within their muscles, they are oftentimes seeking refuge and a retreat from a loud and fast-paced world that constantly places extreme demands and great stress on them; spirit, soul and body.

On Thursday, September 20, 2007, a Launch Party was held for Agape Love, “The Premier Social and Professional Network for Christians by Christians.” Juri Jones-Moore, Founder and President of Agape Love hosted the event. Attendees of the launch party were provided with an overview, as well as gifts, and examples of the extensive services offered by Agape Love.

Agape Love is a Christian ministry with the express purpose of providing networking opportunities for Christians in safe, fun and secure settings through events planning and a designated website.

Guest were able to gain an in depth and insightful view of Agape Love and meet the people who brought it all together. As a part of its networking goals, Agape Love also showcased a variety of businesses and affiliates who are a part of its networking circle through displays and raffle giveaways.

This spectacular event took place at the beautiful Pierre' Banquets located at 3237 S. Harlem Ave. in Berwyn, IL. 60402,

“Agape Love’s Vision: is to provide quality environments for the Christian community. Agape Love’s Mission: is to create a simple yet safe process where Christians can network with like-minded Christians. Agape Love’s Values: are based on respect for the community we depend on, the customers we serve, and the people we work with. Agape Love is not a dating service, but if you feel like you need a social night out or want to network regarding your professional interest, you can do either or both through our social and networking events, which will be held at various locations through out the Chicago area.

Those interested in becoming members, attending future Agape Love events and/or seeking more information must be 21 years of age or older, single, divorced or widowed. Please check out our website for information on Agape Love Services.

Agape Love is a dream, a vision that was brought to me by God. A dream, a vision that was a call to action by the Lord himself.

I had an important, yet unfulfilling job in the environmental industry when I heard the Lord call upon me to create networking opportunities for equally yoked women and men of Christ. At first, I looked up to heaven with a kind of “You got to be kidding Lord,” look on my face. But the Lord said he wasn’t kidding. So I got to work. Trusting in the Lord I made a big leap of FAITH and left my job. After that, everything began to fall into place. Through my prayers and meditation, God began to guide me in the direction he wanted me to go. I begin to tap into God as my source and assembled an anointed team to help make the dream a reality. Before I knew it, Agape Love was born and working!

Agape Love is a Christian ministry with the express purpose of providing networking opportunities for Christians in safe, fun and secure settings through events planning and a designated website. Not a dating service, Agape Love is unique in its vision to focus on providing opportunities, both social and professional in nature, not offered through other organizations. Agape Love provides equally yoked women and men of Christ with opportunities to come together in spirit filled settings.

Whether you choose to become a member of Agape Love because you are looking for professional opportunities or want to enjoy the embrace of a community of like-minded Christians coming together to network about work, or other life issues, you can do it here. Agape Love offers opportunities to expand your vision, to make connections that encompass your spirit, body and soul. Agape Love is creating a vast network of Christians, coming together so that wherever you go you will feel right at home.

Founder and President
Agape Love Inc.