About Me

Reverend Lydia Patricia Ford is a versatile figure, excelling in multiple roles. As a reinvention mentor, grief counselor, entrepreneur, teacher, author, digital creator on social media, and pastor, she is a beacon of hope and inspiration, embodying a spirit of resilience and compassion. 

Ordained as a gospel minister, Reverend Ford served as the founding pastor of the Don't Forget to Say Your Prayers International Worship Center for 10 years. Her leadership and dedication left an indelible mark on her congregants before she embarked on a new journey to North Carolina. She also founded Lydia Ford International Ministries, an online platform that extends her reach to those needing spiritual guidance. 

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In August of 2023, Reverend Ford became a certified grief counselor through the American Institute of Healthcare Professionals, adding another feather to her cap. Her commitment to helping others navigate the complexities of grief and her belief in the human capacity to heal and grow is a testament to her empathetic nature. She continues her spiritual journey as a Covenant Life Fellowship Church member in Raleigh, NC, where she leads the women's ministry with grace and wisdom. 

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Reverend Ford's career as an educator spanned over three decades, with 28 years in the Hartford school system and eight years in the Schenectady city school system. Her academic achievements include an associate degree in nursery education from S.U. N.Y. Cobleskill, New York, a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from S.U. N.Y. Oneonta, New York, and a Master of Science Degree from S.U. N.Y. at Albany, New York. 

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Rev. Ford founded a women’s support group, “Soul Talk” for women in February 2008. The group focused on providing Christian fellowship, mentorship, spiritual guidance, and soul support for women struggling with their faith and interpersonal relationships. Her annual BFF (Best Friends Forever) February Valentine’s Event evolved from this group. Rev. Ford held this annual event after Valentine’s Day. The venue included a luncheon, noted local and regional speakers, vendors, liturgical dancers, psalmists, and musicians. In 2020, the BFF’s name was changed to “Building Fruitful Friendships.” Due to COVID-19, in May of 2021, her last BFF was concluded in Connecticut by having a virtual Zoom celebration. But the celebration was just as exuberant and filled with laughter, inspiration, and love. 

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Reverend Ford has made her mark as a creator in the digital realm, hosting several social media platforms. Her engaging presence can be found on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. She also moderates Facebook groups like Early Morning Tea, Building Fruitful Friendships, and Grace 2 Win. In February 2024, she launched her first podcast, Lydia’s Tea Talk Podcast, further expanding her digital footprint. 

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Reverend Ford’s passion for women's ministry is evident in her efforts to create spaces for women to share their life experiences, believing in the power of storytelling to inspire and empower. She fervently supports women entrepreneurs and believes in fostering partnerships, mentorship, and opportunities for foreign mission work. Her work in grief counseling is driven by a profound belief in the human capacity to heal and grow. Her model, “I help people stuck in grief to get unstuck,” reflects her commitment to helping individuals survive their grief journey, thrive, and fulfill their potential. As she often quotes a stroke survivor, “Our dreams are not extinguished by what has happened to us, by what we were, what was done to us, or what happened. Neither traumas nor illnesses define us.”

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Reverend Lydia Ford's life and work are a testament to her unwavering faith, commitment to service, and belief in the power of prayer, the Word of God, resilience, and reinvention.