MY TESTIMONY
On July 19, 1967, Beatrice Monique Haywood was born in Manila, Philippines where her father was stationed in the United States Air Force. Upon their return to the United States, they decided to make the State of Maryland their home. Her mother nicknamed her, Peaches, due to her parents’ indifference of their first name choices for her. Peaches remembers vividly as a child that two of her family members, Minister and Mrs. Wayne Akins, would visit them during their stay in Maryland, and take her to the Billy Graham Crusades that were held in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
Peaches was very inquisitive and wanted to know more about this man named Jesus and His Father that Evangelist Graham spoke of during his messages. At the age of nine, Peaches gave her life to Jesus the Christ in the privacy of her family’s home as she recited the sinner’s prayer alone with Mrs. Akins. Immediately following this blessed experience, Satan tried put his plan of destruction into action.
Peaches and her family began attending a small spirit-filled Baptist church located in Washington, D.C., where she discovered her gift of music. At age nine, she approached the microphone to begin her lead verse for the first time. This strong vibrant angelic voice bellowed with great force. The anointing fell so heavily upon the saints, and they began to give shouts of praise. Peaches didn’t know what was going on, all she knew was that it pleased the listeners. Water-baptized at the age of 11, Peaches continued singing in the youth choir, and at the age of 13 became apart of the young adult choir.
During her preteen years, Peaches was sexually abused. The devil knew he had some work before him to get this chosen vessel sidetracked. As a military brat and the youngest of three children, her parents, never needing nor wanting for anything, spoiled her. Unfortunately, this crippled Peaches spiritually and mentally. Always depending upon her parents to be her safe haven, she escaped from the many pressures of life. However, this one thing that her parents could not save her from caused her to withdraw and become bitter towards everyone that cared about her, she trusted no one. As a teenager, she began to act out the emotional pains that were internalized through parental rebellion and promiscuity.
During this time, she would discover all the pain and hurt she had hidden for so many years would soon surface. She felt worthless, dirty and unwanted, just what the adversary wanted her to feel. She yearned so deeply to be loved by someone that was meant just for her. She truly believed that God had presented her with a husband at the age of 19. Peaches was married at the age of 21, and was divorced at 29. She thought that it only took her having a man that profess to be a believer, like her, would make everything right that went so wrong. Neither Peaches nor her husband took the time to become single in Christ (knowing God’s purpose for their individual lives – the standards for Christian living, the tearing down of strongholds, etc) before marriage. Peaches was emotionally, mentally and, in the end, physically abused during her marriage. After her divorced, she found herself right back in a relationship. REBOUND!! Once again, not allowing God to be Lord over her life, but placing all her energy into a relationship that had no substance.
Peaches’ ministry in song continued along with emotional ties. As she went forth to minister, she wept sorrowfully, but was determined to find that breakthrough to her healing. She became extremely active in the Women and Youth Ministries at her church, ministering to many young women about abusive relationships and mental blocks that caused a hindrance in their relationship with Christ, family and friends. At the time she didn’t realize that God was equipping her for spiritual warfare as an advocate for young believers through the gifts of healing and deliverance. She stood as a liaison for the young people of her church to bridge the gap of communication between parent and child. Deliverance and reconciliation are the keys to a free life in Christ. Now, are you opened to receive what thus says the Lord?
HER TRIUMPHS
Peaches’ educational background in Business Administration, Personnel Management, and Christian Counseling has helped to mold her in the areas in which God has called her. In 1998, she began a three-fold consulting firm called “Agape Works Incorporated.” This company provides consultation for small businesses, musical artists, and outreach awareness programs. She has since changed the name to Agape Works International Alliance upon moving to Las Vegas, Nevada where God show her the expansion of her called place.
Peaches non-profit organization, Consecrating Holistic Relationships In Serving (and) Training [C.H.R.I.S.T.] Like Foundation caters to abused women between the ages of 17-25 through empowerment programs, transition housing, and job placement services for all who qualify for the program. After relocated back to the east coast making Charlotte, NC her place to call, home, she has started a media public relations company called, Peachtree Consultants. This company provides media, public relations, marketing and promotional services for an elect clientele group.
Even though this woman of God has endured many trials and tribulations, Peaches has continuously pressed toward the mark of the prize that is in Christ Jesus. Whether it was school or work, her life’s experiences from one venture to another she remained victorious. But, “God works everything out for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.” She has taken every experience and turned them into learning tools so that others may see, read and grow through her songwriting, literary writings and online radio talk show.
She has been blessed with two beautiful daughters, Shamyka and Shayla; two wonderfully steadfast parents, Frederick and Gloria Haywood; two overly protective brothers, Frederick Haywood, Jr. and Darrell Harrison; and an array of friends who has support her mentally through counsel, spiritually through prayer and physically through their presence. Her deliverance has elevated her to a spiritual level of awareness to know that nothing is to hard for God. Trusting and depending on Him to meet yours needs in spite of what family.
THE VISION
To break down the walls of denominational and cultural barriers that divides us as a people and the body of Jesus Christ through an evangelistic music ministry and the exemplification of God’s love. II Corinthians 10:14-17
