By Sylvia Powers
Correspondent
I Messenger Media
For more than three decades, Dr. Elder Cathy Moffitt, founder of Heartfelt International Ministries (H.I.M.), has been a source of hope, healing, and unwavering faith. As she celebrates over 30 years in ministry, her journey is a powerful testimony to endurance, compassion, and an unshakable calling to serve both God and community.
“If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing,” says Moffitt. “I’ve cried, I’ve sacrificed, I’ve been afraid—and in many ways, I’m still walking that same path. But my faith in what I hear from God gives me the courage to keep going. I understand the significance of obedience, and I know that whatever I’m experiencing, God will bring me through it.”
Dr. Moffitt’s ministry began with a simple yet profound desire—to make a difference in the lives of others through the transformative love of Christ. What started as a local outreach blossomed into a far-reaching mission that has touched hearts and changed lives across the country. Whether preaching behind a pulpit, praying at a hospital bedside, or mentoring women through life’s most difficult transitions, Dr. Moffitt’s presence has always been defined by grace, wisdom, and spiritual integrity.
Throughout her journey, she has worn many hats: preacher, teacher, counselor, advocate, and spiritual mother. Her commitment to community has extended well beyond church walls, with initiatives supporting women with breast cancer, domestic violence, and single mothers in transition.
A Sister’s Legacy
Much of Dr. Moffitt’s strength has been fueled by the support of loved ones, particularly her sister, Gayla Capers, whom she describes as her biggest supporter.
“My sister Gayla always believed in the call on my life,” said Dr. Moffitt. “She was my first donor and supported me in every way she could until her tragic death in a car accident. Losing her at the age of 48 sent me into a deep depression for three years.”
That heartbreaking loss shifted the course of Dr. Moffitt’s life and ministry. She returned to school and refocused her mission, but her heart for serving women never wavered. She even used the experience to teach other women about the importance of mental health and getting help to overcome grief.
“I’ve never charged for ministry—unless it was something very small. I’ve always wanted to make sure that women who needed the encouragement that my ministry provides could access it, regardless of their ability to pay. I know there was a time that I couldn’t afford to pay and waited for someone to invite me to an event.”
A Celebration Rooted in Purpose
On Saturday, August 2, 2025, Dr. Moffitt will commemorate this ministry milestone by launching a spiritual movement titled “Rooted in Faith, Flourishing in Grace” at Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. The event will honor those who paved the way and elevate the next generation of women called to lead. The registration is free of charge.
A sponsor is providing transportation for two domestic violence shelters in Dallas, ensuring that women who are often overlooked can attend. Gift bags filled with essentials, snacks, and words of encouragement will be distributed to all who come.
“As a survivor of domestic violence myself, this cause is close to my heart. I was abused in college, and I’ve made it a priority to support shelters across Dallas. I want the women to feel seen, supported, and celebrated—even if just for a few hours.”
A Leader Who Shapes Leaders
Through her Christian Women’s Leadership Development Program (CWLDP), Dr. Moffitt has been shaping spiritual and marketplace leaders for years. She teaches that there are three essential traits for leadership:
- Humility – “An arrogant spirit doesn’t work in ministry. People can see through that right away.”
- Genuine Love for People – “A true love for God naturally overflows into a love for people. It must come from an internal place, not just a scriptural one.”
- Vision and Integrity – “Leaders must be able to cast a vision and live a life that others want to be part of what you are doing.”
Despite her impact, Dr. Moffitt acknowledges thatfemale leaders in ministry often face resistance, especially from men who do not recognize their call.
“I’ve encountered men who didn’t support my ministry, but I chalk it up to ignorance. There’s a cost that comes with this calling—for men and women. I’ve learned to carry it with excellence. If I was told to preach from the floor instead of the pulpit, I did it with obedience.”
Her mentor, the late Bishop Ernestine Reems, was a guiding light during those early years. Reems was excommunicated from her denomination in the 1960s after proclaiming her call to preach.
“She showed me how to walk boldly in my calling, no matter the opposition. Her strength was the example I needed.”
A Living Legacy
Moffitt is also a caregiver for her aging mother. While she’s not entirely sure what the next season holds, she is content with walking by faith.
“When you live by faith, you don’t always get to see the full picture. But I trust God. I’m taking it one day at a time and believing He will reveal the next steps when the time is right.”
Dr. Moffitt, her husband Lorenzo, will celebrate 33 years of marriage on August 22, 2025.
Sylvia Powers is an award winning author, accomplished writer, gifted photographer, and nationally recognized breast cancer advocate with a deep passion for empowering others.
