The History of Michelle Elliott Ministries
Our History
In 2008, a global market downturn and economic recession had widespread repercussions. The recession lasted for several years. However, I began to feel the effects of it in 2010. I didn’t have a regular 9 to 5 job. I was an investor! I had some investment income coming in, but suddenly, it stopped. At the time, I had about nine open credit cards and lines of credit. I didn’t realize my credit card debt had climbed to over $100,000. I ignored the rising balances and interest rates. I just made the minimum payments each month and kept it moving. But now that I no longer had income, I was forced to look at all my statements as they came in the mail. It was a complete shock to find myself in so much debt! I couldn’t believe that I allowed myself to get in that position. I was anxious and worried but knew I had to find a solution. So, I began to pray.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
The Spirit of God led me to study the Bible concerning God’s truth about money, debt, and true wealth. I searched the scriptures for three years and found over 2000 about money. I learned that it is not God’s will for His people to be in debt. The Bible says in Romans 13:8:
“Keep out of debt. Owe no man anything but to love.” (Romans 13:8:)
I saw clearly through God’s Word that borrowing money is dangerous. Debt is bondage and puts people in a place of slavery and bondage to the creditor. The Word says in Proverbs 22:7:
“The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is a slave to the lender.” (Proverbs 22:7:)
I also could see that God desires His people to live in abundance and lack no good thing. Being in debt was not only a serious financial issue but also a spiritual issue. The Bible says in Matthew 6:24:
“You can’t serve two masters. You can’t serve God and money.” (Matthew 6:24:)
So, I vowed to get out of debt as fast as possible. I stopped using debt cold turkey. I closed all my credit cards (they were at the limit anyway) and learned what it truly meant to trust God. I committed to seeking God and His righteousness (His way of doing things), and He promised to supply all my needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus. Matthew 6:33 says,
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” (Matthew 6:33)
In 2012, while I was still deep in debt, the Lord led me to teach other Christians what I learned about debt. So, I started having weekly meetings on Tuesday evenings at my friend Eva’s bakery. Each week, a group of people would join me to discuss what the Bible says about money and debt. I was committed to leading as many people out of debt as possible. That’s when Michelle Elliott Ministries was born. The foundation of this ministry is freedom – freedom from sin and freedom from debt. Galatians 5:1 says,
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1)
In 2014, after three years of being guided by the Spirit of God and learning the Biblical perspective on debt, God led me out of all that debt! I am debt-free! No more debt chains are holding me. God rescued me from the pit of financial destruction and placed my feet on solid ground. I vowed never to go back into debt again. Now, I am committed to helping others to gain their freedom and trust God for favor and blessings. Deuteronomy 15:6 says,
“For the Lord your God will bless you as He has promised, and you will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. You will rule over many nations, but none will rule over you.” (Deuteronomy 15:6)
An essential mission of this ministry is to share what the gospel says about financial freedom and how to live independently from this world system. Debt is a stumbling block to many of God’s people, keeping them from fulfilling God’s true purpose and plan for their lives. God has made my charge clear, according to Isaiah 57:14:
“Clear the way! Clear the way! Remove the stumbling block out of the way of my people!” (Isaiah 57:14:)