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__________________________________________ I've been so blessed by your involvement at CWO. I'm thrilled to have this opportunity of interviewing you this month, so both the readers and I can get to know you a little bit more. Thank you! I'd like to start by asking if you can explain to us what TNT Ministries is?
How was this ministry started, and how has it evolved during the 15 years you’ve been married? In 1999, God called us to step out in faith and enter into full time evangelism. This wasn’t easy since, if you remember, it was right before the big Y2K scare, and we were leaving the punctual paycheck, benefits, and ‘security’ of a mega church, but God made it clear this was His plan, so we stepped out in obedience. When TNT Ministries first started eight years ago, we did every event together. Tony and I, along with our two kids (#3 wasn’t born yet) drove all over the country from one event to the other. Tony would preach, and I would sing, and God greatly blessed. We never once called a pastor and requested to come and minister, and yet, we have been so blessed with opportunities that God has opened up. We have seen the reality of Ephesians 2:10 and the “works that God has preordained for us to walk in.” As the years passed, we saw a transition in the types of events God was opening up for us. Tony began doing more State Conferences, Festivals, and student events, and then tours with Christian Music Artists. My role in the office and at home became more and more demanding, especially after our youngest child was born and the older ones began home schooling, so we began to be a little more selective on when the entire family traveled. Today, Tony is busy with the music tours, like he did with Casting Crowns on LifeSong and Winter Jam. He travels with the Music Artists and pours into their lives, and shares the Gospel in the middle of each of the concerts. Just through the LifeSong Tour in 2006 and the WinterJam Tour 2007, we have seen over 86,000 public decisions for Christ, to which we love to say, “GO GOD!” We have seen God affirm this calling time and time again and one of the ways He continues to do that is through the amazing fruit that we see Him produce. We, of all people, are amazed at what God is choosing to do. We really just try to stay focused on our own personal walk with Christ, keep our “yes” on the table of surrender with God, and “hang on for the ride”. One thing is for sure, it is always an adventure in the middle of God’s will! He has blown our minds at what He will do with a life that is simply willing and ready to follow Him in obedient faith, no matter how feeble that faith may be! :) I'm glad that you mentioned the fact that you sing. Because if you hadn't, I definitely would have! Your CD, The Great Exchange is a wonderful worship companion. I'm blessed to sing along with you every One of the highlights of our ministry was partnering with Casting Crowns for their LifeSong Tour. It is difficult to sum up Casting Crowns with one word because there are so many wonderful things that can be said about them, but I would probably have to go with “genuine”. What you see is what you get with these sweet people. They live what they sing. They, along with their families, are passionate about their walk with Christ and their ministry to His Church. They don’t just sing “If We Are the Body,” but they are being the Body of Christ to those around them, both on and off the platform. They don’t just sing “Does Anybody Hear Her,” but they have their own ears in tune to the cries of hurting people all around them and they give themselves away for the sake of the Gospel. They spend time with Jesus and seek His favor above all else. For them, it is really all about Casting their Crowns at the feet at Christ as they seek to bring a smile to His face not just through their music, but through their lives. Casting Crowns is a band made up of real people just like you and me who are the “real deal” and full of Jesus! I love their song, "If We Are The Body," and now I love it all the more! They sound so wonderful, Tammy. I had to ask, because others have also echoed your sentiments about the fact that Casting Crowns are the real deal. :) Where do you see your functional role in ministry alongside your husband? I was challenged early in our marriage by a sweet couple that mentored us to never “compete with him (especially in ministry), but to compliment him”. I see my functional role first and foremost as his wife. I am passionate about my call to be his helpmate. If I am doing this well, my role in ministry will be effective, as well. I see my role as his wife to be one that enhances, completes, and helps him in all that He does. This can change practically with life’s seasons, but I always have a vital role in what he does. He cannot do what he does without me, and I cannot do what I do without him. We are a team. I manage our office and all that comes with that, such as: handle his calendar and travel schedule, all office correspondence and accounting. I pray for him and with him (most of the time he calls me from behind the stage and I pray with him on the phone just before he speaks), and at times I travel and sing as we minister alongside each other in this capacity. When opportunities come up for me to sing, speak, or serve in any way (outside of my functional role here in our ministry), they are always sifted through this grid of questions: “Does this compete, conflict with, or compliment what my husband is doing?” If it is something that I can do without causing unneeded stress on our family and it can compliment him and what he is doing, then I do it. I have areas of service that I do on my own, such as singing, writing, encouraging others, etc, but all of it falls through the grid of my first priority to my marriage and family and how it affects my role as the helpmate to my husband. I can’t think of a sweeter, more fulfilling role to fulfill than this priceless one God has entrusted to me of being the “woman beside the man”.
How do you balance family and ministry? We have graciously declined many events because the schedule was too full and he needed to be home. I don’t like to use the word sacrifice when it comes to what we do because I don’t think we give up much in comparison to all Christ has given to us, so I’ll say, we make many adjustments to do what our family is called to do, but one thing we will not sacrifice on the altar of “ministry” is our family, so even though it can be tough at times, we are extremely careful in this area. Most school days are smooth, however, when they aren’t, Tony knows because he calls and checks in and I quickly say, “I am standing at the window just waiting on a school bus. Any kind will do as long as it will take all three of our kids and bring them home tonight for dinner!” :) Sometimes, when Daddy is in town, we like to plan fun activities in the middle of the day when things are quieter and less crowded. A home-school day in our home, like every other home-schooling family, is extremely busy, nonstop, and yet somehow, always fruitful! You mentioned that the family often travels with your husband in ministry, what is that like? You can’t put a price tag on this. You can teach it in a classroom or bible study. It is something you just sit back and watch, while God brings you to an awesome awareness of Himself and His amazing grace in the lives of those around you. It also gives them a firsthand look at why we “share their Daddy” week after week, and reminds them that it isn’t all about us, but God’s plan to bring people to Himself. What do you think makes the biggest difference and widest impact in a minister's family? This daily time is also the thing that makes the widest impact. As we are ministering to so many people, many of which are deeply hurting, it is only the truth and hope that Jesus offers that can make a difference, and we aren’t going to have this to offer if we aren’t spending adequate time with the Source each and every day. If we don’t dig deep enough ourselves, we will dry up. On the other hand, if we dig deep spiritual wells through the daily intimate fellowship we share with Jesus, we have an unlimited supply of all that pertains to “life and godliness” and the eternal hope within us to offer to this lost and dying world. With a demanding schedule of home schooling, running your husband's office, and often times traveling with him, how do you still stay connected with other women and minister to them? What is your passion in life? What prompted you to start writing with Christian Women Online? After months of prayer, I came across CWO and just felt compelled to contact you and simply make myself available to serve. Even as I wrote the email, I prayed that God would simply reveal His will for me. I opened my heart and surrendered my will to what He knew was best. If He wanted me as part of the CWO team, my “yes” was on the table. If not, I would continue to write as I had been doing and be content in whatever He chose to do with me and the writings He was giving to me. He made it clear through the wide open door and a warm welcome from the CWO team that this was a place He wanted to not only use me, but also use others to strengthen, encourage, and support me in my own journey, and what a blessing it has been already! I am honored to be a part of this incredible group of women and grateful to the Lord for leading me to them! Tammy, we're blessed on this end as well. You are such a fit with the CWO blog team, as you minister to women online. I've already seen lives changed through your ministry here, which I'm eternally grateful to our Father for. Thank you for being the hands of His body as you continually reach out to those around you.
Tammy lives in GA with her husband and three children, Christy, Wil, and Bradly, and are walking through the adoption journey to their sweet daughter, Joy, from China. You can learn more of TNT Ministries by visiting www.tonynolan.org or Tammy’s personal blog at http://stepsinourjourney.blogspot.com Read her devotions bi-monthly at CWO's Internet Cafe. Click here to go directly to Tammy's articles.
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Bonnie 
Tammy Nolan recently joined Christian Women Online, as a member of our team blog, 
