By OBBM Network Editorial Staff

Derived from an episode of Get on The Ark.

When the pandemic forced the closure of her beloved horse‑training program, Kendra D. Carroll could have simply paused. Instead, she turned a sudden void into a new ministry, penning her first book, Step Into Your Calling, and expanding her outreach from rodeo clinics to women’s conferences across the country.

From Saddles to Scripture: The Birth of a Book

Carroll, a mother of four from Placerville, California, explains that the idea for her book emerged while she was teaching kids leadership, confidence and communication through a horse program. “I was like, I’m going to write a book about that. They gave me like, I’m crazy,” she recalls, laughing at the initial skepticism. When COVID‑19 hit, the program vanished, removing the excuse she had used to delay writing. “I really felt like I didn’t have any more excuse to tell God no,” she said, describing the moment she finally sat down to write.

Initially, the manuscript focused on women’s leadership, but as the pandemic reshaped lives, Carroll shifted the narrative toward encouragement and practical faith. She added short devotionals and later, back‑story anecdotes that illustrate how everyday decisions align with God’s guidance. The final product, she says, reads like a “Bible study type book” that blends scriptural verses with real‑life scenarios.

Stories That Illustrate Faith in Action

One of the most vivid passages in the book recounts a visit to a coffee shop in Folsom, California. The owner, whose business radiated a palpable “Holy Spirit presence,” shared how she envisioned every detail of her shop—from window placement to matching aprons—through divine revelation. Carroll invited the owner to speak at her “Raising Proverbs 31 Women” event, initially hoping for a podcast interview. The owner, hesitant because of her Ukrainian accent, eventually agreed, and her testimony sparked a miraculous turnaround: coffee sales jumped from the usual 50 cups to about 900 the following day.

Carroll describes the moment as an “Esther‑like” breakthrough, emphasizing that offering back to God unlocks blessings. “When you walk through it then you get to see it and you reap the blessings,” she says, highlighting how ordinary businesses can become platforms for divine provision.

Engaging the Next Generation

The book also captures a sweet, if slightly chaotic, interaction between Carroll’s children and a young girl who tried to pray for Jesus in a very literal way. “She started talking about how Jesus must have had bunk beds and stuffed animals,” Carroll recalls, noting the children’s gentle correction and the girl’s earnest attempt to converse with God. The anecdote underscores a central theme: leadership begins with simple, sincere prayer, regardless of age or understanding.

Carroll’s approach to leadership is practical. She frames the book as a guide, noting that “someone else was like, isn’t that what the Bible is?” and responding, “Well, it’s like a Bible study type book. It has Bible verses in it.” By pairing scripture with actionable steps, she aims to help readers translate faith into daily decisions.

From the Ark to the Winery: Expanding the Ministry

Beyond the pages, Carroll is actively organizing events that embody her book’s principles. She is hosting a women’s night at a winery, drawing inspiration from the Proverbs 31 woman who owned vineyards. “It’s a chance to honor business and agriculture and fellowship outside the church walls,” she explains, blending her musical talents, speaking engagements, and leadership coaching into a single experience.

Carroll also continues her tradition of taking women to the Ark—a Christian retreat center in Kentucky—each January. There, participants engage in journaling, prayer, and discussions about the resources God provides. “Two years ago, the overarching theme was a God of order,” she notes, reflecting on how the Ark experience reinforced the book’s message that God’s word sets motion, not chaos.

Impact and Invitation

Carroll’s website, www.kendradcarroll.com, lists upcoming conferences and offers a way for interested readers to be notified when her book becomes available for purchase. The site serves as a hub for her multifaceted ministry, inviting families, leaders, and entrepreneurs to explore how their gifts can serve a higher purpose.

In her conversation with host Darren Brett Conrad, Carroll emphasized that the journey from horse clinics to publishing was guided by a single conviction: “When God asks you to do something, you don’t have a shadow of a doubt that He’s asking you to do it.” Her story illustrates how unexpected challenges can become catalysts for broader impact, encouraging believers to step boldly into their calling.

As the conversation closed, Conrad and Carroll reflected on the broader significance of aligning personal gifts with divine purpose. Their dialogue serves as a reminder that faith‑driven leadership is not confined to the pulpit; it thrives in coffee shops, vineyards, and even on the open range.

The full episode of Get on The Ark is available on OBBM Network TV.