HELPING AWAKEN A KNOWLEDGE OF PURPOSE AND OF GOD’S LOVE THROUGH MINISTRY

Featuring Susie Larson of Susie Larson Ministries, Author, Speaker, Radio Show Host

October 2022

Susie Larson of Susie Larson Ministries is an author, speaker, and radio show host with a passion to see individual lives awakened to the knowledge of God’s love, their inherent value and the calling placed on their life through Jesus. She is a passionate advocate for the vulnerable and survivors of injustice. Despite the personal difficulties she has faced, she chooses daily to work to encourage others and help them thrive in their faith despite their circumstances. 

One of the ways she fulfills this passion is through her radio program, Susie Larson Live, which airs daily. Through this program, Susi Larson brings guests from around the world and various professions to engage in conversations that bring Scripture to life and offers practical ways to live out convictions. Her hope is that listeners will be encouraged by stories that inspire them to keep going when life is hard.

Susie herself is an inspiration to many due to her tenacious spirit despite the many health battles she has faced. For many years she has battled Lyme disease and related health complications such as neurological disorders. Despite her often immense pain she has continued to work to encourage and inspire others through their own pain through her daily radio show, devotions and books she has authored, and the spirit in which she lives her life. 

Not only does Susie Larson have a passion to inspire and encourage listeners, she also has a passion for the vulnerable. Susie Larson and her husband Kevin have a passion to serve others individually and together. While individually they have their own ministries, they often will travel together not only to support one another but to also minister together. Beyond this work, in 2020 Susie and Kevin began to dream of building a school in Rwanda. With prayer and work, this dream was brought to life. Through partnerships in Rwanda and around the world they were able to fund the building, fill the school with equipment, and equip the school with teachers and students. Students who would not otherwise have been able to attend were provided scholarships for tuition so that they can receive an education. Through this process, men and women in the community were mentored in their leadership capabilities and encouraged to become leaders in their communities. 

Susie Larson and her husband Kevin are also passionate about ending human trafficking and have actively worked to address this injustice through action and prayer. They have worked alongside artists such as Sara Groves with organizations like International Justice Mission. Together, they have met with members of Congress to present International Justice Mission’s agenda in an effort to abolish and prevent human trafficking. Susie has also interviewed other advocates such as Lisa Arnold, director of the film Caged No More, in order to raise awareness of the injustice of human trafficking and to educate listeners on this issue. 

In addition to her radio ministry and work to address injustice, Suzie is the author of over 20 books and devotionals and her Daily Blessings reach over half a million people each week on social media. She is a passionate advocate for her listeners and readers to thrive everyday as well as an advocate for the most vulnerable. In each area of work, her tenacious and encouraging spirit uplifts listeners and readers in their daily life.

DEDICATION TO SURVIVORS OF VIOLENCE

Featuring Amanda Olivier, MBA, Executive Director SAVA Center

October 2022

Amanda Olivier serves as the Executive Director of The Sexual Assault Victim Advocate (SAVA) Center in Northern Colorado. In this role, she directs SAVA’s work to provide crisis intervention, advocacy, and counseling for individuals who have been affected by sexual violence in Northern Colorado. As Executive Director, Amanda hopes that the people who come to SAVA are able to transform through healing from the trauma they have experienced. She is passionate about helping others and making a difference throughout her community. Amanda believes that knowledge is key to addressing issues such as domestic violence as it better prepares the individual to work to help others.

The Sexual Assault Victim Advocate Center offers advocacy, therapy, and prevention services in both Larimer and Weld County. Prevention programs such as community outreach and education are also central to SAVA’s work in Northern Colorado. SAVA operates a rape crisis hotline where an individual who needs immediate help can reach a staff member and receive assistance. Other services include individual advocacy to help survivors understand their rights and options, therapy for those affected by sexual assault, support groups that meet weekly for primary and secondary survivors of sexual assault, and workshops for close loved ones and family members of an individual who has been assaulted. 

While providing services to anyone affected by sexual violence is central to SAVA, SAVA is also dedicated to reducing the extent of sexual violence in Colorado through prevention education programs for youth. Through these education programs, SAVA desires to address the root causes of sexual violence, promote healthy relationships, and increase individual leadership skills.

Prior to serving as Executive Director, Amanda served as the Director of Prevention Education and Outreach with SAVA. Before moving to Colorado, she worked with the Domestic Violence Association of Central Kansas as a Campus Advocate and Sexual Assault Victim Advocate. In these roles, she provided direct victim services such as crisis counseling, safety planning, information and referral, as well as medical advocacy. She also facilitated professional trainings, student presentations, awareness campaigns and support groups. In addition, she assisted in the provision of direct services for victims of sexual violence and assisted with office and shelter duties. 

Amanda’s educational background prepared her to be such an advocate for victims of violence. She received her B.S. in Criminology from Kansas State University where she focused on understanding gender differences regarding victim and perpetrator traits. In addition, she received a minor certificate in Women’s Studies and later went on to receive her MBA from Kansas Wesleyan University. 

Throughout her career, Amanda Olivier has been a dedicated advocate for victims of violence and has continued this dedication in her current role as Executive Director of SAVA in Northern Colorado.