By Amy C. Williams
Lane Jordan Burday, who writes under the author’s name Lane P. Jordan, may live in Texas now, but she will always be an Atlanta girl at heart.
Divine Threads in Life’s Fabric
Originally, she dreamed of being in the fashion business, but God had something else in mind. God unfolded His beautiful plan for Lane’s life and ministry so subtly that she didn’t even realize it was happening.
“I grew up Methodist,” Lane said, “but one of my very best friends went to First Baptist Church in Atlanta.”
Though Lane had made a commitment to Christ when she was younger, she’d wandered away from faith.
“When you don’t walk with Christ daily, you get closer to the world,” Lane said. “I didn’t think that was true, of course. Nobody does. We think we’re good.”
Embracing Divine Direction
Lane’s friend brought her to First Baptist, and that’s where God took hold of her heart. In the midst of her college life, Lane had somehow managed to avoid God, and now she found herself close to graduating from Georgia State University with a degree in journalism and broadcasting. She thought following Jesus would upend her plans of working in media.
“I was so afraid that if I became a Christian, I’d have to wear long dresses, stop putting on makeup, and go to Africa.” Lane laughed. “But in that worship service, I told God that my life was a mess, and I needed Him to come into my life. I surrendered and told Him that even if I had to go to Africa, I will follow You.”
The next morning, Lane was totally different.
She began to love the strangers she saw as she walked to work, stopped cussing, and got back into the Word. It was a total change.
Faith-Fueled Surprises
One year later, Lane’s life took a turn she didn’t see coming.
“After I graduated, I remember walking up Peachtree Street, going to radio stations to look for a job,” she said. “Everybody kept saying that getting into media would take forever.”
Spontaneously, while she was job hunting, Lane stopped to visit a friend at First Baptist Church, and the associate pastor pulled her aside.
“He just came right over to me,” Lane said, “and he gave me the opportunity to work with In Touch Ministries. God was right there with me, leading me to the job He had for me!”
Over her years as associate producer for In Touch and its weekly television broadcasts, Lane worked almost daily with Dr. Charles Stanley and forged relationships with many other men and women that propelled her into a life of ministry.
“I look back,” Lane said, “and I just thank the Lord.”
Stepping Stones of Service
Lane worked for First Baptist in Atlanta as both associate producer for the television show as well as the editor of the church’s newsletter, The Witness. During that season of her life, she married and had two daughters. Then there was a move to Indiana and after three years, they moved to Colorado.
With two small children and limited social time, Lane believed she’d reached the end of her ministry potential. But God wasn’t finished.
“I thought my ministry time was over,” she said. “But then, I was able to attend a neighborhood Christian Women’s Club through Stonecroft Ministries. Sitting with others around the table that weekend, I felt God calling me to speak for Him.”
Lane spoke to the area representative for Stonecroft Ministries, and she was invited to send in a tape of her testimony.
Lane wrote her script by hand, recorded the tape herself, and submitted it. Stonecroft Ministries brought her on board right away, and she had the opportunity to speak in Christian women’s clubs all over Colorado, Wyoming, and several other states.
Isn’t God full of surprises?
After her family moved to Texas, Lane continued speaking for Stonecroft as well as other churches, retreats, women’s functions, and MOPS. Then COVID hit.
“I have spoken only a few times since COVID,” Lane said, “but God has blessed me with a sense of serenity that I’m where I’m supposed to be. It’s helped me learn to relax and be more responsive to what God wants. I still have writing to do, and it’s blessed work.”
Promise in Every Season
Both she and her husband attend and serve at Gateway Church in Frisco, Texas, and Lane is proud to be a mother and a grandmother, with one granddaughter and a grandson on the way.
“One of the main goals for me speaking to women is to motivate them and encourage them,” Lane said. “No matter if you’re changing a diaper or cleaning the house or taking a parent to the doctor, you are working for God.”
Lane’s first book, 12 Steps to Becoming a More Organized Woman, was a bestseller that went into nine printings. After that, she wrote more books on organization.
“The main reason I stress being more organized,” she said, “is not so that someone can check your bathtub. It’s so you have more time to serve the Lord. You want to have your ducks in a row so you can serve God, your family and others.”
Lane may be best known for her books on organizing, but the book she’s really the most excited about is her historical fiction novel, Evangeline.
“I was reading Esther in the Bible in my quiet time,” Lane said, “and I remember wondering what Esther’s story would have looked like in a different culture. What would have happened if Esther was a biracial woman in 1960s Georgia?”
Evangeline has already won the AWSA Golden Scroll for historical fiction and was a finalist for the Christian Literary Awards.
“It’s so hard to get published,” Lane said. “I still can’t believe I did. Perhaps the only reason I was published is that God knew I’d open my mouth and preach the gospel!”
Lane’s many projects include teaching Bible studies (for almost 30 years), writing blog posts, writing magazine articles, hosting radio/TV programs, coaching, and several other ministries. She has also been painting for about 20 years.
“I am so grateful that God saved me,” Lane said. “I love being a mom. I love being a wife. I woke up this morning, and the sun came up. I have a purpose in my life, legs that work, a roof over my head, hot water, clean sheets. Every day is a miracle.”
Most recently, the Lord led Lane to Pearls of Promise Ministries, a ministry devoted to helping women overcome life’s trials. There, she fills many roles, including hosting radio and TV shows, writing blog posts, and currently managing a devotional book project that she hopes will be completed by the end of the year.
“The one thing I don’t want anyone to forget,” Lane said, “is that God is God. He is on His throne, He is in control, and He will allow all things to work together for good for those who love Him.”
Lane couldn’t have planned the way her life has unfolded, but she was willing to walk through the doors He opened for her.
“In other religions, you have to find God on your own, but in Christianity, God comes to us,” Lane said. “God is so amazing!”
To find out more about Lane, her books, art, organization tips, and ministry, visit:
www.PathwaysToOrganization.com
www.PearlsofPromiseMinistries.com
