Irie Session ’06 MDiv once had a secret that kept her in a prison of shame and fear. “Keeping the secret of childhood sexual abuse has a pervasive negative impact on every area of a woman’s life,” Session said.

Telling her secret brought relief and spurred Session to minister to other women imprisoned by the debilitating effects of abuse. She began to speak on the subject and self-published a book, Tell the Secret, which has grown into a faith-based ministry of the same name. Specializing in spiritual workshops, youth education, support and outreach, Session uses the power of her experience to encourage other abused women to begin healing.

Working for women’s health and empowerment is Session’s calling. For eight years, she served as director of adolescent programs at Bryan’s House, a non-profit organization in Dallas that treats children and teens affected by HIV/AIDS. Two years prior, she was an investigator for Child Protective Services. These days, she is an advocate at New Friends New Life, an outreach ministry that encourages women to leave sexually oriented occupations through education, material and spiritual assistance. Poor self-image and little education lead many women to jobs like these for survival. “We help them realize that God has a plan for them,” Session said.

She hopes to return to Brite and study for a doctorate degree in ministry. She’d like to continue in full-time ministry, preaching the good news to those marginalized by society. As she said in her first sermon as assistant pastor at Destiny Worship Center Christian Church last year: “Everything that has occurred in our lives — the good, the bad, and the ugly — God will use to fulfill His purpose. Our purpose in life always has to do with two things — giving glory to God and offering compassionate service to others.”