Jacqueline Goodwin-Founder of Healing in the Vessel International Ministries

Jennifer Diaby
Jul 22
6 min read

Updated: Jul 24

Pastor Jacqueline Goodwin

Healing Women. Restoring Lives. Transforming Nations

Jacqueline Goodwin is an ordained pastor and prophetess whose ministry focus is deliverance and healing. She has a passion and heart for the youth, which has led her to various positions within the ministry and career field. Since 2002 Goodwin has served as Youth Director, a mentor, and a Sunday School teacher within her local church. A former paralegal, educator, and substance abuse counselor who uses her gift of empowerment to transform lives within her career field. She has earned a Master of Arts in Practical Theology from Regent University, a Master of Counseling from Webster University, Columbia SC, a Master of Pastoral Counseling from Liberty University, Lynchburg VA, an Associate Degree of Paralegal graduating “Magna Cum Laude” from South University and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Francis Marion University, Florence SC. Pastor Jacqueline Goodwin is the author of "Healing in the Vessel A Mother’s Love A Daughter’s Journey of Faith," and "From Bitter to Better."

She currently resides in South Carolina with her son, two daughters, and granddaughter. Her hobbies include running, walking, meditating, writing, counseling youth, and working in the community.

Front Cover Spotlight Interview

Please introduce yourself and tell the readers about yourself.

My name is Jacqueline Goodwin. I am an ordained pastor, prophetess, international speaker, author, and certified women’s healing coach. I’m the founder of Healing in the Vessel International Ministries and the creator of Moving from Holes to Whole—a coaching platform designed to help emotionally wounded women find healing, restoration, and divine purpose. I’ve authored several books, including Healing in the Vessel, From Bitter to Better, and my upcoming healing workbook, Taking Time to Heal. I'm a mother, grandmother, and a passionate early childhood educator in South Carolina. Every part of my journey—personal, professional, and spiritual—has been a testimony to God’s healing, redeeming, and transformative power.

Tell us about your journey into ministry. What led you to become a pastor, and how has that shaped your mission?

My journey into ministry was born out of brokenness. I was infected with HIV by someone I loved and trusted, but instead of allowing bitterness to consume me, I chose to fast and pray for their healing. And in the process, God miraculously healed me and gave me the name for my ministry. That miracle became the foundation of my ministry. I heard the Lord say, “You will live and not die to declare My works.” From that moment on, my mission has been to help others heal—not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. My ministry is rooted in deliverance, healing, and restoration. I don’t just preach—I pour, because I know what it feels like to be poured out and left empty.

As an international speaker, what message or theme do you find yourself sharing most often, and why does it resonate globally?

One of the messages I share most often is: “You can heal and still lead.” Whether I’m speaking in Africa or here in the U.S., the emotional wounds women carry—abandonment, betrayal, low self-worth, church hurt—are universal. I teach them how to emerge from the “holes” of their past using my R.A.P. Method: Reflect, Act, and Pray. This message resonates because healing isn’t just personal—it’s generational. When a woman heals, nations heal.

How do you balance the different roles you carry—pastor, author, coach, and speaker—while maintaining your personal well-being and spiritual life?

I remain grounded in prayer, fasting, and intentional rest. I learned the hard way that you can’t pour from an empty vessel. I set boundaries, I journal, and I regularly step away from noise to sit in God’s presence. My spiritual life is not negotiable—it’s the oil that keeps every part of my calling flowing. I also surround myself with a supportive village.

What inspired you to become an author, and which of your books do you feel has had the greatest impact?

Writing began as a form of healing. I wrote Healing in the Vessel after God healed me from HIV. The words poured out of a place of pain and purpose. That book has profoundly impacted many readers—I've received powerful testimonies of how it brought emotional healing, spiritual empowerment, and increased faith to women who were once broken and unsure of their worth. It’s more than a book—it’s a healing journey wrapped in pages. However, I also believe that From Bitter to Better has had a significant impact because it guides women through the emotional process of letting go and learning to trust again. I’ve watched readers weep while reading, not because of sadness, but because they finally felt seen and understood.

In your coaching work, what are the most common challenges women face, and how do you help them overcome those obstacles?

Most women come to me stuck in emotional cycles—bitterness, comparison, rejection, abandonment, or loneliness. They want to move forward, but shame keeps them bound. Through my coaching, I help them confront the root, not just the fruit. We use journaling, scripture, reflection, and intentional prayer to uncover what’s been buried. One of the key tools I use is my R.A.P. Method—Reflect, Act, and Pray. This method empowers women to reflect honestly on their pain, take steps toward healing, and pray strategically as they walk toward emotional freedom. I walk with them from the dark place of brokenness to the light of wholeness.

Can you share a powerful moment from your travels or speaking engagements that affirmed your calling on a deeper level?

While speaking in Africa, a woman approached me in tears and said, “You spoke the words I didn’t know I needed to hear. Your voice broke chains in me today.” That moment reminded me that healing is not limited by geography. It’s the anointing that transcends borders. God has entrusted me with His Word for such a time as this, and that encounter solidified that this is not a career—it’s a calling.

What role does faith play in how you lead, teach, and influence others across different platforms and cultures?

Faith is the heartbeat of everything I do. Without it, I’m just a woman with a mic and a message. But with it, I become a vessel of healing. Whether I’m teaching toddlers in the classroom, mentoring women, preaching on a stage, or writing behind a desk, faith drives me. It keeps me humble, it keeps me bold, and it keeps me dependent on the Holy Spirit, who reminds me that this isn’t about me—it’s about souls.

What advice would you give to women who feel called to ministry or public speaking but are unsure where to begin?

Start with obedience, not opportunity. You don’t need a platform to prepare—God trains you in the quiet places first. Seek His face, submit to mentorship, study the Word, and serve faithfully where you are. When the time is right, God will open doors no man can shut. And remember: the Holy Spirit isn’t after your stage—He’s after your soul. Let God heal you first, so you don’t bleed on those you’re called to serve.

How do you stay spiritually refreshed and inspired in such a demanding and visible leadership position?

I make time to be still. Whether it’s walking, journaling, or spending quiet time in the Word, I give God room to refill me. I also lean into worship and surround myself with spiritually mature voices. And when I feel depleted, I don’t fake strength—I rest, retreat, and let God minister to me. I’ve learned that burnout is not a badge of honor. Obedience includes rest.

What legacy do you hope to leave through your ministry, writings, coaching, and global influence?

I want to be remembered as a woman who said “yes” to God even when it cost her everything. A woman who turned her wounds into weapons of healing. My legacy is not just about what I’ve done, but about who I’ve helped others become. If I’ve helped one woman rediscover her worth, reclaim her voice, and rise from her “hole” to walk in her purpose, then I’ve fulfilled my assignment.

Do you have any upcoming conferences, events, or workshops?

Yes! I’m honored to be one of the guest speakers at the 3rd Annual Global Warriors Conference 2025, which will be held at the Hilton in Palm Coast, Florida, on September 19–20, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM (Eastern Time). This powerful gathering brings together voices from around the world to empower, equip, and mobilize believers to walk boldly in their God-given assignments. I’m excited to pour into those in attendance and help ignite the fire for healing, purpose, and Kingdom impact.