Shari F. Ponder is a dynamic speaker, spiritual curator, author, and bold storyteller with a prophetic edge and a heart for justice. Her work lives at the intersection of the sacred and the social—as a podcaster, blogger, community activist, and Earth keeper. She is the author of WTF God: Walking Through Fire with God, a devotional work exploring faith, suffering, healing, and the presence of God in life’s fiercest fires.

 

A graduate of Hampton University (B.A.), Clark Atlanta University (M.A. in Counseling Psychology), and Candler School of Theology at Emory University (M.Div.), Shari is a licensed professional counselor, certified school counselor, nonprofit co-founder, church planter, and pastor whose ministry spans both pulpits and pavements.

 

With a passion for people beyond the walls of traditional church, she believes everyone has a faith story—and she is committed to making room for people to tell it. Over the years, she has helped secure millions in funding for initiatives in women’s health, eco-justice, trauma-informed care, college ministry, global missions, and racial healing.

 

Her work is also shaped by her Obedient Rest initiative, born from a transformative sabbatical year in which she lived in a different country each month for twelve months. That season redefined her relationship with rest, rhythm, and spiritual trust. Now pursuing her doctorate in Applied Psychophysiology, Shari is deepening her work with mind -body medicine to better teach marginalized communities how to heal through rest. 

 

Shari is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she joyfully serves alongside her legacy daughter Bethany, in their shared commitment to sisterhood and community service.

 

Through her writing, speaking, and spiritual leadership, Shari continues to build bridges and create transformative spaces where faith, justice, and mental health intersect.