Growing up in a broken home could have shattered Esther Odion Briggs’ spirit. Instead, it ignited a faith-fueled journey that transformed her pain into purpose. Today, Esther stands tall as a beacon of hope, a minister of the gospel, mentor to women and girls, and co-host of a faith-driven relationship series with her husband, Paul Briggs. With quiet strength and unwavering conviction, she’s helping others rise beyond adversity and embrace their God-ordained identity.

Esther opens up about her childhood, her calling, and her vision for raising a generation of empowered women and restored families. “My childhood wasn’t particularly interesting,” Esther begins, a soft smile masking the weight of her memories. “My dad left my mom to marry another woman when I was just six.” That moment was the catalyst that reshaped her world, stripping her of the traditional family structure many take for granted. Raised by her mother, herself a strong, devout Christian, Esther’s early years were laced with hardship, but also with hope.

“My mother did her best to raise us in the fear of God,” she recalls. “She shaped our prayer life, values, and moral foundation. Even in the absence of a father figure, my spiritual roots were planted deep.”
Rather than dwell in bitterness, Esther leaned into her faith. That decision became the defining thread in her life story. “Faith instilled resilience and hope in me. It helped me navigate life’s many challenges and setbacks.”

It also planted the seeds of her mission: to ensure that no woman or girl facing similar circumstances ever feels abandoned or unseen.

Esther’s personal experiences with family dysfunction and identity crises became the fuel behind her life’s mission. “I didn’t want anyone else to go through what I did without support,” she says. “So, I decided to become that support.”

Today, Esther is a fierce advocate for women and girlsllespecially those from single-parent homes, broken families, or disadvantaged backgrounds. Through spiritual mentorship, counseling, and community outreach, she provides safe spaces where women can heal, grow, and thrive.

Her initiatives are far-reaching, ranging from grassroots gatherings to global platforms. One of her flagship programs, the Annual Women’s Weekend Conference, is a standout success. Drawing women from diverse walks of life and locations, the conference offers a powerful blend of healing, teaching, and empowerment.
“It’s not just another conference,” she explains. “It’s a transformational experience. We focus on spiritual growth, personal development, leadership, entrepreneurship, and healthy relationships. Women leave with tools to thrive, emotionally, professionally, maritally, and spiritually.”

Esther is also passionate about outreach to girls in crisis, victims of abuse, trafficking, or child labor. “These girls need more than pity,” she says. “They need education, counseling, medical care, and real opportunities. They need love, yes, but they also need life skills to help them break the cycle of pain and reclaim their lives.”

To make this vision sustainable, Esther is actively building partnerships with organizations, individuals, and institutions that share her goals. “Together, we can provide real solutionsnot just temporary fixes.”
As a minister herself, Esther is committed to seeing women thrive in their spiritual callings. She is unafraid to challenge the status quo within the church and calls for deeper support systems that equip, train, and release women into meaningful ministry roles.

“I believe the church must do more to support women in ministry,” she states firmly. “It’s not enough to just allow women to serve, we need to equip them to lead well.”

On how church can empower women in ministry, she explained this could be achieved by providing training and equipping programs. “Giving women the opportunity to preach, teach, lead, and express their gifts.

Encouraging collaboration between men and women in ministry. Creating ministries or departments focused on women’s unique needs. Recognising and celebrating women’s contributions to church and society. Offering coaching and pairing women with mentors to help them grow. Supporting work-life balance through flexible scheduling and family-centered policies. Also, taking a strong stand against gender-based violence and discrimination.”

Esther’s goal is clear: “We need a church culture that values women’s voices, gifts, and perspectives. When women are supported, the entire church becomes stronger and more holistic.”

When asked about her role models, Esther beams. “I’ve been blessed to learn from anointed women in the body of Christ, women who embody strength, humility, and impact.”

In a world oversaturated with half-baked relationship advice and social media noise, Esther and her husband Paul co-created a refreshing alternative: “Let’s Talk About It with Paul & Esther Briggs.”

“It’s a candid, faith-centered relationship series,” Esther shares. “We dive deep into real issues, love, dating, communication, marriage, spiritual alignment, and we do it through the lens of scripture and cultural understanding.”

Together, they model what a Christ-centered marriage looks like, imperfect but intentional. The show isn’t just for married couples; it’s also a resource for singles, newlyweds, and even teenagers beginning to explore the complexities of relationships.

“Our goal is to help people build strong, godly relationships. We want to equip couples to love better, fight fair, and grow together in Christ.”

Esther’s work is fueled by deep empathy and a firm belief in the transformational power of faith. “My childhood experience ignited a passion to empower women and girls, especially those who feel lost, rejected, or unsure of their future,” she says. “I knew what it felt like to be limited or overlooked, and I made a vow to change that narrative for others.”

Over the years, she has become a trusted voice in the areas of women’s empowerment, identity restoration, and spiritual mentorship. Whether through coaching, teaching, hosting conferences, or speaking in churches, Esther’s message is consistent: You are not your past. You are not what happened to you. You are who God says you are.

As she looks to the future, Esther is actively seeking collaborations with like-minded individuals and institutions. Her dream is to expand her reach, build safe houses and rehabilitation centers for at-risk girls, and launch a training academy focused on leadership, discipleship, and entrepreneurship for women.
“There’s still so much work to do, but I believe that with faith, collaboration, and compassion, we can rewrite stories one woman, one girl at a time.”

Esther is more than a survivor. She is a voice of strength, a nurturer of destiny, and a builder of godly homes. Her life is a testament to the fact that purpose can rise from pain, and that even the most broken beginnings can birth the most beautiful legacies.

“To every woman out there, don’t give up. You are seen. You are loved. And you are needed. God’s purpose for your life is bigger than your past, and the world is waiting for what’s inside of you.”