Who Is Sandy Hastings?

In God’s grace He drew me to himself, when by faith, I was saved at the age of eleven. Even at this early age the Lord’s hand was guiding my life. Being raised an only child, my parents and I were very close and shared most everything together. However, they were not saved during this time and, therefore, could not understand spiritual matters. In spite of this, my desire to know the Lord and to be used of Him seemed to grow. I did not understand it, but there were moments in time that caused me to realize God had a definite plan for my life.

My parents taught me to be independent and self-reliant; these are desirable qualities. But, mixed with my strong will, they would prove to be a hindrance in my Christian life. By the end of high school, though still not sure what the Lord wanted for my life, I entered nurse’s training.

I had met Thomas Hastings my senior year in High School, and we dated through our early college days. We married upon my graduation from nurse’s training in 1966. Before marriage, Tom had already surrendered to preach and I was looking forward to the ministry. However, two months after we were married, the Holy Spirit burdened both our hearts and we surrendered to be missionaries.

The Lord led us to the field of Germany. It is a beautiful country but a land where most people have no awareness of the reality of a living vibrant God. In 1978, God began to do some major "reconstruction" in my spiritual life and to teach me some much needed lessons. This work began as I experienced a major bout with depression. As my ability to cope with my life and my emotions began to slip, I was overcome with guilt and shame. I was sure I was the only missionary wife that had ever felt this way and God was surely finished with me. I just knew I would have peace of mind or be used of God again. Praise God, I was very mistaken.

God knew my desire to serve him was genuine, but some of my ideas and beliefs about Him were wrong. Through much patience, grace and mercy, God began to teach me His truth and that He really is all He says He is. As I began to climb out of the dark pit I had been in, I saw many other women, especially those in full-time ministry, that were suffering in the same place I had been. God led and helped me to write a small book, Victory In The Storm, sharing not only what I had experienced but what God had done to change me.

We have now been missionaries for 34 years and have three grown married children and 12 grandchildren. The Lord has allowed me to continue to grow and has given me a heart to help other women struggling with depression and those seeking to know the reality of God in everyday life. In 2003, I received my Masters Degree in Theology from Anchor Theological Seminary. He has also began to open doors and continues to give me opportunities to teach at Ladies Seminars and Retreats in Germany, Italy, Siberia and the United States.

In my early years, I did not realize that living in close fellowship with God is the most exhilarating and exciting life possible. I am so thankful that He never stopped working in my life. Even now, He continues to teach me and draw me closer to His side. However much time He allows me to live, my desire is to bring Him glory in whatever way it pleases Him.