Getting To Know Erin Arruda, Worthy Founder and Executive Director

Hello, Worthy Readers! In this blog series, we’re taking a closer look at the incredible women who make up the Worthy Executive Team—the ones who have been praying for you and pouring their hearts into every detail of your experience. Each of them has been working, planning, and seeking God to help create something truly special—something birthed in Heaven, just for you.

I hope you’re enjoying this interview series as much as I am!

Today, I’m so excited to introduce you to Erin. You may recognize her from Worthy's social media or from The Worthy Conference stage. She’s not only my best friend, but she’s also someone many women consider their best friend—because that’s just who she is. Erin’s love for women runs deep, and it radiates through everything she does.

It’s an honor to share her heart with you today!

~Niki Hathorn, Worthy Content Coordinator

What is your name and where do you serve on the Worthy team?

Hi! I’m Erin Arruda and I serve as the Founder and Executive Director of Worthy Ministries. 

What do you do in that role and what is your favorite part of it?

I pray. A lot. And that is also my favorite part. I get to hear what the Father thinks about His daughters as I pray for the women of the region. What a privilege. Then I get to tell them what He says. Often women don't hear they are beautiful, important, intelligent, called, loved, holy, pure, WORTHY. 

What is your home church?

Overflow!!!

To you, what is the most mind-blowing part of the Gospel?

That Jesus loves me the same today, perhaps at my most mature and rooted, as he did when I was at my worst and lowest point. And I did nothing to deserve that love. Mind-blowing. 

Who is your favorite woman in the Bible and why?

Uh...How do I pick? The most life-changing story for me was with Mary Magdalene out of Mark 16. She was the first to see Jesus, and she was commanded to testify of His resurrection. She was authorized to go tell her brothers and instruct them on where they could find Him. This passage more than any other, began to set me free from limiting beliefs around my calling and purpose in Christ. 

What is your favorite spiritual discipline and how do you practice it?

Sabbath. Our family has worked on resting for years now. Isn't that ironic? But it takes diligence and practice for us to take 24 hours every week to rest. For our family this means we make space to refresh, restore, and reflect. So much of our lives are forward thinking, which isn't conducive to rest. In particular, reflection every week through Sabbath has allowed gratitude, honor and testimony to anchor me in faith. 

What is one way that you typically hear from the Lord?

I see visions and pictures in my mind quite often when I pray. I dream quite a bit too. Strategy and plans are laid out in vision-form in my mind. God uses stories and metaphors to convey his revelation to me too. So I have this gift from Him to see the Gospel everywhere. Almost everything becomes a message. (My poor kids!)

Oh and probably the sweetest gift to me is that for the longest time, as His love has become tangible to me, I have seen hearts in unlikely places--rocks, leaves, gum on the ground, chips, clouds, seashells, soup, trash, etc. In fact, there is a tree at the entrance of our neighborhood in the shape of a heart. No one cut it that way. It just grew like that. So, every time I roll in, I am reminded of God's love for me. His love is everywhere. 

What has "Living Worthy" looked like to you since last summer's Worthy conference?

To live worthy of my calling is deeper and more expansive than I can comprehend. It's like navigating the ocean depths. If we go with the right pace, timing and equipment the pressure and power of the water won't destroy us. I am learning to rely on God's pace, timing and "equipment."

Finish this sentence: "These days, I couldn't live without: ___________! (besides Jesus)"

Besides my hubby and kiddos--THE WORTHY TEAM, and my espresso machine.