Dr. Tilicia Mayo-Gamble is no stranger to discussing the topic of health. She is the Associate Dean for Practice and Research in the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health at Georgia Southern University, an Associate Professor of Community Health, and her research interests focus on healthcare disparities, particularly on sickle cell disease and patient self-care.
Given the scope of her professional involvement, it is no surprise that her first book is about health care, albeit a different type. Mayo-Gamble chose to write about spiritual health.
Dr. TMG, as Mayo-Gamble is professionally known, will host her first book launch kick off on Sunday, December 8, for When the Holy Spirit Calls, a work that originated from her journaling. In a twist of irony, she was helping a friend with their book draft when she felt the call to publish the book and share her message with the world.
When the Holy Spirit Calls is a volume that addresses the fear that paralyzes so many in pursuit of their calling in life. Referred to as a "must read" by one testimonial, the book helps readers acknowledge and accept their spiritual gifts and embrace the meaning this has for their lives. It addresses the pitfalls that inevitably will present themselves and how to overcome them, and how to make room for God to do his will, which the book says involves submission and an emptying of one's self that leads to intimacy.
"My story is not unique. The last few years of my life were documented in a journal to help me cope," Mayo-Gamble says. "I journaled about my husband’s cancer treatment; I journaled about being diagnosed with a rheumatic condition, but I also journaled about the lessons the Holy Spirit taught me throughout the process. My season of trials and illness was simply a classroom for me to learn how to speak and teach on the Spirit."
Mayo-Gamble's message reveals the responsibility one has to others once they have identified and submitted to the Holy Spirit's calling on their lives. This is a directive that she lives by as well. An evangelist and a missionary, she devotes her public and her private life to the service of others.
"I don’t think my experiences are novel or uncommon. I believe the difference is that I didn’t allow the journey to be hidden. I submitted to a place of vulnerability as an opportunity to reach those who use large church congregations as a hiding place," she shared. "Hiding doesn’t mean you’re invisible. You’re just waiting to be found. Now that I recognize there are people who are experiencing what I’ve experienced, I can search for them. I can offer a conversation and an opportunity to fellowship."
The book launch is scheduled for Sunday, December 8, from 4-6pm at the Honey Bowen Building (1 Max Lockwood Dr., Statesboro). Attendees can purchase a copy of the book to have it signed and enjoy refreshments and fellowship. Registration is available here. For more information about Dr. Mayo-Gamble, please visit her website.