My name is Simone Rezende, I was born in Brazil and was raised in the Catholic faith, attending Mass every Sunday as a child. Although I did not pursue a college education, life itself became my teacher. I married at the at age of twenty. Two years later my first daughter was born, followed by my son a year later, and four years after that my youngest daughter arrived. During those years I was a stay-at- home mom, a role I deeply cherish and truly believe that was part of my Divine plan. 

As my children grew older, I returned to school to study esthetics. I discovered how much I loved caring for people’s skin and helping them feel better about themselves. Through this work I met many different people, and each interaction taught me something valuable. I came to realize that every person who enters our lives bring an opportunity for growth.

 As time passed, I began to feel that my church was no longer providing answers to the questions stirring within my heart. Yet I did not know where to turn to or how to find people who might share deeper spiritual understanding.

In 1992 I began taking classes with a Do-In and Shiatsu instructor. After a few classes she invited a few students to come for a special session. Later I realized that she was carefully selecting the students that she thought were open to new teachings.

The moment she began speaking about Elizabeth Clare Prophet and the violet flame, something awakened within me. I knew I had encountered something profoundly important. At the end of the talk she asked how we felt about the presentation. I remember saying “I was sleeping—now I am awake” I often say that I did not find the teachings, the teachings found me. I was not actively searching, yet I always had an inner feeling that something greater was waiting for me. It was then that I became a Keeper of the Flame.

Soon afterward we started a Study Group and before long we were renting places and offering lectures about the teachings. It was an amazing time. The response was wonderful and we experienced great success. I loved everything about it. Even in the midst of challenges and tests, we knew we were helping spread the teachings while growing spiritually ourselves.

In 1994 I went through a divorce, and in 1997 Saint Germain guidfedf me to New York. 

I married again, though the second marriage proved very difficult. During that time I faced many challenges. I had to learn English and return to school to obtain my esthetics license in New York. At that point, I was not connected to any Teaching Center or Study group in NY. I was simply decreeing on my own. I knew that I needed to rebuild my life so I could continue to follow my Divine Path.

Eventually, I received my esthetics license, got divorced, and found a great job. 

In 2009, I finally found my spiritual community when I visited the New York Teaching Center for the first time. Twelve years had passed since I had arrived in the United States. Looking back, it feels as though I had to walk through each line of the cosmic clock before I could be actively participating as a member of a community. It was truly amazing!!!

I soon became very active at the NYTC and was elected vice president and later president.

In 2010, I traveled to the Church headquarters in Montana for the first time and became a Communicant during the summer conference. From that  point forward I returned to headquarters for conferences almost every year. 

In 2011, I decided to volunteer there for two weeks, and I learned about a ministerial program offered by the Church. Curious, I asked how students were selected. I was told that participation required a recommendation. I remember thinking to myself, “No one knows me, I have no chance.” I set the thought aside.

Yet a few months later I received an email from headquarters in Montana announcing that courses on the Teachings of the Ascended Masters would soon be offered. Summit University was launched, and I was so happy. It felt like a dream came true. God has His own way of placing us in the right direction.

I enrolled immediately. After completing the general studies program, I continued into the ministerial training. I became a lay sister in 2015, a lay minister in 2018 and in 2024, I became an ordained minister .

I am deeply grateful for the teachings and for the love and patience the Masters have for us. I cannot imagine my life without these teachings. They bring understanding, light, love, and blessings for all God’s children.

My favorite Bible passage is 1 Corinthians 13:4-7:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

What a journey it has been!!!! My love for God, for the masters, for my community and for the teachings is immense—far beyond what words can fully express.

When we follow the Masters’ teachings we are not simply saying “yes” to them, to a path; we are stepping into a new kind of family that transcends generations, backgrounds, and borders. We become part of one living body.

The Church is not merely a building; it is us, the people who pray together. People who love one another, who help carry each other’s burdens, and who remind us  that we are not alone. In a world where many feel disconnected, God blesses us with a spiritual community where we belong and grow together.

May these truths shape our hearts and inspire us to serve one another. Let’s climb the highest mountain and see the Christ in each one. It is about seeing God’s hand in the midst of whatever we are going through. It is about love, gratitude and victory.

Our Beloved El Morya said:

If you will hold our hand ever so gently and yet firmly, if you daily give us your attention and tune in with our world, we so gladly offer you the momentum of our victory, the tidal wave of pure love.”  

                               The trek upward is worth the inconvenience.

With love,

Rev. Simone Rezende