We recently had the chance to connect with Pastor Sandra Astacio and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Sandra, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
Daughters in Christ Ministries, Inc. is often underestimated—perhaps because we do not fit the traditional mold. While many expect ministries to operate under the leadership or umbrella of a local church, our organization is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded and led by a licensed Minister and Ordained Pastor. For over a decade, we have faithfully served women across diverse communities without the need for a physical building.
Our ministry is rooted in discipleship and driven by programs that have consistently yielded measurable Kingdom impact. We offer the full spectrum of spiritual services typically associated with a stand-alone church: officiations, baptisms, prayer workshops, empowerment sessions, worship gatherings, and prophetic ministry.
We are more than a ministry—we are a movement. Through strategic partnerships with other nonprofits, we have supported local Kingdom assignments and embodied the true ecclesia Christ established: mobile, mission-driven, and deeply connected to the needs of the people.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am, first and foremost, a Servant of God—then a devoted wife, mother, and proud grandmother of two, with two more blessings on the way. A lifelong resident of Florida, I am honored to call Lakeland my home.
My ministry journey began in 2008 when I gave my life to Christ. I immersed myself in the study of faith and became an active member of a dynamic church community, where I was discipled, empowered, and hand-selected by senior leadership to serve on their core team. After marrying my husband Tony in 2010, I deepened my commitment to ministry through formal training, earning a certification in Christian Leadership from the Bible Training College for Pastors (BTCP) in 2013. I later enrolled in the Christian Leadership Institute (CLI) to pursue a degree in Divinity. Although curriculum changes required me to pause my studies just two years shy of completion, I remained steadfast in my calling.
In early 2016, following a clear directive from the Lord, we officially launched Daughters in Christ Ministries, Inc. as a nonprofit charity. As we approach our 10-year milestone in 2026, I am thrilled to celebrate the expansion of our signature initiative—The Four Pillars Workshops—anchored in our mission to Inspire, Empower, Encourage, and Equip women of the Christian faith to walk boldly in their divine purpose.
Our upcoming offerings reflect this commitment to holistic growth and spiritual empowerment, including:
• Self-Defense for Women
• Financial Literacy
• Prayer & Fasting Intensives
• Resume Building & Career Development
• Bible Studies
• Community Volunteer Program
• YouTube Teaching Series
• Faith-Based Podcasts
• And much more to come!
Daughters in Christ Ministries continues to be a beacon of transformation, reaching women where they are and equipping them to thrive—in Christ and in life.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
For much of my childhood, I believed I was a burden—an inconvenience and a hindrance to my family. I grew up in an environment marked by habitual neglect and abuse—verbal, emotional, and physical—at the hands of an older sibling, while my safety and well-being were not prioritized by my parents. These early experiences shaped a painful narrative, one where I learned to fend for myself, seek attention from anyone who would offer it, and eventually fall into cycles of addiction and emotional suffering that lasted for decades.
My self-worth was defined by the world—its fleeting treasures and distorted messages about women like me. But everything changed in 2008 when I encountered Jesus. Through the truth of His Word and the depth of His love, I began to see clearly how the enemy had used my family to stifle my emotional growth and rob me of faith in any higher power.
Today, I walk in the fullness of my identity in Christ: loved, accepted, protected, wanted, equipped, and confident that He who lives in me is far greater than anything or anyone in this world. Over and over again, Christ has proven Himself faithful caring for me in ways I longed for as a child, and healing places I once thought were beyond restoration.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I began to speak openly about my wounds after surrendering my life to Christ in 2008. Through the support of a trusted program—Celebrate Recovery—and the guidance of a few faithful mentors, I was able to name my pain, recognize the enemy’s strategy to destroy me, and see how Christ had remained near, even when I couldn’t perceive Him.
In early 2009, I began writing a book with the intention of exposing the years of abuse I had endured within my family. But as I penned the first paragraph, I heard the unmistakable voice of God say, “STOP. You will write, but you will write for MY glory.” In that moment, I was frozen—convicted and redirected. God revealed that before I could write, I needed to walk through forgiveness, beginning with my father.
This was no small command. My father and I had been estranged for ten years. Yet in obedience, I wrote him a letter—apologizing for my own errors and extending grace. He responded, and we reconciled immediately. That reconciliation came just in time, as he soon fell ill and went home to be with the Lord within 18 months.
God used my pain, my wounds, and my obedience not only to restore a broken relationship, but to build a testimony of His grace. Every addiction, every proclivity, every worldly pursuit—He has redeemed it all to empower me to help other women heal.
As long as I have breath and a voice, I will use it. I will boast in the Lord and never forget all His benefits.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
When discerning between a fleeting trend and a foundational shift, I begin with one essential question: “Is God in this?” If the answer is yes, then I trust that whatever truth is laid upon that foundation will be sustainable, far-reaching, and capable of evolving over time to deliver lasting, intrinsic value to those it serves.
Fads lack endurance. They may spark temporary interest, but they do not produce long-term impact or align with the deeper mission of Kingdom work. Foundational shifts, however, are Spirit-led and purpose-driven.
One such shift for our ministry was the launch of the W.E. SERVE! Volunteer Program for Women. Born in the midst of the 2020 pandemic, this initiative was our response to a divine call to serve our community and support other nonprofits in their outreach to those in need. What began as a broad effort to volunteer wherever help was needed has since evolved into a strategic, mission-aligned program that reflects the heart of our brand.
Now, five years later, W.E. SERVE! is recognized for its intentionality and impact. We’ve refined our focus to partner only with organizations and causes that align with our core values, allowing the women in our program to experience meaningful growth and see clearly how their service contributes to our mission.
This is the fruit of a foundational shift—organic growth, spiritual sustainability, and a legacy that no fad could ever replicate.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
Even if I were to lay down my name, my title, and every possession I hold, you would still find one truth unchanged: I am a Spirit-led servant of the Most High God.
The name I carry has been redefined by God Himself, and what He calls me is eternal. My highest and most honored role is that of a servant—a calling I embrace with joy and reverence. In that role, I strive to serve with excellence: my family, my friends, my mentees, and every individual God entrusts to my path.
As for possessions, they hold no eternal weight. Everything I have been given the privilege to steward—including this ministry—belongs to God. Scripture reminds us that earthly treasures are fleeting, subject to decay by moth and rust. Therefore, I choose to store my treasures in Heaven, where they are preserved by His glory.
This posture keeps me grounded, immovable, and wholly committed to the call on my life. I serve not for recognition, but from a place of divine assignment—anchored in purpose, surrendered in spirit, and unwavering in faith.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.daughtersinchrist.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daughtersinchristministries/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DICMInc
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@daughtersinchristministries?si=Efag3jiDfVUNr2oa
- Other: Daughters in Devotion podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ZKOwTD4MnIPoNLCpBkpEp?si=5614e0b92c1f44ba
Image Credits
All images are exclusively owned by DICM, Inc.
