CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A local international gospel recording artist and motivational speaker is using her talents to inspire people and enrich their lives.
Iva Pace, 48, is the founder and coach for YOYO Faith Empowerment Group, and she has made it her life’s mission to bring people on board that have a dream and are afraid to step out.
The start of the journey
Originally from Palestine, Texas, Pace’s family relocated to Jackson, Tennessee, to help her grandfather’s ministry.
Pace said her mother was a classical singer, and her father was a pastor. Growing up, Pace and her siblings were part of the church choir, where she developed a passion for singing.
“We would have visitors come over. … My mom would call me down, and they would all want me to sing,” Pace told Clarksville Now. “I just really enjoyed that moment. I was a little girl singing my little heart out.”
Even as a teenager Pace would write songs and sing for her friends. After 48 years, she still hasn’t lost sight of her passion and said singing and writing music helped her through some difficult times.
“Life happens, and it takes us through some toils and turns. … I realized that music is medicine.”
The YOYO Shoes
Pace found many obstacles along the way, including failed relationships, failed marriages, and being a single parent.
It led to a movement in her ministry she calls YOYO Faith, for You Overcoming Your Obstacles. And that started with her childhood wish for a pair of YOYO brand shoes.
She had moved to Clarksville after marrying a man in the military, but as the relationship was ending and she was sitting on the floor in the middle of the living room of her empty apartment, she said that God spoke to her.
“I asked God, ‘Do I go back (to Jackson)? Do I stay here? I don’t know anybody,'” Pace recalled. “And he spoke to me. He said, ‘YOYO Faith.'”
When she was 9, she told her parents she wanted a pair of YOYO shoes. Her grandfather’s ministry was centered on faith. So he prayed hard every day for those shoes and kept a passionate faith that God would provide Pace asked her father all summer for a pair, but they never showed up.
“At the end, the weekend before school starts, there’s no YOYO shoes,” she said. “My family, my siblings, they’re looking at me crazy because Iva is still thanking God for these shoes and school starts on Monday. I was still thanking God for these shoes, even though I didn’t see the shoes, I’m still thanking God.”
It was Sunday night, and the second church service had ended. Pace’s family had returned home for the evening and the children were getting ready for bed. Soon, it was Pace’s turn to have her hair pressed by her mother.
“It was so late. I was sitting on the floor and she was pressing my hair, and tears began to fall down my face,” she said.
“As God is my witness, as I’m walking up the stairs to go to bed, there was a knock on our door,” Pace said with a laugh. “It was 11:47 p.m.”
A woman was standing at the door with a big trash bag in her hand, Pace said. The woman apologized for coming over so late, but said she felt led to bring the bag of clothes to them.
“I dumped that bag in the middle of the living room floor and I tell you, at the bottom of that bag were my YOYO shoes.
“I forgot all about that until I moved to Clarksville, and I had to walk away from my marriage, and I was sitting on that floor and God was like, ‘YOYO Faith!’ And immediately, I remembered,” Pace said. “I was sitting there bawling on the floor. He said, ‘Iva, I’m the same God. I have not changed; I have not left you.'”
Looking to the future
That faith has led her to travel to London, record two CDs, and write her own book. Her ministry and career has taken her to over 23 states, and she’s been nominated for many awards. But the path doesn’t stop there for Pace.
She has been filling the cup of her community, teaching kids vocal lessons and using her gifts as a motivational speaker and empowerment coach to help women find strength.
“Some people will never reach out for help,” Pace said. “I’m the one if I see it? I’m coming to you.”
Through all of her struggles and success, Pace continues to dedicate her life’s work to God. Pace said she’s in a good place now, but she’s still working toward her goal.
“I’m hoping to bring more people on board that have a dream, that are afraid to step out,” she said. “I want to help those people. I feel that we are placed here, not for ourselves, always for someone else, and someone has to lead the pack. Someone has to step outside of that uncomfortable space.
“I want people to know that whatever you have inside of you, it’s for the world, not just for you. … Some people will never step inside of a church building, ever. How else will they see the love of God? I feel like I am placed here to go outside of the walls of the churches and to meet people right where they are. And just love on them.”
For more, check out Iva Pace on Facebook, call 931-278-7787 or email ivafostermusicartistpage@gmail.com.