Jacqueline Jane Overpeck is a talented, young author who loves to offer encouragement to her readers. Better known by her family and friends as J.J., Jacqueline shares about her name. “Prior to marriage,” she says with a warm grin,“My maiden name was Smith. I went from being Jacqueline Smith to Jackie O.”
She was born in snow covered, Elyria, Ohio. Buckeye, Jackie O. happily moved to subtropical Orlando, Florida as a pre-teen. It’s there that she first encountered Tinkerbell at Disney World, Ron Jon Surf Shop at Cocoa Beach, and the life-changing presence of the Holy Spirit at Pastor Benny and Suzanne Hinn’s fast growing mega-church, Orlando Christian Center. Tremendously blessed to sit under the anointed teaching of Benny Hinn, Jacqueline quickly learned that as she places her trust in God, the Lord is faithful to direct her path.
Jacqueline moved to Dallas, Texas when Benny Hinn Ministries relocated to its present headquarters in the DFW Metroplex. During this season of new beginnings, Arnold Overpeck asked Jacqueline to marry him. “I gazed down at the sparkling diamond, that Arnie held up to me, thinking, this rock is as clear as ice, pure ice,” she says. Her doe-brown eyes, dance blissful with delight as she shares.
Jacqueline is a former editorial aid and marketing assistant for Strang Communications, Charisma Magazine. She’s multi-published as a contributing writer to her Orlando hometown newspaper, worked as an advertising executive, copywriter, research associate, and registrar for Christian Writers Institute (a national writing conference and correspondence school established to train aspiring writers.) Presently, she works full time for Benny Hinn Ministries as Web Content Editor.
Serving the Lord in the Christian communications industry for over a dozen years has taught Jacqueline that God’s timing is perfect. “A gift makes room for itself. You don’t have to push doors open. God will grant you favor in the area of ministry you are called to. If you operate within that place, you’ll find great grace, and an ever, increasing anointing,” she says. Her voice radiates velvet-smooth with assurance.
Jacqueline continues, “Never become discouraged. God’s the one who places great dreams and visions upon your heart. It’s up to Him to fulfill them. Your job is to remain steadfast; simply be faithful. Don’t despise the day of small beginnings. Habakkuk encourages: ‘For the vision is yet for an appointed time…Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come…’” (Habakkuk 2:3).
When not working, Arnold and Jacqueline enjoy traveling throughout the United States by RV. Their favorite holiday pastime is visiting the National Parks. “Creation speaks God’s beauty,” says Jacqueline. “There’s nothing like the great outdoors to refresh your spirit. I love listening to the wind as it whispers through prickly pines. It’s fascinating to watch tree squirrels strategically maneuver through the branches of a post oak with the agility and skill of a trapeze artist.” Jacqueline tucks wisps of her long, caramel-colored hair behind one ear. “These simple things remind us of God’s gentle presence, and that’s why I love them so.”
She laughs, “Getting back to nature stills your heart like few things can. Try standing at the South rim of the Grand Canyon and you’ll find that to be true! Some of my greatest writing inspiration has come after taking trips to Arizona, Zion Canyon in Utah, Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, Smoky Mountain National Park in Tennessee, Fairbanks, Alaska, and Maui, Hawaii.”
Jacqueline’s writing has appeared on the Web sites of Christian Women Today, Christian Broadcasting Network, and Benny Hinn Ministries, among others. When asked about the root of her passion for media, she shares an encounter she had in prayer. “As I was earnestly seeking the Lord, I said, ‘God, I want to know you more.’ I sensed his reply. ‘Then you want to know people more because there’s a part of my own heart in every person I’ve created.’”
Says Jacqueline, “Since that time, I’ve looked at the privilege and opportunity of sharing the love of the wonderful savior, Jesus, through print, media, and communications in a whole new light. Henry Blackaby's book Experiencing God sheds light on this. One foundational point Blackaby makes is that we are partners with God, fulfilling His plan in the earth. I believe God's plans for our lives were established before we were born. All that we must do is yield to the Holy Spirit, take God the father’s guiding hand, and follow Jesus. When you’re in step with Jesus (Romans 8), the cares and worries of this world fall away.”
Jacqueline seeks creativity in every area of her life, including the kitchen, where she enjoys baking brownies sprinkled with powdered sugar and mixing her own essential oil concoctions for homemade spa treatments. Jackie O. lives in a cottage-style home with her partner in adventure Arnold, and their adorable Maltese dog, Coconut. The pair, and their fluffy, white pooch are often found at the Fort Worth Stockyards rodeo, picnicking in the park, watching football on television (Go Cowboys and Longhorns!), or kayaking on the lake.
When asked about her favorite quiet time activity, Jacqueline reflected, hugging her knees to her chest. She took a silent sip of Earl Gray Creme tea. Her face brightened to a soft, rose-pink. “I’m crazy about starry autumn north Texas nights. They provide the chilly backdrop to get cozy. Then, I like to read, or write, an inspirational page-turner beside my rustic log-burning fire.”
Contact Jackie O.: AuthorJackieO@msn.com