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Raenelle Gay

Open Heart Surgery at Nine and Choosing to No Longer Hide Your God-Given Gifts
27 August 2026 by
Raenelle Gay
Hope Team

Podcast Preview


In this episode of 12-Minute Convos with Jesus Believers, Engel Jones connects with Raenelle Gay, tuning in from the beautiful Caribbean island of Trinidad. Raenelle shares the unique reality of growing up as a Sunday school kid who was practically "born on the altar" because she spent nearly every moment of her childhood in church. However, her relationship with God transformed from simple Sunday school stories into a profound, personal reality after she underwent a major open heart surgery at just nine years old. Experiencing the miraculous healing power of God firsthand, she made the conscious decision to give her life to Christ and get baptized shortly after. 

Listen in as Raenelle shares her journey of navigating business and ministry as a self-described deep introvert. She opens up about the frightening but necessary leap of putting herself out there on social media, realizing that her courage is the very conduit God uses to reach others. If you are a naturally quiet believer holding back your talents out of fear or self-doubt, Raenelle’s beautiful reminder to stop hiding, step out of the boat, and use your unique gifts to reach people will deeply ignite your passion to serve!

Engel Jones
Engel Jones
Podcast Host


                         Guest's Bio

Raenelle Gay was born in San Fernando, Trinidad, to Brian and Lesley Ann Spencer. From an early age, her life was shaped by resilience and determination. At just nine years old, she underwent open-heart surgery, an experience that strengthened her faith, deepened hercompassion for others, and inspired a lifelong appreciation for the value of life and well-being.

She attended St. Madeleine Secondary School, where she developed an interest in understanding people and the factors that influence their emotional and social development. This passion led her to pursue higher education at Caribbean Nazarene College, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Counseling, and Management of Human Resources. Committed to expanding her knowledge and impact, she later completed a Master's degree in Family Life Education at Oasis Institute of Higher Learning.

Professionally, Raenelle serves as a Guidance Officer attached to the Ministry of Education, where she supports the emotional, social, and behavioral development of students while working closely with parents, teachers, and school communities. Her work is centered on helping children build resilience, develop healthy coping skills, and navigate life's challenges.

Beyond her role in education, Raenelle is a Mental Health Coach and Family and Relationship Counselor. Through counseling, education, and advocacy, she is passionate about promoting mental wellness, strengthening marriages and families, and helping individuals build healthier relationships with themselves and others. She is committed to making conversations about mental health more accessible and reducing the stigma surrounding emotional well-being.

Raenelle has been married to her husband, Peter Gay, for ten years. Together they are raising their two sons, Amaziah and Izayah, whom she considers among her greatest blessings. Her experiences as a wife and mother enrich her professional work, allowing her to connectauthentically with the families she serves.

Grounded in her Christian faith, Raenelle believes in the importance of compassion, hope, and lifelong growth. Whether she is counseling individuals, mentoring students, speaking on family life, or creating educational content on mental health, her mission remains the same: to encourage healing, strengthen relationships, and empower people to thrive emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

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