Minister Sonja was born in Nashville, Tennessee. Her deliverance ministry, Prison 2 Praise,
has carried her all over the world including London, Uganda, Dubai as she desires to heal the
brokenhearted and set the captive free. Her ministry ‘Prison to Praise’ was birthed from a 12
year drug addiction. During her mess she never lost sight of the messenger - Jesus
Christ!!!
In her drug addiction, she would leave the crack house singing, “His Eyes are on the Sparrow.”
After a while she found it difficult to get high, because people no longer wanted her singing and
reciting scriptures to them. One night Minister Sonja had a Damascus Road experience, and
she cried out to God to send her to jail until she could change. After that night, she went to jail
for a six-month sentence, which turned into over a three-year prison stint. It was in prison that
God broke the stronghold of crack that was over her, and she surrendered her life to Christ. She
later became the director of the Victory Voices Choir, an all-male-inmate choir that traveled to
different churches to sing praises and give their testimonies. The Victory Voices is also the
organization which began the Ministry relationship with Atty John Price(the same District
Attorney that sent Min Sonja to prison in the late 90s).
In 2006, Minister Sonja served as an Assistant Pastor for one year at Greater First Street
Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Norris P. Johnson in Nashville, TN. She has
participated in outreach efforts as well. She is a motivational speaker, and travels throughout the
country encouraging others. Minister Sonja believes that she was delivered from drugs and
living in the streets to help someone else become healed, delivered, and set free. She
lives a life devoted to assisting those who want to make a positive change in their lives.
Minister Sonja is the author of ‘From Prison to Praise’(her life story of being an overcomer) and
''I am a Woman Empowered'!
She has an Associate’s degree in Theology from Emmanuel Baptist College. She is a licensed
ordained minister, currently serving as Associate Minister of Cedar Grove Church in
Murfreesboro, Tennessee under the leadership of Elder Monte Lester. Minister Sonja is an
alcohol and drug counselor. From 2012-2014 She was also the overseer for the states of
Tennessee and Alabama for Grace Abundant Life Ministry (G.A.L.M). She is a certified
tax-preparer and owner of AuthentiQ Tax (over15 yrs.)& AuthentiQ Business Solutions. Minister
Sonja is the wife of Perry Carney and mother of Divon and Sontoya Crutchfield,
Step-Mom-in-love of Latia Sneed, Perry II, Peri & Anthony Carney! She resides in Murfreesboro
TN. She is a Dynamic Preacher & Motivational Speaker and can be reached at
FromPrison2Praise@gmail.com or call 629.207.3937 for Preaching, Teaching, Motivational
Speaking and Conference engagements.