About the Book

Book: Start Little, Dream Big – Grow The Ministry You Were Born To Build

Author: Linette Rainville

Genre: Christian Books, Women’s Spiritual Growth, Adult Ministry, Ministry and Evangelism, Church Leadership

Release Date: August 7, 2025

“Start Little, Dream BIG” is Linette’s personal story of how God turned one bag of skinny jeans into a million-dollar outreach.

Learn how the smallest step of faith could change your life!

Linette Rainville knows this truth firsthand. A proud Buffalo native and U.S. Navy veteran, Linette began with one simple act of obedience—a bag of skinny jeans she tried to “trade in” for things her family needed. That humble beginning sparked a million-dollar outreach ministry that now serves over 40,000 families every year with food, clothing, hope and Jesus.

In Start Little, Dream Big, Linette shares her redemptive journey and practical wisdom for women ready to step into their God-given calling. It’s filled with real-life moments—some laugh-out-loud funny, some bring-tears-to-your-eyes kind of raw—but all with one goal: to provide you a guide and a blueprint to build your own meaningful ministries, projects, and movements from the ground up.

Whether you’re just dreaming or ready to launch, Linette invites you to join her and a growing sisterhood of modern-day Esthers who are answering their call with courage, faith, and Godfidence.

You don’t have to do this alone. Your big dream starts with one little step.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Linette Rainville, Jesus girl, USN Veteran and Movement Leader, is on a quest to raise up the next generation of Esthers and Movement Makers. As a podcast host, speaker, mentor and founder of Daughters United, a global equipping ministry, she empowers women to build projects and start ministries from the ground up. With 25 years of hands-on poverty outreach experience, Linette has reached thousands of Kingdom women, guiding them to pursue their callings, lead movements, and build missions.

More from Linette

Friend, can I just take you back for a moment?

I never thought I’d find myself here in this place. After serving my country in the U.S. Navy, I came home with a spinal injury that ended the career I had dreamed of. Suddenly, the uniform I loved was gone, and I was simply doing my best to care for my family on an income that barely covered the basics.

It stung. It carried a stigma I swore I’d never face. You see, as a young girl my mom and I had lived on welfare, and I had made a promise to myself that my children would never have to experience that. But then life happened. A “disabled” label got stamped on my record, and just like that, my best intentions seemed to evaporate.

A few years later, I was blessed with the gift of motherhood and the challenge of disability. My husband and I were making it on one single blue-collar income, just trying to survive.

And then—God.

One ordinary day, walking out of a thrift store, the Lord planted a seed in my heart. That tiny whisper turned into a vision. That vision grew into a mission. One obedient baby step at a time—one yes, one phone call, one event, one open door—the Lord built something so much bigger than me.

Over the years, what started as a little prayer has grown into clothing programs, a pregnancy help center, food pantries, a soup kitchen, domestic abuse support, homeless outreach… and an army of volunteers who joined me along the way.

What’s wild is this: that one “yes” in 1991 has rippled out for over 30 years—locally, regionally, and now even globally… reaching over 50,000 lives each year—meeting real, practical needs.

And here’s where you come in.

Because this story—it isn’t just about me. It’s about you too. I believe God is stirring dreams and assignments inside of my sisters today. Maybe you’ve walked through storms. Maybe you’ve carried labels that felt heavy. Maybe you’ve stood staring at the “skinny jeans” of your life—dreams or abilities that no longer seem to fit.

But here’s the truth: all is not lost.

I see you.

I see you walking out of those valleys and climbing mountains, becoming warrior-ready and equipped to make a difference. I see you searching for a guide, a compass, and a roadmap for your mission.

That’s why I wrote this book. It’s the first in my Skinny Jeans Series, and I pray that it will become a companion for you—to remind us that God’s plans are never finished, even when ours feel broken.

Because as Jeremiah 29:11 declares: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

So take heart, friend.

God can take your little and build something bigger than you ever imagined…

one small YES at a time.

With BIG LOVE,

❤️ Linette

Interview with the Author

What does success as an author look like to you?

Honestly, success to me isn’t about numbers—it’s about impact. If circles of friends, women’s ministries, or small groups begin using my book to encourage one another, that’s where my heart does a happy dance! 💕 I dream of women starting BOOK CLUBS and BIBLE STUDIES —gathering around kitchen tables, coffee cups in hand, helping each other take their next step in life or in mission with Jesus.
And if I get the chance to pour into those women in person at a conference or retreat? That’s the icing on the cake!

Which chapter was the most difficult to write?

Whew… that would definitely be “Overcoming the Border Bullies in Our Lives.”
That chapter came straight from some deep, real-life experiences, and I had so much to say that it was hard not to turn it into a whole separate book! It’s also one of my most-requested speaking topics, so narrowing it down to a few pages felt like trying to fit an ocean into a teacup. But it’s a powerful one—because we all face those voices that try to keep us from crossing into the next thing God has for us.

What inspired this book?

Honestly, God did. I felt a gentle nudge from Him saying, “It’s time.”
It was time to share my overcomer story—not as a highlight reel, but as a roadmap for others. This book is my blueprint to help readers grow in purpose, heal from pain, and walk in what I call Godfidence. I wanted women to know that God can use even our hardest seasons to prepare us for the mission He’s placed in our hearts.

Which author influenced you most?

Oh, hands down—Sarah Young, the author of Jesus Calling. Her writing feels like sitting in a quiet corner with a journal and a cup of tea, just listening for God’s whisper. I’ve always loved how intimate, real, and Spirit-led her words are. They remind me that writing can be ministry—an overflow of what God speaks to your own heart.

What is your favorite Bible verse or life verse?

My favorite verse is 2 Corinthians 12:9—and fun fact, it’s also my birthday, 12/9!

“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’”
That verse is my anchor. It reminds me that my weakness isn’t something to hide—it’s actually where God’s strength shines brightest.

What would you like readers to get out of this book?

My hope is that every woman who turns the last page will take a deep breath and think, “I can do this. I can take one small step.”
I want them to see that their gifts, their shape, their story—it all matters. That they’re not disqualified by their past or their pain. My prayer is that Start Little, Dream Big helps them embrace their calling, cultivate their gifts, and walk boldly into the God-assignments waiting for them.

What is your favorite vacation spot?

Give me the ocean any day! 🌊
I come alive near the water—the sound of waves, the sand between my toes, the way the sun melts into the horizon… it’s my happy place. There’s something about watching the sunset kiss the water that always reminds me of God’s majesty and faithfulness.

What is your most well-loved and well-used house appliance?

Probably my coffee maker! ☕ It’s my “Good Morning” friend. There’s something sacred about those early morning moments with Jesus, my Bible, and a good cup of coffee—it’s where a lot of my writing starts.

Why write nonfiction?

Because I write to help.
I want to be that voice of encouragement for the woman who feels stuck or unsure of her next step. Writing nonfiction allows me to mentor through words—to sit with my readers, heart-to-heart, and say, “You’re not alone, and here’s how we can take this next step together.”
It’s more than a book for me—it’s ministry on paper. 💕