Overcoming Toxic Emotions women’s group was birthed in 2013. In 2017, founders Reverend Maria Payne and her daughter in law, Melinda Zuñiga established the Overcoming Toxic Emotions Ministry (OTEM) as a nonprofit organization. As they each experienced emotional instability in their own lives and recognized that women needed a safe place to have honest conversations about REAL LIFE issues. Together, they’ve worked toward establishing the OTEM for women to feel secure in speaking about their toxic emotions with others, with the goal being for the Lord to release them from that toxicity and consistent pain. 

Reverend Maria Payne has spent countless hours of biblical counseling and training through the American Association of Christian Counselors, and Light University. Melinda has been in ministry serving women for over 10 years.

OTEM has helped countless women become free from their toxic emotions. We believe that the Word of God is the fundamental means through which we can achieve and maintain freedom as stated in Galatians 5:1.