The First Seven EBC Women Deacons
Introduction and interviews conducted by Sister Norma Gaither
On September 24, 2017, seven women who were already serving God in their roles as deaconess with their spouses, transitioned and were ordained as deacons themselves. This groundbreaking event marked the first women in the history of the then 133-year-old church to be led in accepting this charge.
As a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church and a supporter of women’s’ endeavors, I stood in awe of this occasion and wanted to know more about God’s working in their lives. They varied in age, years of membership at Ebenezer, as well as the number of years they had been walking alongside their deacon spouses. I felt certain that they each had prayed about this decision and asked for God’s guidance. My question was, “Why now make this bold step at this time in their lives and in the life of our church?”
My mind also went to the Book of Esther 4:14, whom we had been studying.
“For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
While female deacons have been in service for several years, I felt it was significant to shine some light on the heart, soul, and spiritual journey of these Christian women. While other women are waiting to discern God’s call on their lives, they may benefit from these examples of how God does call women to serve with greater responsibility in “feeding His sheep”.
I also saw some significance in the fact that there were seven called. In God’s infinite wisdom, He chose these seven women at this time. There is something to be learned about the number seven. Why is seven called the number of God? We see the number seven in reference to holy works of God. God creates the earth in seven days (Genesis 1). He commands the Israelites to make the seventh day of the week, Sabbath, a holy day filled with no working activities (Exodus 20:8-11). When God introduced the Number Seven as a symbol of the completion of His Work of Creation, He also associated it with sanctification, or holiness, declaring that He, “blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it.” Thus, God laid the foundation for its application throughout the rest of Scripture. It is a double symbol, signifying both completion and sanctification. These ideas are meaningful to us because sanctification denotes the setting apart or separating of a person or thing as wholly devoted or completely given over to God, as when He separated the Levitical Priests saying, “they are wholly given unto me” (Num 8:16. (The Bible Wheel).
Permission was granted by the late Pastor Dean to write further particulars of these new deacons to be inserted in the church history. The process began, a questionnaire was designed, a schedule was made, the women were then invited to the interview.
These seven new deacons were Joyce Jones Bright, Jeanette Sanders Grase, Fortunata Dru Green, Chenelle East Harris, Gladys Satterwhite Jordan, Helen E. Johnson, and Carolyn Jeanette Waites. Also ordained on this day was the husband-and-wife team of Deacon Charles and Deaconess Brenda Coston for whom we thank God for their good and faithful service.
Deacon Joyce Jones Bright
- Can you share your experience when God first called you to serve? I remember well that my husband and I were so blessed to sit under the teaching and preaching of Pastor Walter R. Dean when he was first installed as pastor in 1972. We were led to recommit to an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We opened our spirits to a new level of trusting God and learning to depend upon Him for the gifts of forgiveness from sin, eternal life, righteousness through Jesus Christ, and life more abundantly as heirs of God’s Promises. We humbly surrendered our way to God’s Plan. The desire to love and serve God with all our hearts just seemed to go hand-in-hand with loving and committing our lives to Him. Praise God for His Holy Spirit giving us a servant’s heart as we labored with other faithful saints for the cause of Christ in ministries, including The Rattley Road Ahead Feeding the Hungry Program, The SHARE Food Ministry, Teaching Sunday School, Co-facilitator for The Women’s Study: In Step with the Master, Missionary Outreach Ministry, Co-founders of the Parenting Ministry, Coordinators for the Toddlers Loving Christ Ministry, and members of the Diaconate Ministry, to name a few. Because my husband and I have always ministered as a team for over fifty years, answering God’s call to transition from deaconess to deacon resonated in my spirit for a time such as this.
- Do you believe your desire to serve God was nurtured or nature? Explain. I believe Jeremiah 1:5; 29:11. My desire to serve the Lord is a response to His call upon my life before I was formed in my mother’s womb. I understand it is attributed to God’s plan for my life, so it has always been in me, like a DNA imprint. He foreknew and decided before my birth into this earthly realm that all the environmental circumstances, mountain-top and valley experiences He allowed would purposefully help shape, mold, and prepare me to answer His call to service (ref. Gen. 50:20).
- Which of your gifts will you rely on the most to carry out your duties and responsibilities? My gifts of exhortation, encouraging, teaching, and helping are the main ones I rely upon to perform my duties and responsibilities. For me, it all connects with my calling in Matthew 10:27 and Matthew 25:35-45.
- Sometimes there are dry spells on a spiritual journey. These can be times when you feel God is not hearing you. How do you sustain yourself during those times? In my prayer closet, I lay before the Lord and simply wait in absolute quietness and darkness, free from all distractions. I find myself doing what David describes as stirring himself up with songs of praise and victory . As I pray in the Spirit, I remember how much He loves me and memories flood my soul of all He has done for me. Words of gratitude and thanksgiving flow from my Spirit. I am fed from on High and edified as I hear myself boldly confessing, declaring both God’s Word and all I KNOW to be true about my God. I am humbled at His Presence and His Holy Spirit leads me into worship and sweet communion. It is in that sacred place and time that my spirit finds rest, perfect peace, joy, and encouragement. He hears me, but most importantly, I hear His blessed voice of assurance and instruction. I am then sustained until the move of God is manifested.
- Did you grow up in a Christian community? If not, when did you first develop the desire to know Jesus? My mother was raised in a home of believers, but not regular churchgoers. She was much like her grandmother who read her Bible daily and worshipped all day while she went about doing her household chores. As a young adult, my mom faithfully taught Sunday School. My father was also a believer. He was a weekend traveling gospel quartet vocalist. I followed my mother’s example and recognized her relationship with Christ. From that, I, too, desired to know this very personal Lord and Savior to my mom. At the age of twelve, I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and joined the church. A deeper relationship with Christ did not occur until after I experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit here at Ebenezer in the early ‘70s.
- We saw in Exodus examples of Moses trying to persuade God that he was not the one to lead the Israelites out of captivity. Can you relate at all to Moses’ lack of confidence after being called by the Lord? Oh yes! Definitely! I can relate to Moses’ lack of confidence after being called by the Lord. In retrospect, I see a pattern of fear, doubt, and a focus on trying to do things to perfection my way with a fear of failure or rejection weighing in the balance. There was the fear of not pleasing others, a deep and profound sense of inadequacy and not being good enough to answer God’s call. With spiritual development and maturity, I have come to understand God will equip His children. The Word says, “Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4) and “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil.4:13). His children are called to totally trust and depend upon Him, having no confidence in our fleshly minds, thoughts, feelings, opinions, reasoning, etc. He is our source and help. We need Him always in everything. My confidence is in Him to live a blessed and victorious life in Christ.
- In Romans, Paul introduces Phoebe as a sister, servant of the church and helper of many including him. How would you like to be remembered? I would like to be remembered for reflecting the love of Jesus Christ in what I say and do while serving others. I hope to have touched lives and be remembered as genuine and transparent when interacting, offering godly counsel, and serving in any capacity. To be perceived as one who is no respecter of persons, like Jesus, is important to me. I desire to always be a blessing to the church and the unchurched. I want to be remembered for my faith, clearly demonstrating a relationship and knowledge of the Jesus I know because He lives! He is alive, cares, and His love lifts us up out of pits into healing, restoration, and victorious living. I would want to be remembered as a faithful servant who responded to The Master’s Call for “What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops” (Matthew 10:27). I want my Christ-centered lifestyle to have served as a beacon of light pointing others to a personal Savior, Lord and King. I simply want to be remembered for the living Christ in me.
- Through the ordination of women deacons, Ebenezer Baptist Church is gaining a very valuable additional ministry. Why do you think this important? I believe ordained women deacons enable our Diaconate Ministry to meet the needs of our church families more effectively and efficiently. Many of our families are headed by women. On some life issues, women cannot candidly or appropriately discuss or seek spiritual guidance from male deacons. They can, however, usually relate to another sister in Christ sharing their perspective as wives, single women, mothers, caregivers – often while balancing careers and service commitments. We are no longer held captive to religious traditions, and it is exciting that God does not change. His Word does not change and there is nothing in the scriptures to support God calls only males to serve and minister (meet the needs) of God’s people. There is no distinction between male and female in the things of God. Faithful women serving as deacons date far back to the days of Phoebe and other Bible women. Establishing this practice of ordaining women means our EBC family has been taught, and we have experienced a spiritual awakening. Praise God for our church that has grown significantly in this area, as we have come into alignment with the Word of God.
- We saw in the book of Esther where she had to be persuaded by Mordecai to come forward to help her people. Why do you think that sometimes even strong believers have a difficult time stepping up to the call to serve? Feelings of inadequacy, rejection, fear of failing and its consequences, not wanting to disappoint, and being overly concerned about other people’s judgments, values, and opinions are some of the reasons for difficulty in stepping up to the call to serve. Such concerns are all based on lying messages in a believer’s head from the enemy, and they are designed to keep one in bondage. When one finds himself fearing the enemy more than he trusts God, then he/she is denied or delayed in the privilege of becoming all God has planned for a purpose driven life. One needs only remember that God is our Deliverer and there is nothing too hard for Him. Victory belongs to Jesus.
- During your time of service, in this political and social climate we live in now, how will you prepare yourself to handle complex issues, such as racism, sexuality, hatred, bigotry etc.? The only way I know to manage complex issues such as racism, sexuality, hatred, bigotry, etc. is to be in step with the Master – always asking what would Jesus say and do? Whatever the answer, I know it is in the Word of God and certainly within the actions and context of love. God is love.
- In what area will you ask God to strengthen you as a deacon? More Godly wisdom and discernment.
Deacon Jeanette Grase
- Can you share your experience when God first called you to serve? I have always liked to serve others, but when I became a believer, God expanded that love and service and gave me a servant’s heart. Now I serve because of Him, not because of any recognition or friends I want to impress.
- Do you believe your desire to serve God was nurtured or nature? Explain. My desire to serve God was nurtured from the time I was born. Both my parents were nurturers. My Dad was a deacon in the church and my mom was always cooking something good to take to a neighbor, church member, or friend who had lost a loved one or who was going through difficult times.
- Which of your gifts will you rely on the most to carry out your duties and responsibilities? I will use my ability to work with all people and refrain from being judgmental. In addition, my ability to organize and implement ways to reach out to the members of Ebenezer.
- Sometimes there are dry spells on a spiritual journey. These can be times when you feel God is not hearing you. How do you sustain yourself during those times? Yes. When I lost my husband, I went through a very dry spell spiritually. My husband had been with me for all my life, and we had been married all my adult life. He was my high school sweetheart. I prayed so hard for the Lord to heal him. Initially, I was a little angry at God for taking him at only 64 years old. It seemed as if everything changed in my life, and I had to learn how to live in a different world. Every day, I would ask God to teach me how to live in this world without my husband. One day when I had to make my first purchase, a new refrigerator, without my husband, I broke down in tears in the Navy Exchange. I told the salesperson, I could not buy a refrigerator without my sons, because I just lost my husband. She took me aside and told me that I looked like an intelligent, Christian woman and I did not need my sons to buy a refrigerator. She went on to say, “God’s got you and that you are enough.” God revealed to me that day that He will never leave or forsake me and that He will always send someone to encourage me and remind me “in Him I am enough.” After all, He had given me the intellect and money to buy the refrigerator, I just needed to use what He had already given me. Although I still have my spiritual dry spells, I know that with God I am enough.
- Did you grow up in a Christian community? If not, when did you first develop the desire to know Jesus? Yes, I grew up in a Christian community. As I stated before, my father was a deacon. All my family and friends went to Sunday School, church, and Baptist Training Union (BTU) and were committed to their faith in God.
- We saw in Exodus examples of Moses trying to persuade God that he was not the one to lead the Israelites out of captivity. Can you relate at all to Moses’ lack of confidence after being called by the Lord? Yes, I do not like it when people think I have the answers or when I am called on to pray because I am a Deacon. I feel that I should not be held to that high standard.
- In Romans, Paul introduces Phoebe as a sister, servant of the church and helper of many including him. How would you like to be remembered? I would like to be remembered as a servant who loved God, family, friends, and my Ebenezer family.
- Through the ordination of women deacons, Ebenezer Baptist Church is gaining a very valuable additional ministry. Why do you think this important? When I was President of the Deaconess Ministry, I learned how awesome the women at Ebenezer Baptist Church are and how much they have to give. Some of the women are bold in their faith and some have a quiet spirit, but they all love the Lord and are willing to serve Him. The Deaconess Ministry was able to reach children, women, widows, homeless, and the unserved and we had fun doing this invaluable ministry. I cannot wait to see what the Lord is going to do through these women.
- We saw in the book of Esther where she had to be persuaded by Mordecai to come forward to help her people. Why do you think that sometimes even strong believers have a difficult time stepping up to the call to serve? I think sometimes even strong believers lack boldness and confidence in the sovereignty of God.
- During your time of service, in this political and social climate we live in now, how will you prepare yourself to handle complex issues, such as racism, sexuality, hatred, bigotry etc.? I will try to remember 1 Corinthians 13 that love is the greatest and be aware of and involved in the issues so I can always be ready to give an answer. Above all, I will trust the leading of the Holy Spirit to guide and lead me on my actions and words.
- In what area will you ask God to strengthen you as a deacon? Love and patience.
Deacon Fortunata Dru Green
- Can you share your experience when God first called you to serve? As for serving as a deaconess, I was included in my husband’s calling because we are as one in God’s eyes – we answered the call together. As for moving into the actual position of deacon, when the opportunity was presented, it seemed to be the right progression of my service to the people of God.
- Do you believe your desire to serve God was nurtured or nature? I believe the desire to serve is both nature and nurtured. Once we receive the revelation of God’s love, our natural reaction kicks in, however it must be nurtured to continue in the path He has set before us.
- Which of your gifts will you rely on the most to carry out your duties and responsibilities? Encouragement and faith are my most called upon gifts to serve the people.
- Sometimes there are dry spells on a spiritual journey. These can be times when you feel God is not hearing you. How do you sustain yourself during those times? I believe those dry times are experienced by all. That is when we must lean on others in our lives who are walking on the path of righteousness. The Word always helps to refresh my spirit.
- Did you grow up in a Christian community? If not, when did you first develop the desire to know Jesus? My Mother sent me to church when I was young, however I did not receive Christ as my personal Savior until adulthood.
- In Romans, Paul introduces Phoebe as a sister, servant of the church and helper of many including himself. How would you like to be remembered? I would like to be remembered as the one that always had an encouraging word to offer in love and willing to help at any time with a blessing to be offered.
- Through the ordination of women deacons, Ebenezer Baptist Church is gaining very valuable additional ministry. Why do you think this is important? It is important to allow God to work through all people. His word tells us He is not a respecter of persons. That means to me, He can work through any person who is willing to be used in service to Him and His people. It allows men and women to be more open to whatever position in which God wants to use them.
- We saw in the book of Esther where she had to be persuaded by Mordecai to come forward to help her people. Why do you think that sometimes even strong believers have a difficult time stepping up to the call to serve? It can be difficult to believe in oneself sometimes or to believe that God would use us for his work. Sometimes we don’t want to step out of our comfort zone. The phrase, “The one that much is given, much is required,” comes to me. Do I want much to be required of me? That sounds kind of scary sometimes.
- During your time of service, in this political and social climate we live in now, how will you prepare yourself to handle complex issues, such as racism, sexuality, hatred, bigotry etc.? It is through prayer and realizing it’s not about me and remembering nothing is too hard for God. I will keep praying.
- In what area will you ask God to strengthen you as a deacon? In all areas – I need all the strengthening and help I can get because it’s never easy working with people and their needs. I don’t believe dealing with others and the issues they face is something that can be done without the Holy Spirit leading and guiding every step. However, knowing that it is in God’s hands makes it easier to at least attempt to be of help to others.
- Which of the transformation tenets reign strongest in your spirit? I view transformation as an intimate part of walk with God. As we continue in this journey, we will be continually be transformed into what God will have us to be if we allow it to occur.
Deacon Chanelle East Harris
- Can you share your experience when God first called you to serve? It is difficult to recall a specific time when God first called me because doing good and serving others was introduced to me at a young age. Ebenezer was a very nurturing environment for me as a child. I was always being encouraged by the members as well as my parents and other extended family to serve others.
- Do you believe your desire to serve God was nurtured or nature? Explain. It is in my nature from the example set for me by my nurturing parents. Being of service was and is a part of our responsibility as Christians. We are obligated by the blessings we receive.
- Which of your gifts will you rely on the most to carry out your duties and responsibilities? I believe I am here to do what’s going to help. Being of service can take many different forms. It is helpful to listen to what is said as well as what is not. Discernment.
- Sometimes there are dry spells on a spiritual journey. These can be times when you feel God is not hearing you. How do you sustain yourself during those times? Continuous fellowship, staying engaged in worship and in song, reading the Word, pushing through and trusting in the Lord are how I am able to sustain through the dry spells.
- Did you grow up in a Christian community? If not, when did you first develop the desire to know Jesus? Oh yes, absolutely. My Christian family, as well as my church, set examples for me on an ongoing basis. My parents ensured that a strong foundation was set for me that communicated going to church was a natural thing. I grew into my relationship with Him.
- We saw in Exodus examples of Moses trying to persuade God that he was not the one to lead the Israelites out of captivity. Can you relate at all to Moses’ lack of confidence after being called by the Lord? I believe this scripture was not only about the lack of confidence but, perhaps, about obedience. Sometimes we make excuses for the things we would prefer not to do. But God knows our hearts and His wisdom is beyond our comprehension.
- In Romans, Paul introduces Phoebe as a sister, servant of the church and helper of many including him. How would you like to be remembered? I would like to be remembered as someone who loved to serve, someone who cared about others as well as one who believed in making time for yourself in order to be at your best when called.
- We saw in the book of Esther where she had to be persuaded by Mordecai to come forward to help her people. Why do you think that sometimes even strong believers have a difficult time stepping up to the call to serve? Often times, it is a feeling of inadequacies – a questioning of “Why God would call someone like me?” By trusting God and knowing your own heart, you can come through situations successfully which builds your confidence level so the next time there will be no hesitation.
- During your time of service, in this political and social climate we live in now, how will you prepare yourself to handle complex issues, such as racism, sexuality, hatred, bigotry etc.? I will pray for guidance to have compassion to address the things of the world. I will be intentional and prayerful.
- In what area will you ask God to strengthen you as a deacon? I will ask God to not allow flesh to get involved, for strength to overcome feelings of uncertainty, and to be wise in judgment.
- Which of the transformational tenets reign strongest in your spirit? Intentionality.
Deacon Gladys Satterwhite Jordan
- Can you share your experience when God first called to serve? From childhood, I was taught to share with others who were less fortunate. My parents were totally committed to helping others and as a child, most of the time, my sibling and I were dutifully asked to assist. As my parents set the example of being a servant to others, I grew up with a passion for helping others. As I matured in my faith in Jesus Christ, I realized it was not something I did just because of my parents, but rather I was following my parents’ example who instilled in me a desire and passion to serve those in need. Being called a servant in the capacity of deacon has given me more opportunities to serve in a more diversified arena.
- Do you believe your desire to serve God was natural or nurtured? Explain. I believe it is both. Loving and serving was natural for me because of my upbringing. The passion to serve is nurtured by the Holy Spirit.
- Which of your gifts will you rely on to carry out your duties and responsibilities? Being a servant guided by the Holy Spirit is the gift I will use.
- Sometimes there are dry spells on a spiritual journey. These can be times when you feel God is not hearing you. How do you sustain yourself during those times? During these times, I pray for patience to trust God, and faithfully believe in His word. I must remember that His time is not my time, and I continually pray and believe that He will bring me through dry spells if I keep my focus on Him. The enemy is always trying to find our weak spot so he can devour and destroy. I know if I keep my mind stayed on Jesus, the enemy will eventually flee because he has no victory in me.
- Did you grow up in a Christian community? If not, when did you first develop the desire to know Jesus for yourself? Yes. The Christian community was instrumental in my growth.
- We saw in Exodus examples of Moses trying to persuade God that he was not the one to lead the Israelites out of captivity. Can you relate at all to Moses’ lack of confidence after being called by the Lord? Yes, there are times when I fall short of doing what I think God wants me to do. I doubt because the enemy’s tricks can make me feel inadequate or unworthy to do what the Lord has called me to do. However, the more I mature spiritually, I have learned to seek, pray, ask, and be led by the Holy Spirit. Knowing that it is God who has told me to perform a particular task, He will equip me to do the job that will bring Him glory.
- In Romans, Paul introduces Phoebe as a sister, servant of the church and helper of many including him. How would you like to be remembered? I would like to be remembered as a God-fearing woman, who tried to live holy, and a humble servant of Jesus Christ who was compassionate and loved to help those in need.
- Through the ordination of women deacons, Ebenezer Baptist Church is gaining a very valuable additional ministry. Why do you think this is important? Women have always been an essential part of the church, although their roles have been minimized. Having women deacons will further the ministry by helping with needs of the congregation. Women make up a large population within the church who have needs and concerns that will be better addressed by holy women of God. Women deacons are needed to be examples for young women as they teach and guide them to lead godly lives.
- We saw in the Book of Esther where she had to be persuaded by Mordecai to come forward to help her people. Why do you think that sometimes, even strong believers have a difficult time stepping up to the call to serve? Sometimes there is a feeling of inadequacy, uncertainty, and rejection from the population they wish to serve and the dependency on man rather than putting their trust in God no matter what is at stake. There is a lot of work that needs to be done and we cannot be sidetracked by the hinderances we face. God is the supplier of all we need to be a servant for Him. His grace is sufficient to do what He wants us to do.
- During your time of service, in this political and social climate we live in now, how will you prepare yourself to handle complex issues, such as racism, sexuality, hatred, bigotry etc.? I prefer being spiritually and Godly correct basing my response to these sensible issues with the One Truth, the Word of God. As I address these issues, I will do it with love, gentleness, compassion, and respect.
- In what area will you ask God to strengthen you as a deacon? I will ask God to give me wisdom and discernment to do His will as I minister to His people.
- Which of the transformational tenets reign strongest in your spirit? Missionary mentality is strongest. I am a lover of the precious life God has given to all of us. If I can add a little light to the darkness many people are experiencing in their lives, I hope and pray that God will put some of these people in my path so I can minister to their needs under the mighty power of His Holy Spirit.
Deacon Helen E. Johnson
- Can you share your experience when God first called you to serve? I believe my desire to serve came from growing up in a household where my parent believed the Word and taught God was Holy and He needed to be respected. I knew who God was, but my relationship with him came into full bloom through home study, Bible study, the Holy Spirit dealing with me, church service, Sunday school, and accepting the responsibility to serve as a deaconess alongside my husband, Jack Johnson from 1991 through 2016.
- Do you believe your desire to serve God was nurtured or nature? It was both. My parents provided a strong foundation, and the joy of serving the Lord provided the rest. The Holy spirit touched my heart with the desire to help those who are suffering as well as help other women on their spiritual journey.
- Which of your gifts will you rely on the most to carry out your duties and responsibilities? The gifts of helping, guidance, and discernment are what I will rely on.
- Sometimes there are dry spells on a spiritual journey. These can be times when you feel God is not hearing you. How do you sustain yourself during those times? I just keep praying and keeping the faith, believing that whatever He decided is in my best interest.
- Did you grow up in a Christian community? If not, when did you first develop the desire to know Jesus? Yes, I grew up in a Christian community. My parents attended church and Bible study regularly and they ensured that my brother and I attended, also. My first desire to know Jesus for myself was late in life as an adult. God was dealing with me all along by removing the things of the world I liked so I could focus on Him. In 1987 after a cancer scare, I developed my full desire to know Him and gave my promise to serve Him unto death.
- We saw in Exodus examples of Moses trying to persuade God that he was not the one to lead the Israelites out of captivity. Can you relate at all to Moses’ lack of confidence after being called by the Lord? There were second thoughts and self-doubt: “Can I really do this? Am I the right person? Did you really call me?”
- In Romans, Paul introduces Phoebe as a sister, servant of the church and helper of many including himself. How would you like to be remembered? I would like to be remembered as a true child of God and that I served Him by the way I lived – doing my best not to be judgmental and accepting people where they are, and to be called a friend.
- Through the ordination of women deacons, Ebenezer Baptist Church is gaining a very valuable additional ministry. Why do you think this is important? God can use whomever He choose. He has used many women in the Bible such as Deborah, Esther, and Naomi. Being a servant of God is not limited to men. A female deacon can be an asset to the church because she can also lead people to Christ. Women can effectively mentor other women because they can relate to them on a more personal level.
- We saw in the book of Esther where she had to be persuaded by Mordecai to come forward to help her people. Why do you think that sometimes even strong believers have a difficult time stepping up to the call to serve? Fear is a big factor. It is not always easy to step out in a situation where there might be danger. We must keep in mind that God is always with us to get us through difficult situations and to move us forward as we trust the Holy Spirit to lead and protect us.
- During your time of service, in this political and social climate we live in now, how will you prepare yourself to handle complex issues, such as racism, sexuality, hatred, bigotry etc.? These issues are not entirely new to me. From growing up in a society where you were not looked on favorably because of who you are, I rely on God. It is best to give it over to Him and leave it in his hands.
- In what area will you ask God to strengthen you as a deacon? In my prayer life, I will ask Him to give me a voice to speak the goodness of God to everyone without fear of rejection. I will ask for discernment so I can help those He has given me to walk alongside and help. I will do this to the best of my ability, with His help.
Carolyn Jeanette Waites
- Can you share your experience when God first called you to serve? Initially, I wasn’t sure if I was ready to accept the call. The Deacon Board was all male members, and I was intimidated by becoming part of a ministry where women were not easily accepted. However, I prayed about it and the Holy Spirit told me to go forth and answer God’s call. I am now serving and learning the responsibilities and duties of a Deacon and have no regrets in becoming one.
- Do you believe your desire to serve God was nurtured or nature? Explain. I believe my desire to serve God was nurtured through my Christian upbringing in Church and in my home life where I was taught about the Lord and the importance of following his teachings and commandments.
- Which of your gifts will you rely on the most to carry out your duties and responsibilities? It is a spirit of giving and willingness to provide prayer and assistance to anyone who may need my help.
- Sometimes there are dry spells on a spiritual journey. These can be times when you feel God is not hearing you. How do you sustain yourself during those times? I am sustained by continuing to pray that God will hear me in His time when He is ready and to search for scriptures and Christian guidance to help strengthen me during this difficult time.
- Did you grow up in a Christian community? If not, when did you first develop the desire to know Jesus? Yes, I grew up in a Christian home and a Christian church and learned early in my life that I must believe and accept Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and to follow His plan for salvation.
- We saw in Exodus examples of Moses trying to persuade God that he was not the one to lead the Israelites out of captivity. Can you relate at all to Moses’ lack of confidence after being called by the Lord? Yes, I had only been a member of our Senior Ministry for one year when I was asked to become the president. However, I turned down the offer at first because I had some doubts about how effective I would be as the leader. After I was asked the second time, I accepted and asked the Lord for the guidance and confidence I needed to do the job, and He was with me during my tenure as leader of our ministry for six years.
- In Romans, Paul introduces Phoebe as a sister, servant of the church and helper of many including him. How would you like to be remembered? I would like to be remembered as a kind and compassionate person who was always willing to help or assist anyone in any way I could.
- Through the ordination of women deacons, Ebenezer Baptist Church is gaining a very valuable additional ministry. Why do you think this important? While women have always been active and great contributors to the church, becoming a deacon will give us another opportunity to serve and lead in ways that were once reserved for men only. In addition, it will help us strengthen our relationship with God as we serve and try to encourage others to do the same.
- We saw in the book of Esther where she had to be persuaded by Mordecai to come forward to help her people. Why do you think that sometimes even strong believers have a difficult time stepping up to the call to serve? Strong believers sometimes have a difficult time stepping up to the call due to a lack of confidence and courage. Also, sometimes, the person may simply feel that he or she does not have the skills to do the job.
- During your time of service, in this political and social climate we live in now, how you will prepare yourself to handle complex issues, such as racism, sexuality, hatred, bigotry etc.? I will prepare myself by striving to keep abreast of these issues, by prayer and keeping informed through personal observations and studies, and by consulting and interacting with professional people who can give one guidance on the best way to handle these complex issues.
- In what area will you ask God to strengthen you as a Deacon? Corporate prayer is an important part of the life of a church. When we pray together, we can experience the Holy Spirit with others which can have a very spiritual and positive effect during our service and afterwards as well.
- Which of the transformational tenets reign strongest in your spirit? Missionary mentality is strongest. This involves my helping people with their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs in our church as well as outreach service in other communities.