Couples in Ministry 2
“THANK YOU!”
To each couple listed below I would like to say, ‘Thank You!’ God blessed your union, and your ministries have touched my life. As you share your gifts, you have allowed God to use you to minister to the hearts of many. You have contributed in different ways towards my healing; helping me to release resentment towards my parents (for neglecting their parental responsibilities). Today I have embraced forgiveness. Please see message to all couples [words of encouragement] towards the end of this article.
Mr.[1] & Mrs.[2] Howard McCalla:
Thank you for being a beacon—you shine like stars within our community. You compliment each other in ministry and you are an example to married couples: proof that when God is the centre of our world (the third person in our marriage) we can overcome all the obstacles set before us while enjoying the life of abundance promised to us in St. John 10:10. Thank you for being there for each other and for being a role model for your children, and for us—the community you serve.
Howard, my journey with you over the last three years has been a blessing. In our first interview, you asked a question that began a process of discovering who I am in Christ. Today there is clarity and I can see beauty on the horizon. I thank God for the journey I have been on because it has allowed me to develop my spiritual muscles. Now I see obstacles as stepping stones—taking me to where God desires me to be. Being able to share my talents on your gospel show has allowed for the process of healing and restoration of confidence, in the gifts that God has given me. Through this ministry, God has been completing my healing in various areas of my life. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share with your listeners.
Sandra, what can I say, you are like a big sister I look up to. I love watching you at work and seeing the love of God shine through you. Thanks for letting me into your world, through the Luton Gospel Community choir, and for blessing me all over again as the voice of Glorious Jones, [I am thanking God that you connected with Yaw who used the wisdom God gave him to place you in the leading role. I would never have seen that play otherwise].
May God continue to reveal Himself to you both, as you continue to grow in wisdom, and in the knowledge of our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ.
Thank you for your friendship and your spiritual guidance. You’ve welcomed me into your home and your fellowship, allowing me to experience love in action. You have taken me under your wings, like your very own. Now I can say that I know what it feels like to be part of a family.
Diane, you spent time with me, just providing a listening ear at a time when I needed to release the toxin within. Then like the mother you are, you gave advice from a place of compassion. Thank you for those precious moments when you could have been with your family, yet chose to help a soul in need. It was therapy for me—much needed but unaffordable, financially. God used you to fill that gap and it opened a window in my heart so God could start to do surgery on me. He cleaned me up and opened my eyes to things I could not see before. Thank you for the invitation that later connected me with so much beautiful people.
Pastor Patrick, thank you for welcoming us [my family and I] into your fellowship and for your fatherly advice, your teachings and practical help. Thank you for the gentle rebuke and for pointing me in the right direction. On my journey, I find that many who claim the name of Christ are all too willing to quote a few Scripture verses and say, “I’ll pray for you.” Not many are willing to get their hands dirty—doing anything practical. I am pleased to be part of your fellowship and I give God thanks for directing us there.
Mr[5] & Mrs[6] Marvin Reid:
Thank you for inviting me into your home and taking the time to share with me (offering words of wisdom and encouragement). Thank you for blessing me with so many wonderful children to teach. Through their individual characters, God used them to help bring me to a place of recognition and acceptance where my calling within children’s ministry is concerned.
Deacon Reid, because of your boldness in Christ and your obedience to His Word, I now cry tears of joy (seeing how God has provided for me along the way). It allowed me to look beyond the surface of the issues affecting the relationship where Mum and I are concerned. I was then able to get to the core of the problem. Today, I am at the place where the healing waters flow. I sought God’s guidance on how to move forward and today I celebrate answered prayers. May God continue to bless your ministries, individually and as a couple.
Mr. & Mrs. Larry Lilly
Thank you for blessing me with your kindness; the gift of time, in putting together the daily journal you produce; and for maintaining your prison ministry. I recognise how closely you work together as a couple, seeing Joyce’ monthly book reviews as part of your newsletter that blesses our family and friends. Thank you both for sharing your time and abilities with the wider community. Many who have never heard the gospel have been testifying of the effects of your work as they spend life behind bars. I am often blessed when reports of a prisoner on death row comes to Christ, before too late [Your reports and personal testimony encouraged me to keep writing for a newspaper I wanted to stop contributing to. There are things I disagree with where the paper is concerned--I am seeking God’s direction here. However, it reaches many in-mates and my prayer is that the articles I write will touch hearts and souls will be born for the Kingdom].
The most precious gift you have given me is the gift of your friendship. The delight on my face when I received “Hope for Your Darkest Hour” and “Lasting Friendships in 30 Days” along with the letter sharing those needed words of encouragement. Your gift came at a time I was desperately in need of guidance. Thank you for using your testimony in such a powerful way.
Joyce, I thank you for standing by Larry, through it all. It is when we are going through the darkest hours of our lives that we need our loved ones the most. You are a diamond. Your love story reminds me of a quote in the movie ‘Fire Proof’ “You never leave your partner, especially in a fire.” Thank you for sharing your life story with me.
Mr. & Mrs. Ewing[7] Clarke:
Thank you Elder Clarke for giving up precious time to share your gift of teaching with us. I especially enjoyed the times we shared during bible study and Wednesday fasting and praying sessions. Many times when you turn up for service and there are only a few others, I know it can be discouraging. However, it is in those sessions when there were only two of three of us present, that I found the courage to share my views and details of my life where I was not experiencing the abundance of life promised to me in St. John 10.10. It was then I was able to get the advice needed, specific to my situation, that later led to freedom from certain things that held me bound. Therefore, I just want to encourage you to know that your labour is not in vain and that God is using you mightily, within our fellowship.
Mrs. Clarke, I Thank you for inviting us to the dedication service. Had it not been for that invitation, our first visit at Priory House could have remained just that, and today my husband and I would still be immature Christians. Thank you both for your ministry of sharing and teaching. Today I am living out the teaching of the Word of God and it is a great feeling, knowing that He really does care for me.
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Kittrell:
Thank you for reaching out to the community in the various ways that you do. Being a pastor is a very challenging role and many would see it as they have arrived, but it amazes me that even in your twilight years you can see it beneficial to continue learning so that others like me can benefit from your God-given knowledge. However, what I like most about you is that you never allow all that extra responsibility to impose on your couple time with Mary. Continue to enjoy your sessions of golf, hiking etc. As a couple, you teach us not just by words but by your actions as well. Thank you for so rich a blessing. God used you as a vessel, to provide that much-needed guidance during my time of grief. If you had not been obedient to the call to adopt me as your ‘Internet Daughter’ my healing would have still been on its way. Today each moment is an opportunity to celebrate. THANK YOU!
Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Ricketts:
Thank you for your friendship, your prayers, your guidance, your counselling… Nsambi, I remember the time you spent with me online, in the early stages, as I set up this website. Those, I believe were precious couple time you and Stephen could have had. You could have said no to the time you gave in helping with the process. Now as I look back, I realise that without those constructive criticisms, and encouragement I could have given up on the prospect of sharing this website with other. Your time invested was a seed planted which is now producing fruits. Thank you my dear sister and friend.
Following you on your journey through marriage and ministry find, tears rolling down my eyes, seeing how much sacrifices you are both having to make. However, knowing that God is in the picture I have the assurance that it will all work out for good. My healing is a product of such sacrifices and I know that God will continue to bless you as you continue to give of yourselves in service.
The journey continues…
[1] Howard McCalla is the co-host of G-Focus--Gospel Radio Show; Every Sunday 5pm on BBC Three Counties Radio 630 MW.
[2] Sandra McCalla is currently the main character (Glorious Jones) in the play/musical What Black Women Want and is also the choir director for the Luton Gospel Community Choir
[3] Mr Elroy Patrick is the pastor of COGIC Community House (AKA Dunstable Assembly)
[4] Mrs. Diane Patrick, as the pastor’s wife, is the First lady of COGIC Community House (AKA Dunstable Assembly); she also serves as a Sunday school teacher and an Evangelist.
[5] Mr Marvin Reid serves as a Deacon at C.O.G.I.C Community House. Mr. Reid and his wife serve within the children’s ministry, providing care, as foster parents.
[6] Mrs Mavelyn Reid serves our community caring for the sick in our hospital. She also serves within the hospitality/catering department, the choir and our praise and worship team. She is a mother, still caring for her youngest, a pre-teen, and still find time to care for others as a foster mother.
[7] Mr. Ewing Clarke, serves as an Elder, while his wife, Mrs. Daphne Clarke, serves as a Mother in our fellowship at the C.O.G.I.C. Community House [Dunstable Assemble of COGIC]
