“If you ignore the her-stories of women within the narrative of Jesus Christ,
then you have missed the gospel!” ~ Rev. Melanie
As a millennial, Black, woman of faith, my identities motivate my ministry. Though Black Baptist churches lag behind in fully embracing women in ordained ministry, I am humbled to occupy the space as the youngest ordained woman in South Suburban Missionary Baptist Church’s (SSMBC) 49-year-old history and the first theologian-in-residence at Sweet Home Baptist Church-Pinnacle of Praise. In 2012, I received the St. James Academy award for best composed sermon at Vanderbilt University Divinity School. My local and global vocational endeavors center the pulpit as space for prophetic proclamation. Preaching is my calling and sacred offering toward enlivening the reign of God. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a liberating message of radical love and revolutionary justice that I seek to share with all who desire to hear.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me.
[The Lord] has sent me to preach good news to the poor,
to proclaim release to the prisoners
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to liberate the oppressed,
and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
Luke 4: 18-19 (CEB)
because the Lord has anointed me.
[The Lord] has sent me to preach good news to the poor,
to proclaim release to the prisoners
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to liberate the oppressed,
and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
Luke 4: 18-19 (CEB)