INTRODUCTION

I am delighted the Holy Ghost has finally released me to write this book concerning the woman’s place in ministry. The revelations which were given to me by the Holy Ghost came after a long period of spiritual complacency relative to evangelism, counseling and intercessory prayer. I did not believe at the time the Lord would ordain a woman to pastor a church, much less call her to an apostleship. Well, I was in for a rude awakening. In the summer of 1981, the Lord spoke to me saying He was going to give me a church. I wanted to ask, “What do you want me to do with it?” Nevertheless, I finally understood the implication of His statement. He meant I was to pastor a church. Needless to say, this was a slap in the face for me, seeing as how I had been very vocal in my teachings that such a thing was impossible. Up to this point, my mind and my emotions were in complete agreement that the pastorate was not the call for a woman. However, there was such a strong visitation from the Lord in this until I knew, He was totally serious and would indeed establish a church through this “weaker vessel.”

Immediately, I contacted my Bishop and told him of the heavenly visitation that left an unction in my spirit to get moving in this new venture. Surprisingly enough, he was in total agreement with the vision. In fact, he commended me and felt I was most qualified for the work of the pastorate. He further encouraged me by saying there was absolutely no controversy in his spirit concerning the calling. I didn’t know if this was a blessing, confirmation or what! There were still many mixed emotions evolving inside me because there were too many loose ends that needed tying. Needless to say, the Holy Spirit is faithful and the Holy Scriptures tied all the loose ends together. As a result of my obedience to the call of the pastorate, the Spirit of the Lord has moved me into a successful apostleship which began in South Florida and is spreading rapidly throughout the world. In the pages that follow, I will attempt to deal with the popular doctrines, perspectives and teachings of those who really believe in the disqualification of women in certain areas of ministry. I ask as you read this book open your spirit and hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.