17 JANUARY 2019 BODY OF CHRIST NEWS Becoming Javon Bracy: A Journey into Ministry Michelle Obama’s book “Becoming Michelle Obama” has been selling off the shelves, more than one million copies sold, as she takes us on her journey of becoming the First Lady of the United States. So you would think Javon might want to write her own book and title it “Becoming Javon Bracy” in sharing her journey of going into ministry and sav- ing souls. Women in ministry" is changing, especially in a field dominated by male ministers, bishops, priests and rabbis.” The 26-year old Javon Bracy is a student at Iliff School of Theology and preached her first sermon last month at New Hope Baptist Church. Her sermon “Pressing Forward” centered around women in the Old Testament who banned together to get changes made to the law on how they were treated. Those women from the book of Numbers 27: 1-11 where the daughters of Zelophehad. Malah, Noah, Haglah,, Mileah and Tirzah went before Moses to get their rightful inheritance of their father estate since he died and had no sons. Moses prayed and brought their case before the Lord. The Lord told Moses the daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shall surely give them possession of an inheritance among their father’s brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them. If a man dies and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass onto his daughters.” “These women harnessed the power of collective action to advocate for themselves,” Bracy preached. Sound familiar. Women for centuries have pressed forward for change, from getting voting rights to the ‘Me Too Movement’ of today in fighting against sexual harassment and sexual assault. Javon Bracy originally grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana. She moved to Denver after getting accept- ed to Iliff Seminary. She said at age nine she already had the inclina- tion of what she wanted to do with her life when she grew up. Her paternal grandfather was a baptist preacher in Alabama. “I told a bunch of people I wanted to be a preacher. My teachers, my family members and people at church,” she said. “I was a very inquisitive direct and mature as a little kid.” But when she told these individuals she wanted to preach, they didn’t take her seriously. “They reminded me that I was a girl and would grow into a woman. Based on history and tradition I could not be a minister.” Bracy , however, was told she could do other things in the church. And she did. When she became an adult she taught vacation bible school, sun- day school and spoke at other churches besides working with youth. She even spoke at a Sunday School sponsored pro- gram at the National Baptist Convention in New Orleans in 2014. There was definitely a notice- able difference at the baptist conventions, Bracey said with the lack of women ministers being able to speak at the national level. “There were women in leadership. But women were allowed to only speak in cer- tain places, certain spaces and on certain stages. So yes there is still room to grow on the national stage where women can occupy those larger stages.” “One thing I was grateful for was that if deterred my theological studies at an earlier point in my life. But it still compelled me to be active in the church and do various things.” She went on to major in English and Political Science at Xavier University in New Orleans. It was her senior year that she received that moment of clarity and calling from God to preach. Dr. Rev. James Peters, Emeritus and former pastor of New Hope Baptist Church sat in the pews listening to Bracy’s potent message. Rev. Peters stated he spent 40 years as a pastor at New Hope and during those years advocated for women in the black churches to be able to preach - from the state conventions to the national conven- tions. “It’s the women in the baptist churches who have the most votes in our churches, but women don’t seem to support it (women ministers). That’s the ugly truth,” he said “I’ve been supportive of women since 1970. I even tried to recommend a lady to be the pastor of this church (New Hope) and the women opposed it. For the men, it didn’t matter. It makes no sense. The bible supports women in ministry.” As he marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and fought for civil rights during the 1960s, Rev. Peters explained the struggle for equal rights was for both black people and women. “I can’t fight for freedom for black people and not fight for freedom for women in the churches. It’s counter productive.” Caran Ware Joseph, director of human resourc- es and adjunct faculty member at Iliff School of Theology, said God has been calling women all along but the doors were being blocked for women to get into the ministry. And Iliff has always had women coming through the doors to study theology and become minis- ters being a Methodist institu- tion, she expressed. Now Iliff Seminary program accepts men and women from all denominations of faith and non-faith backgrounds. Again, she reiterated how women have always been called to be ministers and preach as more doors are opening up to them. “When doors open, peo- ple are going to respond,” she said after worship service and hearing Bracy’s first sermon at New Hope. “It was amazing, powerful and anointed sermon. Javon has been touched by God and is able to communicate with all kinds of people.” Studies revealed it’s no secret that Baptist denomi- nations followed by Church of God in Christ are the least likely to support women clergy. It was quite apparent at one of the largest funer- als to take place in Detroit when celebrities, minis- ters, former presidents and politicians turned out to pay their respect and remember the great R&B Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. There was the absence of Black female ministers in the pulpit at the church during Aretha’s funeral, primarily Rev. Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and other male pastors, Religionnews.com reported. Yet women fill the pews at our black churches, serve as church nurses, ushers and diligently work behind the scenes to make things happen. Today, we are seeing a few more black churches being more progressive and up- to- date with modern times and falling away from that old-school thinking. These churches have women ministers, evangelists and even ordain them as trustees and deacons. It’s all about pressing forward as Bracy preached about and seeing change continue. When you look at what God does and how he moves people during times of disasters, Bracy seen it first hand when Hurricane Katrina devastated the city. She was in the 8th grade at the time. Some 13 years later, Bracy who is proud of her home city that still hasn’t completely recovered from the hurricane is hoping to be part of its continued spiritual revival and healing. She will weigh her options on where to go next when she finishes her seminary studies at Iliff and gets ordained. It’s all about where the Lord leads her. “I am just balancing in the moment and fully giving myself to all the experiences I am having now, being prayerful and grateful,” she says. Patsy Ruth Walker Sunrise October 3, 1942 Sunset November 29th 2018 Patsy Ruth Walker was born October 3, 1942 to Morrell and Leola Stroman in Chatham, Louisiana. Affectionately known as "Pat," she attended Coleman Elementary School in Gibsland, Louisiana , and grad- uated with Honors from Coleman High School in 1961. After graduat- ing, she went on to attend Grambling State University where she majored in Business Administration. It was during this time that she and her childhood sweetheart, James "Buster" Walker, Sr., better known in Denver as " Dr. Daddio," happily wed. Four children were born to their union; Yolanda Marcella, James Frederick, Jr. (Ricky), Michael Sean Morrell, and Jasmine Patrice. After graduating college, James and Pat moved to Houston, Texas, where Pat spent her time caring for her growing family. In October of 1967, the Walker family moved to Denver, Colorado, where the family joined Mt. Gilead Baptist Church and Pat worked as a nurse for two years. In April of 1969, Pat opened "Pat's" Record Parlor which quickly became everyone's favorite record store. During this time, she also owned "Pat's Learning Center", "Pat's Transportation Service", and "Pat's Tax Service." In 1983, the Walkers relocated to Tucson, Arizona, where Pat worked as a full- time elementary school teacher. It was there that she and her husband, James, purchased and became owners of two thriving radio stations. In 1987, the Walkers moved back to Denver and the family became members of Central Baptist Church. Two years later, the dynamic duo purchased Power 1510 KDKO Soul Radio!, From 1989 - 2002, Pat was both co-owner and Business Manager of KDKO and was dedicated to its mission of "Unity in the Community". After retiring in May of 2002, James and Pat spent a majority of their free time traveling through- out the United States. Eventually, they joined the Rocky Mountains RV Rollers Denver Chapter of the National African-American RV'ers Association, Inc. (NAARVA), Pat served in several leadership positions; the most recent being the Financial Secretary of the Central Region. Pat was a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church and served as a Deaconess, as well as Chair of the Trustee Board. She also served as a substitute teacher in the Aurora Public School District whenever she was called upon. After a long, courageous battle with cancer, Patsy is survived by he dedi- cated soulmate of 60 years, James; 4 children, Yolanda, Ricky, Michael (Jennifer), and Jasmine; 7 grandchil- dren, 1 great-grandson. Pat was pre- ceded in death by her parents, Morrell and Leola Stroman, and her sister-in- law, Minnie Lee Dawson, of Gibsland, LA. She will be remembered for her infectious smile, quick-wit, sense of humor, warm personality, impeccable style, and her beautiful handwriting that has been imprint on the students she taught all across the nation. In lieu of flowers, we are asking that you please contribute to the Ebenezer Baptist Church Building Fund in Pat Walker's honor. Please mail contribu- tions to: Ebenezer Baptist Church P.O. Box 460752 Aurora CO. 80046 OBITUARY Ruth & James Walker By Sheila Smith Javon Bracy PROFILE