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AG) Tell
us a little about yourself.
SO) I was born and raised in Arkansas and had a desire to
live for the Lord from the age of eight when I first began
attending a Methodist Church. I was introduced to the
apostolic faith after I was baptized at the age of twelve in
the Baptist church. A neighbor lady taught me about baptism
in the name of Jesus Christ and the infilling of the Holy
Ghost. Living in Michigan at the age of nineteen I found a
church that taught the apostles doctrine. I immediately
became involved and soon I was born again of water and of
the Spirit.
I was married in that same church at the age of twenty one.
My husband and I were very involved in the work of the
church. We soon had four children, two boys and two girls.
When our youngest child was four my husband felt his call to
the ministry. The following year we moved to Arkansas and
pastored a small church for two years. We then moved to the
area where I was raised and built a church. Though I travel
a lot we still have our home there and my husband is Senior
pastor after pastoring the same church for 35 years.
I became Arkansas District Ladies president in 1974 and
remained in that position until 1993 when I was elected as
Ladies President of the United Pentecostal Church
International.
AG) What
exactly are your duties as the President of Ladies
Ministry?
SO) I chair the Ladies Ministry committee meetings at
general conference annually. Fifty seven district presidents
attend and we allocate our annual Mothers Memorial funds to
various projects of the UPCI and tend to other matters
concerning Ladies Ministries.
I meet annually with the seven regional directors. Other
annual meetings include the following workshops; Reflections
magazine; Women of the Word (our literature committee), and
Today’s Christian Girl (our newest program). I work on
producing the literature for our ministries as well. I speak
at district ladies conferences, camp meetings, sectional and
local meetings. I also attend and promote at multicultural
conferences and School of Missions. I have traveled to 22
countries where I ministered at Bible colleges, ladies
conferences and seminars.
I am a board member of Tupelo Children’s Mansion; Haven of
Hope, Lighthouse Ranch for Boys and the advisory board of
New Beginnings who meet at least once annually.
I was chosen by Empire Who’s Who as Professional of the Year
in Missions and Ministry for 2006-2007. That was a real
surprise to me as I still do not know who nominated me for
that honor. One man and one woman are chosen annually from
among more than 60,000 members of Empire Who’s Who!
AG) What
were the steps God allowed you to take leading up to your
current position?
SO) My first pastor was a wonderful man of God who
encouraged me to use any talents I had for the Lord. He
allowed me the freedom to pursue my vision and passion for
the church. When we began pastoring I already had experience
in many areas of ministry. I was first chosen as ladies
director for the local church, next the section and then the
district. My father had a saying that, “Anything worth
doing, is worth doing right.” My mother’s favorite was,
“What you are will live on in someone else.” I have tried to
keep those words alive in my heart. I had wonderful mentors
in my life who guided me to give my best and especially in
the work of the Lord
AG) Do
you ever feel overloaded with your job as Ladies President,
as well as the other obligations that you have? If so, what
do you do in those moments of frustration and weariness that
other young ladies reading this interview could apply to
their routines?
SO) I saw a real need in this area for today’s young woman
and wrote a book titled, “The Front Row”. It answers a lot
of questions concerning a woman’s changing ministry as she
goes through the various seasons of life. I do verge on
being overwhelmed at times but then I remember that God is
my strength and spending time with him and his word is so
refreshing. The work is about Him, and not me. The wonderful
Ladies Ministries committee are always willing to help. My
daughters have also been a tremendous support since their
teen years. Both of them are very fruitful now in their own
ministry. I am also blessed to have a very supportive
husband.
AG) Who
are some inspiring women you have met working through the
position you hold?
SO) There are many but among them are Joy Haney, Nita
Hodges, Thetus Tenney, and Nancy Grandquist. Each of these
women have contributed to my ministry in different ways.
AG)
What's one word of wisdom/advice you would give to the young
ladies reading this interview?
SO) My advice to any young woman is to be patient before
marriage and find the man that is best suited to any
ministry she may be interested in. I suppose my favorite
scripture is “In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will
direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:6). I have found this to be
true for well over fifty years.
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