Wyvetta Granger: Faith & Fashion

 

Meet the fabulously stylish First Lady of New Life Community Church, Wyvetta Granger. She and her husband, Pastor Kendall Granger, are part of “The New Breed” of ministers. Her style is classic and chic. Her testimony will make you laugh,cry, and remind you that God truly loves His girls!

Paulette: Were you ever interested in becoming a fashion designer or model?

Wyvetta Granger: As a teenager, I considered it until I realized I was going to be too short.

Paulette: Talk about your views on fashion.

Wyvetta Granger: For me, fashion is not only how you look on the outside. It is a state of mind. I do not have a favorite store, and I am not into designer labels. What I mean is, I don’t just have to wear designer clothes. I think you should just look nice in what you have. That’s what “fashion” is. You could feel just as beautiful, whether you are wearing something expensive or something from a discount store. You can create your own beauty statement.

Paulette: What is difference between beauty and vanity?

Wyvetta Granger: God created us to be beautiful. Beauty is when you just work with what you have…what God gave you. Vanity is when you try to be more than you are. It is when you over exaggerate what you have to try to look like, or be someone else.

Paulette: You seem to have a classic tailored style, but quite feminine.
Where do you usually shop?

Wyetta Granger: If I have to choose one, it would be Ann Taylor. I shop there often, because I don’t need to have the clothes altered. I am petite, so I enjoy the fact that their clothes are already cut to look good on me. I also enjoy shopping at Banana Republic.

Paulette: If you could have your way, what would be the biggest change you would like to see designers or retailers make?

Wyvetta Granger: I would ask them…

To read our complete interview with First Lady Wyvetta Granger, order the Summer Issue of COVERINGS today.

By Phone: 314-359-5333

By Mail:
P.O. Box
1502, Florissant, MO 63031

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Kim Blunt: Style & Spirit

Church On The Rock, is pastored by Pastor David M. Blunt and his wife Pastor Kim Blunt. It is a flourishing multi-cultural church, where people from many nations come together to worship with one voice, as one culture. Exciting, energetic and encouraging, Pastor Kim Blunt is an impeccable roll-model. Paulette Whitfield Black, visited with her to discuss views on The Style & The Spirit of contemporary women of faith.

 

PAULETTE: The Church can’t always trust the dictates of the world. Therefore, here is the question. What is your sincere, “from the heart” definition of “Fashion?”

 

PASTOR KIM: I believe fashion is definitely what’s in style. I love to look at the magazines! I like to look at all of the new styles. I like to go through and pick out things that work for me, and what goes well with my personality. I also look for what lines up with my biblical views. Just because someone else says it’s “in,” doesn’t necessarily mean that it is
“in” for me.

I want to make God look good in everything I do. Also, I do not want to be a stumbling block to someone else. I have to be in front of thousands of individuals. I don’t want to draw attention to myself. I am to draw attention to Christ. I want to be cool, of course. I want my teenage friends to say, “Hey, that’s our Pastor’s wife. She is cool.” But, I want to be a good representative. When may kids were small, I learned that whatever mom does, the kids are going to do to the extreme. Well, we have 250 to 350 teens here. What I do to the minute, those kids are going to do to the extreme.

I have to live a life so that when I’m up front people are not thinking about, “Oh, look at what she has on, but they are thinking about Him. It is all about Jesus!”

 

PAULETTE: It is all about Him,  isn’t it?

 

PASTOR KIM: Yes, and you know it’s so easy. Just about everyday when I get up, before our service I say, “ Okay God, what should I wear today?”

 

PAULETTE: Do you really?

 

PASTOR KIM: I do. I pray about it.

 

PAULETTE: That’s amazing!

 

PASTOR KIM: I’m not necessarily a fashion guru. I’m a farm girl from Iowa! My graduating class was only 200 kids. The town had 10,000 people! So, you see, I wasn’t born into fashion. I grew up in an agricultural environment. I had to pray for God to teach me. He guides me and directs me.

 

PAULETTE: If you ask, He will tell you?

 

PASTOR KIM: Yes.

 

PAULETTE: The average one of us would not even think that  God  cared about it. I think He gets a lot of pleasure out of that. It makes Him real in everything that we touch, and everything that we do all day long.

 

PASTOR KIM: It does.

 

PAULETTE: Is that how you discover what styles work for you?

 

PASTOR KIM: I will go through a system. I put something on…pray about it,  and God gives me ideas. Some I would never even begin to dream about. And then I go, “Wow, God. That looks good! Thank you.”

When you are so in love with Jesus, you just want to make Him look good. You’re dressing to be a fisher of men. I’m dressing to cause young people to come to Christ. I am dressing to cause ladies to want to know Jesus. I want them to know it’s exciting. It’s life changing. It’s a fun life.

 

PAULETTE: Pastor Kim, you are talking about fashion and beauty from the inside out.

 

PASTOR KIM: The greater that you know Christ, the greater that beauty comes through. You’ve seen that person who comes in and excepts Christ as their personal savior. Three months later you don’t even recognize them. They are softer. The lines are gone.

 

PAULETTE: Do women have an innate need to feel beautiful?

 

PASTOR KIM: For sure. God put that in us. God gave man an ego. That ego is to protect his family, provide for his family, and to be the head of that family. He made woman to be attractive to man. God wants us to be beautiful. He put us together. He made woman for a man. We’re supposed to attract that man into our life. Then, we get married and become one. We should continue to be attractive to him.

 

PAULETTE: But we don’t always do that after marriage.

 

PASTOR KIM:  That’s right. We let it go.

 

PAULETTE: Do we get lazy?

 

PASTOR KIM: I believe we get too busy. Cell phones, ipads, computers…you name it, we’ve got it. We are supposed to have more time, but we’re just getting busier. We get so busy about the things of this life, that we forget our prayer time, our bible time and our husband time. If we’ll just do the Word; Be that help mate; Keep our priorities right.  My first call
is to my husband. That calling includes staying nice for him. Being attractive to him. Making him look good. Your husband doesn’t want to go someplace and he’s got a “hag” with him. He’s going to leave you at home. Those girls at work are smelling good. They are wearing their make-up. What is he going to do? Is he going to come  home to “hag” or is he going to start looking at the girl who has no morals, and is throwing the bait out there? We have to be smarter, especially in this day and age. If you want to keep your man…

To read our complete interview with Pastor Kim Blunt, order the Summer Issue of COVERINGS today.

By Phone: 314-359-5333

By Mail:
P.O. Box
1502, Florissant, MO 63031

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The $1.6 Million Miracle

How do you go from a foreclosure to a free $1.6 million building? Everyone who knows Ministers Wilma and Howard Walker can see the anointing of God on their lives. Her first book, Pieces of Faith recounts, in Minster Wilma Walker’s own words, the trials, tribulations, and inevitable triumph that took her and “The Clinic” family to their free 1.6 million dollar home!

After being bombarded with “How’d they do it” from people all over the country, Wilma Walker sat down to tell her story…and what a story it is. Akin to a modern day story of Moses, she tells in detail how she and her sheep were put out of their building and left wondering for months how, when and where their new home would be.  God had already sent Minister Walker a vision of their building, all she had to do was hold out and hold onto her faith. Eight years later, they have reached the “promised land.” Turning the predestined $1.6 million building into their new home, The Walker’s and the members of  The Clinic are poised to touch even more lives and deliver even more souls to The Kingdom!

Pieces of Faith is flying off bookstore shelves. Coverings shares the following excerpt with you:

Chapter Three: “Is This The Place?”

“God, you blessed me!” I’m married to the nicest guy. He is not only sensitive and kind, but is the wisest man I know. He’s strong and secure – not intimidated by my strength and not jealous of my callings. All this, plus cute? “God, you’ve blessed me!”

Months have now passed since the visions came; however, it has often been a topic of discussion between him and me. One day he looks over at me and says, “It’s time. Let’s go ahead and start looking for what it is you saw.” Excitement sprang up in me. It would be like a spiritual treasure hunt. Driving around – looking for what God showed. In this big city somewhere, there was the reality of a special place. A place attached to our destiny – a place in God’s heart for His people.

I said, “Let’s go, Babe – let’s go!” I felt so safe having him beside me. I know people do things alone all the time, but having his strength made me feel safe. My sweetheart! It had taken almost 9 years for him to manifest in my life. After the accidental death of my first husband (at 21) I had waited for years and came to the conclusion that I would most likely be in ministry by myself. Often, time drags on so long until the heart turns firmly towards God, and marriage is no longer a focal point. I settled myself and then – oops, there he was! Wedding bells were soon ringing and tears were running down my cheeks – as before me stood “God’s best for me”. It was well worth the wait! I was his second chance and he was mine. He too had lost his first love, as his wife had succumbed to kidney failure at the age of 39. Aren’t timing and God’s seasons everything? During the time of my anxious prayers, “Lord, where is my husband?”, she was praying, “Lord, give me more time with my children.” Then at God’s appointed time, both of our prayers would be answered.

“Okay, Babe – let’s go!” Now, here we are hand-in-hand, going on a journey that would last…I don’t know how long. How long would it take us to find this place? Well, we were not in a rush, but there sure was a guiding of the Holy Spirit to move towards it.

Sitting in the car of a realtor, we are going from one place to the next. At each stop our voices agree, “No, that’s not it!” Then after one tired evening of looking, I asked the realtor, “Can you just pull over and listen to the vision?” I talked about the outside of this place and the hospital, the desperate couple, the peak.

He then put the car in gear and said, “I think I know where it is!” I’m thinking, you’ve got to be kidding, as goose bumps pop up on my arms and hair stands up on the back of my neck.

Pulling up on this big lot, my mouth drops. The place is humongous. Could this be it? It didn’t look this large when I was asleep! The shape was right and…and…like the visions, there was that peak. “Where’s the hospital?” I quickly asked.

“Right up this same direction like you said.”

It had to be it!

Two days later, I’m alone sitting outside this monster of a place, over 76,000sq. ft. I’m listening to the Prince of Egypt tape and talking out loud to myself, “Lord this place is overwhelming. I’m scared of it! It would be like building the ark!” With tears falling, I already felt overwhelmed. Shaking it off, I start remembering the details of the visions and thinking about where everything would have to go inside. I was not sure how much work it would take, but from looking at it, it would take probably the rest of our lives to get it up. As my mind is thinking, I’m allowing the tape to keep me calm. Eventually my eyes look above its roof and there is the most beautiful blue sky. You know – that kind of sky and handiwork of God that talks to you? It’s His sky and it witnesses to me that He is so much higher and wider than the skyline of this place.

It doesn’t take long before I begin to worship and remember. “God, you’re higher than all man has made. There is absolutely nothing too difficult for you and through you I can do all things. Any appointment you have for me – any assignment in my life, by your Spirit I will do it, and do it well. It is You who enable me to accomplish, and my successes have always been because You work through me above and beyond my own talent and abilities. Therefore, I will not fear. Why should I fear when You are here with me? If this corner is where You want to move, then your people will give it to You, Lord. You can trust us. Strengthen our legs and shift our weight into yours. Breathe on our minds to know beyond our own knowing. Sanctify us for your work and be glorified in all we’re about to go and do. In Your Name, Jesus, Amen!”

Driving off the lot, I look back….”Whew, that place is big…”

To get your hands on a copy of this life changing testimony go to:

Family Christian Bookstores, 10807 W. Florissant Ave., Florissant, MO (314) 524.2121

Transformation Christian Bookstore, 4071 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO (341) 535.0555

The Word Bookstore, 1265 N. 89th Street, East St. Louis, IL (618) 394.9440

Bibles and More Bookstore, 226 W. Elm Street, Alton, IL (618) 466.2703

www.theclinicfamily.com

COVERINGS’ Covergirls: Valerie Johnson, Claudette Norris & Carol Williams

When Valerie Johnson conceived the idea for You Are So Beautiful conferences, it was only natural that her closest confidantes, Carol Williams and Claudette Norris, share the vision. These three uniquely different women talk to us about femininity and faith.

COVERINGS: How did You are So Beautiful Conferences come about?

VALERIE: Approximately one year ago, I hosted a monthly women’s fellowship. On that evening in September we celebrated our annual Dress Party, Spa, and Boutique. We shared a day filled with shopping, food, fun, and fellowship. The theme for that evening was “You are So Beautiful.”

As I prepared for this event I ventured into a deeper study regarding the aspects of a woman’s beauty. I found a much deeper revelation than I had previously thought. Somehow, after doing many monthly fellowships over the years, with great themes and causes, this theme “You are So Beautiful” would not leave my spirit.

As I communed with The Lord, He spoke to my spirit and took me back down memory lane, with much gratitude and thanksgiving, to my late Spiritual Mother, Dr. Carolyn L. Harrell. “WOW! God what a deep reveal. That’s It! Pastor Carolyn used to host an annual seminar for ladies called, ‘You Are So Beautiful.’”

These seminars focused on the outer beauty of women. She brought in experts within the Church and some outside the fellowship. We were educated on the do’s and the dont’s of fashion, hygiene, hair and nail care. Pastor Carolyn brought in stylist, beauticians, skin care specialist, health and beauty consultants. She even brought in a fragrance expert who taught us about all the latest fragrances.

If anyone has had the privilege of being in her presence then you would know that she was a sharp, highly fashionable, bold, and beautiful woman. She overflowed with confidence. She was a Woman of Excellence from head to toe. She operated in explosive power through her spiritual gifts, as a prophet, evangelist, preacher, and teacher with an apostolic anointing. Dr. Harrell was no joke, and no jive with all five!

That September evening in 2008, God changed my focus and gave me a fresh revelation and an anointing to keep Dr. Carolyn L. Harrell’s Legacy alive. Not just for what she did for women through “You Are So Beautiful” seminars, but who she was as a true woman of God – beautiful inside and out. Her heart of compassion and caring radiated from within her soul.

I don’t want to take up too much time in this interview on the first question. However, I had to lay the history and foundation in order to answer the question with a clear understanding.

In 1983 I was going through some tough times with three small boys and found myself homeless. I didn’t want anyone at the church to know about it. I went to my family where I expected to get help and had to turn back to the church. I remember calling the church after staying up all night in my small 280Z, with my three sons sleeping on the back seat. I was afraid to go to sleep as we hunched down out of sight so no one could see us. I cried all night as I lay with my seat reclined asking God to, ‘Please help us, please God help us.’

The next morning the Lord told me to call the church. I spoke to Pastor Carolyn and she told me to come right away. When I arrived at the church, she made sure someone fed my boys and cared for them while I spoke to her. She rebuked me for not letting her know about my circumstance, and for putting my boys and myself in harm’s way. As I explained my circumstances to her she held me and cried with me, telling me everything would be alright. She said that she would make sure we didn’t have to experience sleeping in my car again. I had found an apartment for us but couldn’t move in for two weeks. That day she made some calls and found that one of the members was going on vacation for two weeks. Pastor Carolyn rented their house for that two weeks and bought groceries for the entire stay. She told me that she would help me get through this season of pain and suffering. She kept her word.

She appointed financial advisor, and church member, Pastor Sandra O’Neil, to assist me in getting my financial affairs in order. Pastor Harrell followed up every year thereafter, especially during Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, to ensure we had the provisions we needed. I think that was the lowest point in my life. I have never been homeless again.

If there was ever a name for a woman, who was down for a woman, her name would be Dr. Carolyn L. Harrell. She restored my mental and physical health. She restored my faith in God and made me feel like a whole woman again. It was a powerful lesson of deep compassion that I have cherished since I received it. Those memories of gratitude, with the assignment from God, is how You are So Beautiful Conferences came about.

COVERINGS: What do you seek to accomplish with YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL?

VALERIE: I want to empower and equip women to enjoy a deeper understanding of their beauty – that beauty which lies beneath the skin. I want women to live and experience the benefits of living by Godly principles. There are three principles for living that I aspire to live in everyday.

1. How you see and live the beauty of God will
determine how you will serve God.
2. How you see the beauty of God in others will
determine how you will serve Others.
3. How you see the beauty of God in yourself will
determine how you serve Yourself.

We seek to accomplish and disciple women to have a true
and personal relationship with God, to pray and seek Him daily; to receive healing and a sense of well being, and wholeness.

COVERINGS: Describe the woman for which your conferences are designed.

VALERIE: This conference is designed for women who are pregnant with destiny. I believe that includes all women who have a heart after God. Our focus for YSB is geared towards, Re: storing, Re: building, and Re: plenishing. Re: is the Key! This is a Ministry of reconciliation for hope, health, and peace to those women who are less fortunate then others. Especially those women who find themselves in women’s shelters – they may be abused, abandoned, neglected, and rejected with no self worth – with limits and no resources. The ministry’s foundational passage of scripture is in Isaiah chapter 58 – particularly verse 6. YSB staff is seeking those who are equipped and willing to fast with us to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free and that we break every yoke.

On September 9, 2009 in Riverside, CA, the YSB Conferences staff and volunteers will serve as mid-wives; welcoming women into the Birthing Chambers where we will help to deliver the children of destiny. We will be clearing pathways and birthing eagles.

COVERINGS: Who is an example of the ‘most beautiful woman’ role model in our generation?

CAROL: I will have to address two people. The late, Dr. Carolyn L. Harrell, who was truly my mentor. I am experiencing most of my success today because of her example. Also, Dr. Betty Price. I have always appreciated her wisdom and practical approach to the many issues that women face today. She is beautiful inside and out.

CLAUDETTE: Betty Price….she is the Godmother of faith, strength and courage and of course, Pastor Carolyn was one of BOLDNESS in the Holy Ghost.

COVERINGS: Is there a particular minister who has
inspired you?

VALERIE: Bishop T. D. Jakes. I have each and every one of his sermons and messages in my library. I can listen or watch him over and over and over again. He is a powerful gift of inspiration to the entire body of Christ. The first time I saw Bishop Jakes was at Walnut Faith Center in 1993. He and pastor Carolyn were friends from Virginia. Isn’t that something?

CAROL: I had the opportunity to serve as an administrator at Walnut Faith Center, which subsequently became Word Harvest Worship Center in Pomona, California. The late Dr. Harrell was the Senior Pastor. I got to know her personally. She was not only my pastor and employer, but also a spiritual mother, friend, and mentor. She inspired me to complete my higher education. At one of the most crucial moments in her life, when she was “fighting” to regain her own health, Dr. Harrell returned to California to attend my graduation ceremony at the University of LaVerne. She said, “Carol, I would not miss this for anything in the world. You have truly made my heart glad. Not only will you get this degree but other degrees will follow! Don’t be afraid to move out on your dreams and ideas, because those ideas will generate the wealth that is destined for you. Carol, you are a daughter of destiny.” What else can I say? I am still reaping the benefits from her short time here on earth. She is truly my inspiration as she will always be to many others.

CLAUDETTE: My pastor, the awesome Robert L. Wilks….he has prophesied to his congregation that God would make us well known to people in our own world. I believe it is happening now, by being featured in your amazing magazine.

COVERINGS: What is beauty?

VALERIE: We all have heard that beauty comes from within, and I was straight with that way of thinking. But did I really know about beauty from within? Everyone who knows me is fully aware that my passion is fashion – Interior Decorating, and accessories. I want to touch everything I see and make it beautiful. As an Image Consultant, I’ve always admired and reverenced the essence of beauty in women, and all the multi-facets of our make up.

Through our design firm, Valerie’s Gallery, I’ve taught classes, encouraging women to just “Do You.” “Be your true authentic self. Create your own style.” But what did I really know about inner beauty? Beauty is the principle object of The “I AM” – Pure Love…that lives on the inside of you. GOD…HIMSELF the Lover of your Soul. Selah.

CAROL: Beauty is a “trait” or quality that is nourished from within and it is subsequently displayed outwardly. I believe that the quality of beauty is nourished by our daily internal intake (doses) of information—whether it is positive or negative.

I believe that a person’s beauty radiates outwardly as he/she endeavors to conform daily to the image of Christ.” When I look at it from that perspective, anyone can portray the quality of beauty. Anyone can be “beautiful”.

COVERINGS: If a woman is a murderer or child abuser, is she beautiful also?

VALERIE: Yes, every woman and man is made in the image of God. One of the most beautiful gifts and characteristics of God is forgiveness. We need to forgive ourselves and others, repent and keep pressing towards the mark of the high call.

COVERINGS: Do you minister to men as well as women?

CLAUDETTE: Absolutely!

COVERINGS: What is your sincere take on America’s First Lady, Michelle Obama?

CLAUDETTE: Michelle, is an amazing role model, I believe she has and will continue to inspire women of all walks of life – that with education and goals, all things are possible.

VALERIE: She is a woman I admire for standing by and supporting her man. She believed in him, and now reaping the rewards. Michelle exudes confidence as a woman, wife, mother and daughter. I am proud to have her as the First Lady of this great nation.

CAROL: The first lady is real, transparent, courageous, intelligent, beautiful, fashionable, balanced, and accessible. She has strong Christian roots and values. Women from all cultures relate to her. She is truly a role model.

COVERINGS: You ladies are very fashionable. How do you view today’s fashion trends for Christian women?

VALERIE: Trends are set by a group of individuals who decide what we should wear during a particular season. If I see something I like as a trend, I will wear it. I really don’t keep up with trends. I have always had a signature style. I love the afrocentric style. I love wild hair, flashy jewelry and bright colors. However, I can radiate glamour, elegance and even a conservative style. I can still wear garments from ten years ago. I believe fashion is timeless. If I could get away with wearing something leopard everyday, I would.

CLAUDETTE: My own fashion statement is one of discretion and individuality with a little “kick of flair.” I’m a firm believer in “doing the best you can with what
you have!”

CAROL: Fashion trends are cyclical. It is fun to watch fashion history repeated. However, once a person has developed her own “signature” style, it will stand the test of all fashion trends.

You simply get to the place where you can truly say, “I am comfortable in my skin. I like me; this is what I like to wear—this is simply me!”

COVERINGS: What is the art of being a woman?

VALERIE: The Word of God says in Psalms 139:14, “I praise you, for I am Fearfully and Wonderfully Made.” When I start to ponder that there are no other finger prints identical to mine in the World…it is enough to [blow my mind]. There is ONLY ONE ME! I am an Original Masterpiece of Art – Signed by God.

I would say the Art of Being a Woman is to unlock the beautiful treasures of potential, purpose, and power that resides within all women; embracing your maker.

COVERINGS: How did the three of you form such a close bond?

VALERIE: I have known Carol and Claudette for at least 26 years. They are two of the most integral women of righteousness that I know. They represent the Godly characteristics that I desire in a friend.

They are two of the most humble, thoughtful, giving, selfless, prayerful and powerful women of God. Our common thread is that we were raised by the same spiritual mother, Dr. Carolyn L. Harrell. There is a high level of trust that we mutually share.

CAROL: Though we met at Walnut Faith Center, we developed a relationship outside of the church fellowship. Over time our friendship and trust evolved and a bond was subsequently established. When time elapsed between us, we could pick up where we left off—as if we had never been apart. Val braided my hair and did my make up, and Claudette mentored my daughter.

COVERINGS: Are all three of you available for speaking engagements?

CLAUDETTE: Most definitely.

To Register for You are So Beautiful Conferences
please visit:
www.ysbconferences.com
please call
951-780-1234 or 951-204-6118

COVERINGS’ Covergirl: Dr. Peggy Scott

COVERINGS: Many of our readers have been touched by the Mega-Ministry of your sister Dr. Carolyn Harrell, and unaware that she has gone home to be with the Lord. Though thousands of us loved her, you were her closest confidente and shared in her ministry. What is life like without her?

Dr. Peggy Scott: Where do I begin and how do I share with you my most intimate thoughts about missing someone who was so well loved by so many. Not a year since her death have I not met someone who did not know Carolyn had passed away. There were some unusual circumstances surrounding the announcement of her passing that I will not discuss out of respect and love for other family members. It would serve no godly purpose to share those events. I only mention it because after seven years there are some who are only now hearing of her departure. Just last month I was contacted via email by someone wanting to know whatever happened to Carolyn Harrell; where is she and why have we not heard from her in a long time.

In 1999 and 2000 respectively, Carolyn and I relocated from California to the East Coast. I relocated to Virginia and Carolyn moved to Maryland after resigning as the Pastor of formerly, Word Harvest Worship Church, Pomona California and Founder of Covenant Women Ministries due to an illness that affected her mobility.

I vividly remember the last summer Carolyn and I were together as if it was yesterday. It was the summer of 2001 and I was taking her out for an afternoon drive. We were going to Outer Banks, NC about forty-five to sixty minutes from our birthplace, Chesapeake, VA the South Norfolk neighborhood. Carolyn was living with our cousin for a few months to give her daughter, Tamika a respite.

It was difficult seeing a person who was so full of life and joy; and now her body is racked with pain and she needs assistance to walk. The trip was interrupted because of the pain; and we had to return home. We only made it as far as Elizabeth City unable to complete our trip to Nags Head and Duck, NC, the OBX, Outer banks.

We who were aware of Carolyn’s condition all held on with hope and in faith that she would recover from the illness but that was not the case. One of the most challenging moments for me was when Carolyn was hospitalized in Virginia and the side effects of the medication caused her to experience hallucinations. As real as the hallucinations appeared to her; it was still very painful for me to watch. It was not the quality of life Carolyn desired and I believe she asked God to take her home.

I remember our first trip to Nigeria in the 80’s and we were the guests of the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa and his wife Rev. Margaret Idahosa. Margaret and Carolyn bonded and pledged their sister hood. Carolyn was scheduled to be one of the Women’s Ministry Conference Speaker. Everything was all planned and suddenly Carolyn became ill; she was nauseas and unable to stand. No matter what we gave her nothing seemed to work; prayers were rendered but to no avail.

I was so disenchanted, I wanted Carolyn to share her message of hope with the thousands of women gathered in Benin City, Nigeria. As I went to my room accompanied by some Christian sisters from California, and members of the Church; I expressed my dismay and stated something to the effect that I wish it was me sick instead of Carolyn. No sooner than I made that statement I became ill and fainted and fell on the bed. One of the young ladies with us was a registered nurse (RN) and she said that I appeared to turn green and she was searching for my pulse. Finally, I was revived and we were able much later to laugh about it. I only mention this to share with you the extent of my love and commitment to my sister.

So you see that’s why I remained committed to my sister for all of those years in ministry. Only you who are family members in ministry with loved ones can understand the depth of what I am saying. You hurt when they hurt and you rejoice when they rejoice.

There is nothing you won’t do to make your love ones’ burden a little lighter. When others think that your motive for being around is suspect, or negative; you endure and persevere because of your love for them and commitment to God. Some may think it is because you are a family member. Initially, it may be true but as you stay the course until released by God you discover that the path you are traveling is the path of co-laboring and submission, a path of training orchestrated by God.

What is my life like without my beloved sister? It is so much different than I imagined. We use to sit around and joke about what we were going to do together in our senior years. There’s probably not a message preached that I don’t make reference to something she taught me; some spiritual principle. She was so real, so genuine and wanted the best for anyone who came into her life. I know several now prominent persons that she reached out to and encouraged before anybody knew them nationally; from singers to motivational speakers to preachers. She would take the clothes off her back, the rings on her fingers, the shoes off her feet and give them away. Oh! Indeed she was a saint because, she was a child of God. She was not
perfect but forgiven as we all are.

I learned so much about ministry from Carolyn. She was my mentor and big sister. Many of her God inspired messages such as “One Man Put Me Down and One Man Picked Me Up,” “I’m Next,” “Woman Thou Are Loosed” (the original), “Never Gonna Give Up,” and “Don’t Hang Up Your Harp,” still rings on the inside of me.

Talking about Carolyn for this article has been such a personal joy. She secretly slipped away from us to a better place. May these few memories of Carolyn bring you joy and put a smile on your face as you remember her. For those of you who did not have the privilege of meeting Carolyn, may this expose give you a glimpse of a glamorous Christian woman. Many of the life messages I learned from her are too numerous for this article. I have to admit I not only learned some things to do, but some things not to do. The loss of Carolyn is not the end of her impact on others; I believe that anyone who encountered Carolyn Lorraine Scott Harrell still holds a wonderful precious memory of her.

One closing announcement, Carolyn’s beloved and only daughter, Tamika passed away March 2008 on Good Friday.

Please watch for the upcoming book, “Life with Carolyn: A Magnanimous Journey.” The book is a limited edition, but ladies can reserve their copies now on my web site: www.practicaltruths.com or contact me at: peggyscottministries@msn.com. If anyone has stories and experiences with Carolyn that they would like to share please feel free to email them to me with a contact name and number.

COVERINGS: As a minister, how do people respond to your “glamorous style?”

Dr. Peggy Scott: I am assuming that glamorous is defined as being attractive and exciting. I agree that there is an association or perception of glamour connected with being a female preacher. One’s femininity should not be denied, shunned or hidden because you are a preacher.

You are a female who happens to be called to preach the gospel or a preacher called of God who happens to be female. “Yes, we have come a long way baby,” from the days when women preachers tried to preach, and sound like men. In my opinion, the glamour is not one’s physical attributes alone but the “glamorous view of ministry” from without which is a misnomer and misleading. It is the anointing, the treasure of God’s Spirit within us that others may view as attractive and exciting. We must remain true to ourselves and be as glamorous as we like without taking on a celebrity and competitive approach to presenting the best of who we are. It is what some may describe as a drawing, an attraction which is really the Spirit of Christ within us and that some who are uninformed, and mistakenly give more salutation to the vessel than to the maker of the vessel.

Glamour is what you do with what you have; how you package and present yourself. Confidence and love; wear them well and people will be attracted to you because of who you are and what you project.

I enjoy shopping for clothes, shoes and cosmetics; always looking for a bargain and a sale. A glamorous preacher, I don’t know that is for others to decide.

With a little investment we can all be glamorous in our individual unique way. Instead of competing with one another; we can learn to appreciate the beauty within all of us.

*To continue reading our interview with Dr. Peggy Scott, pick up an issue of COVERINGS.

COVERINGS’ Covergirl: Becky Fender

Coverings: Our age group has to leave something behind. We can’t have another generation of hurting women. I know that you do your part through music. What is it about the music that grabs us…that moves us? It transports us. What is it about that music that lifts us and heals us, when we hear it, but after we go out the door; after you’re done and we leave its presence we seem to come back “down to earth”? Is this a crazy question?
Becky Fender: No. No. It’s not a crazy question. I can’t speak for other people’s music, but I know that my own music has such a positive message that if I dwell on the words of my music then those words will bring me up and out for that moment. But, the moment I cease to dwell on the words then I’ll find myself right back in that same situation. That’s why the Bible says “meditate on these day and night.” That is what makes you like a tree planted by the rivers of water.

Now, let me show you what God has done in my life. In my song I Give You Jesus the second verse says:
when your body is in pain
and your health you can’t regain,
you need someone
At that moment in time I wasn’t sick…didn’t know anything about being sick. Little did I know that just a few months later, I would be diagnosed with a tumor behind my eye. There was no cure. They [the physicians] were going to operate, but they couldn’t promise I would come out with sight…it was so close to the brain. It could be fatal. All of a sudden the words to the song that I thought I was singing for you, came back to me.

I Still Have A Future is a song that I wrote a few years ago for a woman in her 60’s, who was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was only given a few weeks to live. She lived seven years, thereafter. There are times when people discount you; count you out. Sometimes they never say it to you, but you can tell by the way they distance themselves from you, ‘she doesn’t think that I still have it… she doesn’t think that I still have it in me’. The older a woman gets the more she needs to understand, “you do still have a future.” If God is not through with you, then it doesn’t matter if every person in this world writes you off. God is the only one who can pull the plug. He’s not going to pull the plug as long as there is work for you to do on this earth. I’ve gotten two bad reports from mammograms. I knew I wasn’t going anywhere. God’s not through with me yet. I am still important. I am still working. I am still doing the work of God. I’m still writing songs that are changing peoples lives. And so, my own song that the Lord gave me, that I thought was for you and my friend who was healed of the cancer; ends up it’s for me afterall. So again, I am thinking about my songs. I am meditating on them.

Coverings: Talk about your new project.
Becky Fender: My new project? I am in what I am calling my bossy phase. I am not sure what I am going to call it, but I’ve written a new “no matter what” song. All of the songs on this CD are commandments to pull yourself together, because we’re running out of time. Women who are restless inside and hurting, are expecting some magical force from the outside, to come in and take care of that. You have to take care of that from the inside out. You take care of it with your words. You take care of it with the music we’ve been talking about, and with praise and worship. By the time you’re 50 years old, if nobody has come to help you by then, they are not coming. So you have to do it by yourself. I am not preaching a secular message where you say, “well I have the power.” No. You don’t have the power, but you have the one on the inside of you who has the power. Let Him do His work. Put the past behind you. Turn your face toward Jesus. Get your focus on Him. Whatever happened back there…forget about it and move toward that prize.

When God says, “clap your hands all ye people” or “Shout unto God with the voice of triumph,” He means you. That’s not a suggestion. It doesn’t matter if you are shy. Whether you’re introverted or bashful, He just said for you to do it. Well, I am entering into that YOU DO IT phase. One of the songs is called Snap Out Of It Sister. There is a book with the same title. I have a song on there titled Don’t. It’s in that old jazz mode (singing: If you ever thought of giving up – Don’t ! ) I even have a sassy one called Position Yourself.

Coverings: There’s a CD and book?
Becky Fender: Yes. This is me telling the ladies, “You have had your pity parties long enough. You need to snap out of it! Get up in the morning, get yourself dressed up. Look as good as you can possibly look with whatever you have got to spend. Get out there and make your body align itself with the word of God.” You may have stayed up all night long and cried, but joy comes in the morning. When I get up in the morning I say, “okay, whatever troubled me last night I am not going to fool with it today. I have joy.

CLICK HERE to find out more about Livingway Church.

*To read our entire interview with this month’s Covergirl, Becky Fender, pick up a copy of COVERINGS at your local church or Christian bookstore. You can also have every issue of COVERINGS sent directly to your home for only $18, which gets you a one year subscription.

COVERINGS’ Covergirl: Darlene Bishop

When Darlene Bishop speaks, thousands of women listen. As one of the most sought after Women’s Conference speakers, she Co-Pastors Solid Rock Church in Ohio with her husband Lawrence Bishop, but still finds time to talk fashion and faith with COVERINGS.

COVERINGS: Baby Boomers are still ruling the fashion scene. May I assume you are a Baby Boomer?
Darlene Bishop: Yes, I am. I am 64 years old. I do not mind telling my age. By the time this interview is printed, I will be 65.

COVERINGS: Wow! You look great. But then, that is why we want women ministers like you talking to our readers about fashion, health and beauty.
Darlene Bishop: Thank you.

COVERINGS: I must ask you this. You were Saved as a teen, at the age of 14 to be exact. What was that like?
Darlene Bishop: Well things were really different back then. I was from a Pentecostal background. No jewelry. No makeup. You couldn’t cut your hair. But I didn’t mind. I would give it all up for Jesus. . .Any and everything. I never went to ball games or the movies. There were a lot of rules back then. I followed all of the rules and regulations. I just wanted to please God. I didn’t mind.
I married when I was 17. My husband was a businessman. He was traveling all of the time; seeing pretty women all the time…airline stewardesses and women like that who really looked good. I [became conscious] of the way I looked [with] no makeup and all, when I knew he was coming in contact with other women who were ‘fixed up’. I decided to do something about it. My husband was from another church background, so by this time I had changed churches. I decided to fix myself up. My mother and others were still Pentecostal and I didn’t want them to think I was no longer saved. I decided to try mascara first because no one would really be able to tell I was wearing it. When my husband came home he brought a friend with him. His friend, the first to notice said, “Gosh Darlene you look really good.” That compliment was all I needed. Somebody said I looked good! When I heard that, [to my new look.] Finally, I got up enough nerve to cut my hair! It took me a lo-o-o-ng time to get up enough nerve to do that, because there was still a lot of the other teaching down in me, but I Absolutely loved it! When a woman doesn’t fix herself up…

COVERINGS:(She doesn’t finish the sentence, but from her tone, I sense the thought.)
Darlene Bishop: Everyday…I don’t go without makeup. It’s what you think about yourself that really matters. When I look good, I feel good. Fix [yourself] up everyday, whether your husband is home or not. If he comes home and he sees you looking good, he will treat you good!
I never dress according to my age. I wear stilettos when I preach. I’m short so they make me taller and I like the way they make me look. I’ve always worn high heel shoes.

COVERINGS: That’s amazing. Most women your age haven’t worn heels in years. It seems they stopped after having their babies. You know how the stomach muscles are still weak then. So they never get back “up there.” How do you still manage?
Darlene Bishop: I never stopped. I have four children, so that’s no excuse. You just can’t be lazy about the way you want your body to look. You have to tell it what you want it to do, not it tell you. First of all when I was pregnant I didn’t allow myself to gain a lot of weight. I didn’t use that as an excuse. I gained about 30 lbs. Within a month I would be back to my original size. Even now…what I have always done is weigh myself everyday. I know that they say you shouldn’t do that, but I do. I watch very closely. That way I know that when I gain 2 or 3 lbs, and can cut back. You have to get to it right then. That day. I watch what I eat.

COVERINGS: What about obesity?
Darlene Bishop: When I see someone who is obese I think, “food did that to them 1 lb at a time.” That’s how it happens. One pound at a time. That’s why you have to pay attention and not let that 1 lb stay on…soon it will turn into 5 lbs and then 10 lbs.. Then, you start wearing a larger size…Adjusting to the weight gain. Before you know it you are seriously overweight.

COVERINGS: Talk to us about shopping.
Darlene Bishop: I have always liked to shop. I used to shop and just give it away, even with the tags still on. By the bags!
When I say I don’t dress my age, I don’t mean that I try to look like a youngster. This is what I do: My oldest daughter is 45. When I shop for clothes I ask myself, “will Janna wear this?” If the answer is yes I buy it for myself. Not that I am trying to be my daughter, but I do not want to look like a Granny either. Maybe when I am 80 or 90 it will be okay. Maybe not. (Chuckle) The secret is to dress about 20 years younger than you are. That works.
Target has a lot of really cute stuff. You can find almost anything there. It’s really okay to shop at Target! Clothes say a great deal about our self image. I like that word ‘cute.’ A woman my not be what we call a beauty, but she can always be cute, which is better than beautiful. I’m sure you have friends like some of mine who are so full of life and vibrant. They are constantly doing cute things to make you laugh. It is in the way they express themselves. They are always doing the little things that matter…so full of life. Positive. It makes them look so much better than some of those we call beautiful. Yes, I think cute is best.

COVERINGS: Then would you say that we make the clothes, the clothes don’t make us?
Darlene Bishop: (Thoughtful Pause)
Yes. Exactly. Women need to take care of themselves. That is our job. It’s up to us. If you get up in the morning and just wash your face…I mean some women never, ever put on cologne or makeup or do the little extra things.

COVERINGS: You wrote the book YOUR VALUE. Do you address this topic.
Darlene Bishop: Yes. You have to value yourself before others will. When you value something, you take good care of it. You treat it with respect. You have to learn to respect your self.

COVERINGS: Do you realize that when you stand up before thousands, even tens of thousands of women, they first look at how you are dressed? Before you even say a word they are subconsciously checking out your lipstick color.
Darlene Bishop: Certainly. But it has to be the whole package…head to toe. The main thing is your head. Your hair has to look right. Without that the rest of it falls apart. I always advise women to magnify their best feature. Work around that. Take your best feature and build the rest of your look around it, so it is more prominent. The main attraction is usually the head. Make it look its best.

COVERINGS: Many of our readers are going through Mid-life Crisis. What advice to you have for them?
Darlene Bishop: Mid- life Crisis? I don’t know that much about it. I have been moving so fast, I haven’t had time for a setback and wouldn’t allow it to come to me. I never went through it! What most women do is take this time to talk about their ills and pills. That is one reason they get on their husbands last nerve. In my teaching series Your Life Follows Your Words, I talk about “as a man thinketh, so is he.” Constantly giving voice to all that you are going trough should not be your conversation. Stay active. I still see myself as the vibrant woman my husband married. I know I ‘m older, but I haven’t changed. I just refused to give voice to all of that and I breezed right through menopause. I know I must have had a couple of hot flashes but I seriously don’t recall it being an issue. I never focused on it long enough to for it to be an issue. Those Women must learn to rewind what they say. You have whatsoever you say. I remember when I was a girl we were poor but my daddy said, “one day Darlene, you will be a mighty woman of God.” That was always in my heart, because my daddy said that about me. I did not ever see myself as being in poverty. I always saw myself as prosperous, because my daddy said so. Parents speak over their children constantly. Sometimes not aware of the power it has over the them, but it does affect them greatly. Their words carry a lot of weight. They must be aware of that. The power of life or death is in the words.

Contact Darlene Bishop through: Solid Rock Church (513) 423-7040. By mail: Darlene Bishop Ministries, P.O. Box 350, Monroe, OH 45050