NO WOMEN ALLOWED
Dr. Joyce Miller recounts her poignant and often funny struggle with being called by God to preach - but in a church that didn't allow women anywhere near the pulpit. Not that Joyce was exactly excited about God's call; in fact she cried out, "God, I don't want to do this anyway! This was your big idea, why are you making this so difficult?" God's call was sure and because of his faithfulness and Joyce's perseverance, she now preaches in pulpits once reserved only for men. Joyce knows that her father, a minister himself, looks down from heaven and is proud of the fact that his daughter was instrumental in knocking down barriers. Leadership ministry roles once reserved for men only are now beginning to be open to all of God's children, regardless of gender.
Joyce learned many lessons from her father and Madea (mother) in her early years. You'll read of her parent's creative punishments for infractions such as stealing a sweet potato, leaving the gated yard, and deliberately cutting destroying a cotton plant while "The White Man" watched. God used Joyce's unusual upbringing and several poor choices in her early years to show His redemptive power and grace. God offers the same to you, dear reader. What He's done for Joyce, He's more than willing to do for you.
Dr. Joyce Miller is a native of Alexandria , Louisiana , and the seventh of fifteen children. Her mother was a strict disciplinarian and made sure each member of the family did his/her part to make the household function. While schooling was important, it was not always a priority. Joyce remembers, "When it was time to pick cotton in the fields, mother would 'cancel' school for us and off to the fields we would go." In her early years, Joyce did not receive the quality education she now knows is critically important. Because she didn't begin her educational aspirations until later in life, she knows, "With God, all things are possible, if you only believe." It's never too late for Him to use a willing vessel. After 27 consecutive years of college, she walked down the aisle to receive her doctorate of ministry degree, looked up and said, "God, WE did it!"
Dr. Miller is currently the associate minister at The Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church in Atlanta , Georgia . Happily married for 37 years and has three sons, her said her mission: to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost and to equip/encourage the saints through drama, preaching, teaching and interpreting God’s Word to the hearing impaired.
Candice Cunningham, Speech and Language Pathologist of the Atlanta Area School For The Deaf said: No Women Allowed is an inspiration story on how Good took a misguided and very naïve young woman and used her willing spirit to accomplish great things.
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
