Your role in HIS-tory?

 And it shall come to pass . . . that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy . . . (Joel 2:28)

In my quest to learn and teach my students about the lesser known heroes and sheroes of Black HIS-tory, I came upon Jarena Lee. She has an interesting story! As you read below, I hope you recognize the call God may have upon your life. While the role of women in the Church has changed over the years and regardless of your position, women . . . most especially black women . . . have played a major role in the development of our nation and our church. We must honor that fact. Thank God for women!!!!

How has God called you? Do not miss out on your role in HIS-tory!

Minister Jarena Lee was the first authorized female preacher in the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church. Lee, whose family or maiden name is unknown, was born to a poor but free black family on February 11, 1783, in Cape May, New Jersey. In 1790 at the age of seven, Lee was sent to work as a live-in servant for a white family named Sharp.

Lee moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as a teenager and continued to work as a domestic servant. One afternoon, Lee attended a worship service at Bethel Church where Bishop Richard Allen, founder of the A.M.E. Church, was scheduled to preach. After hearing the powerful sermon delivered by Allen, Lee became filled with the Holy Spirit and converted to Christianity.

In 1807 Lee heard the voice of God commissioning her to preach the Gospel. She was initially reluctant to pursue ministry, given the male-dominated nature of the church. However, she decided to confide in Bishop Allen and revealed to him her call to preach. Allen told Lee that he could not grant her permission to preach because he was required to uphold the A.M.E. Church’s ban against female ministers. 

Allen was so impressed by Lee that he officially gave her authorization to preach the Gospel. Allen asserted that God had called Lee to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Shortly thereafter, Lee began to travel to various cities for preaching engagements and was highly praised for her powerful sermons.

In addition to her work in ministry, Lee was also heavily involved in the abolitionist movement and joined the American Antislavery Society in 1839. 

For more information see (https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/lee-jarena-1783/)