by Zamantha Hampton and Myah Riggs
Deaconesses were included in the official staff of the early Christian churches. “I commend to
you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant [deaconess] of the church in Cenchrea, that you may
receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she
has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also” (Rom. 16:1, 2).
Our Mission —Matthew 25:35-36: “For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and
you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was
sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.”
Our Passion— 1 Corinthians 15:58: “Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord. You know
that your work in the Lord is not in vain.”
Our Commitment— Hymn #216: “Let us labor for the Master from the dawn till setting sun, Let
us talk of all His wondrous love and care, Then when all of life is over and our work on earth is
done, And the roll is called up yonder I’ll be there.”
Our deaconesses will continue serve the church and our Lord with love and creativity, becoming
a force for strength and growth within the church, and in a wide variety of important activities,
including:
1. Greeting and Visiting Guests and Members—Deaconesses assist in greeting guests and
members on Sabbath, and in visiting members in their homes when they cannot attend services.
- Assistance at Baptisms—Deaconesses assist at the baptismal services, ensuring that female
candidates are cared for both before and after the ceremony. They also give help as may be
necessary regarding suitable robes and towels for baptism. Where robes and towels are used, the
deaconesses should see that they are laundered and carefully set aside for future use. - Arrangements for the Communion Service—Deaconesses make arrangements for the
communion table, including: preparing the bread and grape juice, arranging the ordinance table,
pouring the grape juice, placing the plates of unleavened bread, and covering the table with the linen
provided for that purpose. All these matters should be cared for before the Sabbath begins. The deaconesses assist in the ordinance of foot-washing, giving special aid to the aged, women visitors or those who have newly joined the church. It is the duty of the deaconesses to arrange everything needed for this service, such as seeing that the table linen, towels, etcetera, used in the celebration of ordinances are laundered and carefully stored. - The Care of the Elderly, the Sick, and the Needy—Deaconesses will do their part in caring for
the elderly, the sick, the needy, and the unfortunate within our church, on the street, in shelters, and
throughout the community. - Caring for the Congregation—Deaconesses take the responsibility of setting up a “meal train” to
provide meals for any church family that experiences a death or other tragedy. This may mean
simply taking food to the home or, in some cases, serving an entire meal to family and guests after a
funeral. - Taking Care of the Church Building—Deaconesses will help when cleaning workbees are called for the church.
- Church Fellowship Meals—Deaconesses coordinate all church potlucks (in the gym) and
fellowship meals (in the fellowship hall).
Meet the Deaconesses
(Left to right: Leona Keys, Snowrene Mitchell, Zamantha Hampton)
Zamantha Hampton, head deaconess—One of my favorite things to do is to study the Word of
God with the Pathfinder Bible Achievement (PBE) team members. A few of my many favorite
scriptures: Isaiah 58:11 – “The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in
drought, and strengthen your bones. You shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of
water, whose waters do not fail.” Psalms 116:1-2 – “I love the Lord because He has heard My
voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call upon
Him as long as I live. Isaiah 59: 21 – “As for Me, says the Lord, this is My covenant with them:
My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from
your mouth, nor from the mouth of your children, nor from the mouth of your children’s children,
says the Lord, from this time and forevermore.”
Snowrene Mitchell desires to spread the love of Christ to those around her. She serves Him by
leading out at the Community Service Center. She likes spending quality time with family and
participating in bowling tournaments. Two of her favorite scriptures are John 3:16: “For God so
loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not
perish but to have everlasting life” and Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me.”
Leona Keys— I am thankful that the COVID-19 pandemic proves we are in the end times and
that it is the time for us to humble ourselves before God to give us strength for what is to come
along with looking up and forward to seeing Jesus arrive in glory and splendor as the Son of
God. My favorite scripture: Psalm 103:1-5 – “Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within
me, bless His holy Name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who
forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from
destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth
with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
Melinda Bernard is a wife and mother. She feels blessed to be able to homeschool her daughter
and also works two days a week as a dental hygienist. She loves serving Jesus with her family.
Karen Cheeseman is married to her wonderful Jeff. She enjoys sewing, knitting, and going for
walks. She currently serves our church as the Cradle Roll leader. For work she also has the
pleasure of working with children.
where she met her husband, Tony. They now have two children. Ishaan and Joya, both attending college at Andrews University. Molly has had the joy of working with children in many capacities. Some of them include Children’s Ministries, Sabbath School Teacher, Adventurers/Pathfinders, and School Teacher. She is currently working part time at the Greater Lansing Adventist School. Her prayer is that God will continue to use her where He needs and that she may be willing to go.
Marilyn McClure is now retired and enjoys time with family and her three great grandchildren. She loves staying active, being outdoors, reading, and traveling. She also serves God with her time at our Community Service Center.
Beverly McDonald has two wonderful daughters and two grandsons in college. She has served our church in many ways, but some of them include Sabbath School, Social Committee, and at the church school. Some of Beverly’s hobbies include baking, reading, camping, and traveling.Most of all she loves serving others.
- Lumba Moonga has a heart for people, and she shows that by praying for them, visiting them, and keeping in touch. She also likes to cook, read, and be with her family and friends.
Hilda Ornevil is a wife and mother to two loving girls. She loves to serve God by being His hands and feet. She enjoys teaching French, being with children, music, and loving people. She strongly believes in the power of prayer and lives life with passion.
Delores Waters moved to the Lansing area from Detroit in 2009. She has two grown daughters, Cheryl and Angela. Delores loves to stay healthy, read, and go for walks. She also likes to volunteer her time at our Community Service Center.
