Sister Lisa D. James

 

was born on January 8, 1962 in Tuskegee, Alabama.  She is the daughter of the late Mr. Larry Glover and Mrs. Mable Partlow.  Lisa attended Avondale High School, where she received her High School Diploma in 1980.  She also received a diploma from Dekalb Community College as a Certified Nursing Assistant.

 

Lisa received salvation at the tender age of 15.  She is a faithful and dedicated young woman of God.  She received her Christian stewardship under the leadership of Bishop G. A. Bryant..

God knew that one day Lisa would be married to a Pastor, so he clothed her with the spirit of intercessory prayer.  She has always been known for her anointed prayer life.  District Elder James would often speak of how she would pray in the early mornings until the house was filled with the aroma of the glory of God.

 

God has truly graced this woman with the spirit of prayer. It was that daintiness, the spirit of prayer, her unequaled sharpness of dress and her air of holiness that attracted District Elder James to Sister Lisa.  She seemed to be from the old school and District Elder James would often speak of how he was attracted to her godly attributes.  She was nicknamed “Bug” because she was so small in stature; and you never knew she was there until she hit the altar.  She is certainly a woman of character and nobleness.

 

Having a desire to excel, Sis James had a change of heart in regards to her profession.  After working in the field of Nursing as a CNA for over 20 years, she decided to pursue a degree in Family and Consumer Sciences with a concentration on Child Development and she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in May of 2007.  It was a challenge having been out of school for over 20 years, having a family and performing her duties as first lady, but with the grace of God, hard work and a host of good God sent people, she has achieved that goal.  Yet another achievement attributed to this wonderful woman of God, In August of 2007, she opened the “Lady Bug Child Development Center,” which specialized in Infant Care.  She operated the child care center and provided excellent infant care services for two years.  After such, she gained employment at South Carolina State University where she worked in the registrar’s office.

 

To add to her resume of accomplishments, on May 26, 2011 Sis. James was recognized by Cambridge Who’s Who as an Honored Member in the 2011-2012 edition of the Who’s Who Registry of Executives, Professionals and Entrepreneurs.  To God be the glory!

 

Sis. James is married to District Elder R. A. James and they have one daughter, Chelsea.

 

Greater Zion Tabernacle Apostolic Church, Inc.

 

began in 1937, by the late Bishop Salters Ballard and the late Mother Marie Ballard, of Florence, South Carolina.  Being attuned to the voice of God and eager to do God’s biddings, Bishop Ballard began evangelizing the Gospel throughout his community.  Shortly afterwards, he began worship service in a small farm house, located on the outskirts of Florence, South Carolina, called The Mill Quarters.  Later this farm house was converted into a small church, and given the name, Little Zion. This humble beginning is the foundation of the now, Greater Zion Tabernacle Apostolic Church, Inc.

 

In 1950, the late Elder Carl Felton became pastor of Little Zion Temple.  He and his wife, the late Sister Florence Felton, labored faithfully among the people of God and won the hearts of many.  He used his gifts and talents in building construction to remodel and renovate the church.  The name of the church was changed to Zion Tabernacle Holiness Church of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World.  Elder Felton was called home to be with the Lord in 1957. (1950—1957)

 

District Elder Willie L. Johnson, an associate minister in the church, became pastor in 1957.  He was an anointed and appointed preacher and teacher and began carrying God’s Gospel message throughout Florence and surrounding counties.  He preached and ministered in many churches, jailhouses, chain gangs, nursing homes, and other places of confinement for teens and adults.  During this time, the church was moved from the outskirts of town into the city of Florence, SC, and was located at 228 West Darlington Street.  Worship service continued at this location for 36 years. (1960 to 1996.)

 

In June 1990, Suff. Bishop Dr. Harold E. Sawyer, Sr., of Richmond, Indiana moved to Florence, South Carolina to continue the work and build on the foundation that had been started.  Pastor Sawyer purchased an adjacent lot and erected an educational building to house Sunday School classes, a day care center a tutorial program and space for small group meetings

In 1996, Dr. Sawyer and his late wife, Sister Martha A. Sawyer, led the church in a “Grand March” from 228 West Darlington Street to it’s present one half Million Dollar edifice located at 265 South Church Street.  The church houses a 400 capacity seat main sanctuary, a 100 capacity seat small sanctuary, a large lounge, an educational wing with 12 class rooms, a gym, a fellowship hall, a large modern equipped kitchen and a large parking area. The name of the church was changed to Greater Zion Tabernacle Apostolic Church, Inc. Under his leadership, the current facility was paid in full in six (6) years.  To God be the Glory. (1990 - 2010)

 

In September 2008, Suff. Bishop R. A. James came to Greater Zion Tabernacle Apostolic Church to assist Bishop Harold E. Sawyer in the ministry of the Word.  He started out preaching 2 Sundays and teaching 2 Bible classes out of the month.  During that time, he assisted in the music ministry along with other ministerial duties as assigned by the pastor.

In January 2009, Bishop Sawyer asked if Suff. Bishop James would take on the task of preaching every Sunday and teach all the Bible Classes.  Suff. Bishop James accepted this assignment with great joy and the church was elated to have this ministerial assistance.  After 20 years of faithful service, in May 2010, Bishop Harold E. Sawyer  retired as Senior Pastor of Greater Zion Tabernacle Apostolic.  The Board of Trustees then elected to have Suff. Bishop James to serve as Pastor for one year and after that tenure, an election would determine whether he would remain as Pastor.

 

In June of 2011, Suff. Bishop Rodney A. James was elected to serve as the next pastor of Greater Zion Tabernacle Church. An installation was slated for July 2011.

Several projects have been completed under the administration of Suff. Bishop James: Upgrade of the HVAC system in the fellowship and Educational Wing, Upgrade of the PA system to include a new 32 Channel Mixer  Board, Power Amps and wireless mikes, purchase of an Organ, Computers & Computer Lab, installation of a computer network and wireless network system, New commercial stove and commercial sink and renovation of the Fellowship Hall (in progress)

 

Along with those projects, Suff. Bishop James has established the following for GZTAC: Development of Zion Community Action Agency, a 501 c3 Non profit and Orientation 101—a class to orientate new members into the ministry , development of the Greater Zion Tabernacle Website and a launch of the Greater Zion Tabernacle Building Fund Project.  Continue to pray for GZTAC as we embark upon new grounds in the Lord.

 

 

GZTAC Mission Statement

The Mission of GZTAC is outline in the 5 Star Pastoral Initiative Program…

 

The Pastoral 5 Star Initiative Program

Evangelism      -    W inning the Lost

Cultivation      -     D eveloping the Saint

Participation   -     I ncorporating the Saint into Service

Preparation     -     P reparing the Saint

Commission    -     S ending the Saint

 

GZTAC Vision Statement

The Vision of Greater Zion Tabernacle Apostolic Church is to provide a Godly worship environment that has a family orientated fellowship geared toward the development of the whole and total man.

This vision encompasses a Biblical approach to cultivate, stimulate and enhance the spiritual, emotional and intellectual needs of a diverse people without regard to creed, age or gender.

 

Zion Community Action Agency

 

is a 501(c3) organization founded by Greater Zion Tabernacle Apostolic Church under the Leadership of Suff. Bishop Rodney A. James.

 

The purpose of this organization is to provide community based programs geared toward the enhancement and advancement of all residents of South Carolina without regards to Religion, creed, age or gender.

 

Currently, we have three programs and they are outlined as follows:

 

(1) Housing Trust Fund Home Rehab Program - This allows residents of South Carolina to apply for grants to get their home rehabilitated.   This program has two components: Emergency Repair Program— $ 6,000.00 and the Owner Occupied Program - $ 20,000.00

 

(2) Federal Home Loan Program - This is another Home Rehab program but it’s funded through the Federal Home Loan of Atlanta Ga. The grant funds up to $ 12,000.00 Per Household.

 

(3) Summer Food Program - Zion Community Action Agency partners with the Department of Education to provide free lunch and snacks to children throughout the state of South Carolina.

 

Interested persons should call Zion Community Action Agency at (843) 669-2581

 

Staff at Greater Zion Tabernacle Apostolic Church

 

Administrative Staff

Deacon McDuffie Bartelle (Treasurer/Administrator)

Sister Sandra Hanner (Church Secretary)

Sister Patricia Brown (Pastor Secretary)

Sister Beverly Small (Media & Publication)

 

Ministerial Staff

Sharon Green

Minister Christopher Daniels (Minister of Music)

Minister Cyrenthia Jackson (Cutlery Services)

Minister Yvonne Brown

Evangelist Marie Bartelle

Evangelist Geneva Corley (Christian Education)

 

Ministries/Auxiliaries at Greater Zion Tabernacle Apostolic Church

Mother Gloria Hannah (Pastor's Aide/Baptismal)

Minister Cyrenthia Jackson (President of Usher Board)

Deacon Nathaniel Brown (Brotherhood President)

Deacon Arnold Corley (Sound/Audio/Video)

Sister Bernice Bartelle (Nurses Guild)

Vacant (Youth President)

Deacon Wardell Jackson (Advisor of Youth)

Sister Delores McDaniel (Hospitality/Greeters)