Sister Myra Hickley-Montgomery (Ocala District) Interviewed by Sister Brittany Rudolph (Editor, Personal Life)

Q-1: Tell us about yourself, family, church affiliation, and involvement.

A: My name is Myra Denise Hickley Montgomery. I was born in Daytona Beach, FL to my parents the late Elder Luther C. Hickley and Larla Henry Hickley. I have one daughter Tyra Alexis Potillo and two sons Roderick Ivan Montgomery, II and Donaldson Lord Montgomery. My grandfather was the late Donison Henry. He was a man of great faith and how our family became a part of COGBF. His mother and Bishop Aaron Matthew’s mother were sisters. He also was Emeritus Bishop McKnight’s district elder. (Photo shown right)

I have three brothers Michael, Wendell, and Pastor Luther Hickley, and three sisters Carmen, Angela and Larla Gail Hickley (deceased). Growing up in the house of nine, my parents always helped others. There were times when other people lived with us. Whether they were a family member or just someone in need of help.  They fed and clothed people. Whatever their hands found to do, they did it.

I was born and raised in the Church of God by Faith. I have served as President of Home Mission, a member of choirs and praise teams. I have started two Women’s Ministries, and been President of the Program Committee. I have also worked as a Sunday School Teacher, and in the Youth Department and even cleaned the church. I have served in the church all my life and I have always been involved in outreach.

Q-2: Please share with us how you started working with outreach.

A: Our Pastor, Dr. James T. Ware asked the ministers of our church to get busy and to get to work. So we came up with the idea to have a Community Breakfast on the 4th Saturday in September 2011. When we met with the Pastor, he said that it was a good idea. Then, he asked us how often we were going to do this; once a year, twice a year, three times or four or once a month? We told him that we would try to do it once a month. So, for the first month, all the ministers came together for the breakfast. Our deacons came and said how proud they were of us and to keep going.

The next month, it went from six ministers to three. By the third month, it was just two ministers and by the fourth month it was just me. By this time, my sons Roderick and Donaldson were helping me.  And from month to month different people in the church would help. By the first of the year 2012, the Spirit led me to ask the church members for clothes. So, when we would serve breakfast we also had clothes for the community. This is how we became Greater Macedonia Outreach Ministry.

Q-3: Please share with us information on the outreach programming that you provide.

A: We serve breakfast and have clothes available every 4th Saturday in the dining room. We also have household items such as towels, pots and pans, dishes, art, and any other items that one may need in a house. For about 2 ½ years, we had left-over food from the school that was a part of a program for children in need. So, we went out into the community giving out bags of food in under-privileged areas, single parent homes, the elderly, and to grandparents raising their grandchildren.

Q-4: What are some of the resources you provide to the local community?

A: Every year, the 2nd Saturday in November, we have our Annual Community Outreach Bar-b-Que. This year, we were able to serve more than 250 plates. We also gave away clothing especially for winter, coats, household items, and shoes. We also have other pastors in our community who come and fellowship with the people. We serve the homeless and anyone who comes out. Just talking to people one-on- one and seeing what the people need.

So last year, when Pastor Ware came out to the BBQ, he said that this is evangelizing. And, he told me that he knew that it was a lot of work but that he wanted the Outreach Ministry to go out more. So this year, we went out into the community three times.

Q-5: What days and times do you provide outreach?

A: Every 4th Saturday we provide a hot breakfast. Grits, eggs, bacon, toast, and we are known for the fresh fruit that we provide. The time is from 7am to 10am or until the breakfast is all gone. The clothes are always available to those who need them. We have had several calls for people in need. Men needing clothes for work, children needing clothes for school and church, women needing clothes, shoes, and personal items. We have had prayer with families, men needing jobs and for the sick.

Q-6: Do you have financial support from contributors in the community?

A: Our financial support is from our church family and also fundraising and bake sales. Not so much financial contributors but they give clothes and shoes.

Q-7: Please share how your outreach programming has made an impact on your community.

A: The Outreach has impacted our community in many ways. Whether it has been a grandmother raising her grandchildren, needing clothes and shoes, or any other familial problems, people know we are there. Now, our community knows where they can bring any household items, including clothes and shoes, they have and want to give away to someone in need. The community knows that Goodwill and other thrift stores sell their stuff. So people are willing to bring us their stuff. Then, we sort them, wash them, and have them ready for people in need.

Sometimes, people come in and may be homeless or have special needs. For instance, one time a family came in and said they didn’t know where they were going to get their next meal and that the husband was in need of a job. The Outreach gave them food and money for their baby and prayed with them. The man came back the next month to church and told us that the Lord blessed him with a job.

Q-8: Have you been recognized for your work in your community?

A: I was recognized for my work on February 15, 2015 by South Lake Black Achievers. I was recognized in the area of “Service” at the Annual South Lake Black Achiever’s Banquet. This was in our community.

Q-9: What advice would you give to women working in outreach?

A: Whatever you do, do it unto God because we are serving Him. Just know that we are “called to serve.” Ask God what to do, how to do it, and just do it. It is very rewarding. We all can’t just preach in the church but we can preach through your ministry and work. You must have a passion for this work because sometime you have to stand alone, but you can do it.

Q-10: Is there anything else that you would like to add?

A: I thank God for all my children, my daughter, Tyra, (shown on my right) and my sons, Roderick (on the right of Myra) and Donaldson, (on my immediate left) helping me in this ministry. My leaders, Pastor Ruling Elder James T. Ware, who told me to own this ministry and Elect Lady Prophetess Gwendolyn Ware who helps in any way that I ask of her from hands on work to her financial contributions. Thank you Lord. Special thanks to all of my Greater Macedonia COGBF Family who encouraged me to continue this work.

Thank you for opening our dining room for this. You help by informing the community about this outreach with financial donations, as well as continually give clothes, shoes, and food. Our goal for the upcoming year is to start a food bank and clothes closet which will hopefully be open three times a week to help our community even more.