S.I.S.T.A.H.S. MINISTRY

Official Conference Website: www.freewebs.com/sistahsconference

DIRECTOR, DEACONESS CHERYL BRAXTON

Deaconess Cheryl Braxton was born in the Bronx NY to James and Adelina Parker. She grew up in the "ThroggsNeck Projects" where she lived with her 4 siblings: Tanya, James Jr. Eric, and Shannon, who Cheryl still affectionately calls her "Baby-sister" despite the fact that she is almost thirty with two beautiful babies of her own. Deaconess Cheryl Braxton was born in the Bronx NY and relocated to Westbury NY where she now lives with her Husband Deacon Anthony Braxton and their three children, Kendra - 27, La’Cher - 23, and LJ, who continues to remind her that he is almost 21. Cheryl is the proud grandma of 2: Amari - 7 and Kenidi - 2.

Recognizing and understanding the importance of mothering and the role mothers’ play in raising healthy, happy, and prepared children for our society, Cheryl accepted the invitation to serve as a Board Member for the Unity Circle Mothers Center of New Cassel, NY. She did so without hesitation and now serves as a board member for one of the first faith-based Mother’s Centers in the country (www.MothersCenter.org).

Most recently Cheryl was appointed the position of Co-Chair representing the state of New York for WIN, (Women in the NAACP - www.NAACP.org) which is a standing organization within the NAACP where issues affecting women and children are addressed. Her most recent undertaking was her first Domestic Violence Forum where she was honored by the presence and testimonies of domestic violence "Victors." Cheryl chooses this name over victim because she believes that once you have allowed God to deliver you out of this bondage you no longer are a victim but a victor!

Because of her love for writing, in her spare time she takes her pen to paper and lets the Holy Spirit be her guide. She is a co-author of "100 Words of Wisdom for Women" and is a member of a faith-based book club which meets once a month. Cheryl is currently working on her second publication and says she has no idea when it will be finished but trusts that the Lord already knows and continues to seek His guidance in doing so.

She is an alumnus of The New York Theological Seminary where she received her certificate in Christian Ministry. Cheryl says that by the time she graduated, she knew this could not be the end and realized she needed more. As a result of that conclusion, she is now a fulltime student whose goal is to obtain her MDiv / MSW. She studies while also holding a full time position as a Medical Biller with North Shore University Hospital, one of the largest employers on Long Island.

Cheryl and her family are members of the First Baptist Cathedral of Westbury where her Pastor, teacher, spiritual father and covering is the Bishop Lionel Harvey (www.WestburyFBC.org).

Cheryl says she attributes her passion for God and HIS word to a praying Grandmother who taught her about the Lord long before she knew how to spell HIS Name and to her mother who spends countless hours on her knees in intersession for all of her five children, and anyone else the Lord puts on her heart. When asked, "How she does it all?" Her answer is, "I don’t do it all, I just do what he anoints and gives me grace to do and I trust and rely on HIM for the provision to fulfill it!"

Cheryl’s heart’s desire is to see the world get saved and live with the power and authority that God has promised in HIS Word.

E-Mail Deaconess Cheryl at C2HisGloryBraxton@yahoo.com

"Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty." Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for." Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
~ Isaiah 6:5-8

I recently had the blessing of getting my hands on a book that I highly recommend for anyone who feels the tugging on their heart for living a life dedicated to “Gods’ Ministry”. Hooper’s Evangelist & Ministers Handbook by Debora C. Hooper: Xulon Press. In chapter two titled the Qualifications of an Evangelist; Dr. Hooper speaks on the topic of, “Calling from God”. She says, “First and foremost to be a minister of the Word in any capacity, one must experience a call.” She references Acts 6:4 which talks about the call to exercising a particular ministry gift. She goes on to say that “God somehow makes the call known and the individual will know that they know it. Bishop Howard Tillman has been quoted in her book as saying, “To know that God has called you and exactly what he has called you to, is everything!

Now my dear sisters, (and to the brothers that may read this also) don’t go until you know!

When we think we are getting busy for the Lord or doing the Lords work we must be very careful to know whether this work, albeit honorable, is what God would have us do and also take into account if it is Gods timing for the work! Pray the question and await an answer, “Is God sending me or am I just doing this because of me”. This is not always a clear and obvious thing. Sometimes it’s not until we have already started a thing that we realize it’s not for us to do. This is why so many of our endeavors become laborious projects or drudgery, lacking the anointing of God thereby giving absolutely no joy. Hear me saints, when working for the uplifting of Gods Kingdom, it is hard and can be draining but, “The Anointing Makes the Difference” and there will be no shortage of joy. God may, through his grace allow a thing to achieve a desired goal through His permissive will and He can because He is Sovereign. But, how beautiful to be in His Devine will. When Isaiah heard from the Lord, there was no mistaken who was speaking and the charge which was given. At that point, it was no longer about his short coming, his sins; it was about doing for God through the power of God.


A simple prayer:

Lord, as I seek to do your will in my life, help me to have the spirit of discernment to recognize what is of you and what is of me. Help me father to stay clear of selfish gain: Where you send me father I want to go. I am but a sheep whose desire is to please my shepherd. Give me the power to do whatever you call me to do for I know the anointing makes the difference. I love you.

In Jesus Name, Amen.