At a very young age, Minister Teresa D. Simmons knew she had a calling from God on her life. Like so many before her, she used her gifts of singing and teaching in various areas in the church. As an adult, she used another gift from God by helping churches and people in finances with her accounting skills. Little did she know what was ahead.
She received her call to the ministry in 1994. Excited and ready to answer the call, she would receive her license to preach in 2022 from her husband, Rev. Dr. Ernest Simmons, Jr.; pastor of Gethsemane Baptist Church. God was taking her places that she could not even begin to imagine.
Sunday (October 29, 2023) started off like any other Sunday for Minister Simmons except she was a little nervous about going before the Ecumenical Council later that day.
Members of GBC along with the pastor had planned a First Lady Appreciation Day. Rev. Sheila Parker, Associate Minister from Metropolitan Baptist Church in Suffolk, was guest preacher for the morning service. Her topic was “A Compassionate Life”, Ephesians 1:15-19. She stressed three(3) things: Reputation thrives on Repetition, your Brand is what people expect of you, and always ask yourself Can God look at you and say THAT’S MY CHILD. Spiritual food for thought to all present.
Pastor Simmons with the help of some loving members of GBC gave a brunch in Faulk Family Affair. The brunch was an added touch so that those attending the morning or afternoon service would not have to travel or go home for food. The food tasted just like home and was delicious. Pastor and Minister Simmons left the brunch early for her meeting with the Ecumenical Council. This council would examine her and decide if she would or would not be ordained.
The afternoon service began at 3pm with Rev. Eula Marshall Banks, Pastor of St. Lukes UCC, serving as the guest minister. Also coming from Ephesians, her topic was “Another Stone Added to the Building”. She advised Minister Simmons of what lay ahead as she begins this new season in her life and to hold onto God’s Unchanging Hand. Rev. Banks also reminded everyone: “if you keep your mind, body, & soul on the Chief Cornerstone, Jesus; we will be able to face whatever comes our way.”
Rev. Dr. Robert Hobbs, pastor of Metropolitan Baptist Church and moderator of the Ecumenical Council, reported that Minister Teresa D. Simmons had passed her examination and should be addressed as Rev. from this day forward. Other members of the Ecumenical Council were Reverend Doctors- William Morris, Ann Hill, & Ernest Simmons Jr. Also serving on the Ecumenical Council were Reverends-Eula Marshall Banks, Steven Cheeks, Tim Richardson, and Janice White (Recording Secretary).
During the Act of Ordination, Rev. Simmons was given a hymnal, a bible, charge to the preacher, and ordination prayer with the laying on of hands. The most touching moment of the service came with the presentation of her Ordination Certificate by her pastor and husband, Rev. Dr. Ernest Simmons Jr.
Rev. Teresa Simmons thanked everyone who came or served in any way to make her ordination and celebration services successful.
In personal interview with the writer of this column, Rev. Simmons shared, “I will do everything within my power to practice due diligence and make my calling sure as it states in II Peter 1:10.