Church Spotlight Sep 08: Lovely Ladies Women’s Department of Sanctuary of Love Church of Delieverance
First Lady & Co-Pastor Delese Glover
This month my focus is solely on “First Ladies” of the church, in particular
Delese Glover,
who serves not only in the capacity of a First Lady,
but she is also the Co-Pastor of
Sanctuary of Love Church of Delieverance!
Being a first lady is not the glitz and glamor that it may seem to appear.
There is much prayer and longsuffering that goes along
with being the first lady of any church.
There are the midnight and 3am calls that she will often receive
asking for prayer for a sick child or an ailing parent.
The constant attack from members of the congregation
that may or may not like you for whatever reason,
or the women in the church who is constanting
bidding for your husband’s attention!
By no means, is being a first lady all frills and thrills,
but this is one position in the church that will keep a woman
on her knees in constant prayer!
I first met Pastor Delese at Sister Elizabeth Anderson’s
Church, The Way, The Truth and The Life,
(Sister Anderson has since gone home to be with the Lord).
Pastor Delese had and still does possess a fervent
hunger and thirst for the things of God.
Her passion and earnest desire is to see the people of God
set free from bondage and to walk in their destiny as God had planned.
This month Pastor Delese and the Lovely Ladies Women’s Department
will be hosting their first Women’s fellowship on
Saturday, September 6th at 9:00am at
Sanctuary of Love Church of Delieverance located at
5450 Friendship Avenue
It has been told to Pastor Delese Glover, “you don’t look like a first lady”,
however, I can assure and attest to the fact
that this vessel is choke-full of the anointing power of the Holy Ghost!
This is a first lady that will get down in the trenches with you!
Sanctuary of Love Church of Deliverance
5450 Friendship Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
(412) 452-3619
Filed under: Female Pastors/First Ladies, Women's Fellowship
This culture/growing tradition of “first ladies” in the church must cease. It’s not Biblical. There are no scriptures that support this practice. 1 Corinthians 11:3, Proverbs 31:31, 2 John 1:13 and Psalm 127:1 has nothing to do with position in The Kingdom or in The Church. On the contrary Acts 10:34 says God is no respecter of persons. So I suggest you drop the titles
In response to the “culture of first ladies” I think a lot depends on one’s perspective. The bible says in Proverbs 18:22 that “whosoever findeth a wife findeth a good thing and obtaineth favour of the Lord”. I am the favor of my husband who also happens to be my pastor and I am his first lady. It’s beyond an “elite” title, position and/or culture but a ministry and honor I hold dear according to Proverbs 31:28 where “her children rise up and call her blessed; and her husband, praiseth her.” Romans 13:4-7 also encourages us to give honor where it’s due to God’s ministers and that is what I have received. Not every wife is loved or respected by her husband better yet honored as the First Lady in his life for many reasons. It’s not a culture or tradition, although many ministries would benefit if it were adopted because it might save and /or enhance many marriages, but comes out of a very special relationship that God ordained.
I am well aware of the capacity in which I serve/minister in according to Gen 2:18 and Eph 4:11 which has nothing to do with God being a respecter of persons but with helping my husband and for the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry, and for the edifying of the body Christ.
So in conclusion, there’s no need for me to drop the title because it doesn’t determine what position I hold but it does show how much I am respected and loved.
Hello Bernell,
We as Christians know that God is not a respecter of persons. However, in the Eph 4:11-12, as stated by First Lady Delese states, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Prov 31:26 states, “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue [is] the law of kindness.” Now if the Pastor of the church is married, I see nothing wrong with is wife being referred to as the “First Lady” after all she too is a leader in her own right. Titus 2:3-4, “The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children…” Not stating that she has to be old in years, but spiritually mature enough to teach the younger women in the church. That is what most of the body of Christ see the role as a first lady. Please understand that calling someone a “First Lady” is not going to keep them out of the Kingdom of Heaven. There are far more important issues rather than debating the issue of titles. I have a title, but seldom use it. Quivering over the simple things is what brings about division in the body of Christ. We all must be about our Father’s busines regardless of what title we have or don’t have. It is about Kingdom business, and that is winning souls, pointing them to Christ Jesus.
God Bless,
Terina J. Hicks
Tts 2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
Thank you so much First Lady Glover this has helped me in so many different ways. My Pastor which is my husband just started ministry about four months ago. We were under our Bishop which is our covering and we were raised to call our Bishop’s wife First Lady. I never understood why until I became my Pastor’s (my hubby) First Lady. I asked him about 2 months after we started that I did not want the Title First Lady because no one in the town that we started ministry held the Title (First Lady). My husband stated to me that I was his First & only Lady and he wanted the people of our congregation to Love and respect me the way that he does. Which I had to respect his decision and realize that it would be an Honor to serve alone side him not behind him in ministry. I totally agree it goes beyond an “elite” title or position or culture it’s about edifying the body of Christ but it’s also ministry and an honor all at the same time. I had to realize that either I can rejected the call or go against what the man of God (my hubby) wanted God’s people to call me.
So again I thank you so much for this information it’s just conformation because I wonder what would I say if someone asked why does my husband call me First Lady. I thank God for the scriptures also to confirm why. Now I feel equipped with knowledge on why we hold this title. I pray that God continues to bless you and your husband Ministry please do the same for me.