Baptist Day 2011
Baptist Day 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
A Service of Word
Biographical Profile
Reverend Portia Wills Lee, M.Div.
At the tender age of 18 Portia Wills Lee knew she could not hold off the calling upon her life by God. As the Spirit of the Lord came upon her one night in her college dormitory room she could no longer escape from God’s plan, purpose, and providence in her life. Like Joseph “the dreamer” she too experienced the God whose mercy, grace, and favor penetrated her mind, body, and soul. Ever since that faithful night in November thirty-six years ago she has been telling the world that “God is with her.”
In October of 1995, she started bringing her vision and dream of starting a church that would “Reach people where they are” into existence, serving as the Senior Pastor of Trinity Tabernacle Baptist Church; located in Mableton, Georgia. She received a BA degree from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. She received a Master of Divinity Degree from the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta, Georgia. She is currently working on her Doctor of Ministry degree at Columbia Theological Seminary, in Decatur, Georgia.
She is published in the Abingdon African American Preaching Library Vol. I, African American Pulpit, Fall 2004, Blow the Trumpet in Zion and Those Preaching Women: A Multicultural Collection 2008.
In 2000 and 2009 Atlanta’s Concerned Black Clergy named her Woman of the year. In 2007, she received The Ross Report Leadership Award; in 2006, The Alpha Kappa Alpha Rho Zeta Omega Chapter Distinguished Community Service Award; in 2005 and 2006, The Atlanta Business Chronicle named Pastor Lee as one of the 100 Most Influential Pastors in Metro Atlanta; she was listed in the Metropolitan Atlanta Who’s Who in Religion; and in 2000, Atlanta’s Concerned Black Clergy named her Woman of the Year. In addition, she has received the Distinguished African American Alumni Award from Middle Tennessee State University. Recently Pastor Lee established her newest teaching and leadership vehicle entitled: Regal Heart Ministry.
She is affiliated with several civic organizations: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Atlanta’s Concerned Black Clergy. She also serves as a Mentor for ITC’s Faith On the Journey Program.
Pastor Lee preaches and teaches just as “God is with her,” God will be with them because God is no respector of persons. Why is God no respector of persons “Because God reaches people where they are.”
Welcome Dr. David Key
Director of Baptist Studies
Song To God be the Glory UMH 98
Prayer Jason Myers
Co-President of Candler Baptist Community
Liturgical Dance Charmaine Webster and Jalena Wilson
Scripture Readings Elizabeth Sineouax and Matthew Jenkins
Anthem/Song Speak, O Lord Candler Chorale Keith Getty
Introduction of Speaker Katrina Moore
Co-President of Candler Baptist Community
Sermon/Message Rev. Portia Wills Lee
Song Total Praise Richard Smallwood
Lord, I will lift, mine eyes to the hills
Knowing my help is coming from You
Your peace, You give me in time of the storm
You are the source of my strength
You are the strength of my life
I lift my hands in total praise to You
Amen, Amen X4
Benediction