Interview: First Lady, Gayle Woodard of City Cathedral Church
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I was invited by Gospel Artist, Nikki Berry, to attend her church for a Saturday service. I accepted the invitation, and as I walked through the doors, I was greeted with smiles and heartfelt welcomes from the members. I was given a gift bag with goodies and the church information. As I took my seat, I saw a small warm family of City Cathedral's members, eagerly awaiting for the service to begin.
Nikki Berry gracefully walks in with this beautiful women, who turned out to be the first lady of the church. After the service, I was proudly introduced to the First Lady Gayle Woodard.
She stood tall and poised; she was gracious and quite a lady! She smiled at me and thanked me for coming to the service.
After the service, the ladies all gathered in the foyer and made plans to go have coffee at Starbucks. First Lady Gayle asked for me to join them. We arrived at Starbucks and the first thing that happened was Nikki Berry offering to pay for our coffee. I was blown away at the hospitality that the ladies of City Cathedral Church displayed; these anointed women of God were so eager to serve. As we were departing, first Lady Gayle made it a point to get in contact with me to help with a new sorority event that she was planning.
I was graced to make acquaintance with First Lady Gayle at the Black Girl Excellence Awards held by its CEO, LaTasha Weatherspoon. Gayle Woodard was nominated as Woman of The Year. Once again, I was able to behold the anointing of God on this beautiful, gracious and loving woman.
Who is this awesome woman of God? Gayle Woodard is the wife of Pastor Woodard of City Cathedral Church. She is the founder of Leading Ladies Collaboration, an organization that started off supporting pastors' wives. Later the organization evolved into a network for all women. Gayle Woodard uses her platform to highlight one woman a year to let them know they are appreciated. The purpose of Leading Ladies Collaboration is to let ladies know they are not alone. First Lady Gayle wanted to inspire and make a difference while supporting ladies. One organization that is supporting the Leading Ladies is Sister's Network, and the founder is Karen Jackson. Two years ago, Melinda Spalding of Fox 26 was the guest speaker at one of the Leading Ladies' conferences.
Being a first lady of a church comes with great responsibilities. I asked Lady Gayle what were the details of her role as a first lady: Her answer was one of serenity and spiritual soundness.
"The first ministry is to the husband. A man who finds a wife finds a good thing. We are to be good to our husbands. I am his armor bearer, supporter and what ever God gives you within the ministry, you should embrace it and do it. I am a founder of our women's ministry. I wear a lot of hats: wife, sister and mother to the daughters in the church. The women's ministry is the Abbagayle Ministry for the deacons' wives. One year ago we had a conference", said First Lady Gayle.
The Abbagayle Ministry teaches a woman how to lead someone to salvation; how to be a support to ministry; how to conduct alter prayer and how to pray and assist baptisms. The first ladies are taught to fit in where ever she is needed. When the man of God gets in the pulpit, we have to agree with God and His word...change that face! "Galations 5:22, we walk in the fruit of the spirit and first ladies have to walk in it", said First Lady Gayle.
The role of a first lady is serious and has many faucets! Not only is she needed within the walls of the church, but she is also needed on the outside, which led her to create an outreach ministry. In the outreach ministry, she has ministered to abused women, human trafficking victims, drug abuse, etc. For 19 years, First Lady Gayle has helped women overcome. She works with a correctional officer for the juvenile. She feels that just because you made a mistake doesn't mean you are a mistake.
In 1999, Gayle Woodard started a sorority for women. "I have a passion for women, and we are our husbands' crown and glory". She is also an author of several books, Removing the Mask, It's My Prerogative, and Stepping Into Your Destiny: A Woman's Journal. You may buy her books on our new author's page in River & Word Magazine or on Amazon.
Lady Gayle has also written a book for girls, " A Princess Becomes A Queen."
First Lady is also a business woman, and she has her own lingerie line. She wanted to teach women to feel good about themselves in whatever they wore, and to look nice for their husbands, "As a pastor's wife or minister, you shouldn't ever wear raggedy gowns with tears.
We have to minister to our husbands, and he doesn't want to see you in holes or torn up gowns that are comfortable" (she giggles). She has trunk shows, and she will come out and show case her lingerie for you. She gives a special Valentines show and holiday shows.
If you would like to book her, email: kwssoroity@yahoo.com Attention: Jaunna.
If you would like more information about the Leading Ladies email: firstladiesgroup@yahoo.com
The next Leading Ladies Collaboration is this coming September 29, 2018.
Come out and visit City Cathedral Curch, you will be glad you did!
3701 Elgin, Houston, TX. at 10:45 or the Woodlands location at 8:30 and the Sugarland location at 12:30, every Sunday.
You may follow City Cathedral Church on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CityCathedralChurch/
Right when I thought we were about to close the interview, First Lady pulled out another hat that she wears, Women Helping Women Overcome, held on the second Thursday in July.
On September 29, 2018, her sorority, KWS is having an open house.
When First Lady Gayle Woodard said this next thing, I was shocked to tears! She is a cancer survivor! How did she manage all of those hats so well, yet she had cancer? Wow! She is a walking miracle, praise God. Yes, praise God is what she did when she was healed from cancer. First Lady said, she walked in faith and believed God would heal her. "I was a cosmetologist and I noticed hair loss and these bumps that looked like a boil and hickey marks. I went to the doctor, and I wasn't expecting to hear him say it was cancer...I broke down!
Lady Gayle did not let cancer beat her, she beat it in faith and trust that God would heal her and He did! Not only did God heal her, He gave her another ministry to go out and educate cosmetologists about the issues and signs she had experience, so they could be better educated and help their clients.
First Lady made cards with information to share with the cosmetologists and their clients.
I have certainly been blessed in making your acquiantence Lady Gayle Woodard, and I will be praying for you and your ministry. I look forward to ministering with you and please let us know what we can do through the magazine to be a support. Amen!
Pam J
