New Birth Christian Church
“A Virtuous Woman”
Reverand LaVida Sistrunk, Pastor Emeritus dedicated her life to the Lord at the age of 23 and is devoted to the service of the Lord. She graduated Suma Cum Laude (top of her class) with her Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Pastoral Ministry from Maple Springs Baptist Bible College and Seminary in May of 2011.
On March 5, 1999, the Lord called our founder, Elder John W. Sistrunk home and Evangelist LaVida Sistrunk assumed the role of Pastor of New Birth Holiness Church, as Pastor John Sistrunk had instructed. She was formally installed as Pastor on August 29, 1999. She was later ordained as Rev. LaVida Sistrunk in January 2006. After less than one year of being elevated to Pastor, Reverend Sistrunk was endowed with a great vision from the Lord – an evangelism explosion which has caused New Birth to have a renewed focus on winning souls for Christ. The foundation for Pastor Sistrunk’s vision is Christ’s expectation that we be “fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). Pastor Sistrunk is a diligent worker in the vineyard and she leads by example. She has served in many capacities and executed many duties, including: feeding the homeless, tutoring, Sunday School and Bible Class teacher. She has trained and mentored others to teach, organized Christmas programs, and conducted seminars and workshops for New Birth members and others. She also serves as chairperson of the Trustee Board, counselor, mentor and friend to many. Pastor Sistrunk also founded a Christian-based mentoring program called PREP (Preparing Rightly for Enormous Prosperity) for adolescent girls and young women with the objective of nurturing the mind, body and spirit in a manner that enhances a young woman’s development and inspires her to achieve her full potential. Shortly after, a mentoring group for young men was also formed.
In 2003, after hearing from the Lord, Pastor Sistrunk informed the church body that New Birth’s ministry would become non-denominational. The word of God as recorded in Ephesians 4: 4 – 5 says: There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism. The church members voted and the church’s name was changed to New Birth Christian Church.
Pastor Sistrunk preaches and teaches the word of God with power under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. She will not compromise God’s word for anyone, even if it means walking alone. She demonstrates the fruit of the spirit daily. One of her favorite songs, “I Won’t Turn Back” is evident in the way she lives and her devotion to God.
She is the proud mother of two children: Leondra and John, Jr.; one son-in-law: Stephen, Sr.; one daughter-in-law: Joye and four grandchildren: Talayia, Mia, Jack, and Stephen, Jr.Reverand LaVida Sistrunk, Pastor Emeritus