Assistant Pastor
Rev. Joyce Somerville
Reverend Joyce Somerville is a native of Weldon, North Carolina. She is the daughter of the late Grainger and Henrietta Gatewood Woodruff. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Weldon, North Carolina, where she was baptized under the pastorship of Rev. John W. Wiley.
Reverend Somerville attended Weldon city schools. After graduating from high school, she attended Elizabeth City State Teachers College ( now Elizabeth City State University) in Elizabeth City , North Carolina, where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education. For over 30 years, Reverend Somerville worked as an Administrator at Manhattan Psychiatric Center on Randalls Island, NYC. This is where she learned everything there is to know about "the streets"!
On September 2, 2001, in obedience to the Holy Spirit, she sought the counsel of Rev. Richard H. Dixon, Jr., Pastor Emeritus of the Macedonia Baptist Church, where she answered her call to the Ministry. On December 2, 2001, she preached her initial sermon and was licensed to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. On March 13, 2005 she was ordained Reverend by the United Missionary Baptist Association of New York. After that, she continued her education at the Mount Vernon branch of Beacon University of Columbus Georgia, where she earned an Associate Degree in Theology. On October 14, 2012, in the sight of God, family and friends, Reverend Somerville was elected the first ever Assistant Pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church. This also made her the first woman to ever hold this title.
Reverend Somerville attended Weldon city schools. After graduating from high school, she attended Elizabeth City State Teachers College ( now Elizabeth City State University) in Elizabeth City , North Carolina, where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education. For over 30 years, Reverend Somerville worked as an Administrator at Manhattan Psychiatric Center on Randalls Island, NYC. This is where she learned everything there is to know about "the streets"!
On September 2, 2001, in obedience to the Holy Spirit, she sought the counsel of Rev. Richard H. Dixon, Jr., Pastor Emeritus of the Macedonia Baptist Church, where she answered her call to the Ministry. On December 2, 2001, she preached her initial sermon and was licensed to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. On March 13, 2005 she was ordained Reverend by the United Missionary Baptist Association of New York. After that, she continued her education at the Mount Vernon branch of Beacon University of Columbus Georgia, where she earned an Associate Degree in Theology. On October 14, 2012, in the sight of God, family and friends, Reverend Somerville was elected the first ever Assistant Pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church. This also made her the first woman to ever hold this title.
At Macedonia Baptist Church, under the pastoral leadership and guidance of Rev. Jimmie Hardaway, Jr. Reverend Somerville served as an Associate Minister. During her time here, Reverend Somerville has served as the Director of Christian Education, Lunch With Jesus Bible Study teacher, Corresponding Secretary for the Missionary Ministry, member of the Rev. John L. Scott Associate Ministers Auxiliary, a member of the Women’s Ministry, the Voices of Praise Choir, Spiritual Advisor to many.
Reverend Somerville also likes to credit, Rev. Nelson C. Dukes, Jr., Past President of the United Missionary Baptist Association for giving her her first association assignment which also made her the first woman to ever preach in that forum, and Rev. Dr. Allen Paul Weaver, Jr. who catechized her and became a Spiritual advisor, confidant and friend. Reverend Somerville was also the first woman to preach during Bethesda's Maundy Friday Service.
She has one son, Carl Eric Somerville, a daughter- in- love, Dettaree and five grandchildren: Eric'ka, Ashanti, Jahdeh, Elisha, and Caleb; a grandson- in-love, Jude Lalanne, two great-grandsons: Asani and Ju'dah and her Spiritual daughter of over 30 years, Rev. Duane Bratcher.
Most of all, Reverend Somerville thanks God for Salvation!!
Reverend Somerville also likes to credit, Rev. Nelson C. Dukes, Jr., Past President of the United Missionary Baptist Association for giving her her first association assignment which also made her the first woman to ever preach in that forum, and Rev. Dr. Allen Paul Weaver, Jr. who catechized her and became a Spiritual advisor, confidant and friend. Reverend Somerville was also the first woman to preach during Bethesda's Maundy Friday Service.
She has one son, Carl Eric Somerville, a daughter- in- love, Dettaree and five grandchildren: Eric'ka, Ashanti, Jahdeh, Elisha, and Caleb; a grandson- in-love, Jude Lalanne, two great-grandsons: Asani and Ju'dah and her Spiritual daughter of over 30 years, Rev. Duane Bratcher.
Most of all, Reverend Somerville thanks God for Salvation!!
John 3:16: For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Meet the Clergy
Reverend
Daune Bratcher
Reverend
Condell Hamilton, Sr.
Reverend
Darnell Jeffers
Reverend
Melissa Thompson
Minister
Harriett Mathis-Clary
Minister
Andre Coleman
Minister
Karen Glover
Minister
Barbara Howell
Minister
Norman Martin
Minister
Hugh Washington
