By Edward Woods, III

creating a movie, it is typical for the director to state on set, “Lights, Camera, Action!” When it comes to ministry, Dr. Cynthia Hale reflects the light of Christ, on and off camera, in providing a ray of hope to her congregation, colleagues, and the community.

Starting the church with a congregation of five in her living room in 1986, Hale through the power of the Holy Spirt, grew the Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, Georgia to more than 5,000 members. In identifying the secret to her success, she acknowledged that keeping the personal touch whether face-to-face, or in live services has always made the difference.

Relevant preaching, lifestyle evangelism, and discipleship are lessons from 1986 that she still uses today.

“The community needs a practical word, where people live and move, and have their being.” In practical terms, for example, Hale finds a way to address microaggressions at work, and freedom from the addictions of sin.

Hailing from Roanoke, Virginia, Dr. Hale obtained her Bachelor of Arts from Hollins College, a Master of Divinity from Duke University, and a Doctor of Ministry from United Theological Seminary. She has received five Honorary Doctor of Divinity degrees and inducted into the African American Biographies Hall of Fame, the Atlanta Business League Women’s Hall of Fame, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers of Morehouse College.

Despite her numerous awards and accomplishments, Hale’s focus and forte blossoms in a momentary meeting-on-the street.

Cameo Appearance

Lifestyle evangelism takes advantage of the opportunity to merge Christ into the conversation at anytime and anywhere. Hale recalled meeting a young woman while at the Downtown Athletic Club who thought that Hale was always so happy and cheerful. The young lady mentioned that she was particularly depressed because she recently broke up with her boyfriend. Hale introduced her boyfriend—Jesus—to the young lady and invited her to church. Upon her arrival and attendance, the young lady was surprised to find that Hale served as the pastor.

Dr. Hale visits with children at an orphanage in Africa

“This relates to the community of faith reaching out to those in their sphere of influence to recruit people for Christ.” It models how Jesus won people to follow Him by being open and inviting. At Ray of Hope, discipleship requires relationships. To create disciples, you need to be in the community introducing people to Christ by meeting their needs.

“When America gets a cold, people of color get pneumonia,” reflected Hale. She lamented how people of color were disproportionately disadvantaged with respect to the coronavirus. The reason for this is because so many of people of color were considered essential workers: hospital aides, bus drivers, food service workers, and many of these also routinely used public transportation. All of this contributed to higher exposure and higher risk. So, one of the greatest opportunities during the pandemic, was the need to remain up close and personal with her members.

That is something social media or online broadcasts cannot provide or replace, even though they are here to stay and valuable tools in ministry. She organized her pastoral team of pastors, elders, deacons, and ministry leaders to call and check on the members, especially the seniors. In addition to praying for them, they would also ask and meet their needs. She recalled the joy of members knowing that their pastor and church family took the time to call them and knew them by name.

When the Network Really Matters

As one who enjoys coaching and mentoring, Hale created the ELAH Pastoral Ministries, Inc., and the Women In Ministry Conference. Elah Pastoral Ministries focused on developing the spiritual and practical development of pastors and para-church leaders. Through this ministry, Hale taught the celebrations and challenges on how to reach the church and unchurched.

“We trained more than 1,000 women in ministry to celebrate our cultural inheritance and to preserve, process, and pass on this unique legacy.”

Knowing pastoral ministry extends beyond the four walls of the church, Hale addresses the humanitarian and justice needs of the community. Under her leadership, Ray of Christian Hope provides boxes of food and fresh produce to fight against food insecurity. As an advocate and veteran activist on the front lines, she rails against voter suppression, mass incarceration, systemic racism, and police misconduct. “You can get shot down for just driving black, walking black, sleeping black or jogging black.”

Hale has one tidbit of counsel before one seeks to step into the arena of service and warfare: remember to seek God’s purpose.

“It’s time to get in God’s face and hear what God has for you in this season. Do not be afraid to do what God tells you to do.” Like Hale, we need to reflect the light of Christ on and off the camera in providing a ray of hope.

Edward Woods III is the PARL Director for Lake Region Conference and the Chairperson of the Conscience & Justice Council.