by Brother Love
One of the best places to be in Roanoke on a Sunday morning is Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church, 2128 Melrose Ave., NW. The many in attendance received a blessing on Nov. 22 at a Love Fest for one of Roanoke’s beloved pastors. The church family honored Rev. Amy Christine Hodge-Ziglar on her 9th anniversary as church pastor.
Pastor Amy is a hands on pastor who actively participates in many community efforts to make Roanoke a productive city, working with her church to help the City’s underserved and unemployed obtain a better life. Rev. Ziglar who believes that everyone should own their own home, has partnered with Habitat for Humanity to achieve this goal for families in the Mt. Zion community.
At her appreciation service, there was a sincere atmosphere of real true love between Rev. Amy and her congregation. Rev. Dr. Edward Scott gave a soul-stirring sermon about “this daughter of God that for 40 years gave diligently of herself to spread the gospel of Jesus to everyone.” He also stated when she went in front of the committee to be ordained a pastor, the committee’s response was, “What took you so long?” Dr. Scott kept the congregation joyous.
The Mt. Zion A.M.E. choir and band were, I would dare to say, one of the best in Roanoke that Sunday.
The special guest sax player making the day even more poignant with her soul spirit performance, was none other than Rev. Amy’s oldest daughter, Melinda Ford. Rev. Ziglar was blessed by having all of her children in attendance. April Jones star of the popular “April Jones Show” spoke highly in honor of her mother adding lighthearted humor to the occasion. To top it off Rev. Amy’s son Paul Gill was her escort. Her children’s family and her siblings also attended.
Councilwoman Anita James Price, who was among the dignitaries, read Proclamations.
Rev. Ziglar is a dynamic woman and one of the area’s most actively engaged motivators who says, “I walk by faith and not by spirit.”
