A Sheroes & Heroes Tribute by Tracy Malone
In honor of Black History Month, I would like to take this opportunity to first give thanks to God for calling me out of the darkness and into His marvelous light. I can remember so very clearly the day when I reached an all-time low place in my life. I was laying across the bed of a friend in San Bernardino, California. As I laid across the bed, I had a vision of my pastor,
Rev. Allen Evan, Jr., at St. James Missionary Baptist Church located here in Louisville. He was standing in the pulpit praying, and he was praying for me. I too, at that moment began to pray. I prayed to God that He would heal my broken spirit, that He would forgive me of my sins, and that He would help me to change so that I could help others. Shortly thereafter I left California, came home to Louisville, and I rededicated my life to the Lord. From that time, over twenty years ago, until today my Pastor has been my Pastor, my brother, and my friend.
Pastor Evans leads with integrity and passion and has a genuine love for God and family. He teaches by rightly dividing the scriptures, he allows his flock to grow and develop without hindrance, and he corrects when necessary with meekness and love. Pastor Evans is humble, faithful, and a friend that will be there for you. I follow him as he follows God. With his leadership and example, I have come to know God better and live my life for His Son, Jesus. I thank God for the prayers of my Pastor while I was away from home and even today. Now that I am his daughter in ministry, I want to show him how much I love and appreciate him by living a life that will make him proud.