About Us
On the second Monday of February 1996 at 6:00 P.M., Sister Elsie Napier and Minister Fadia Gatlin invited women to meet in the dining room of Saint James Missionary Baptist Church in Valdosta, Ga. When the women gathered, Sister Napier shared her spiritual vision with the ladies. Her vision was to develop a ministry that would reach beyond the walls of Saint James and would speak to the hearts and needs of women and their families through the study of the Word of God. As a requirement for completing a work project, Sister Napier sought direction on her vision for a work-related community project, and from this endeavor, the name TEACH (teaching, educating, advancing Christian health) was born. Thereby, “The Sisterhood of TEACH” was birth.
The ministry grew and became a model for other women’s ministries throughout the city and surrounding counties. Classes were held each Monday evening in the dining hall to discuss health and spiritual issues. The ministry continued to grow, endeavoring to meet the needs of the community through establishing the church’s first clothing closet and food pantry on the Southside.
Sister Napier soon informed the group that the Holy Spirit was leading her to take the ministry to the streets. She sought guidance from her pastor and met with the City’s police Chief to ask for clearance to have monthly outreach services underneath the bridge (known as James Beck Overpass). Permission was granted by the Police Dept., and outreach underneath the bridge began on the second Saturday of November, 1998. The site provided a perfect location to reach the lost through the word of God, a nightclub and gathering place for displaced people of the city was located near the bridge. The fourth Saturday of each month at 11:00 A.M. became the scheduled outreach time for the street ministry. Many came to hear the word and listen to the songs of praise, souls were revived, and many gave their lives to Christ. Other ministries soon shared in this great move of God. Soon, TEACH, in collaboration with other community partners, began providing Thanksgiving Day meals, Christmas Day meals, clothes, and toy giveaways underneath the bridge; all to show the love of Christ. Soon, the word spread, God was blessing the obedience of a handful of faithful and committed women underneath the bridge and on the streets of the Southside.
We are blessed here at TEACH with a great team of warriors and faith walkers. To God be the Glory for All That He has done and will continue to do as we hold to God’s unchanging hand! Thank you!! To each of you who has been a blessing to TEACH over the years, you may see your contribution as small (it may have just been a word of encouragement along the way), whatever it may be. We say, ‘Thank you,’ and to God be the glory! Please continue to pray with us and for us as we endeavor to “Be about our Father’s Business”.
