Sarah Wallace-Water

Minister Sarah Wallace-Waters

Chapter Title: Thoughts of Leaving Islam

Signature Scripture

Matthew 5:16

“Let your light so shine before men,

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Minister Wallace-Waters’ Background: Born and raised in Philadelphia former Muslim and student of Islam who converted to Christianity and has been serving in ministry for almost five years edifying Christ & retrieving the lost.

Minister Wallace-Waters’ Reflections: I first realized I had a Call on my life to serve God when one of my clients asked if she could have prayer with me. I was working as a customer service representative for Aetna Behavioral Health when the client was seeking assistance with her child, but was also compelled to have prayer with me. Even though this was not something we did in Customer Service, I knew she needed me to pray with her. As she began to pray, she asked God to protect me as I entered my journey as a minister. She asked God to cover my heart as I sought His guidance. Her revelation made me cry because I had not told her anything about my thoughts of leaving Islam.

Minister Wallace-Waters’ Testimony: God had removed all difficult and discouraging people from my life indicating their season had ended and it was time for me to let them go. I learned no one person could destroy my joy and my love for God. While I no longer got invited to the family’s social gatherings; instead, they used me to fulfill their demands as the family’s minister. I wasn’t invited to dress up for their parties, but I was asked to dress in my ministerial robe for their funerals, weddings, and visits with hospitalized family members.

Minister Wallace-Waters’ Challenges: Even with all my successes, I am still challenged to create stronger networks with my sisters ministers. It has been tough to build connections as a female clergy, but Palmer Seminary has introduced me to some amazing women in ministry. In fact, four of us have built a solid bond and continue to support each other. My circle of supporters has increased as I socialized with my classmates from seminary. I leaned on God and became emotionally and spiritually stronger as I reached out to other ministers.

Minister Wallace-Waters’ Observations: Once licensed, I experienced many changes. My circle of friends had decreased and I felt alone. Friends stopped inviting me over because I was the minister who didn’t drink. They made comments that told me they wanted me to fail and go back to being regular Sarah. Some family members claimed I had changed and I no longer fit into their lives. God had removed all these difficult and discouraging people from my life indicating their season had ended and it was time for me to let them go.

Minister Wallace-Waters’ Most Significant Accomplishment: My most significant accomplishment was when God instantly healed and delivered me from the spirits of my past: abuse, loneliness, sadness and depression, which were blocking my future. I had preached at a service that became so spiritually charged, you could feel God’s presence in the atmosphere. As the service ended, I started to give the benediction, but the Holy Spirit took over as I began to give my highest worship. There was a lifting of the heaviness that had burdened me and I was immediately freed from all my past transgressions, doubts and worries.

Minister Wallace-Waters’ Vision for the Church: The church needs to revive the community. I use my platform as a minister to evangelize as I walk around Holy Trinity’s surrounding neighborhood. People are fearful to be out in their own communities due to violence. They need the church now more than they did in the past. That’s why many churches have expanded their services to include day care, food cupboards, credit unions, and meeting places for people in recovery or in need of a respite from a cruel, harsh world.