The Rising Star Missionary Baptist Association installs first woman as Pastor
The Rising Star Missionary Baptist Association Installs First Woman as Pastor
Reverend Dr. Billy H. Casey, Moderator of the Rising Star Missionary Baptist Association and Pastor of New Zion Baptist Church in Linwood, NC held an installation Ceremony for The Reverend Patricia A. Ellison, Pastor of Cunningham First Baptist Church on April 24, 2022. The Installation Service was the first ever in the 83 year history of the Rising Star Missionary Baptist Association to Install a Woman as Pastor.
Ellison became active in The Rising Star Missionary Baptist Association in 1976. It was during this year, that she was also the First Black Woman to be promoted to Human Resources Management at Thomasville Furniture Industries, INC., when she was twenty eight years of age. After thirty seven years of employment with Thomasville Furniture Industries, INC., the company downsized. Ellison then sought employment with Lexington Home Brands as an Employment Supervisor for three of their operations for approximately four years. After being downsized again, Ellison began seeking employment with a more secure future.
In 2003, she was employed by Lexington City Schools where she was employed as a Site Coordinator for Communities In Schools of Lexington/ Davidson County. Ellison retired from the Lexington City School System in 2015. After being elected President of the Woman’s Auxiliary in 2003, she began attending Vintage Bible College for spiritual growth and development. After attending for several years she decided to pursue a degree. She received her Bachelor Degree in Christian Education June 19, 2013 from Vintage Bible College. She accepted the call to the Gospel Ministry and was licensed to preach on April 12, 2015 under the leadership of Reverend Robert L. Harmon. Reverend Ellison was Ordained October 9, 2016.
Having numerous credits from Vintage Bible College, Ellison enrolled at Carolina Christian University and received her Master’s Degree in Christian Counseling June 9, 2018 graduating with a 4.0 GPA. The Graduating Class of 2018 Baccalaureate Ceremony was held at Cunningham First Baptist Church where she was the valedictorian Speaker. She became the Associate Pastor in April of 2020, and in December of 2021, The Church unanimously voted her in as Pastor. She is also the First Woman to Pastor at Cunningham First Baptist Church of Thomasville, NC.
She currently serves on The Executive Board of the Woman’s Home and Foreign Missionary Convention, INC., Raleigh, NC and the Executive Board of the Rising Star Missionary Baptist Association.
One of her favorite scriptures is Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. She has been married for 54 years to Lewis Ellison, Jr. They have three sons, 12 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
