GEORGE HENRY, STAR Writer

Hortense Dixon-Grant is the wife of a pastor. She currently serves as a ladies leader at the Valley Christian Ministries Church at Windsor Road in Spanish Town, St Catherine.

Dixon -Grant has been having a serious love affair with the Lord. She boasts that her love for God is even more serious than her love for her husband, the Reverend Antonio Grant, who currently leads the flock of which she has been a part over the past 18 years.

It was 18 years ago that Dixon-Grant surrendered her life to the Lord. Like many who are walking with God these days, the young church woman is convinced that when she started walking with her Maker, there was a call on her life.

"I started following Christ because there was a call on my life. It was when I realised that the life that I was living before was not in line with the word of God. So I decided to change, and surrendered my life to God," said the pastor's wife.

Loved partying

She explained to THE STAR that prior to becoming a Christian, she was just an average individual who used to attend several parties to have a good time. She was, however, quick to point out that although she loved partying, she does not miss those days.

The pastor's wife said when she converted to Christianity, walking with the Lord was never easy. She added that getting saved at that time meant that she had to deny herself of certain things, including her party lifestyle, mode of dressing, even giving up several of her friends.

"You have to put aside some friends because they are not saying what you are saying, they do not want to go where you are going. and so you have to give up a few things. But one realises that gradually coming to church and meeting new people and fellowshipping, you realise that it comes easier," said Dixon-Grant.

Distractions

Being occupied in the church and getting involved in almost every activity one could think of, Dixon-Grant said she got connected to the right people in the church, put aside negative things, instead of staying home and sitting idly with friends. She visited church and ensured that she had fellowship with her brethren in an effort to get rid of distractions.

She believes that the church is that place where persons can receive everything they cannot get while they are out in 'the world' because it is a place where one gets a sense of belonging, where one is doing things the right way, and where many persons look up to people as Christians.

Dixon-Grant, who also serves as the head usher at her church, said she enjoys working in that capacity. Her love for this special role in her church is described as one which is most important because the ushers' mode of operation can give visitors the first impression as to how the members of the church are in terms of hospitality.

"The ushers' job is to meet, greet, seat the people, and give directives. When persons come to church, they see the ushers even before they see the pastor and other leaders because ushers are the first persons that you would normally meet when you enter the compound," noted Dixon-Grant.

She believes that persons need to be given a warm welcome whenever they visit a church so that they can feel comfortable being a part of the congregation as they seek to worship the Lord.

Dixon-Grant confessed that being a pastor's wife, does not make it easier for her to serve the Lord. She stressed that because everyone looks up to her and because all eyes are on her as a leader, she has to ensure that her life is the best it can be before God at all times.

However, her word to other pastors' wives is that they should seek to be themselves and not to try to be who they are not; and seek at all times to please the Lord, while allowing Him (God) to use them.

"I do not try to be anybody else. I just try to be me and try to walk in the will of God. I know that once I am walking in the will of God, He will guide me and direct me.

Dixon-Grant's favourite verse of scripture is, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens." Her favourite song is As the Deer.

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