THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 25, 1996 TAG: 9607230131
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
SOURCE: Kathryn Darling
LENGTH: 78 lines
When Barbara Amos agreed to help a struggling Norfolk church, the congregation consisted of six people, including the pastor and her husband.
That church went on to become Faith Deliverance Christian Center, which now has a congregation of 2,700 in the Villa Heights area of Norfolk.
In 1986, Amos was installed as the church's pastor, and she now leads the church, and as bishop, she oversees the North Carolina churches of the denomination, Mount Sinai Holy Church of America.
A musician, Amos started out in ministry singing at Shirley Caesar evangelistic crusades. She began doing evangelism with Caesar's ministry and continued on her own after she left the group.
Along the way, Amos, a Norfolk resident, got a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Hampton University and a master of divinity degree from Virginia Union University. She also did a year's work on a master's degree in social work, which she wants to finish, at Norfolk State University.
Her philosophy toward ministry is that a church should serve the community and not just church members.
``Ministry is about people,'' she said. ``When you are interested in doing real ministry, it's about improving the quality of life for all people.''
Under her leadership, Faith Deliverance Christian Center has become a learning hub for the community. Its ministries include an elementary school, an after-school program, a tutorial program for neighborhood children, an evening school that covers such topics as basic computer skills, sewing, budget and finance, credit and even test preparation for the General Equivalency Diploma, the Scholastic Achievement Test, the National Teachers Exam and the Graduate Record Exam.
The church also has ministries to the homeless, substance abusers, prisoners and to those infected with HIV.
Twice yearly, the church offers the community a health fair of free medical screenings and tests. Medical professionals volunteer their time, and the needed supplies that aren't donated are purchased by the church.
In May, more than 800 people attended the event and were tested for high blood pressure, HIV and lead poisoning. Attendees also were given free pelvic exams, breast exams, prostate exams and even immunizations. The church also provided pre- and post-test counseling.
Ninety percent of the congregation participates in the ministries, according to Amos.
``Our effort is not to win people to this church,'' she said. ``I have a respect for people's choice to worship where they please. I just want them to be connected to God, however they perceive him to be, and to develop a relationship with God.''
Name: Bishop Barbara M. Amos.
What brought you to Norfolk? Faith Deliverance Christian Center.
Birthplace: Portsmouth.
Birthdate: Sept. 7, 1956.
Occupation: Ordained clergy.
Marital status: Single.
Children: None.
Last book read: ``Rage of a Privileged Class'' by Ellis Cose.
Favorite movie: ``Christmas Vacation.''
Favorite magazine: Emerge.
If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? No one. I am perfectly content with who I am.
Biggest accomplishment: Consecration to bishopric.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Make myself two people to get more done.
Perfect way to spend the day: Watching videos and reading.
Favorite vacation spot: New York City.
First job: When I was a child, I picked and sold cherries in the neighborhood.
Worst job: Working in a fish market cleaning fish. I worked one day and my mom told me to quit. She said I smelled so bad.
Hobbies: Reading, music.
Favorite restaurant: Kyoto Japanese Restaurant in Greenbrier.
What do you like most about Norfolk? Faith Deliverance Christian Center.
What do you like least about Norfolk? The land is so built up that there isn't much room left to for us to grow and develop outreach ministries. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by RICHARD L. DUNSTON by CNB