Gainesville woman launches ministry to follow calling from God

A call to spread the word of God has blossomed into a ministry led by Prophetess Carolyn Banks-McCray.

Banks-McCray, 66, is founder and CEO of "Jeremiah 29:11 Worship Center International," which is named after Banks-McCray's favorite Bible scripture.

Banks-McCray said she was sexually abused when she was younger and dealt with the trauma for years until she was saved at the age of 26 in Palm Beach County.

Show love'Compassionate' shows love to teachers

Bishop visits :Bishop of Florida Conference of United Methodist Churches visits Mount Pleasant in G'ville

Serving community:UPPER ROOM TURNS 21

"When I was going through a lot at my younger age and during the course of walking with God, that scripture shared how God felt about me and that whatever he does is for a good and expected end," Banks-McCray said. "It gave me hope where I didn't have any. It confirmed that my latter will be greater than my former."

Banks-McCray said it was in her heart to create this ministry for decades and decided to launch the ministry this year.

"He (God) keeps you until your season is due," Banks-McCray said. "Now is the appropriate time. When you're called to preach, you minister to everyone you see. You know when God called you to do something because you have a passion and a burning in your spirit."

Banks-McCray was born in Gainesville and is the mother of three children - Quinlinn Banks, Briana Banks and Brian Banks.

Banks-McCray, a retired teacher and dean who spent 30 years in the educational system, said she was ordained in June 2021 and obtained an honorary doctorate degree in Christian Ministry from Trinity Theological Seminary in Pompano Beach.

She taught in Alachua County Public Schools and Palm Beach County Public Schools and retired in 2012.

Evangelist Dorothy Christian has known Banks-McCray for eight years and is her assistant.

"She's a great role model, and she encourages you, and she never judges you," Christian said. "She's a great leader and a giver. If you need it, she got it."

Christian said she looks forward to the ministry's growth with the honest leadership of Banks-McCray.

"She has a genuine love for people," Christian said. "You can't worship God if you don't love people. That's what we need − more love. People talk about God but don't walk in it."

Banks-McCray has been married to Lee McCray for five years, and the couple has known each other since they were 13. Lee McCray said he was a minister at UF Health Shands Rehabilitation Hospital for 33 years and is excited to embark on this journey with his wife.

"I am very excited to see what the word is doing in her life," he said. "I'm so grateful to God and the doors he's beginning to open for us to share the word of the Lord. This is a good stepping ground for us."

The theme of the sermon preached by Carolyn Banks-McCray on Sunday was taken from Luke 13:23-30 describing what it will take for one to be saved.

The service took place in a conference room at the Magnolia Ridge Health and Rehabilitation Center located at 6517 NW 39th Ave.

"We must live a righteous and holy life," Banks-McCray said. "Many will seek to enter in, but not come in. God won't welcome us in unless we are obedient."

Banks-McCray said the main reason she was called into ministry was to be the light in a world that has increased in its debauchery.

"God told me the church is defiled because the church has allowed everything to come in," Banks-McCray said. "God loves people, but hates sin."

Banks-McCray said that true Christians follow God and not man.

"Nowadays, the church belongs to a family and not God," Banks-McCray said. "People are serving the pastor and they are not serving God."

She told the congregation to use discernment when seeking people to worship with.

"Don't follow people who are not following God," Banks-McCray said. "The church is not the building. We are the church. God wants no one to be destroyed, but he wants everyone to repent."

The ministry hosts its services on the first, second and fourth Sunday of each month from 3−4:30 p.m. at Magnolia Ridge Health and Rehabilitation Center.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Church in Gainesville launched to save souls and spread the word of God