COMMUNITY FELLOWSHIP HOUSE

Heard Her Calling

By Andrea Vittorie

It is not often that people know exactly what to do with their life or where they see themselves going. It is also seldom that people get a sign to guide the way to their chosen path. However, Pastor Yolonda S. Brooks received that sign and was called to minister people with her faith right here in Michiana. Starting as a street minister, Pastor Brooks would welcome downtrodden people into her home. She held Bible study on Saturdays where people would hear words from the Bible and get lunch before going back to their lives on the streets.

Although she was helping out in the community and making others feel welcome and unashamed of their current situations, there were many people who were skeptical of Pastor Brooks’ , including her family. “I don’t have any formal training in ministry,” Pastor Brooks said. “I found that to be a major obstacle for me.”

But that was not the only thing she felt made people doubtful of her capabilities. She is a single mother of three (2 sons - ages 19 & 16, 1 daughter - age 18).“Being female and young, it is difficult,” she said. “But God calls who He wants to call – not a certain sex or class.” And still she remains optimistic about her calling and helping others find theirs.“ She has high hopes that she can help change that frame of thought. “I want to show women that God and the ministry call to women too and they can do it,” Pastor Brooks said. Yet, assisting women to become involved is not her only focus. She said, “I want to encourage any woman, any man, anyone, for that matter, that they can get involved.”

Her ambitions have shown through as more than thoughts or ideas. She acts as a street minister, primarily around the Hope Rescue Mission in downtown South Bend and visits other ministries in the area. She is a writer of prophetic letters, in which she types and frames for those she prays for on a daily basis. You can also find her on cable Channel 99 on Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. The first portion is called, “Bringing You the Truth Through the Word of God” and the second portion is called, “The Resource Show”. The second show focuses on helping underprivileged people in the area find things they might need without the cost involved. She provides information about various topics such as phone services, the Hope Rescue Mission, The Center for the Homeless, ect). “When people feel lost, they can watch the show to get information,” said Pastor Brooks.

Acting is something Pastor Brooks has wanted to do since she was a little girl. Yet, she has had opportunities through the ministry to live out that childhood dream, such as the television show she hosts and the radio program she has hosted in the past.

She has big plans for the future. She would like to start a mega-church and welcome into it all different kinds of people. She will be traveling to Nigeria soon in order to begin familiarizing herself with other languages and cultures. She is learning Spanish and Swahili and has been in communication with pastors from other countries.

“I want to help people to operate in the gifts of the spirit, to be obedient to God’s voice and not to let anyone hold them back,” she said. “That attitude plays into every part of our life – not just the ministry.”

Pastor Brooks has an optimistic attitude and genuine zest for her faith. She wants to assist the community in building faith, charity and authentic love for all of Michiana’s citizens – whether they are rich, poor, educated or not. She sees the potential our community has and will not give up until she has made the difference she was called to make.

“Don’t give up – keep going forward,” she said. That is her motto and she’s sticking to it.

For more information about Pastor Brooks’ ministry, please contact her at Community Fellowship House, P.O. Box 4404, South Bend, IN 46634 or call 574-584-3658.  Visit www.freewebs.com/pastoryolonda or email profser@excite.com.