Local church installs first female as pastor

“Remembering Our Past as We Embrace Our Future” surely highlighted the Pastoral Installation of Pastor Deborah F. Johnson Raphael at the Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024.

The Charge to the Church was initiated by Bishop Fred Ormsby, The Charge to the Pastor by Pastor Leonard Jones, Falls County Missionary Baptist Association Moderator. Pastor Anthony R. Harper Sr. of the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church - Bremen was the Speaker of the Hour.

Pastor Raphael is the 16th pastor in the history of the church and first female pastor. She was called as Pastor in October 2024. Pastor Raphael succeeds her earthly father, the late Reverend Moderator William Johnson Jr., who faithfully shepherded the church of 58 years and eight months.

A native of Marlin, Class of 1971, Pastor Raphael’s ability to encourage others with the simple trusts of God’s word seemed to penetrate the hearts of those who she shared the Love and Compassion God. Outside the foundational Teachings and Preached Messages, she relied growing up at home and in churches, the Spirit of Christian growth. According to Pastor Raphael, “True Commitment to Minister the Love of God does not come without sufferings, challenges and attacks; however, God’s grace is Sufficient!”

Pastor Raphael is the founder/teacher of a weekly Bible Study, Overcomers in Christ Jesus. She organizes/facilitates the Annual Back to School Prayer Walk, National Day of Prayer, and Prayer & Praise at City Limits Gates. In addition, she is conference speaker and works in the fields of counseling, substance abuse, and prevention and behavior modification.

Zion Hill Baptist Church is located at 385 Business State Hwy 6 South and FM 712 in Marlin.