The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. ~Luke 4:18
First Lady Butler is determined to minister life to God’s people through the power of music, preaching and teaching God’s Word. “It is my mission and life’s purpose to speak life to you in every dry area of your life, praying that you may flourish and come forth into your divine destiny,” she proclaims.
Evangelist/First Lady Butler goes on to say, “I am delighted to inform you that greatness is at your doorstep urging you to walk in a season of fullness and wholeness. I pray that you learn the Word of God, grow in the will of God, and go and do the work of God as mandated in Colossians 1:9-10, ‘be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding so you may lead a life worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God's will.’ This is your season to flow in what the Lord has called you to do.”
So who is this awesome woman of God? The readers of FLM want to know.
Evangelist-Missionary Yolanda G. Butler is a native of Southern California. She was raised in the church all her life and accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior and Lord at the young age of 13.
She graduated with honors from Monrovia High School (Monrovia, CA) in the top 20 students in her class and ranked as the number one Black student in her graduating class. She attended Sawyer College of Business (San Diego, CA) where she received her diploma as a legal secretary.
On September 22, 1984, she married Pastor Donald H. Butler and the Lord led them right into their ministerial purpose. On November 10, 1984, they opened the doors of Praise Center Community Church in a home. First Lady Butler served in the ministry (she has been serving in ministry since 1981). In addition, she worked in the corporate industry as an experienced paralegal/legal assistant, professional secretary and administrator for prestigious law firms in Pasadena, California, for 24 years before retiring into full-time ministry with her husband, Pastor Donald H. Butler.
She received her Evangelist Missionary license in 1998 under First Jurisdiction Southern California Church of God In Christ under Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake and State Supervisor Dr. Barbara McCoo-Lewis. She received her Bachelor of Theology from International Seminary (Los Angeles, CA) in June 2002, and now continues her studies in biblical counseling.
The church the Butler’s established, Praise Center Community Church, flourished over the years in Compton, Carson, Gardena and Inglewood, California. Various ministry and community programs were successfully established. Then, after 23 years of service in California, in November 2006, the Lord changed Pastor Butler’s assignment to Texas.
After Pastor Butler made the announcement to the congregation, 13 families, consisting of approximately 60 individuals, made the choice to join Pastor Butler and his family to help birth Praise Center’s vision in Texas. This was a great sacrifice. Many came on a last paycheck, quit jobs, sold just about everything, and relied totally upon the Lord’s guidance and provision to fulfill purpose and win souls for the Kingdom. Praise Center of Texas was established in August 2007. Services are currently held in Grand Prairie and Mansfield, and various home fellowships in Burleson, DeSoto and Arlington (all cities in close proximity to Dallas, TX).
Today, First Lady Butler serves faithfully at her local church, Praise Center Community Church, as Church Administrator and Minister of Music. As a part of the Southern California First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, COGIC, she served in numerous capacities but confined herself to serving in the Music Department. She is the founder of First Lady Butler Ministries and Naomi-Ruth Mentor Support Group. She is also the Supervisor and Adjunct Professor of International Seminary-DFW Satellite Campus.
However, in the beginning, she had no idea where and how God would use her. There was a time when she lost her own identity and went through a period of depression. The great anointing in which she now walks, came with a price. “It was through tears and pain which led to depression that the Holy Spirit revealed to me my purpose as a woman, wife and mother. I have held onto Galatians 2:20 (her favorite Scripture) as my word of deliverance: ‘I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.’ With confidence, conviction and compassion, I’ve accepted the calling of God and am dedicated to preach and teach His Word, and encourage others to realize that God has a purpose and plan for them.”
She serves as a mentor, biblical counselor and teacher throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. “Stay committed to God through your prayer life and the Word of God,” she admonishes. “Ask God to give you a mentor to challenge you, speak life to you and keep you on the right path. This person may not be your best friend,” she goes on to say.
She is also a renown, gifted psalmist, songwriter, choir director, musician, and recording artist, having completed her solo CD project “I'm Determined” and combined CD project “Sing Unto the Lord” with the Temple District Mass Choir under the leadership of Superintendent Robert R. Cole and District Missionary Yvonne Rucker.
First Lady Butler is the devoted wife of Elder Donald H. Butler, Senior Pastor of Praise Center Community Church. They have two gifted children to their union, LaTasha (22) and Brandon (20), and are the spiritual parents to many sons and daughters in the gospel.
Together, Pastor and First Lady Butler are known for their dynamic tag-team preaching, teaching and prophetic ministry, having traveled throughout the United States, and abroad. They are avid seminar speakers and also bible college instructors.
First Lady Christian Magazine for Women is pleased to present the ministry of First Lady/Evangelist-Missionary Yolanda G. Butler. She is doing great things in the Kingdom! Evangelist Butler is available for speaking engagements and may be reached through her website www.firstladybutlerministries.com. <END>
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