Jarena Lee, 1783–1864

Jarena Lee, 1783–1864

Evangelist

Jarena Lee had so much stacked against her. As a black woman in the United States during the time of slavery, she had no power or rights. She struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts. She went through the unimaginable loss of 6 of her family members, including her husband, in a short duration of time, leaving her to provide and raise two children on her own. But despite her circumstances, she heard God ask her to preach the gospel and her spirit was stirred by His call.

Jarena submitted this calling to her pastor, Richard Allen (see our Feb 5 post), but he did not feel comfortable having a woman behind the pulpit. Eight years later, Jarena was in the church service when the power of God descended on her and she leapt up and began preaching with incredible authority. Richard Allen, realizing that the Lord had anointed Jarena to preach, encouraged her to run with her calling. Jarena proceeded to preach regularly to black, white, male, female, methodist, baptist, and several other congregations throughout the United States.

Learn more and here.

“Here by the instrumentality of a poor coloured woman, the Lord poured forth his spirit among the people…there were lawyers, doctors, and magistrates present, to hear me speak, yet there was mourning and crying among sinners, for the Lord scattered fire among them of his own kindling. The Lord gave his handmaiden power to speak for his great name, for he arrested the hearts of the people, and caused a shaking amongst the multitude, for God was in the midst.”