Shepherd Mother Celeste Evans
Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the Lord is the
beginning of knowledge
60 Years of Service
When you think of Celeste Evans you think of a woman that has lived and
is living a life that is truly dedicated to God and his will. Mother Evans was truly a devoted wife to former
Pastor Elton Evans and is a loving mother of four children.
Mother Evans and her late husband were led to The Church of the Living
God in 1950 and she has remained a devout and active member in every way. She
has been a member of this church for 60 years and has lived her life in honor
to God.
For all of us that have been blessed to be in Mother Evans' presence we
know that she is a mass of contradictions but always the same. She has the
ability to be strong, yet gentle. She is firm yet kind. She is always thinking
of others and what she can do to make things happen. And with God's help she
does deliver.
Through constant prayer she faithfully asks God for guidance, surrenders
herself to Him and asks that His will be done. Through her obedience to him, so
many lives have been touched by God's grace.
She has been blessed with a unique ability to see the potential in others
that they often times don't see in themselves. She has helped members of this
church identify their potential and has pushed them to use their talents for
the Lord.
She is strong and determined. She
is confident and sincere and we are blessed to have her as our Shepherd Mother.
Proverbs 11:16
A gracious woman retaineth honor...
Mother Evans prompts self-motivation in others. During her 60 years of
service as a member of The Church of the Living God, she has belonged to
numerous auxiliaries and has been an active member of several committees.
She plays the piano. She has sponsored several programs for the youth of
the church and the children of neighboring communities such as Summer Bible
camp and various other activities. She
has hosted fundraisers and taught Bible Class.
These are only a few examples of her dedication over the last 60 years. Whether it was visiting the sick or scrubbing
the church floors. She was/is always working hard and has served the Lord in
many ways, never looking for recognition and always giving the glory and honor
to God.
She is loyal and humble. She is
thankful and loving and we are blessed to have her as our Shepherd Mother.
Proverbs 31:30-31
Charm is deceitful and beauty is
passing but a woman who fears the Lord, shall be praised. Reward her for all she has done and let her
deeds publicly declare her praise.
The idea of "how to do" is not enough for Mother Evans. She
can't and won't stop there. But, her steadfast approach is always with selfless
motivation and it is always with "others" in mind and God's love is
expressed through her as a result.
Countless lives have been affected through her desire to help others. If
from nothing more than a kind word, an encouraging scripture, or a silent
prayer, her ultimate focus is to transform life as we know it into the
"something beautiful" that takes place with Christ's involvement.
She is a teacher and a leader. She
is creative and a true humanitarian and we are blessed to have her as our
Shepherd Mother.
Matthew 25:35-40
For I was an hungered and ye gave
me meat: I was thirsty and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me
in:
Naked and ye clothed me: I was sick
and ye visited me: I was in prison and ye came unto me.
Then shall the righteous answer him
saying, Lord when saw we thee an hungered and fed thee? Or thirsty, and gave
thee drink?
When saw we thee a stranger and
took we thee in? Or naked and clothed
thee?
Or when saw we thee sick or in
prison and came unto thee?
And the King shall answer and say
unto them, verily I say unto you, in as much as ye have done it unto one of the
least of these my brethren you have done it unto me.
Mother Evans had compassion for the homeless and the hungry. The doors of
the church soup kitchen were opened from 1987 through 1996, up until the health
of her husband could no longer withstand the task. Nutritious meals were
provided for all who came and clothing was given to those in need.
Soup for the soul was provided in addition to the natural food supplied
daily, as prayer and words of encouragement were also given to all who came to
be fed.
From early morning to evening you could pass the church and see Mother
Evans and her husband Pastor Evans sorting donated clothing and preparing for
the next day's meal.
Countless lives have been affected through her desire to help others.
She is loving and concerned. She
is generous and inspiring and we are blessed to have her as our Shepherd Mother.
