Conitras M. Houston (The Pastor C)

The Pastor C

A true woman of God, the Reverend Conitras M. Houston strives for excellence in ministry through the Word of God, the Work of God, and the Will of God. She sincerely loves God and God’s people; therefore, she professes boldly the words of 1 Corinthians 2:9 “…no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him”!

Pastor “C,” as she is affectionately called, is the daughter of Bonita Houston and Harold Houston, Jr. and is the proud beloved sister of Harold Houston III and Brian Collier.

In May of 2002, Pastor “C” accepted the call into the ministry and was subsequently admitted for training under the African Methodist Episcopal Church’s Board of Examiners. She delivered her initial sermon and was licensed to preach in December of 2002. Bishop William P. DeVeaux ordained Pastor “C” as an Itinerant Deacon in May of 2005 and an Itinerant Elder in May of 2008, both at the Atlanta-North Georgia Annual Conference.

Just shy of her ordination as an Itinerant Deacon, Pastor “C” graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interpersonal & Organizational Communications with a minor in Spanish. While a student at UNC, Pastor “C” constantly pursued excellence in ministry and academia. To pursue her fluency in Spanish, she studied in at The University of Seville (La Universidad de Sevilla) Seville, Spain throughout the summer of 2004.

With all of her many campus obligations, Pastor “C” never took her focus off the work God has called her to do. In September of 2003, God gave Pastor “C” the vision to start a Bible Study based ministry, which she named “Saturdays In Christ.” "Saturdays In Christ" was an officially recognized campus organization on the campus of UNC- Chapel Hill with “Expansions” that included a Mime & Dance Ministry, a Spoken Word Ministry, as well as a Praise & Worship Team. On any given Saturday afternoon, Pastor “C” would consistently lead a Bible Study session for over 50 of her peers. Whenever weather prohibited Pastor “C” and her fellow Tar Heels from leaving campus for Sunday worship, they would gather together as Pastor “C” offered a sermon and led an upwards of 100 of her peers in worship.

When Pastor “C,” returned to Atlanta, GA in 2005, she quickly expanded her work of “Saturdays In Christ” into an annual performing arts conference known as “Spirit Movers for Christ”. It is through “Spirit Movers for Christ” that Pastor “C” shared her passion for mime, dance, and drama with over 100 children over the course of five days and concluded the intense week with a gospel stage production. Pastor “C” now hosts “Spirit Movers for Christ” in three different cities within the state of Georgia. In 2014, she and the Spirit Movers team were invited to expand their reach to the state of Arizona. Pastor “C” believes that music opens the hearts of young people and inspires them to be who they are truly created to be—Spirit Movers for Christ is one of the vessels God has equipped her to use to impact our world.

In February 2007, Pastor “C” was the youngest among only twelve recipients of Delta Sigma Theta’s Pinnacle Leadership Award. This prestigious award is presented by their Fortitude Educational and Cultural Development Foundation to honor, recognize, and celebrate local African-American women who make contributions to society and impact the lives of others—women who have achieved success in a chosen field and who personify the highest standards of service, leadership, and character. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

In May of 2008, Pastor “C” completed her studies at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology earning a Master of Divinity Degree. During her time at Candler, Pastor “C” continued to strive towards excellence by being among only six students to be admitted into the Master of Divinity Thesis Program. She was also afforded the honor of preaching in one of the Fall 2007 Chapel services with an audience of faculty, staff, and students from the entire Emory University community.

Pastor “C” also believes in being a vital resource to her surrounding community. For this reason, she introduced Gabriel’s House, Inc. to the community of Fairburn, GA in the Fall of 2008. Gabriel’s House serves as a youth center and preserving agent for the entire community—instilling values of self-worth through performing arts, life skills training, and academic enrichment.

Pastor “C” is grateful for the opportunities that she has been given to serve the Lord’s people. After humbly serving as the Youth Pastor and Assistant Pastor of St. John A.M.E. Church in Fairburn, GA for five years, Pastor “C” served as the Pastor of St. Luke A.M.E. Church in Athens, GA until April 2011. In May of 2012, she was appointed as the Senior Pastor of the Greater Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church in Columbus, GA. Under her leadership, Greater Ward Chapel grew tremendously in membership, as well as ministry. The sanctuary and other areas of the facility were renovated debt-free, a community development center serving school-aged children was initiated, the surrounding community was served, and much more. In October 2016, after faithfully serving over four years in Columbus, GA, Pastor “C” was appointed as the first female and 38th pastor of Trinity A.M.E. Church in Atlanta, GA where she now serves a Quality-Rated Early Learning Center and a vibrant, growing congregation. Already, the congregation is increasing in membership and ministry with Pastor “C” as an enthusiastic and spiritually grounded leader. Pastor “C” is truly passionate about the work God has sent her to do—not only at Trinity but also around the entire world. For this reason, Pastor “C” continues to travel preaching and teaching the Good News while mentoring and encouraging Christians of all ages within the United States and abroad.

Beyond all of the technical information, the Reverend Conitras M. Houston loves the Lord. Since childhood, she has always pursued a walk with Christ. Pastor “C” is known for the following quote: “Since God is a God of excellence, God’s children SHALL excel!”

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Pastor “C” as she is affectionately called, is the daughter of Bonita Houston and Harold Houston, Jr. and is the proud beloved sister of Harold III and Brian.

The Season of Lent 2024
Fasting To R.I.S.E.

This year Lent is Wednesday, February 14th- Saturday, March 30th

Lent is the forty-day period before Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on the day before Easter Day. We skip Sundays when we count the forty days, because Sundays commemorate the Resurrection.

The Name:

The name "lent" is a Germanic word that referred to the season of Spring. However, the original Latin translation (quadragesima) of Lent actually means "forty days".

Scriptural Basis for Lent:

Lent owes much of its spirit to the forty days Jesus spent in the desert preparing for his ministry when he was "tested" by the devil (Matthew 4:1-11). The Jewish view of the desert was an abode of demons, and it was in this place that Jesus was offered the opportunity to be the wrong kind of Messiah. He rejected each possibility. For our sake, He was tested so we would know who He was NOT. Jesus did not bribe us with earthly bread (v.3-4),astonish us with feats of invulnerability (v.5-7), nor did He seek world domination or command an army (v.8-9). Jesus simply did the WILL OF THE FATHER(v.10).

Many use abstinence from meat and acts of penance as metaphors during the Lenten season. In a small way, this models the rejection of illusions about what we need, who we are, and who God is. Some give up television, sweets, and a host of others. It is a personal decision that is sacrificial unto God.

During Lent, we abstain from meat on Fridays, Ash Wednesday, and Good Friday! This is a time for unification of the entire body of believers. Quite often, our bodily appetites control our actions. The purpose of fasting is to make your bodily appetites your servant rather than your master. However, fasting is not only total abstention from food. In the historic Church, it means a balanced diet so that your animal appetites become a sort of spiritual snooze alarm. "All fasting should be done for God's glory and spiritual growth"! Lenten fasts are not DIETS used to loose weight.

How To Participate:

When is Lent?

Download FULL Lenten Guide Here