Dr Vanessa Dantzler Ussery
info@celebratechange.org http://www.celebratechange.org (866)232-8176
MINISTRY AREAS Christian Living, Counseling, Evangelism, Family, Healing/Deliverance , Leadership/Management, Marriage, Men, Motivational, Religious Education, Stewardship, Theology , and Women.
Introduction
Pastor Vanessa is known for her insight, clarity and ability to clearly communicate God's Word to those in need of encouragement, hope and reconciliation.
Biography
Mission Statement
To minister to the whole person, providing each individual revelatory knowledge to be changed into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ and apply biblical teaching for practical daily living.
Biography
Dr. Vanessa Wainwright Dantzler Ussery is the daughter of the Sherman Walter Wainwright and Sylvia Tolbert Wainwright. She is the eldest of three children; her sister Pamela Faye Martin and brother, Sherman Walter Wainwright II. She was saved at the tender age of eight and is the third generation of a long line of men and women who were trailblazers in the early days of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. (PAW). Her maternal grandparents were the late District Elder Lambert Tolbert, Sr. and Evangelist Claudia Tolbert, deceased. They were both saved in their early teens and joined in Holy Matrimony by the late Bishop G. T. Haywood, the first Presiding Bishop of the P.A. of W. Her great-grandparents were Elder James and Sally Tolbert who in the early days of the P.A. of W. traveled extensively establishing churches throughout the country. Growing up it was her parents aim to train their children to be dedicated to God, so the home atmosphere was one of prayer and holiness.
When Pastor Dantzler Ussery left home to attend college her parents admonished her to observe Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
Dr. Vanessa Dantzler Ussery is the Senior Pastor of Apostolic Faith Home Assembly, Inc. (better known as "Home Assembly"). This church is the oldest apostolic church in Los Angeles affiliated with the international organization, the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. Pastor Dantzler Ussery's appointment as Senior Pastor marks an historic occasion for the Home Assembly, as she is the first female to pastor the "mother" church. However, in consideration of the lineage of this woman of God the appointment seems extremely apropos.
While attending Occidental College in Eagle Rock, California, the Lord allowed the paths of two young people to cross, resulting in the union of Pastor Dantzler to Dr. Gregory Rochelle Dantzler. They were joined in holy matrimony on February 14, 1976 and to this union they were blessed with one son, Gregory II. "Doc" as he was affectionately called by family and members of the AFHA, passed away and entered into God's eternal rest on Wednesday, February 4, 2004. He was truly a man of God that expressed a great love for his wife, family and God's people. His legacy continues through the AFHA Nutrition and Physical Activity Program and the annual "Dr. Gregory R. Dantzler 'Master Your Health' Golf Tournament" held the 2nd Monday in April.
On Saturday, May 12, 2007 Pastor Dantzler and Charles Blakey Ussery, Jr. were married in Dana Point, CA in the presence of their immediate family. Charles is a committed man of God and is a devoted husband to his bride. A graduate of the University of Southern California (USC), he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration. Prior to earning his degree, Charles was a member of the Trojan's 1978 National Championship Team and played as a starting defensive lineman during his 4 years at the prestigious institution. After college he played professional football in the United States Football League for the LA Express and transitioned to the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams until suffering a career ending injury. Since 1989 he has served in the aerospace industry and is currently employed with American Airlines in Aerospace management. Charles gives all the credit to the Lord for blessing him to meet his lovely wife and enjoys sharing the story of how they met.
Pastor Dantzler Ussery, a graduate with honors of George Washington Preparatory High School, holds a Bachelors of Art degree in Psychology from Occidental College and a Bachelors of Religious Studies from Aenon Bible College. She has also received an honorary doctorate in Theology from Aenon Bible College, Indianapolis, IN.
During her time as a faculty member of Aenon Bible College, Pastor Dantzler Ussery taught courses in church administration, church history, public speaking, English composition and church worship. During Suffragan Bishop's tenure as President of Aenon Bible College, she served as the school Business Administrator. When Bishop Benton opened New Life School of Ministries, she served as the Administrator and taught several different courses offered.
God called Pastor Dantzler Ussery to the ministry of preaching as a teenager and she preached her first sermon at youth service on Tuesday night in 1970. She became a licensed minister in 1980 and was ordained in 1992. She has been a faithful member of this church since September 1965. The odyssey with the church's leadership began for her in 1980 when Pastor Dantzler Ussery accepted the position of personal secretary to the then Senior Pastor, G. Grady Benton. She served in this capacity until her promotion as Senior Pastor. She was also promoted within her tenure as Business Manager and Youth Director. By 1989, she had become the Executive Minister which required her to assume duties not only related to the finances of the church, but also those related to spiritual programs and activities.
In August 1993, she expanded her role in the spiritual leadership of the AFHA when she was chosen by God to be the vessel to succeed Emeritus Pastor Benton. She continued to work faithfully in spearheading the project which resulted in the development of the G. Grady Benton Educational Complex. In addition, she remained active in all her church administrative duties, such as office manager, finance manager and church membership maintenance. On June 9, 1998, Suffragan Bishop G. Grady Benton officially passed the mantle to Pastor Dantzler Ussery at an installation service officiated by Bishop Henry L. Johnson.
Pastor Dantzler Ussery is extremely proud to have served more than a quarter of a century at the AFHA; 18 of those years under the leadership of the late Emeritus Pastor Benton. She praises God for the privilege of being mentored by such a dynamic man of God. She is excited and encouraged about her present appointment and the church's growth and evolution. As Senior Pastor, she works tenaciously to develop an agenda for the church that includes the church's motto "CHANGE: Come Have A New Growth Experience" (a registered trademark of Apostolic Faith Home Assembly, Inc.)
