Isaiah 43:19 states: “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” God has made a way through the wilderness for Pastors Demetrus and Rashidah Senior. We know NtoU’s own Demetrus’ story all too well; a talented Christian singer/rapper that was once a self-proclaimed thug locked up for attempted murder and acquitted, but not before he found Jesus Christ. As the father of two teenage sons, Demetrus struggled to create a different path for his boys than he had traveled. Watching his younger son get locked up and also going through a divorce, Demetrus reflected on his own life and prayed for God’s mercy and glory.

Rashidah Senior grew up in a Christian two-parent home and attended a Christian school in Atlanta, GA. She was an honor student, finished high school in 3 years, and went to college on a full scholarship. “Although my life seemed picture perfect, I was missing something. I lacked an intimate power-filled walk with Jesus. I was filled with the Holy Spirit in 2001 and my life was never the same.” In 2006 Rashidah became a minister at New Life Christian Fellowship under Bishop Paul Zink in Jacksonville, FL. She also won a string of pageants through-out the years; crowned Mrs. Maryland United States 2004, Ms. Florida United States 2008, and Ms. Florida Galaxy 2009. After a divorce, she found herself raising her three daughters alone, but she was determined to follow the calling that God had on her life, whatever that would be.

Newly married, the couple relocated from Jacksonville, Florida to Rashidah’s hometown, Atlanta, GA, in hopes of having a new beginning.  Shortly after their move to Atlanta, the two proudly welcomed a set of twins, Sage and Shane, to their already blended family on April 15,2010. As a former youth minister for Bethel Baptist and three CDs under his belt, Demetrus set his sights on focusing on his family, pursuing his music and dedicating his time inspiring the youth of Atlanta, but God had other plans. “While we were house hunting in Fayetteville, GA., I confessed to my wife that I heard God tell me to start a ministry. Surely enough, my wife heard the exact same calling and it was confirmation.”

Excited about the calling over their lives, the two submitted their ministry under Bishop Steven W. Banks of Newport News, Virginia. In January of 2010, the couple started holding Bible study in their home. “That was something new for me because I never trusted people in my home, but God was doing a new thing in me.” They held Bible study in their home for 7 months and then moved it to a hotel during the 8^th month, holding only Tuesday night Bible studies there.  Exactly 34 days after their move to the hotel, God blessed them with their own building.

On October 5, 2010, New Beginnings Harvest Center held their first Tuesday night service. Bishop Rudolph McKissick Jr. of Bethel Baptist Institutional Church of Jacksonville, FL. blessed the church with a message from God in celebration of a new beginning. Their first Sunday service was that following Sunday 10/10/10 because the number 10 represents order. “New Beginnings Harvest Center is a great work birthed out of a sincere passion to share the gospel and unconditional love of Jesus Christ. We are a ministry that will reach the unreachable and touch the untouchable,” proclaimed Rashidah.

Since their first service, the ministry is seeing unbelievable growth and support. God has opened many doors for them and they strive to walk by faith. “No matter what financial struggles we face, God always comes through and it’s allowing us to increase our faith even as Pastors.” Senior Pastor Demetrus Senior explains why family is the ministry’s main focus. “My wife is truly my rib. We have open communication and we have no secrets from each other. She is my best friend and I value our family, therefore we strive to uplift other families.” Their second focus is entrepreneurship because they believe that God has put greatness inside of everyone, it just has to be nurtured and brought into fruition. Co-Pastor Rashidah Senior encourages the ministry and others to never limit themselves to mediocrity. “There is greatness in your DNA so don’t allow anyone to hinder you because they don’t recognize greatness when they see it.”

Pastors Demetrus and Rashidah Senior

When asked if he would still pursue his music, Demetrus reminisces back to a question God once asked him. “He asked me if I was a preacher who sings or a singer who preaches. At that particular time I didn’t know how to answer that because I didn’t know what the right answer was. One Sunday it came to me that I’m a preacher who loves to sing. Singing is a passion of mine but preaching the gospel is my first priority. I’m excited about the new music that will come out of me from my ministry and from my experiences.”

Pastors Demetrus and Rashidah Senior are taking Atlanta, GA. by storm and bringing a type of ministry that allows one to come as they truly are and address their life struggles with compassion and a direct force. “In today’s time, we put value on cars and material items, but we don’t put enough value on people. It’s important that we walk in the spirit of forgiveness and not judge so we won’t become empowered by that other spirit that comes to steal, kill, and destroy; allowing us to devalue people. And that’s Real Talk.”

Demetrus and Rashidah Senior are the Senior Pastors of

NEW BEGINNINGS HARVEST CENTER
102 N. 85 Parkway
Fayetteville, GA 30214
770-460-7565

For more information visit www.newbeginningsharvestcenter.org