Memphian Reniece Ward Stevenson fulfilling her God-mandated calling as the Senior Servant of Yielded Transformation Ministries
Andre Johnson 
I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. (Ecclesiastes 9:11 KJV)
THE ROMANS 12:2 AFFECT
Reniece Ward Stevenson doesn’t shy away from the notion that she’s always been equipped with a competitive nature to excel in whatever she aspires to accomplish in life.
In many aspects, it safe to assume her fervent drive is such that she’s destined to become a better version of herself.
Every. Single. Day.
“I have always had a competitive nature,” Stevenson told Making Headline News during an interview this week from Memphis. “Growing up as an athlete, I would set records and attempt to beat my own times and scores. I was always driven and focused.
“Using these skills that I acquired as a young girl have become an innate characteristic that I have. It is now a part of who I am. That discipline, that perseverance, that tenacity was birthed on the basketball court and, today, it is yet a prevalent part of my personal life and my ministry.”
Without question, Stevenson’s steadfastness has benefited her mightily, considering she has emerged as a constant — and respected — fixture in the Body of Christ.
MORE ON YTM: https://www.yieldedtransformation.org/
A native Mid-Southerner, Stevenson has fully embraced the divine calling for which she was created as the founder and Senior Servant of Yielded Transformation Ministries, her Memphis-based, Christ-centered institution that has garnered a considerable amount of success. Suitably referred to as YTM, this church’s credible mission is centered largely on sharing the saving and healing Gospel of Jesus Christ by changing generations — one life at a time.
Yielded Transformation Ministries is located at 1519 Gaither Street in the South Memphis area.
A beloved preacher’s kid — or “PK,” as it’s commonly called in the modern-day church — Stevenson, 46, is the daughter of retired Memphis Pastor, Bishop Lee Ward, the founder of the historic Greater Harvest Church of God In Christ. Given her sometimes uncompromising and obstinate upbringing, it’s obvious Stevenson was born serve God’s people for such a pivotal time as now.
“My personal mission is to reach the lost,” Stevenson says without. “This is beyond just coming to my church, but I am determined to help people foster disciple relationships within the kingdom.”
As Stevenson is swift to acknowledged, the size of her congregation has nothing, really, to do with the monumental task to which God has assigned her.
“My mission is beyond numbers,” Stevenson explained. “But my personal mission is about equipping and empowering people to be effective in what they are called to do and who they are called to be in Christ.”
A 1992 graduate of Memphis Overton High, Stevenson’s experience in ministry spans more than three decades, the bulk of which she appropriately acquired under the tutelage of Bishop and Mother Julia Ward.
“I grew up seeing true ministry in action,” Stevenson said of her parents’ influential and life-altering impact. “Real ministry and examples of holiness.”
For what it’s worth, the immeasurable guidance Stevenson routinely had — she still does, to be honest — at her parents’ disposal is something by which she doesn’t merely take lightly.
“Over 30 years. Wow!” Stevenson says in pure wonderment. “It’s amazing how time flies when you are walking in the will of God. Looking back, I can say I am thankful for my personal walk and my spiritual journey.”
Much to her delight, it is a remarkably enraptured, yet sometimes turbulent and seemingly insurmountable journey, one that has given way to this young, vibrant preacher deeming it absolutely essential to grab a firm hold of her heaven-mandated calling that’s centered on steering God’s people in the right direction.
Besides, she knows full well if God said it, that settles it.
Which, as far as she’s concerned, isn’t merely up for debate.
“In the words of Micah Stampley, ‘I have been troubled, yet not distressed. I have been perplexed, but not in despair,’” said Stevenson, sounding as if she’s preaching mini-sermon, of sorts, while addressing the media. “Because I am a vessel, full of power with a treasure none can compare. In this season, we cannot be ashamed or afraid of the place God has us in. We are boldly testifying of His goodness with no hesitation or regrets.”
For Stevenson, her rise to sustained success in ministry comes with no regrets.
None whatsoever, she emphasized.
Talk about a slam dunk of an admission by a former competitive basketball player whom, to her credit, has been blessed with a solid itinerary that will greatly enable her to further advance the kingdom.
“God has blessed me to have an extensive list of engagements and events on my calendar,” Stevenson says with such grace. “When I said, ‘Yes Lord,’ I meant it with my whole heart. And, in this season of being a willing vessel, the Lord has created many platforms and opened the doors for massive kingdom assignments.”
After all, she knows full well that if God said it, that settles it.
PRESENCE OF ROYALTY
PASTOR STEVENSON’S BOOK
Stevenson is nearing the one-year anniversary in which she ceremoniously made her authorship debut.
On October 31, 2019, Stevenson witnessed the much-anticipated release of Refocus Your Faith, her spiritually-empowering written work that addresses, among other things, how believers ought to respond, particularly when things transpire in our lives that essentially “chip away” at our faith.
BUY PASTOR STEVENSON’S BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Refocus-Your-Faith-Reniece-Stevenson/dp/1702563340
“I am sure we all could tell a few stories of how life has pushed us into seasons of transition, which we felt led us straight into the wilderness,” said a spokesperson for Stevenson’s Refocus Your Faith in a detail synopsis of her book at Amazon.com.
“It’s during these times, we have to regroup. In these times, we need strength to regroup and reset. If we can be honest, it’s difficult to remember the promise when you are in the wilderness season of life. As believers, we must hold on to our faith, especially when life takes its best shot.”
A book that is comprised of 109 pages, Stevenson’s Refocus Your Faith has generated a rash of favorable feedback.
“We have to take some time to simply refocus our faith to help put things back in perspective,” said an Amazon spokesperson for Stevenson’s book. “I pray that this 21-day devotional helps you refocus as you continue on your faith journey.”
A Family Supervisor at Agape Child and Family Services, Inc., Stevenson holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Crichton College, where she minored in Biblical Studies. Consequently, she acquired a Master’s in Human Services (with a concentration in Counseling Studies) from Capella University.
For more information about Mid-South Pastor Reniece Ward Stevenson of Yielded Transformation Ministries, to schedule her for a public appearance or speaking engagement, call 901.258.7229 or connect with her via social media at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YTMgeneration/; Instagram: @ytmgeneration; Twitter: https://twitter.com/YTMgeneration; YouTube: Yielded Transformation Ministries. Also, send email to: [email protected].
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Andre Johnson is the award-winning Founder and Publisher for Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former staff reporter of sports for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send email to [email protected] or to [email protected]. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.
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