Every Friday, Baptist Women in Ministry features a fabulous minister on this blog. Today, we are pleased to interview Tarsha Banister. Tarsha IS what a minister looks like!
Tarsha, tell us about your ministry journey and the places and ways you have served and are serving.
I will never forget being asked to “speak” for youth day at my home place of worship, Good Samaritan Baptist Church located outside of Raleigh, North Carolina. As a young child I recall the elders of the church identifying something within in me that they felt worthy of nurturing and supporting. Their efforts became influential in my spiritual formation providing opportunities for me to exercise my budding gift of preaching, and passion for Christian Education experiences through the Baptist Training Union.
During my formative years I explored a plethora of ministerial vocations, however I was committed to establishing a secular career and temporarily abandoned my call to fulfill my desires of acquiring success. As time progressed, I married my college sweetheart, Rev. Dr. Thomas A. Banister II, and together we became the proud parents of two beautiful daughters DeMaris and DeMia. My husband was called to serve The Temple Memorial Baptist Church in High Point, North Carolina, where we have faithfully served for over thirteen years. It was there that I would work out some of my most challenging yet fulfilling days in ministry.
One of the ways I leaned into my calling was through hosting a women’s book club and Bible study. During the initial launch, over 100 women joined us on the six-week journey of exploring Deborah Anointing by Michelle McLain-Walters. The book is described as this, “Women of God, it’s time to rise up and embrace the calling God has for you. Like the Old Testament leader Deborah, you can be a woman who defies the cultural and gender boundaries around you and fulfill God’s great destiny as a strategic intercessor, and prophet. As you learn about this judge and leader who lived many years ago, you’ll be emboldened to become a modern-day Deborah, walking in a lifestyle of prayer and worship, bringing others to Jesus.”
One particular night while I was teaching on Deborah and encouraging the women to rise and embrace their call I was compelled to search the corridors of my own heart. I began to ask myself: “Are you fully leaning into all of the things that God has called you to?” After Bible study concluded, a woman approached me and extended an invitation for me to attend open house at Wake Forest School of Divinity. I humbly accepted her invitation, which resulted in me applying and later accepting the offer to attend.
During my time at Wake Forest School of Divinity, I have discerned and explored diverse ministerial vocations, including internships as a chaplain at UNC-Rex Hospital and an internship with the Center for Healthy Congregations as a Consultant. On July 25, 2019, I completed my ordination process through the Rowan Baptist Association of North Carolina.
What have been your greatest sources of joy in ministry?
My greatest sources of joy in ministry have been the opportunities that I have to walk alongside people who are facing the most difficult moments as well as the beautiful moments in their life. I have found that the ministry of presence is one that people most appreciate when they are facing the unknown, and that has been a joy for me. There is no greater call than the call to be a compassionate presence at bedside of a stranger who is facing imminent death and their family is gathered around them watching them take their last breath. This level of engagement ignited something within me and caused me to flourish in life, work, and ministry.
Another source of joy for me has been my commitment to embrace the art of Sankofa, which is translated as “Go back and get it.” Through this Ghanaian cultural framework, I am compelled to support, connect and encourage aspiring women in ministry to lean into their vocational purpose by answering the call.
What have been the greatest challenges you have encountered in ministry?
My greatest challenge in ministry has been facing my fears and apprehensions. During my unit of CPE, I came face to face with my personal fears and through contemplative prayer, reflection, and coaching I was able to address some of my deepest fears by successfully navigating the process in a healthy manner. I have also been challenged with balancing all of the wonderful ways that God calls me to be Tarsha, which includes being a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, reverend, leader, and student. This season of my life has been quite unique balancing all of these roles, however I balance it all by embracing God’s grace each day.
What advice would you give to a young girl who is discerning a call to ministry?
The best advice that I would offer to a young girl who is discerning a call to ministry:
(1) Lean into the inner voice of the Holy Spirit that gently calls you to serve in ministerial capacities. Whatever you do, please don’t ignore it because time is of the essence.
(2) Surround yourself with mentors who embody what you aspire to achieve as a woman in ministry and apply their wisdom to your life liberally.
(3) Remain authentic to the “Sound of Your Genuine.” Your calling may not emulate anyone else’s journey; however, it is imperative that you remain true to the work and the ways that God is calling you to embody and live out your purpose. In life-giving words of Rev. Dr. Teresa Fry Brown: “Women in ministry need spiritual, social, psychological, and emotional undergirding as we live this life of service to others. We may have a special call, but we are human beings. Preachers need that proverbial wind beneath their wings too. Those who have real friends are blessed. We cannot be all things to all people because we are not God. We will make mistakes and trust the wrong people for the wrong reasons. We will trust the right people for the right reasons. We may become our own worse stumbling block. The good news is that God gives us discernment if we pay attention. Sometimes the best safety net is solitude. Whether we encounter stumbling blocks or safety nets, God will give us strength for the journey.”