OAK RIDGE, TENN. (May 10, 2022) – Spurgeon Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Zion (AMEZ) Church is celebrating the 1st year of its Pastor Rev. Erica N. Haigler on May 15th. All are welcome to attend the celebration at the church at 100 S. Benedict Avenue in Oak Ridge, Tenn. Rev. Haigler made history in June 2021, when she was appointed Pastor of Spurgeon Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church making her the first female pastor in the history of the church and the first African-American female pastor in the city of Oak Ridge according to news reports.
The celebration will begin with the morning worship service at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 15. The guest speaker will be Rev. Dr. Richard M. Gadzepo, Presiding Elder of the Chattanooga District AMEZion Church, and Rev. Larry Brinson, Knoxville District Evangelistic Leader will MC the celebration.
Pastor Haigler is grateful for the opportunity to work for God’s glory and to serve God’s people. “It’s fulfilling to give God and His people your best. Be kind, loving, and authentic said, Pastor Haigler. “It always yields a greater reward. I was raised on these principles and I will never abandon them.”
Pastor Haigler earned dual Bachelor’s degrees in Fine Arts and Education and a Master’s degree in Education-Curriculum and Instruction from Tennessee State University in Nashville.
Pastor Haigler preached her maiden sermon in 2006, at Mt. Pleasant A.M.E. Zion Church in Rockford, Tennessee under the tutelage of Rev. Dr. Richard M. Gadzekpo who will be the guest speaker at the celebration.
Professionally Pastor Haigler works as an Independent Contractor for a national agency to help families through mental and behavioral health trauma. In this position, she provides intensive mental and behavioral health services to families and children who have experienced trauma and life-altering circumstances. She is also a certified HIV/AIDS Counselor and is pursuing certification as a Registered Behavior Technician and Life Coach. She is a member of the Oak Ridge Chapter of the NAACP, the Oak Ridge Ministerial Alliance, Women’s Interfaith Dialogue of Oak Ridge.
An appreciation dinner will be self-pay at Aubrey’s in Oak Ridge, TN. Please RSVP by contacting the church by Fbook, or call 865-483-3439; or sign-up at Spurgeon Chapel AMEZion Church, 100 S. Benedict Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN.