Poised and Destined to Lead
The recent news of the passing of Bishop Iona Locke broke my heart. Preacher Girl Swag was trying to partner with Bishop Locke for a Preaching Conference and we just could not get our schedules together. But there is nothing but RESPECT for this iconic leader. I wanted to honor and share some respect for the late and great Bishop Iona Locke. On Saturday, December 18, 2020, the world and the Body of Christ lost a General in the Gospel. It was a sad day, but a day of thanksgiving for the life and example of a phenomenal woman. There are 4 reasons that I love Bishop Locke. Bishop Locke was a very well educated and respected woman, a trailblazer in ministry, a powerful voice in Pentecost and Music, and she was a style maven. We can learn so much from her life.
Thought Leader and Scholar
Bishop Locke was the standard for excellent ministry and she will be remembered for that. She was born in Pittsburgh, PA. She later attended Harty's Bible College. She served in leadership capacities for several denominations and was international evangelist who traveled the globe preaching and teaching God's word. She continued her educational aspirations all the way to the doctorate level. Bishop Locke completed her doctorate in Theology and Divinity Programs in July 1994. That is also the year that Dr. Locke stepped out on faith to birth the ecclesiastical alliance, Christ Centered Ministries Assembly, over which she was consecrated bishop.
You cannot talk about the Mothers of Zion and the Mothers of Pentecost without mentioning the dynamic Bishop Iona Locke. She was the author of several doctrinal manuals and teachings and she has mentored many. She also wrote the book "Poised to Emerge the Power to Become." She was an unyielding servant of God who believed in chasing after God and living holy.
Trailblazer for Women in Ministry
Bishop Iona E. Locke was consecrated as bishop on August 23rd 2000, as Presiding Prelate of Christ Centered Ministries Association. She was pastor of Christ Centered Ministries and the Abyssinia Christ Centered Ministries in Michigan. Instead of waiting for a male dominated denomination to affirm her leadership ability and call, she affirmed her own call to do what God said and stepped out to form the Abyssinia Christ Centered Ministries where she was the presiding prelate. I came to know of her while watching Azusa tapes in the 90s and I was amazed at her command of scripture. She was poised in her preaching and deliberately articulate in her speech inspiring you to listen and to listen closely. She was the spiritual daughter of Bishop Norman Wagner and she moved the needle forward for all women in ministry. She was destined by God to lead the way in ministry.
As a young Christian woman, it was important for me to see women in leadership in the church. It reminded me that my future in the faith would not be limited to my gender. Although I receive a call to ministry at a young age, I struggled with the thought of whether I would be received by the generals of the Gospel. I wondered if women would receive the respect that they deserved as clergy women. I literally watched Bishop Locke lead the way in garnering respect as a clergywoman and establishing a ministry, church and fellowship that she led. She exemplified Godly character in everything that she did. we all know that Character in ministry is so important. It will make you or break you.
Her preaching was immaculate. She was known for her dynamic and stirring preaching, her skillful teaching and scholarly vernacular. She was able to exegete a text with a fine lens and then interpret its meaning in a way that moved us and challenged us to do better. Most preachers know that your close (end of a sermon) has to be climatic and celebratory. Some preachers fall short. But Dr. Locke's close was skillful, harmonic and powerful. Her preaching voice was unique, strong and husky. It demanded your attention, but it also slayed you as well. She would have the whole audience on their feet by the end of her messages. That's powerful. I was told that good preaching should inspire you and empower you. That is exactly what Bis Locke's preaching did. Many of Bishop Locke's messages spoke about Holiness and righteous living, but I really enjoyed her scholarship.
Timeless Powerful Voice
"Your voice matters." It matters in music, in ministry and in every aspect of life. What distinguished and classic voice. Bishop Locke had a classic, timeless and powerful voice. She was a singer, orator, arranger, recording artist, and producer. She helped to usher in a new sound of music that was brewing in Michigan. If you heard a woman speaking with deliberate enunciation and articulation you know that you were hearing the power of Her Grace Bishop Iona Locke. Some people remember her for her uniquely powerful voice: it was stirring and her preaching cadence was rhythmic and flawless.
To this day, you can find her prophetic messages of hope on digital services such as mp3s and YouTube. She did not try to be more than she was, she did things her way. that's empowerment. True leaders do not wait for others to validate their ideas, ministry, voice or actions. They pioneer unchartered terrains and are unafraid to act.
She was an inspiration to all and a women of influence. Bishop Locke was a musician and the first to receive a recording contact for her preaching from Intersound Records in 1993. She was the first preacher (male or female) to be distributed on cd and that's monumental. I'm reminded of a recording that she did with Pastor Marvin Winans and Perfected Church. Bishop Locke was invited to preach at many events across denominations and fellowships. She was a sought after speaker because she was a consummate "Truth Teller" and researcher. Bishop Locke had a knack of telling the truth and being unashamed to tell things as it T-I-S. We loved that about her. Who else could preach about being wise or a fool and the world still loved you?
I've seen a video of Bis. Locke preaching where she reprimands the band because she said that the weren't playing the right chords. You have to have some knowledge of chord structures to be able to call the band out. You also have to have a musical ear to be able to differentiate between what is secular and Godly.
The Style: Poised, Elegant and En Vogue
Bishop Locke was known for her style "swag" and femininity. She preached with power and prayed heaven down in her stylish garments. There was a confidence about her that made the entire look come together. Outside of the pulpit she wore St. John suits and carried a knock out purse. Today we would say that she had "swag." She changed the game with the way she dressed when she preached and led congregations with class and a feminine touch. She was the total package from her hair and nails down to her shoes. In fact, many women began wearing St. John suits and a statement Louis Vuitton bag just like her. We also marveled at the many vogue hairstyles she wore. because of her example, I can wear my red hair when I preach and not become a reproach. I have Bishop Locke to thank for that example. there is so much more that I could say about her style, but the photographs that you will find speak for themselves.
It didn't matter what name brand label she wore, She provided the charisma, poise and grace o make it her own. she was royalty and everyone knew that about her. She carried dainty women's hankies and wore freshly styled nails. Every hair was in place and she stood tall in her heels when she preached. I'm not sure if she preached in platform heels, but I know that whatever platform she preached on was never the same. This speaks to the care involved in her feminine presentation. She did not want to be pigeon holed into the masculine preaching standard that existed. She created her own style and was 100% herself. She "ripped the runway" before it was even a thing and she did it with such class and dignity.
A you can see, I am thankful for the wonderful example and the life of Bishop Iona Locke. I think that the world should know of her wisdom, beauty and preaching power. Although I never physically met her, I had the honor of sitting in an Elevation Service that she performed at her church and it was life-giving. I'm so grateful that I was there to experience her ministry in person. If you're looking for a word, or you want to hear this timeless voice I talked about, please google her messages. You wont' be disappointed. Checkout her famous "Warfare Prayer" or 'Praise Ye the Lord" sermon that will knock your socks off. there's so much to choose from in her catalogue. Don't forget to grab our Women Preachers t-shirt in which we honored her legacy 2 years ago. Preacher Girl Swag will continue to honor and uplift the legacy of this great woman of God. We hope that you will join us in celebrating her life.
With gratitude,
Preacher Girl Swag