Happy International Women’s Day 2022 to our readers! In celebrating the theme #breakthebias, we feature the first lady of our fellowship who epitomises the call for women to fulfil their purpose in a nurturing environment and a mindset that women are God’s masterpieces.
Hermonica Angela Massiah was born Hermonica Young to the late Capt. Hermon Eric Oscar Young and the late Doris Olive Young in the then quiet ward of Lodge, Greater Georgetown, Guyana. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Bible and Theology from the Caribbean School of Theology, a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Guyana and a Master of Arts Degree from the Global University of Graduate Studies. She ministers alongside her husband, Bishop Dr Murtland Raphael Massiah. She is mother to Marissa, Melinda and Martin and grandmother of four. Elder Angela, as she is fondly called, has upended the earlier stereotypes of a pastor’s wife.
Multi-Faceted Mentor
She recalls the early days of developing the Guyana Association of Ministers’ Wives and Ministers’ Widows (GAMWMW) when women met for fellowship, to pray, and for some ‘me time’ with the sisterhood of other wives, away from managing their homes and family schedules. In those days, ministers’ wives were homemakers, with some working as teachers but not otherwise known for professional careers. Fast forward from the 1980s to the mid-1990s, there was an emergence of a new profile of ministers’ wives who were professionals in the medical, finance and other fields, hence demanding a new approach to ministry in the GAMWMW. Elder Angie is overjoyed to have served at that pivotal period, playing an instrumental role in developing a structure and documenting the history of the association, which continues to grow and make an impact beyond the shores of Guyana. Her work in this ministry also led her to the doors of the International Association of Ministers’ Wives and Ministers’ Widows (IAMWMW), where she served as the 7th International Vice President of the Intercontinental Region, earning several awards, and celebrated as an inductee into the IAMWMW Hall of Honour.
Recognition for her role in empowering women in the fellowship is merely a snapshot of her ministry, which started at a tender age as a Sunday school teacher and then pioneer of the Missionettes Department. This spirit of service continues today, and it could be said that her husband, Bishop Dr Massiah, ministers from the pulpit while she ministers from the pews,
…her husband, Bishop Dr. Massiah ministers from the pulpit, while she ministers from the pews, observing and challenging young women to fulfil purpose
observing and challenging young women to fulfil their purpose. Elder Angela is a keen observer and has an uncanny ability to identify the giftings in persons. Although her humility would not allow her to credit the names of mentees, the benefit from her empathetic leadership and nuggets of wisdom over the years is inarguable.
The Heart of a Servant Leader Seeks No Glory!
In her words, “when you reach out to people, it is not to keep track of who you have mentored but because of a need and the Holy Spirit impressing upon you to help someone move from where they are, to improve and develop themselves.” She has had people credit their success to her advice, and whether she remembers the case or not, she insists the glory should go to God! She is inspired by scripture in Jeremiah 29:11, which tells us that God built purpose into everyone hence we must minister from that mindset.
As a Sunday school teacher in her teens and then as Missionettes Director for many years, Elder Angie recalls many difficult cases of suicidal thoughts and abuse, including incest, amongst young girls. These cases were detected through her observation of students during classes or in other interactions. She remembers a particular young lady hovered near her after services and later opened up about trauma she had endured as a teenager. The young woman was surprised that she was in a judgement-free zone and had the assurance that she was still loved and could get back on track with guidance.
She is convinced of the necessity for Sunday School Ministry, Missionettes and other ministries which teach the gospel and provide a safe space for girls to bare their afflictions, making it possible to bring knowledge to empower families and shift cultures in our communities.
Childhood Influence in a Powerful Parental Unit
Perhaps inherited from her mother, the late Doris Olive Young, her gift of observation has been honed over many. Elder Angie said that her mom had a passion for mentoring and recalls her mom bringing young girls to their home to be taught sewing and craft, which was later displayed at their church. She also fondly recalls observing her mother in the kitchen who would say, “Angela, stop boring me with your eyes.” But this was also how she and her siblings learnt to cook and do other chores.
Recounting her earlier years, she referred to her upbringing as one in a traditional Christian home with both parents present. “You were taught to read in the home through morning devotions, reading passages from the Bible”, she thoughtfully recollected. There was no dependency on the school or church to teach values and discipline. Her mom managed the home teaching them life skills and inculcating good habits like waking up early. She recalls her father as a protector, given his habit of arriving earlier than planned to the home of family members on the rare occasion that he allowed his children to visit others. Her father would also treat each of his children to a Christmas shopping day with an invitation to bring along two friends of their choosing. Hers was a happy childhood, tagging along with her mom for ministry, whether in Women’s Ministry, open-air crusades, or church cleaning.
Shepherdess
Elder Angela was saved at an early age following a message from her then Sunday school teacher, Mr Simpson from Salem Congregational entitled ‘90 and 9 – the one lost sheep’. This lesson included a practical session counting the sheep in the yard up to ninety-nine with one missing. The lesson resonated with her, and she felt that she was the lost sheep hence she gave her heart to the Lord that afternoon.
Sheep seem to be a muse of her ministry.
She chuckled as she recalled another incident of a neighbourhood young man (from down the alley) who tended lots of sheep and goats, seemingly all day. Observing his care for them over a period led to her innocent declaration that she, Angela, intended to become a shepherdess. She did not know the prophetic power of those words until then, Bro. Raphael was called to serve as a youth pastor in the local church shortly after their marriage in 1979. Elder Angela confesses she had no intention of becoming a pastor’s wife, despite a consciousness amongst his peers that Bro. Raphael had the markings of a pastor with much teasing about it. All this only came back when he was credentialed a few years after. In the end, the plans of God surpassed theirs, and in paralleling the book of Isaiah, God just hid the plan until the moment.
‘Lighthouse’ Prophecy
She has indeed become a shepherdess by God’s design and has continued her ministry, including that of Director of the International School of Ministries (ISOM), which has been instrumental in evangelism and planting outstation churches. Looking back on her journey, she can see where her mother’s teachings left signposts to guide her in times of decision making and challenges. The early teaching and reciting of scripture allowed her to internalise and write them in her heart. This means she lives by the guidance in Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
Elder Angie is concerned about the moral compass of our youth in modern-day society, which have been negatively impacted by not planting the word of God into their hearts. She recalled the period in Guyana when crusades were a time of miracles – deaf ears opened and disabilities healed – and she is optimistic about a revival. “God is expecting us to do evangelism”, she quipped.Her formative years with her parents and in ministry have created important landmarks. Singing hymns essentially promoted the recall ability of the Word of God, allowing the Word to minister and the Holy Spirit to move. Her and her siblings role played as teachers and hosts at church concerts, leading her mom to conclude that young Angela seemed inclined to take up a position in ministry. She looks back fondly on the good memories over those years and insists that ministry in the church is still valuable and relevant. She was never bored, always adventurous
She is proud of the pioneering work of the local church and is happy to see the coming to pass of that which was prophesied, that FAOGW would be a ‘lighthouse’.
and lived her best life every day [“vivez votre meilleure vie”]. In fact, her prayer for young people is that they enjoy their youthful life. This comment was accompanied by her trademark smile, full of warmth.
Elder Angela is proud of the pioneering work of the local church and is happy to see the coming to pass of that which was prophesied, that FAOGW would be a ‘lighthouse’. She believes that more prophecies will be unveiled as God continues to fulfil His promises to our fellowship and us. Our faith should not become weak, but we should stay in God’s plan and wait on God’s timing!
She is a mother and teacher, leader and mentor. Her ministry of mentorship has helped so many to #breakthebias. She is the quiet observer, ready to arrest every young woman (and man) to fix their proverbial crown of potential and purpose. We leave you, our readers, with a call to serve and do the Master’s will, inspired by her favourite scripture in Ephesians 6:7,6 [the verses are deliberately inverted for emphasis]. Her commitment is further inspired by the Charles Wesley hymn – A Charge to keep I Have.
A Charge to Keep I Have – Charles Wesley
A charge to keep I have,
A God to glorify,
A never-dying soul to save,
And fit it for the sky.
To serve the present age,
My calling to fulfil:
Oh, may it all my pow’rs engage
To do my Master’s will!
