An Extraordinary Journey with Jesus: A Forty-Day Guide to Experiencing the Lenten Season (Or Any Season)

By Loyce Agnew McCullough M.A.

A Biographical Sketch about the Author



Loyce Agnew McCullough was born in West Memphis, AR December 24, 1942. Her parents were Odell and Fredericka Agnew. She grew up in Jonesboro, AR and attended Booker T. Washington High School there. She graduated #4 in her class.

Loyce gave her life to Christ at age 11 as her mother taught her that she must be born again. She began to seriously study Gods Word at age 16 and discovered that the LORD would be her teacher in every subject in school. As a result of making that discover she began making the honor roll.

Loyce went to Philander Smith College, in Little Rock, AR where she met Dorsey McCullough, a minister in training. Loyce later went to Shorter College, North Little Rock, AR, Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, OH, and returned to Philander Smith College after getting married to Rev. Dorsey McCullough. They both graduated together after their first three children were born: Victor, Micah and Louisa (twins). Later, she graduated from the University of Washington with a Masters degree in education. In the state of Washington, she had three more children: Frederick, Dorceia, and Milton.

She worked with her husband, as he served a pastor of seven churches within African Methodism. She served as Young Peoples Director of the Kansas-Nebraska Conference Branch W.M.S, where over 70 people gave their lives to Jesus. She also became Conference Branch President for the Kansas-Nebraska Conference and the Puget Sound Conference. She served later as the Fifth Episcopal District chairperson over the Scholarship Committee. Many young people received scholarships for the enhancement of their education

Loyce has also taught in the following school districts in the following cities: Seattle, WA, Bremerton, WA, Wichita, KS, and in Portland, OR. She has also tutored many children in the various churches where her husband, Rev. Dorsey McCullough was appointed pastor, especially at Brookins AME Church, Oakland, CA and Ebenezer AME Church in Stockton, CA.

Sis. Loyce worked with the Rev. Dr. Dorsey McCullough, the founder, pastor and teacher of New Directions Christian Fellowship (Interdenominational) Church, in Stockton, CA. She has many roles as first lady: Christian Educator, Sunday School Teacher, Missionary Supervisor, writer of brochures, tracts, etc.





In September 2007, Sis. Loyce was given a dream by her heavenly father. She dreamed that she was preaching all over this particular church. She was so stunned that she did not even share this with her husband.


That Friday night, they went to celebrate Pastor and Mrs. Parkers Anniversary at Wells of Living Water Community Church. The church was filled with divine love. Near the close of the service the Mistress of Ceremony asked her to sing a solo. (This lady didnt even know whether or not Sis. Loyce could sing.) The Spirit of God led her to sing He Looked Beyond My Faults and Saw My Need. The church got on fire and would not stop singing this song. She began ministering to the people, but doesnt remember what she said. To her, this whole experience was Gods calling her to preach and to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She had never experienced such anointing before. This was indeed a wonderful, spiritual event in her life.

In November, 2008, Loyce was ordained as a preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After her husband went home to be with the Lord, (June 17, 2010) she became the pastor of their newly founded church.

Pastor Loyce Agnew McCullough is the mother of six children; Victor Wimbley McCullough, Minister/Minister of Music; Micah Prezel McCullough,Minister and serviceman in the Air Force, who is married to LaVonda McCullough, Louisa Michelle McCullough, a business woman, Frederick Joseph McCullough, a pastor and evangelist in the A.M.E.Church, who is married to Courtnee Mills-McCullough, Dorceia Juanita Watkins, pastors wife, homemaker, home school teacher

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 12, 2011
• ISBN: 9781462889020

Loyce Agnew McCullough M.A.

Loyce Agnew McCullough was born in West Memphis, AR December 24, 1942. Her parents were Odell and Fredericka Agnew. She grew up in Jonesboro, AR and attended Booker T. Washington High School there. She graduated #4 in her class. Loyce gave her life to Christ at age 11 as her mother taught her that she must be born again. She began to seriously study Godås Word at age 16 and discovered that the LORD would be her teacher in every subject in school. As a result of making that discover she began making the honor roll. Loyce went to Philander Smith College, in Little Rock, AR where she met Dorsey McCullough, a minister in training. Loyce later went to Shorter College, North Little Rock, AR, Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, OH, and returned to Philander Smith College after getting married to Rev. Dorsey McCullough. They both graduated together after their first three children were born: Victor, Micah and Louisa (twins). Later, she graduated from the University of Washington with a Masterås degree in education. In the state of Washington, she had three more children: Frederick, Dorceia, and Milton. She worked with her husband, as he served a pastor of seven churches within African Methodism. She served as Young Peopleås Director of the Kansas-Nebraska Conference Branch W.M.S, where over 70 people gave their lives to Jesus. She also became Conference Branch President for the Kansas-Nebraska Conference and the Puget Sound Conference. She served later as the Fifth Episcopal District chairperson over the Scholarship Committee. Many young people received scholarships for the enhancement of their education Loyce has also taught in the following school districts in the following cities: Seattle, WA, Bremerton, WA, Wichita, KS, and in Portland, OR. She has also tutored many children in the various churches where her husband, Rev. Dorsey McCullough was appointed pastor, especially at Brookins AME Church, Oakland, CA and Ebenezer AME Church in Stockton, CA. Sis. Loyce worked with the Rev. Dr. Dorsey McCullough, the founder, pastor and teacher of New Directions Christian Fellowship (Interdenominational) Church, in Stockton, CA. She has many roles as first lady: Christian Educator, Sunday School Teacher, Missionary Supervisor, writer of brochures, tracts, etc. In September 2007, Sis. Loyce was given a dream by her heavenly father. She dreamed that she was preaching all over this particular church. She was so stunned that she did not even share this with her husband. That Friday night, they went to celebrate Pastor and Mrs. Parkerås Anniversary at Wells of Living Water Community Church. The church was filled with divine love. Near the close of the service the Mistress of Ceremony asked her to sing a solo. (This lady didnåt even know whether or not Sis. Loyce could sing.) The Spirit of God led her to sing ôHe Looked Beyond My Faults and Saw My Need.ö The church got on fire and would not stop singing this song. She began ministering to the people, but doesnåt remember what she said. To her, this whole experience was Godås calling her to preach and to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She had never experienced such anointing before. This was indeed a wonderful, spiritual event in her life. In November, 2008, Loyce was ordained as a preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After her husband went home to be with the Lord, (June 17, 2010) she became the pastor of their newly founded church. Pastor Loyce Agnew McCullough is the mother of six children; Victor Wimbley McCullough, Minister/Minister of Music; Micah Prezel McCullough,Minister and serviceman in the Air Force, who is married to LaVonda McCullough, Louisa Michelle McCullough, a business woman, Frederick Joseph McCullough, a pastor and evangelist in the A.M.E.Church, who is married to Courtnee Mills-McCullough, Dorceia Juanita Watkins, pastorås wife, homemaker, home school teacher, singer, who is married to Andrew Watkins, business man and pastor of New Direction Christian Fellowship, Houston, Texas, and Milton McCullough, Minister of Music, song writer. She is the grandmother of aboub 24 grandchildren. Her goal in life is to please God, first of all, and to do all the good she can, for all the people she can, for as long as she can.

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WEEK ONE

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I know not what

The future holds

But I know Who

Holds the future.

Day 1

Ash Wednesday

Where He Leads Me, I Will Follow

For the Word came unto the king of Nineveh,

and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him,

and he covered him with sackcloth and sat in ashes.

Jonah 3:3

Ash Wednesday is the first day of the Lenten Season. It is a time of inward reflections and discipline among Christians who are seeking to draw closer to God. This is a special time for all believers to diligently seek his face.

At the Ash Wednesday service, the pastor or priest will use the palms from the previous Palm Sunday. The ashes from the burnt palms are mixed with olive oil and used to make a mark of the cross on the forehead of each person who participates. This is a dedication for each person to do what it takes to grow stronger in the LORD. Pope Gregory I in the Roman Catholic Church introduced this custom in 1091.

As we begin this Lenten Season let us begin with confessing our sins and humbling ourselves under the mighty hand of God so that we may be exalted in due time. May we be ever faithful on this journey. May this be your theme: Where He leads me, I will follow. If you follow Him, you will be headed into a new direction, which will be filled with the joy of the Lord, the fruit of the spirit, and with supernatural strength.

You may decide to miss a meal or two, or give up desserts, candy or soda. Whatever your plans are, the Lord will be pleased. Remember, Jesus fasted forty days and forty nights so that He would be strengthened for His ministry for us.

*     *     *

Read and Meditate on Jonah 3:6-10

PRAYER

Dear Lord, as I begin this journey of fasting, praying and seeking your face, please be my helper. Send you precious Holy Spirit to aid me this day. Where you lead me, I will follow. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Day 2

Jesus, Our Excellent Example

And Jesus, being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan,

and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness,

Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.

Luke 4:1-2

It has been expressed many times that if Jesus had to pray, I must pray. If he had to fast, then I must fast. You see, Jesus is truly the example of how we ought to live as born-again believers in Him. It has been scientifically documented that fasting contributes to our health and total well-being. This really applies to persons who may fast once or twice per week.

Perhaps the more seasoned saints can fast for forty days (but usually eat at night). Some of them fast both day and night. Maybe you are young and have never fasted. Whatever the case, you are encouraged to give up some food or snacks in order to grow in wisdom, knowledge and understanding of God and His Word. You may try missing one meal a day and feeding on the word of God during instead. Try giving up a candy bar and saving the money to put in Sunday school or the church offering or to a charity such as Feed the Children. Some may just have liquids, such as water, coffee, or juice. The key is to stay focused on Jesus. As the songs says,

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Behold His wonderful face,

For the cares of the world will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace.

Read and Meditate on St. Luke 4:3-13

PRAYER

Dear Lord, please teach me how to deny myself and to take up my cross to follow you daily. Help me to be more like Jesus, our example. Help me LORD during this forty-day Lenten journey. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Day 3

Giving in