The Evangelist: Memoir of Nettie B. Rogers

By Dr. Inetta F. Rogers

As we reflect on the history of women in ministry, we see few women who undergo denial as preachers or evangelists but who managed to survive with strength, poise, and godliness. This is the case for Evangelist Nettie B. Rogers.

As a minister of the gospel, Evangelist Rogers faced many adversities. She remained steadfast, however, and did not denounce her calling to the preaching ministry but remained true to it. She persevered as a strong supporter of female ministers of the gospel.

Throughout her life, she cast her bread upon the water, evangelizing and ministering to others. She indeed had a vertical love for God and a horizontal love for her family and humanity. Her memoir reflects her positive work, and after many years of labor, the Lord blessed the work of her hands.

This book is essential reading for women and men entering the ministry and facing challenges. May you be encouraged.

And in the words of Evangelist Rogers, "Tell Him [God] 'Thank you!' Mighty Sweet! Mighty Sweet!"

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Feb 9, 2022
• ISBN: 9781639031955

Book preview

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The Evangelist

Memoir of Nettie B. Rogers

Dr. Inetta F. Rogers

ISBN 978-1-63903-194-8 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-63961-776-0 (hardcover)

ISBN 978-1-63903-195-5 (digital)

Copyright © 2021 by Dr. Inetta F. Rogers

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Memphis Inter-Denominational Fellowship, Incorporated

Memphis, Tennessee

This memoir is collected and compiled by daughter Inetta F. Rogers and is written to honor the life and the legacy of Evangelist Nettie B. Rogers, evangelist, loving mother, prayer warrior preacher, and community servant.

Preface

Maybe you heard her preach from the pulpit at a time when women were forbidden to share the Word of God from the ambo.

Or maybe you heard her voice praying to God in private and with fellow activists who marched for equality among all of God’s children.

Or maybe she encouraged you with words of comfort when you felt sad, anxious, or lonely.

Or maybe you were homeless, and she gave you a place to stay, even if you couldn’t pay rent.

Or perhaps you were hungry, and she fed you and filled your heart and soul with compassion and love.

In her eighty-six years, Evangelist Nettie B. Rogers lived a life that made her children arise and call her blessed, her husband also.

She sacrificed for others and gave of herself in ways no one can truly measure. She, indeed, had a vertical love for God and a horizontal love for her family and humanity. Her story reflects her positive work, and after many years of labor, the Lord blessed the work of her hands.

She was an evangelist, a loving mother, a prayer warrior preacher, and community servant.

She was our mama, and this is her story.

Acknowledgments

There are many who contributed to and made this memoir possible. We extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all. It is our prayer that the work of your hands be blessed.

The adult children were interviewed and through tears reflected on precious memories and shared the many stories about Mama.

Joy Rogers Stout

James M. Rogers

Dr. Vanessa Rogers Long

Dr. Inetta F. Rogers

Loverta Rogers Dorris

Many thanks to those who agreed to be interviewed and shared their experience and memories about Evangelist Rogers:

Rev. Christine A. Glass, associate minister, Koinonia Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. LaSimba Gray, pastor emeritus, New Sardis Baptist Church

Ms. Vivian McKnight, member, Grace M. B. Church

Ms. Thelma Nelms, founder of Mission Possible: Christian Outreach Service Mission

Rev. Dr. James L. Netters, pastor emeritus, Mt. Vernon Baptist Church—Westwood

Rev. Dr. Melvin Charles Smith, pastor, Mt. Moriah East Baptist Church

Mr. Charles Rule and Mrs. Sandra Rule, former tenants

Mr. Stanley Garrett, professional roofer

Attorney Jocelyn Wurzburg, civil rights activist

Special thanks to Dionne Chalmers, writer, who conducted a personal interview with Evangelist Rogers in 1991.

Thanks to anthropologist Rhonda Campbell Culver and writer Vera Clark, who read various editions of the manuscript and made recommendations on how to make the book come alive.

Sincere thanks to Maria Wolf, writer, who took the initial draft, interviewed many people, and wove their stories to make Evangelist Rogers come alive on paper.

Overwhelming thanks to writer Denise Owens Miller, who finalized the documents with her creative writing skills and personal familial touch.

Many thanks to those who wrote letters to Evangelist Rogers and honored her for work.

Deepest thanks to those pastors, churches, and friends who welcomed Evangelist Rogers into the ministry/pulpit, even when it was not popular or conventional to accept women in ministry.

1

The Work of an Evangelist

In-Person Interview Conducted

by Writer Dionne Chalmers

August 1991

Who can find a virtuous woman? is a question asked in Proverbs 31. In the description of a virtuous woman, the author says, She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

Evangelist Nettie B. Rogers continuously stretches out to churches, communities, organizations, senior citizen groups, and children. I don’t like to talk about myself, but may the works I’ve done speak for me, said Evangelist Rogers very humbly as she rocked in the red chair on the porch of her two-story South Memphis home.

The works, by no means few, include her teaching and witnessing about Christ; distributing food and clothes to the needy; registering individuals to vote; counseling prisoners; collecting flowers, cards, and food for funerals; working with neighborhood groups; being