The Late Pastor Dr. Geraldine 'Mom' McInnis (1950-2010)
http://www.facebook.com/geraldine.mcinnis?ref=tsDr. Geraldine Harris McInnis was born Monday, May 8, 1950, in Washington, D.C to the late Frank and Bethenia Harris and entered into eternal glory on Sunday, May 30, 2010.
She attended Cardozo Senior High School, where she was an active member of the Thespians, a drama club, and enjoyed playing softball. She was very popular and maintained friendships for over 40 years with her fellow students. While attending Cardozo, she met Larry McInnis, who also was a member of the dram club. They became the best of friends and in 1971 were united in marriage. From this union they have three wonderful and gifted adult children: LaGerie McInnis, Christopher McInnis (Lisa), Chamille McInnis and one grandson DeShaun McInnis. Her family always came first and with open arms she housed and comforted many through the years.
Later, Dr. McInnis enrolled in the Washington Technical Institute and received her Associates Degree in Educational Technology and went on to teach children of Congressmen and Senators in Washington, DC. Always being a strong advocate for education and Godly character, Dr. McInnis taught more than the ABC's. She later earned her Bachelor's Degree in Biblical Counseling, Master's Degree in Christian Counseling and lastly her Doctorate Degree in Theology from Fort Wayne Theological Seminary.
In 1974, Dr. McInnis accepted her call into the ministry and continued to faithfully serve the Lord at Bible Way Temple. In the early 1980's, she transitioned to Shiloh Abundant Life Church along with her husband and family in support of the newly planted church under the leadership of Bishop Darnell Leach. In 1988, she was ordained to the office of Elder and three years later consecrated as Assistant Pastor. She founded Renewed Life Ministries and served the community through outreach programs, boldly proclaiming the Word of the Lord beyond the walls of the church in the streets and neighborhoods of the broken and bound. The Lord used her mightily as described in Isaiah 61:1: "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hat anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bid up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound." Lives were forever changed as people were made free. Often going against the tradition of female Pastors during that time, Dr. McInnis encountered and overcame great persecution and obstacles to proclaim the relevant word of the Lord. Dr. McInnis served as Senior Pastor for 19 years. In 2001, Renewed Life became Royal Priesthood Temple of Praise now located in Lanham, MD.
As CEO and founder of The ARM Connection Inc, the Apostolic covering of ministry gifts, churches and ministries nationally and internationally, she served as a much needed leader to leaders. Meeting the needs of leaders across the nation, The ARM Connection Inc. was designed to strengthen and fortify leaders as they fulfill their missions and mandates to the world. Dr. McInnis was also the founder of eight restoration outreach programs that are developed to bring wholeness to broken homes, hearts and communities.
Affectionately known as "Dr. Mom," Dr. McInnis was an excellent communicator and contributing writer for multiple publications. She was a regular columnist of 'Online with Dr. Mom" fro PreachingWoman.com, an online Christian Magazine and a collaborative author for the book, The Fragmented Heart Healers. Her last article admonished broken workers to "Return to Duty" and complete the work. She was a covenant partner of Christian International Network Ministries in Santa Rosa, Florida with Bishop Bill Hamon; a pastor with New Beginning Fellowship of Churches founded by Bishop Darnell Leach; and a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Dr. Mom was a sought out prophetic voice and delivered God's Rhema word with illumination and precision, crossing racial, gender and generational barriers. Serving as a certified crisis interventionist, motivational speaker, writer, artist and community leader to thousands, Dr. Geraldine Harris McInnis effectively completed her mandate even to the last moment when she preached at the Shiloh Abundant Life Women's Retreat on the topic: "Mothers Heal Your Daughters and Daughters Help Your Mothers" - delivering corporate and individual prophetic words. She was also featured in the Gospel Today Magazine as One of the World's Most Loved Pastors and is the recipient of the Governor's Citation in the state of Maryland for thirty years of ministerial service to the community.
She was a woman of character, who notably and boldly proclaimed the Word of the Lord in season and out for over 34 years. Never wasting a moment, she poured out her life as a drink offering to bring God glory and wholeness to the hearts and homes of others. She exemplified grace, hospitability, faithfulness, love, sincerity, authenticity, all the while adding laughter, joy, healing and truth to each life.
The thermostat for generations of all ages, titles, and genders, Dr. Geraldine McInnis fulfilled the mandate on her life effectively and without hesitation through Jesus Christ. A Loving Mother, Wife and seasoned homemaker and a universal model for God-centered leadership, she was genuine, loving, warm, sensitive, anointed, prophetic, humorous, and down to earth. She taught by example and gave with immeasurable love. Dr. Geraldine McInnis reflected the heart of a true leader, as well as intercessor,. She was careful to give God the Glory, the Honor, The Praise and always pointed you to the Father as Christ did. Missed, but never forgotten and always loved; To know her or see her is to see one who belonged to God and served Him diligently. No compromises, no questions and no complaints; just an unashamed commitment to God.
Dr. Geraldine McInnis was preceded in death by her sister Joyce Byrd (Elijah) and brother, Frederick Harris. She leaves to cherish her memories, her loving husband of 38 years, Larry Taylor McInnis, two daughters LaGerie Nicole McInnis and Chamille Monet McInnis, one son Christopher McInnis (Lisa), two sisters, Patricia Harris Welch (Jerry), Hazel wade and two brothers Harold Lee Harris (Jeannie), and Frank "Rudy' Harris (Pearlynn); one Aunt Olivia Tyson (Louis), her loving god Daughter Lisa Ford (Adam), her faithful Armor Bearer Angela Jones, and a host of nieces, nephews, and spiritual sons and daughters.
"I'm running! Who's running with me?" - Dr. Geraldine Harris McInnis.
