Growing up in the Holiness/Pentecostal church, she witnessed her namesake and Aunts work faithfully serving God’s people. Pastor Thelma candidly shares, that although she was reared in the church and saved, she did not live the life of one saved until young adulthood/her young adult years. City of Refuge COGIC in Dallas is where she was planted when the transformation began. Through many challenging life experiences (i.e., her first marriage) she cried out to the True and Living God, and the miraculous work was done on the inside which manifested itself on the outside – equipping her to live the life before all men. For a better portion of 10 years,
  Pastor Thelma found herself a single parent to 4 children and gained even more pearls of wisdom concerning life, the difficulties therein, and overcoming! By the time she married the servant of God, Apostle Billy Grate, and began serving alongside him as Co-Pastor of the Body of Christ Family Church in Red Oak, she was impregnated with the desire to empower women to help themselves, who could then turn around and help other women; and thus W.O.W. was born.

The Men’s Ministry of “The Body” (Body of Christ Family Church) is dedicated to helping men to be the godly men that God has called them to be. The focus is to prepare, teach, and equip spiritual leaders for the last day’s harvest of souls. Most important is encouraging men to take their place as head of their households and to serve God and their families and to be a godly example to their wives, children, and all whom they encounter.

Most importantly we are mindful to live and walk circumspectly before our young boys so as to teach and mentor them in the ways of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Today’s boys are tomorrow’s men of God. 

This ministry is made up of a team of worshipers (Dancers, Flags, Ribbons, Tambourines, Drama, Mime, and Steppers) leading praise, piercing the darkness, proclaiming victory, and ushering in the presence of God that His train will fill the temple and that our Lord and Savior will be glorified.

Some situations are not clear-cut at all, and not all abortions are carried out for “selfish” reasons. Here it is completely necessary to have a personal connection with God. This means being fully tuned to God’s will and directions, even if they go against one’s own will and reasoning – and based on that, be responsible for one’s own decision. All that is done must be done by faith – faith in and obedience to the Almighty God, the giver and taker of life, the righteous Judge, who has an unfathomable love and care for each individual and a divine purpose for each life – for the mother, the unborn child and any others involved. Any decision made together with God is a matter between those concerned and God, and here other people cannot pass judgment.

So what is a Christian view on abortion? Christianity is based on faith in the Almighty God, and in His creating power, both in natural and in spiritual things. The Bible, being the Word of God, is the basis for how we conduct our lives. Our trust is in God, the Almighty Creator, who knows all things – also the lives of those yet unborn. We, His creation, are called to live before Him in reverence and awe, with full, unwavering faith in His boundless love, goodness and wisdom. Any decision made with God brings rest and peace. We believe that many lives would have been spared if God had been sought before these decisions were made.

BEREAVEMENT ~ will be there when someone experience the passing of a loved one. After being notified, we will go into prayer for the family and follow up with a telephone call. We are here to be an example of JESUS CHRIST for the word of God says,

“Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted”. Matthew 5:4 (KJV)

FAMILY CRISIS ~ is here to assist when a family is faced with an unexpected situation that upsets the normal functioning of the family. Many stresses come with an unexpected economic situation, community situation, life events, and natural crisis. God uses his people to help those in need: 

Purpose: To visit those hospitalized. Matthew 25:26 “I was sick and you visited me” Mission: To bring physical and spiritual encouragement to those confined, their families and friends. Foundational Purpose: Most of Jesus’ ministry was one on one. Foundational Scripture: