Surpassing Expectations Pastor Angelic Simmons

Pastor Angelic Simmons spent her youth mostly in Washington, D.C., the place she still calls home. Though her upbringing had many ups and downs, Pastor Simmons was raised by a wonderful single mother who worked three jobs to make sure her young daughter had everything she needed. Pastor Simmons credits her mother for providing an example of how hustle is needed to get things done. “I remembered how my mom made it happen for me no matter what. Even though domestic violence was present in our home, and we had to flee that situation with whatever we had on our back, we made it through.” When Pastor Simmons’ mother married a second time that is when Pastor Simmons gained a father. Watching her mother’s loving relationship with a second husband of 36 years, Pastor Simmons finds joy that her mother finally had the chance to “catch her breath and have real support.”

Pastor Simmons left her beloved Washington D.C., and her job in corporate America to move to Atlanta with her new husband, Superintendent Nathan L. Simmons, pastor of Citadel of Hope Evangelistic COGIC. Once in Atlanta, Pastor Simmons’ husband traveled all over the world, leaving her to cope in a new city alone. As a newlywed, she had to get used to being a “First Lady,” and subsequent pregnancies. Pastor Simmons relinquished everything associated with her previous life to embrace her new role.

Unfortunately, Superintendent Nathan L. Simmons experienced an untimely death at age 46. Pastor Simmons had to take on yet another role—breadwinner of the family. “I didn't really get involved with my husband’s ministry until he got sick. I was part of women's ministry, youth ministry, and helped by preaching from time to time. Now I'm working, walking into church leadership witnessing the aftermath of life after my husband passed away just prior to our eighth anniversary. Wow! So, I'm dealing with a whole lot of things. My children are young—five and seven at the time.”

At the time of her husband’s death, the 36-year-old Pastor Simmons accepted the “clarion call” of God to engage the preaching ministry, https://angelicministries.org/. After serving as the interim at Pastor Nathan L. Simmons’ church, Citadel of Hope Evangelistic COGIC for two years, Pastor Simmons made the challenging decision to move on to serve as the founder and lead pastor of Total Victory Worship Center Atl. http://www.totalvictorywc.org/. She is currently the proud mother of two lovely young adult daughters, Victoria and Alexis, who both are in pursuit of educator credentials in their respective fields. Pastor Simmons continues to move faithfully into the legacy of excellence.

“I accomplished what people didn’t think I would accomplish.”

What is your ministry calling? In what capacity do you serve your church? “I am the Founder and Lead Pastor of ‘Total Victory Worship’ Center in Forest Park, Georgia. Our church sits on four acres of land with two buildings that we own, and this is only the beginning. I have the pleasure of serving the greatest group of people on this earth. We are reaching the community with love, teaching others how to live a victorious life, and building a lasting lifelong foundation. I also have ‘Angelic Ministries’ where my focus is to make prayer a part of our everyday life. Our goal is to teach a generation that with faith and prayer, possibilities are limitless! I bring prayer to the nation Monday through Friday via Facebook and YouTube, where thousands join me at 5 am. I’m also finishing a series of mini books on prayer. Why mini books? I want it to be able to fit in your pocket or your purse... sometimes we are in situations where we don’t always know what to pray or how to pray. Everyone will be able to refer to his or her book, pull it out 26and get a refresher every now and then. The first book will release this spring 2021. We are not stopping there. I’m currently developing a mentorship program for women like myself—women with purpose who have been called to pastor and preach the Word of God. I want to make sure the next generation has the support and the resources they need to continue spreading the gospel. I am fortunate enough to have had some of the greatest women of God touch and pour into my life, and I feel it’s my responsibility to do the same for those coming behind me”.

What insight do you have to help other women who are married to a legacy? “The role of carrying on the legacy of a prominent man such as my husband—this life can result in an obvious Hum that pulsates good vibes at times, contemplative moments at other times and even serve as a never-ending gnawing of wonderment at the brim of my brow seeking a break from life’s stresses. In other words, the ‘good vibe’ of a legacy is how it opened doors for me to preach, because my husband’s name carried a weight on the preaching circuit. The legacy can be ‘contemplative moments’ at times, since in death my husband’s accolades may appear larger than life. The ‘gnawing of wonderment’ may result when people think I have it easy because of who I was married to, not realizing the depth of the struggle I had to endure alone. Ultimately over the years my name alone carries enough weight to get me in the room. I no longer live in the shadow of his legacy but now I have my own. My girls have not only their father but their mother who is leaving an imprint in the world for the kingdom of God and their children to come. Walk in the shoes God ordained you to walk in, not the shoes of the legacy”.

What do you want the reader to take away from this interview? “You have to believe in yourself when no one else believes in you! You have the power to rise above everything life throws at you. Stop limiting people by what you think you know about them. We love to box people in. Don’t just look at me as a Pastor or a woman in ministry but more-so as a woman who has purpose. With purpose, it doesn’t mean it comes easy. I have the same struggles as any other woman. I just happen to preach the word and pastor people as well. But with faith in God, I know that it’s possible. Whatever your “it” is, it’s possible. I am not perfect, but I strive for perfection every day. I believe most women do, especially black women. We just move and think different. Black women have always had to rise beyond struggle. We don’t have to compete with each other, but we complement one another. We all have something to bring to the table. That’s what makes the spread so beautiful—so much variety so many different gifts. We are truly brilliant”.

What motivated you to write your book "From Ashes to Destiny? ” I felt like it was time to tell my side of the story. I mean, my late husband found me, his wife, in another state. So it’s no secret that the red carpet wasn’t exactly rolled out for me upon my arrival. I just wanted the people to know there was more to me than being Nathan Simmons’ wife. My book was written to show the readers that each of us could overcome anything. Just because your beginning wasn’t exactly smooth sailing doesn’t mean your ending has to look like your beginning. God will give you a crown of beautiful ashes. Oil is available because it comes out of the press. I wanted the readers to be encouraged. I want them to know their pain has purpose, and eventually their pain will help them arrive at the place God ordained them to arrive at. So, I told my story. I told it in a way that my daughters would still have respect for both their father and me and be inspired by my perseverance. I wanted to be totally transparent and get rid of the assumptions”.

What is your position in the marketplace and what is your inspiration to follow that calling? “I’m always looking for new opportunities that don’t take away from my responsibility as a Senior Pastor. I’m looking to be a balanced woman. My spiritual call is just one part of me. I want to be the whole woman, and my presence in the marketplace is a part of who I am. I currently invest in real estate and the stock market. My motivation is my daughters. As a single mother, I want them to see their mother owning things and being present in the marketplace. I want my daughters to know that we are the lenders, not the borrowers”.

Who are you, what three words define you? “Loyal – Resilient – Survivor”

Angelicministriesbookings@gmail.com

Angelic Dewitt Simmons preacher, teacher, servant- leader, counselor, author, and mother. Underneath the veil of her humble beauty and gentle smile, is a caterpillar like story of transformation and transition. She has withstood tumultuous times and dedicated her life to cultivating others as they evolve through their trials and advance through their troubles. In each step of her walk with the Lord, she is encouraging others to reach their God-given potential in their personal, professional, and spiritual lives.

Raised in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, Angelic was nurtured in a single parent Christian home with biblical values and principles. A graduate of Calvary Baptist institute and Regent University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Religious and Biblical studies. Pastor Simmons is armed with a word of destiny.

At the age of 28 she married renowned evangelist, Pastor Nathan L. Simmons. After being married for 8 years and serving her husband as ministerial aid and supporter, wife and mother, Angelic Simmons learned the bittersweet side of ministry when her husband died. The loss of her husband impacted not only her, but her daughters, Victoria and Alexis, as well as the members of their church. Uncertain about the future, she was propelled from servant to leader.

Determined to reach her God given aptitude, Senior Pastor Simmons launched Total Victory Worship Center.

Transformed from widow to weapon of power, her anointing deeply penetrates the mind, heart, and soul. Her teaching, preaching, and sharing of the good news of Jesus Christ has liberated many. She is the author of a motivating and captivating book; From Ashes to Destiny. As a woman of style, grace, and integrity, Angelic Dewitt Simmons is an inspiration to countless individuals as she seeks to empower them to become efficient and effective kingdom builder.