COVER STORY - Pastor Sharon Dean Named Interim Senior Pastor of Mega Church

Pastor Sharon Dean Named Interim Pastor of Wake Chapel Church

By: Peggy Tatum

Sharon Dean has the voice of an angel. I once heard her say she was one of those Praise & Worship Leaders who beat up on people when they came in the door if they were not up worshipping and praising the Lord. She now has compassion to meet people where they are, which is reflective in her recorded music. My favorite is “More of You” with her son and producer Darion Ja’Von but watching the video “Surround Me” lets me know the selective lyrics reveal a love letter to God. Lyrics that if repeated by our nation could erase hate and defeat the enemy. I am looking forward to her next single that is in the works.

Sharon Dean is multi-faceted not only as a recording artist but as a motivational speaker, photographer and counselor. She clarifies that her arts photography is not skill driven but coping driven. It turns out to be a storytelling opportunity and healing experience that calms her aching spirit. You can view her gallery at https://www.instagram.com/lifeisapicturegallery/.

I first met Sharon Dean when she was a speaker at Wake Chapel Church’s Gathering At The Well, the premier Women’s Conference in the state. Her smile and graciousness were infectious. Her delivery of God’s Word was so fresh. In December 2016, Wake Chapel Church (WCC) offered her a job as Executive Pastor. In 2019 she launched The Sharon Dean Experience, a platform to change women’s lives through inspiration. Little did she know that 2020 would place her in leadership as the Interim Senior Pastor of a 121-year-old established institution with one of the largest African American congregations in Raleigh, no less during a pandemic. During her leadership, Pastor Dean’s goal is to make sure that WCC maintains the wonderful reputation that it has built. “Wake Chapel is known for being highly involved in community partnerships and being a refuge for certain organizations. We have presence in foster care, adoption, food and feeding programs, some of which are specifically tailored to the needs of South East Raleigh. As it relates to service, we want to make sure that Wake Chapel maintain a very vibrant and helpful presence, not skipping a beat even though we’ve had a change in leadership.”

Social distancing requirements have demanded Virtual Worship for the Body of Christ. WCC has done an excellent job of bringing their online worship experience to a high-end production giving everyone who tunes in a front row seat. Closed services are now being held at the Bland Road location. Tuesday night Time of Empowerment and Sunday morning worship available for viewing and replay on Facebook, YouTube and Livestream.

“It is challenging for many churches now because we have to do it virtually, but we are having pretty good success. WCC disciples are gathering weekly across each of our platforms. My goal during this period in the life of WCC, is to maintain important components of the ministry that have already been established, while in tandem, partnering with the leadership to ensure we do not become irrelevant. Ultimately, the church is called to fulfill (1) the great commission to make disciples and (2) the mission of WCC to be a caring community that offers hope, help and healing.”

“When you have a congregation that is 121 years old, any changes must happen thoughtfully, with God’s guidance. It’s going to take collaboration, a whole lot of prayer, and being intentional to ensure we maintain elements that need to be maintained as we reorganize to accommodate this COVID world.”

Sharon Dean is not stuck on titles even though she has many. Her concern during this Pandemic was figuring out how to be a family that sticks together in the midst of change. “You can call me whatever makes you feel comfortable,” she says. Pastor Dean is comfortable in knowing she is a child of God and a Servant to his people . Visit Wake Chapel Church online at https://www.wakechapel.org/.

Interview by Peggy Tatum