Dr.
Miller an associate minister at The Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church
in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. William E. Flippin, Sr. is the senior pastor.
Dr. Miller was licensed on April 26, 1995 and later ordained February
15, 1998, under Dr. Flippin’s tutelage.
Dr. Miller’s
mission: to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost and to
equip/encourage the saints through drama, preaching, teaching, and
interpreting God’s Word.
She finds a
variety of venues in which to fulfill her mission. Her ministry
opportunities come in a variety of forms:
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Preaching
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Performing weddings
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Leading women’s and youth services
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Speaking at retreats and workshops
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Counseling pre-marital couples, troubled teens, young adults,
unwed mothers, people with addictions, etc.
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Teaching and interpreting incarcerated deaf women.
Dr. Miller’s
father’s preaching ministry influenced her own preaching style.
“My father often spoke of hell,” she relates. “He
told all fifteen of his children God has a place for the unsaved
and disobedient.” Dr. Miller was preaching a sermon at her
home church and admonished the people, “I can hear my daddy
telling us: Hell is a real place – you don’t want to
go there.” The congregation responded and 22 people came forward
for salvation. Joyce says, “Some people may call it ‘fire
insurance,’ but I don’t care what you call it. I just
want people to come to know Jesus.”
Dr. Miller’s
passion for working with women prisoners leads her to several jails
in the Atlanta metropolitan area as well as the state penitentiary.
She tells of one inmate who is serving 30 years. Dr. Miller began
to witness to this woman who had no church experience. The woman
did not understand the concept of sin or salvation. She asked Joyce
why others in the church service would ‘shout’ with
joy. As Joyce began to explain God’s plan for humanity, the
inmate came into an understanding of her need for a Savior. Now
when Joyce visits the same woman in prison, she gives testimony
of God’s work in her life. “I’m forgiven for what
I’ve done,” the prisoner declares. Now she experiences
God’s presence in her life and loves to ‘shout’
for joy as she feels His power.
Joyce’s
daily prayer is, “God, how will you use me today?” He
leads her to volunteer her time to care for elderly people in her
family and in the community. She follows the example of Jesus and
humbles herself to help those who cannot help themselves. She has
been known to brush the teeth of an invalid and prepare food for
the infirmed. He has lead her to shovel mud out of a hurricane victim’s
home, give out tracts at local malls, put her arms around a child
in tears, and so much more. Her heart’s cry is “Father,
I have received much; let me freely give to others.”
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