Servant Leader

Jane Nichols...Costume Design Director:

Costume Design Director: Jane Nichols Greetings, my name are Jane Nichols and I live in Shallotte, NC. I have been married 24 years to one of the most wonderful, loving and understanding man on earth. His name is Charlie Ray.

We moved to Shallotte 15 years ago from Winston-Salem, NC. This is the second marriage for both of us. Between us we have 3 wonderful children. Ray had adopted Eric and Noelle when they were babies.

Amy is the youngest; she was mine through a previous marriage. Ray had lost his first wife with cancer and I lost my husband to another woman. When we married the childrens ages were 12, 14, and 16. I will tell you it was not the Brady bunch. Only through our faith in our Lord did we make it a family.

Ray and I were both members and very active in the Moravian Church. I taught Sunday school and we both worked with the youth in different programs. The Sunday school class played match making and I must say our marriage has been blessed every day. We have 2 grandchildren in Winston-Salem and Amy lives in Charlotte, NC

Since living in Shallotte we have been a member and active in a Methodist Church. Yes, I am still teaching Sunday school for children and help with a Mother Morning Out Ministry program at the church. Ray is active in the Adult Sunday School Class. He likes to cook, so he is a great help in the kitchen when the ladies need help.

We are both active in community projects. I work one day a week at a Non-Kill shelter for cats. Since working with Gods wonderful creatures we now have 4 cats of our own we have adopted. They bring much joy and laughter to our home. Ray works with Habitat for Humanity 3 days a week. He gives around 1,200 hours a year working with building homes and relationships with these wonderful families. Between houses he also works with Senior Projects in the Brunswick Community. God has blessed us with time, talent and health to continue to work with Habitat for Humanity and other volunteer programs.

I enjoy working with children. Especially teaching and doing craft with them. I have been painting all my life but really did not take it seriously until about 25 years ago. I love to paint anything on anything as long as it will stand still. I love painting murals, which I have been blessed to do in many homes in the area and Wilmington. God has blessed me with a little talent and I enjoy painting Christian murals in churches. I have always had Jesus in my heart. I have not always been as faithful about going to church. Like most we have had our ups and downs. When the time gets rough we fall to our knees. Thirty-two years ago on my knees I prayed if He would save me and my child, I would always be a good and faithful servant. I have been in church since then trying to serve where He called me to serve Him and others. I must say God has given me many opportunities to serve.

As we get older and our families are grown, we get into a rut. Even churches can become comfortable in their ways. Teaching all the time and not having a Bible Study to keep feeding me, I had become numb and in a rut with my church life.

I was just going through the motions at church. I needed a place where I could give my time and talents. God knew I was getting frustrated. I was helping with a childrens summer program at the church last summer with a dear friend. I was in the fellowship hall painting for a little play when Rev. Diana Payne entered the door. She was so full of life and just glowed and draped with the spirit. She was there to see my friend. I could not help but listen and notice this ladys joy talking about Anointed Vessels Ministry. My friend was going to see Rev. Payne on a Monday night and invited me to join her. I thought I was going to see a play that night. Only to find out when getting there it was a work session.

My friend was going to work so I jumped in and I have not looked back. I have never been around such God filled Servants in my life. My life and walk with God has been renewed!!! I know God lead me to Anointed Vessels Ministry where I am allowed to give back what He has blessed me with all these years. Being 63 does not mean it is over I believe it truly is the beginning and Anointed Vessels had brought life back into my walk with God. I want to serve my Lord and Anointed Vessels has given me that opportunity. HERE I AM LORD! After a season of serving, I was asked to be Servant Leader and Costume Director. I would like to close with 1 Timothy 1:12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to His service. Your Sister in Christ Jane Nichols