By Carl Stagner

“The Church of God is my family, and justice is my song.” The words of Kimberly Majeski ring true for many as the Movement gears up for Convention 2021 and General Assembly. When approached to fill an open slot in the Denver lineup, Kimberly jumped at the chance, already resonating with the theme of the event centered on the interconnectedness of justice, righteousness, and Jesus. While much of the Church of God is familiar with the Anderson University professor of biblical studies and Christian ministries who founded Stripped Love, a closer look at her life and ministry today reveals a minister motivated to tune hearts to the loving, radical, and absolutely extraordinary Person of Jesus.

For twenty years, Dr. Kimberly Majeski has served in full-time preaching ministry. An ordained Church of God pastor, she has spent much of her time on the campus of Anderson University, readying hearts and minds for vocational ministry. In the past decade, CHOG Trafficklight highlighted and supported her work through Stripped Love, a nonprofit serving survivors of domestic sex trafficking. But, her biblical scholarship, especially in New Testament studies, as well as her advocacy for women in ministry, has captured the attention of, and coverage by, the History Channel and A&E, as well as other publications and books. In 2019, Kimberly founded Preacher Girl School, a “dynamic online preaching community and academy for women, by women.” To date, Preacher Girl School has trained nearly 200 women around the world. Kimberly Majeski’s present priorities shed light on her primary involvements and pursuits today.

Dr. Majeski featured on TV for her biblical scholarship.

Motherhood. Without hesitancy, Kimberly points to her role as a mom to her six-year-old son as top priority. “I am learning on the job, have no expert training, and fail miserably, at times,” Kimberly reflects. “But I am here to hold space for the man he is becoming, walk through all the fears that he shoulders, help him build strong morals and ethics, and make sure he knows the lovingkindness of Jesus above all.” Sure, Kimberly wears a lot of hats, but that of mother matters most. “The most important role I have in the universe is mama to Max, and I am savoring every moment.”

Legacy matters to Kimberly Majeski, too. Though she recognizes the word can carry unintended baggage, Kimberly clarifies that she’s been focused lately on ‘recording’ the work she’s accomplished over the first half of her professional life. “I am concerned now with publishing research, contributing to the field of New Testament studies in meaningful ways, and promoting a legacy of the academy in service to the church.” She zeroes in on an important goal of this effort. “I want the church to know the stories of the early church holy women, to understand the biblical legacy of women and leadership, and for that heritage to become as celebrated and accepted as the arguments for complementarianism.”

Majeski represents CHOG Trafficklight at Convention 2014.

Then, there’s advocacy. This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who knows about the justice component of what wakes her up in the morning and fuels her zeal for divine activism. Kimberly Majeski prioritizes advocacy for the poor, the widows, the orphans, the refugees, and anyone oppresses or overlooked in society. “Anyone who knows me knows the core of my faith is found in the call to serve ‘the least of these,’ she explains. “It is as innate and as integral as the blood in my veins.” Though Kimberly is no longer the CEO of Stripped Love, the ministry she still supports strongly is just one example of her heart for justice manifesting in action. “I am a follower of the Jesus who wrote in the dust, who welcomed the prostitutes, and who found more righteousness in sinners than the religious elite. So, I continue to tell their stories, hope to compel others to listen, and invite allies to partner for the good of those in need.”

The same Jesus who wrote in the dust is the same Jesus who inspires Kimberly Majeski to sing the song of justice wherever she can. She humbly requests the prayers of the Movement ahead of her speaking role at Convention 2021, longing to speak only the words her Lord gives her. In the meantime, she reflects on the theme of our gathering Denver, scheduled June 26–29.

“According to Scripture, the work of sedekah/righteousness is to do justice, to serve the poor…the widows, the orphans, those from other lands, those in need. It is to this righteousness, this justice work that God calls God’s people throughout the Hebrew canon by virtue of covenant. It is this work we see Jesus himself do throughout the Gospels, and call others to follow him in; it is this righteous undertaking that the fledgling church of Jesus Christ lives into in the dawn of its earliest days. I am so grateful for the opportunity to gather with my Church of God family in Denver around conversations of righteousness and the work of justice that flow from our unwavering devotion to Jesus, themes that are central and sacred to our heritage as Christ followers and in the Wesleyan Holiness tradition.”

It’s not too late to join us in the Mile-High City for Convention 2021 and General Assembly. For all the details you’ll need, visit www.chogconvention.org.

Feature (top) mountain image © Can Stock Photo / cheleblaine.