Reginald Lockhart
It was December 1978 when eighteen-year-old Reginald Lockhart gave his life to Christ. A devoted member of the Lou’s Chapel Church in Spring Lake, North Carolina, Reggie sang in the choir and participated in the men’s ministry, which also included doing odd jobs around the church.
During the next two years God began to speak to Reggie about ministry. Believing himself to be too young Reggie began to question God’s call. It seemed however; the more he prayed the louder the call. Finally he sought the advice of his Pastor who assured him, “God calls who He wants to and uses whoever will let Him.”
But Reggie, now serving in the military, still had questions. Why was God calling him? What did God want him to do? In an attempt to understand God’s plans for him, Reggie decided to take a leave from his service in the Army and go home. He went back to the Ohio, back to his roots. He went back to his aunt’s house in Toledo.
Queen Esther Embry was well-known throughout the city because of her faith in God. The family knew her as Aunt Queenie. Reggie knew her as a woman who talked to God. Every day, at noontime, Aunt Queenie would go upstairs and pray. She prayed in such a way that you could feel the very presence of God. It didn’t matter if you were laughing or talking, the minute she started praying all of the kids and adults would look at one another and then look up to see if God himself would come down those stairs.
It was on the evening of his arrival that Reggie became fidgety; the spirit was upon him. Aunt Queenie noticed and suggested that he take a walk. It was a walk that would change his life.
Reginald left the house and after walking a block he began to feel the presence of God and he was ministered to by the Angels. The Lord revealed to him that his ministry would be one of encouragement. His responsibility would be to spark and lift the spirit of others through the preaching and teaching of God’s word.
Reginald’s call was true. An ordained minister, Reginald continues to lovingly serve the Lord. He has served as an assistant pastor at four churches, as well as district evangelist in the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) in Germany. He became the COGIC State Evangelist for Hawaii.
Today he continues in the ministry of premarital counseling and conducting marriage seminars and has performed many marriage ceremonies. Reginald currently lives in Maryland where he is a member of the Empowerment Temple African Methodist Church. Reginald had written numerous articles and is working on an inspirational book. Look for his website www.exodusthejourney.com.