Faces of our family

Making the transition from college life to a young adult navigating the world is not always easy, but Sis. Rachel McGinnis uses II Timothy 1:7 from the King James Version to guide her. "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind," the verse reads.

"I feel it's pretty encompassing," Sis. McGinnis said. "I've been going to church all of my life and to church-related schools," she said, "so I know scriptures and what they say. But now I am on a journey as an adult to find out what they mean for me."

Sis. McGinnis, 24, said her spiritual journey is about her choices of following the Lord, not just the choices her parents have made for her most of her life.

She joined St. Matthew nine years ago with her parents, Bro. Robert McGinnis, who is a Steward at St. Matthew, and Class 12 Leader Sis. Angela McGinnis, and her younger siblings, Sis. Sarah and Bro. Robert II. The family moved from North Carolina to North Jersey and visited several churches before settling at St. Matthew under the leadership of Pastor Melvin Wilson.

"St. Matthew feels like home and it felt most like our church in North Carolina," Sis. McGinnis said of the family decision to join St. Matthew. "I value the connection with Pastor Wilson. He has your phone number and places you in places in the church where God speaks to you," she said.

The $500 scholarship she received each semester while attending the University of Virginia was a tremendous help, Sis. McGinnis said. She has two degrees, one in anthropology and a second in art history. She is pursuing a career in museum curating. The scholarship money also helps her brother and sister, who are currently enrolled in college. "I went to school during COVID, so having someone reach out and say here's an opportunity for you was very helpful," she said.

She has been a judge in art competitions and earlier this year curated the Black History Month art exhibit for St. Matthew under the leadership of Sis. Merolyn Kelly. She said she still hasn't quite nailed down what she would like to curate in a permanent position in the art world, but these experiences have been very helpful. She hopes to do a similar project for the 2027 Black History Month celebration at St. Matthew.

"I enjoyed being a part of the process and am excited to see where it goes in the future," she said.

As a youth in the church, Sis. McGinnis was active in the Youth Choir, Sunday School, YPD, and Lillian's Closet. Now she is active in A Tribe Called Thrive and in the Hospitality Ministry, and she said she enjoys cooking, especially chicken and pasta dishes.

She is very close to her family and plans to stay at St. Matthew. She enjoys reading and has formed a book club with friends. She also enjoys music and used to play the alto saxophone.

Sis. McGinnis has been active in the Tribe from its beginnings several years ago. "We started informally with Rev. Wilson bringing the young adults together. And I appreciate Rev. Wilson pushing the young adult ministry."

"I make decisions now on whether to pray on the prayer line. I have to experience things for myself. I need to understand how things work in the world."

"Now I am on a journey as an adult to find out what they mean for me."

By Sandra Long Weaver