Sis. Tonjie Roberts
Sis. Tonjie Roberts knows everybody's name at St. Matthew, but not all of the faces. So if you see her during the week at the church while she is working, she may not recognize you until you tell her your name or she recognizes your voice from a phone call you've made to the administrative office.
For nearly 25 years, she has been the administrative assistant to three pastors at St. Matthew. Sis. Roberts built the membership database for the church and inputs all information about each member into the system.
"It is very unusual for a person to work at a church as the Office Manager for the many consecutive years that Sis. Tonjie Roberts has worked for St. Matthew," Pastor Melvin Wilson said. "She has worked with three pastors. She was hired by the ninth Pastor of St. Matthew, Rev. Reginald T. Jackson (now Bishop). She worked with the 10th Pastor of St. Matthew, the late Rev. Dr. Lanel Guyton, and has been working with me, the 11th Pastor of St. Matthew, since my arrival in June 2018," he explained.
"It took a little while for us to learn each other's style, but I quickly discerned that Sis. Tonjie was and remains committed to the ministry of St. Matthew. I love that she anticipates my pastoral needs and lets me know what she is doing without me asking her. She is firm with the saints and with the community, and often goes above and beyond what is required. I trust her with the operation of the office and the oversight of other staff. St. Matthew is better because of her presence."
And Sis. Roberts feels the same about Pastor Wilson. "I enjoy working with him and Rev. Leslie," she said. She recently worked with the Women's Summit at St. Matthew with a special focus on the food.
Bishop Jackson, who was the pastor who hired her, did not want someone who was a member of St. Matthew, Sis. Roberts said. He wanted a person who would be supportive to the pastor and treated the community well. Sis. Roberts is not a member of St. Matthew but is an active member of New Hope Baptist Church in Newark along with her mother and other members of her family. However, she is an active participant in the work done each week by the Food Pantry at St. Matthew.
Sis. Roberts was also a first-hand witness to the construction and expansion of St. Matthew. "It was amazing to watch and see the changes each week," she said.
She grew up in East Orange and now lives in West Orange with her son, Akeise. Her favorite scripture guiding her life is John 16:33. "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."
"St. Matthew is better because of her presence." — Pastor Melvin E. Wilson
Sis. Roberts enjoys working on food committees at her home church and at St. Matthew. She especially likes trying out new recipes and adjusting the ingredients and style of cooking so it is something her family will enjoy. And she is a ketchup expert. "Heinz is the best," she said.
Sis. Roberts sees her mission as helping people and making a difference in their lives. And she does that Monday through Friday each week here at St. Matthew.
By Sandra Long Weaver