Jacob’s Chapel CME Church in Talladega has announced the 2009 annual revival, which will be held July 20-22 starting at 7 nightly. The guest minister will be the Rev. Barbara Embry of Christ Deliverance Christian Center, also in Talladega.

“Rev. Embry has served in the Gospel Ministry for nearly 25 years,” according to a press release announcing the revival. “She is involved many local community activities — The Talladega Ministerial Alliance, A Remnants Place, chaplaincy at Citizens Hospital and others. Her passion and belief is to empower people to go beyond their present place in life and always submit to God things of excellence in the highest degree of integrity.”

Embry is a native of Talladega and was educated in Talladega city schools.

“Her passions and dedication to succeed in life led her to continue her education in Huntsville and Atlanta, respectively. She was employed for many years in the technology field as an information systems manager for Doctors Memorial, Southwest Community and Dekalb General hospitals in Atlanta,” according to a biography provided by the church. “She worked later in the broker industry at Financial Corporation of America in the same technical capacity. For three years, she held the vice president position for the Hospital Computer Group for the state of Georgia.”

At the same time, the bio continues, “Embry served on several committees with the Fulton County Board of education, which instituted the no pass, no play ruling for high school sports in the county schools. For her efforts in helping to equip young welfare mothers for gainful employment and for job placement of these students, she was named the Job Developer of the Year by the Private Industry Council of Atlanta. Her passion has always been to empower people to go beyond their present place in life.”

Embry says now she always knew she had a calling to the ministry, even if she didn’t always know exactly what. “I knew there was something there, but I didn’t know what it was until I was about 25 or 30, when I started to get serious.”

One of the great experiences of her life came through her friendship with Charles J. Sargent, of both Friendship Baptist Church of College Park, Ga., and the Interdenominational Theological Center of Atlanta. “Knowing him and learning from him, I had the advantage of seminary before I ever went,” she said. Sargent ordained her as one of the first black female Baptist ministers in Georgia. She returned to Talladega a short while later, in 1989.

“Having been in the Gospel ministry nearly 25 years, she has served as pastor of Kings Chapel Congregational United Church of Christ in Alpine and is the founding pastor of Christ Deliverance Christian Center, Talladega,” according to the bio. “In 1990, she was awarded an honorary doctorate degree in systemic theology for her dedicated work of ministry. Her passion and compassion continues for the people. Her belief is that they should always submit to God things of excellence, in the highest degree of integrity … She serves with the Talladega Ministerial Alliance and the Talladega High School’s Motivational Team. She has been instrumental in the birthing of several community programs, such as: M.I.R.R.O.R. Image Male Mentorship, Image League Summer Basketball Program, After His Heart Mentorship for Ladies, First Friday Teens, Kidz Kamp, A Remnant Place, Choices Teen Conference, Talladega Youth Network, and the recently formed Isaiah 58 Food Ministry at Christ Deliverance Christian Center. Her time spent in the community and civic involvements are attempts to empower people to go beyond the norm.”

She is married to Pastor Bobby Embry, her husband of more than 40 years; she is the mother of twins, Pastor Tim Embry and his wife, LaResea, and Sister Tabatha A. Embry. She is grandmother of Krissi, Mallory and Maggie, Treacyuna and Tae Keith; and she is a mentor to many.

Tuesday’s revival will be aimed specifically at youth and young adults.

“We invite you all to join with us in celebrating all that is good in our children and offer words of hope and comfort to them as they negotiate the pathways of life. Help us lift the name and spirit of the Lord through song, music and celebration. Rev. W. Clinton Hayes is the pastor of Jacobs Chapel CME Church,” according to the announcement.