| Lucretia describes Nanchang as
a provinical capital and a growing industrial city of 3 to 4 million
in the hot, arid corner of southeast China. Most of the province
is rural and poor and is covered throughout by mountains and lakes.
Lucretia’s call to mission service began at a Bible study,
which “reawakened some areas that needed strengthening—tithing,
mission, focus on service.” Then, “prayerful study
and meditation led me to use the next chapter of my life to continue
to follow Christ, teach, lead a Christian life as a disciple,
and be available to serve.”
She found her first opportunity to serve overseas with the Peace
Corps and worked in the Ukraine from 2001 to 2003, where she was
a teacher trainer at Volyn State University in Lutsk.
Her experience in the Ukraine made her realize the importance
of community. “I became part of the community at many levels,”
she writes, “from my teaching jobs to shopping at ‘my’
thrift store and bazaars, developing relationships with the bread
lady, the commandant at my hostel, and my neighbors.”
Prior to enlisting in the Peace Corps, Lucretia taught English
as a second language at Dekalb Technical College in Clarkston,
Georgia (1994 to 2001).
She was a senior secretary at Emory Crawford Long Hospital of
Emory Healthcare in Atlanta, Georgia, where she gave administrative
support for pulmonary function, EKG, neurophysiology, and respiratory
therapy. Prior to that, Lucretia was the subscription services
manager for the Presbyterian Publishing House in Atlanta, Georgia
(1981 to 1990).
Lucretia began her work-life as a teacher in Rochester, New York,
where she served for 13 years in the 1960s and 1970s in the Rochester
City Schools and the Gates-Chili School District.
She holds a bachelor of science in elementary education from
East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee, and
has a TESOL (Teaching English as a Second Language) certificate.
Lucretia was ordained to the office of elder at Memorial Drive
Presbyterian Church in Stone Mountain, Georgia, where she continues
to be a member. She is the mother of three adult sons.
Birthday: August 10
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