“Church History is the record of God's gracious, wonderful and mighty deeds, showing how by His Spirit and Word He rules His Church and conquers the world.”
Nils Forsander,
"Without understanding the past, we are unable to understand ourselves, for in a sense the past still lives in us and influences who we are and how we understand the Christian message."
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Evangelist Glenda Williams Goodson
Dreamer. Visionary. Leader.
BACKGROUND
Glenda Williams Goodson remembers as a girl the joy of discovering books by and about African Americans. She has always had a penchant for history, especially African American history and is one of the Church Of God In Christ’s most respected leaders in historical circles.
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She serves the body of Christ in many areas. A gifted writer, she self-published her first book, I Commend Unto You Phebe, in the late 1980s. Others books, biographies articles, essays would follow as the Author, Journalist and Speaker researched, wrote and conducted workshops to inspire today’s generation to achieve greater service. Two of her most popular books are Royalty Unveiled: Women Trailblazers in Church Of God In Christ International Missions 1920—1970 and Rediscovering an American Classic Essays on the Life of American Educator Dr. Arenia Conelia Mallory 1926—1976. A sought after contributor on Church of God in Christ Women’s Issues, Evangelist Goodson has contributed to the Journal of the Interdenominational Theological Seminary, the Assemblies of God Missiology Journal, the book With Signs Following: The Life and Ministry of Charles Harrison Mason, Charisma and Spirit Filled Woman Magazines and served as an Associate Editor for Women’s Issues, Church Of God In Christ Whole Truth Magazine.
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Glenda was the first in her family to earn an undergraduate degree (English, Southern Methodist University) and the life longer learn later earned an MBA in Strategic Leadership (Amberton University) as well as attended post graduate classes in literature. Working with her late husband George Goodson as the Vice President of Marketing, this Businesswoman successfully secured contracts with corporations and agencies such ITT Hartford, City of Dallas Code Compliance, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Parkland Hospital, the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army.
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At the heart of this Visionary is the promotion of a kingdom agenda through practical application of the Word, training, encouragement and demonstration of the love of Jesus. For example, through Higher Calling Ministries for many years she served inmates at the Gatesville Women’s Prison in religious services, conducted street revivals and welcomed many unchurched young adults and their children to “drive by” prayer services. Glenda has also served as a Youth Advocate for the Dallas Police Department East Dallas Amerasian initiative. She continues to share the love of Jesus Christ nationally and internationally. She serves as Executive Director and Founder of The Center for African American Church History and Research, Inc.
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Glenda was married to George Goodson and they are the proud parents of Anthony (Tavisha), their grandchildren and great grandchildren.
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HONORS
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Glenda has received many honors, not limited to but including the Key to the City of Los Angeles; the Asian Chamber of Commerce Volunteer Award; African American Southwest Female Writer of the Year Award; Best Southwest African American Author, Zeta Phi Beta, Sorority Incorporated, Upsilon Nu Zeta Chapter; Church Of God In Christ Educational Commission Award; and Southern Methodist University African American Alumni Award. As Executive Director of CAACHR, she was one of seven global leaders awarded a multiyear Templeton Foundation Grant to add some of her holdings to the University of Southern California Digital Library (other awardees were from Romania, England, Croatia, The Netherlands and the U.S.) She was named International Historian of the Church Of God In Christ Department of Women by General Supervisor Barbara McCoo Lewis in November 2017.
