Rev. Dr. Bernice (Stewart) Belt
FAMILY
Married to Harold Belt, (US Army Retired).
3 Children by birth and 9 in Christ: Minister Tiffany (Joseph) Benberry/Paducah, KY, ElderStephanie (Joseph) Sullivan/Texas, Martin Luther (Deborah) Cook/Paducah, KY, Angela (Brian)Addison/Florida, Doretha (Joseph) Walker/Paducah, KY, and Jolisha Wharton (Brian) James/TN. 15 grands, 8 great grands.
MINISTRY
Accepted Christ as Lord and Savior at 9 years of age, at Woodlawn Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church.
Called to the Gospel before her 10th birthday, in her secret place on the family farm. Former member/servant, beginning March 17, 2013, with Mt. Horeb-Metropolis, Illinois: Pastor Joseph Benberry, and served as a Life Coach, on the Praise Team, and in pulpit and other ministerial assignments.
Former member/servant with Washington Street MB Church and served as Senior Associate, Facilitator-12-week New Members Orientation Class, Founder/Director–Performing Arts Ministry, Overseer-other in-house ministries, stints in choral ministry, facilitated Bible Study, and the restructured New Members/Prospective Members 10-week Orientation, and F.A.I.T.H ministry until God reassigned her to more concentrated efforts in current community/faith-based service and leadership, and diverse ministry whenever and wherever God assigned.
First Woman ordained in the history of the Historic Washington Street Baptist Church, and the Pastor’s first ordainment.
Current member in covenant with Highland Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Paducah, Kentucky, as of June 2016 to the present, Pastor Rev. Olen “Bud” Russell, and Associate Pastor Rev. Doug Hughes. Belt participated in the choir, occasionally provided Special Music, introduced baby stages of a Performing Arts Ministry, provided the preached Word as the opportunity arose.
Frequently fills pulpits in CP churches, and in various denominations, locally and afar.
Supply, and Stated Supply, Pastor at Camp Ground CPC from November 2017 through February 2018.
Accepted as a Candidate for training/preparation for ordination in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church Denomination in the Spring of 2017, approved as a Licentiate in 2018, approved for ordination as Pulpit Supply of Word and Sacrament on August 06, 2019, and by Covenant Presbytery on September 21, 2019. Ordination Service was planned/conducted on October 27, 2019. On that same date, Belt was presented and ordained by Covenant Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church Denomination.
She continued being available to supply pulpits (and Stated Supply) in Word and Sacrament, which includes all Biblical/God-ordained holy scriptures and principles; as well as, facilitation of events/conferences, small groups, topical teaching, and ministry training. She will bless God’s people in every denomination, near and far.
On November 10, 2019 Dr. Belt was invited to fill the pulpit at Village Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Norris City, Illinois. She continued in this capacity for December, 2019. The Village Session Offered a “Call” to Dr. Belt to become the part-time Pastor of Village CPC. She accepted a part-time status on January 05, 2020. Due to COVID-19, the process required to proceed to Installation was postponed for a later date. Dr. Belt continues to serve as part-time Pastor.
EDUCATION/PROFESSION
Bachelor of Science—Forensics and Public Address, Minor-Journalism: Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, Tennessee. August 28, 1985.
Master of Science–Human Development and Leadership for Non-Profit Organizations, Murray State University, Murray, Kentucky, August 02, 2003.
Certified Christian Counselor, through The American Association of Christian Counselors, August 20, 2002.
Doctor of Theology–Newburgh Theological Seminary and College of the Bible, July 19, 2008-Dissertation Title: “The Spiritual and Social Relevance of the Christian Counseling Ministry, in the Local Church, for Both Adults and Youth, Saved and Unsaved”.
Distinguished Alumnus–July 2010–Newburgh Theological Seminary and College of the Bible. Member-NTS Graduation Gospel Choir.
Second Doctorate—June 09, 2018. Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Education. Dissertation Title: “CHRISTIAN EDUCATION: Development of Faith and Wisdom through Biblical Knowledge and Application”. Newburgh Theological Seminary and College of the Bible.
Completed the Certificate program of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church Denomination “Program of Alternate Studies” (PAS), February 2019. Facilitated through Bethel University, McKenzie, Tennessee, Director- Dr. Michael Qualls. Participated in the Graduation- Commencement July 13, 2019.
Former Adjunct Faculty at West KY Community and Technical College, Paducah, KY.
Adjunct Faculty at Shawnee Community College, Illinois.
Third Doctorate–Currently completing her Dissertation for the PhD in Missions, Evangelism, and Church Growth. Dissertation Title: “Church Growth in Small Churches.”
COMMUNITY SERVICE includes:
Most recently, June 10, 2020, County Judge Executive Craig Clymer, invited Belt to join UNITY, a group he initiated, to respond to, and proactively address, policing methods and concerns , due to the national, and ongoing police brutality and murders, throughout the country, associated with racism and systemic racism and brutality, and recent video/televised videos of murders of Black men and women throughout the country.
Golden Echoes Gospel Ensemble, Interracial Women’s Group, Paducah/McCracken County Chapter of the NAACP (Lifetime Member), 25th Anniversary Class of Leadership Paducah, Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce Member (3 non-profits); City of Paducah Anti-Bullying Task Force, McCracken County Elections Officer, Board Member-Paducah Lifeline Ministries and Ladies Living Free.
Recently bestowed Honorary Membership on the 3E Leadership Academy Board for the 2019-2020 academic term.
APPOINTED to the Ethics Commission of the McCracken County Fiscal Court, McCracken County, Kentucky on July 27, 2020. Craig Z. Clymer, McCracken County Judge Executive.
LOCAL-NATIONAL GREEK SERVICE Organization Affiliation:
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Beta Omega Omega Chapter, Paducah, Kentucky, Chaplain, Committee Chair, Committee Co-Chair, committee memberships, and Historian.
LOCAL/NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS Organization Affiliation:
LIFETIME Member NAACP-Paducah/McCracken County, KY Chapter.
Occasional preaching and/or teaching and singing in transitional facilities, low-income venues, and senior/disabled citizens facilities.
She preaches, teaches/presents, councils, sings and conducts workshops near and far, on both Biblical and secular issues. Whenever blessed to do so, Dr. Belt assists others in carrying out their callings/tasks.
NON-LOCAL Affiliations include: ‘Preaching Woman’, and American Association of Christian Counselors.
LOCAL to NATIONAL Missions Affiliation: Member Kentucky Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU).
PREVIOUS SERVICE: Board of Directors-Paducah/McCracken County Senior Citizens Center, Mayor Bill Paxton’s ‘Community Unity’ initiative, Board of Directors–Market House Theater/performer/director/co-director, Christian Women United, Board Member–Habitat for Humanity, Board Co-Chair-Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center, Friends of the Library, and Paducah Police Department Committee for Diversity; City of Paducah Anti-Bullying Task Force under the leadership of Mayor Gayle Kaler, Paducah Philanthropic Committee, Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce Membership and Marketing Committee, Paducah Human Rights Commission 2003-2017-Board of Commission Member, Board Chairperson, and Executive Director.
PADUCAH POLICE CITIZEN’S ACADEMY: Graduate–Class #1, May 23, 2002.
FOUNDER/OVERSEER-Collaborative Women’s Conference. EST 2008 (Member-
Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce). Community/faith based/not-for-profit. God is the divine Founderand Visionary, and she ‘gets to serve Him and His people in the capacity in which He called her’. CWC Membership-in-Unity exceeds 160 Women (and daughters-06-17), representing more than 37 churches, and various organizations, near and far. (On Sabbatical).
TELEVISION—Founder/Host/Producer:
The Heart of Collaboration TV Show. www.paducah2.org, and YouTube; through WKCTC TV Dept.
STEWART GIRL MINISTRIES. Sunday morning pre-taped televised service through West KY Community and Technical College TV Dept, Paducah, KY. Airs each Sunday, 8-8:30am on Comcast Cable-Paducah2. Often features guest preachers, vocalists, musicians, dancers, and panels. A website is under construction. Episodes began posting on Facebook in October 2019. This ministry/faith and community-based organization will be enhanced in various genres during 2020 and beyond, as God directs. (ON SABBATICAL since MAY 31, 2020)
SPECIAL NOTE: PRE-taped services will be included on this website in the near future.)
PREVIOUS RADIO: Founder/Host/Producer:
Iron Sharpens Iron. Saturday 10:30—11:00. WDXR 1450 AM, and 102.5 FM, through Bristol Broadcasting Studios, Paducah, KY.
AWARDS/HONORS INCLUDE: International Who’s Who of Public Service, Duchess of Paducah, and NAACP March 22, 2014 “The Power of One” Rosa Parks Honoree, Community Coming Together 2016 “Role Model” Award, Just By Faith Ministries 02/2016 African-American Accomplishment Award/Pathfinder and Role Model, Paducah Human Rights Commission Service Award/Plaque, and Honorary Membership on the 3E Leadership Academy Board for the 2019-2020academic term.
WOMAN of ACHIEVEMENT 2011 Finalist: The Paducah/River City Business & Professional Women, & Four Rivers Business Journal.
POSH MAGAZINE: Debut Article, Sept/Oct 2012, “A Portrait of The Rev. Bernice Belt, Th.D.”
VICTOR!!! Last stage rare cancer (small bowel), severe domestic violence, homelessness with three children, divorce, single parenthood, job loss, failing college level grades while pursuing a bachelor degree, low self-esteem, slander, libel. “Neither had the last word!!! GOD is MY God!”
STEWART GIRL MINISTRIES 2927 Broadway Street PO Box 8372 Paducah, KY 42002 ATTN: Rev. Dr. Bernice (Stewart) Belt;
Ministry and Business Mobile: 270.217.4623
Office: haroldbelt@comcast.net
Rev. 07-31-2020
sgmvoice.org 