Photo courtesy of Pastor Dina Martin
Martin became the pastor at Avery Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church in November 2013.

By Alyse Horn

Avery Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, 3403 California Avenue, has a new pastor who has been “breathing life into the church.”

Rebecca Calhoun, a member of the congregation at A.M.E Zion Church, said that Dina L. Martin has been doing “mighty work” and that the congregation is overjoyed having Martin with the church.

Martin said she was appointed to the church by Bishop Louis Hunter in November 2013.

She gave her first sermon in 2000, but Martin said her father always knew she would spread the word of the Lord along with the rest of his children.

“At least 20 or 25 years ago my father got a prophetic word from God that all of his kids would preach,” Martin said. “At the time we found that notion preposterous and laughable.”

Today, all three of her brothers are ordained ministers and pastors, as well as her husband. Reverend Vincent Martin, Martin’s husband of 32 years, is a pastor at the Holliday Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church in Braddock.

“Not so funny now,” Martin said.

When she isn’t in the church, Martin is working her full-time job as a student services and customer service assistant at Child Care Lounge and also assists with the care of her handicap sister.

Martin said she also has three biological sons, two adopted daughters, two daughters in law school and 10 grandchildren.

Martin said the most rewarding part of being a pastor is how “the Lord would even consider using me in this way.”

“Pastoring is not a ‘good idea,’ it is a call from God that must be meted out under the anointing and grace that is given with the call,” Martin said. “Otherwise you’ll be exhausted and stressed out under your own strength.”

Martin said with the warmer weather on its way, she is looking forward to spending time with the Brighton Heights Body of Christ community and preparing for Vacation Bible School.

“Praise Break” is the theme of bible school this year, and will be held during the last week of June on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 6 to 8:30 p.m.