Karen N. Dobson

Evangelist Karen Novella Dobson was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, to the late Altha Lee Sherrill and Deacon Inez Sherrill. She is married to Rodney Dobson. Evangelist Dobson has three living children, one son-in-law, and 2 daughters-in-laws. Her fourth child, Hannah Rebecca, is in heaven with the Lord.

She has been a member of True Holiness Covenant of Peace Assembly of Silverton, OH, under the leadership of Pastor, Apostle Bishop Larry Smith for 26 years. Evangelist Dobson preached her first sermon in 2012.

MY TESTIMONY

“He took me and made something beautiful out of my life. He took a wretch, a wretch like me, and showed me His love and concern and by His grace, HE made my life a new and better one. And I owe Him my LIFE”. “We love him, because he first loved us.”1 John 4:19 KJV

My life started spiraling out of control in 1996. This was the plan God had for my life. I realized I needed help from God. I started seeking God by praying and visiting a variety of different places of worship with my husband. My home was a wasteland. I was under review at my current job as an Administrator. I needed daycare for my kids, my car needed to be repaired, rent was due, and we could not afford the payment, so we had to move to a new place before being evicted. We found a new place to live and met some very nice neighbors (Elder & Evangelist Mays) that owned a daycare in their home. I was excited thinking the kids could go there for daycare, but I learned they were moving into a new house within a couple of weeks. However, before moving out, Elder Mays stopped by and shared the good news of the Gospel with me, he fixed my car, and prayed with me. On the day of moving out, Elder Mays stopped by our house with a tract about the Holy Ghost and encouraged me with a word. He gave me the church’s contact information and the Pastor’s name.

I shared this experience with my husband later that day, but I didn’t feel like it would take all he shared with me to be saved.

A couple of weeks later I was demoted to a teacher’s position at my current job. I went to work upset every day. I finally met the teacher next door Evangelist Irene Startling (Now Pastor, Suffragan Bishop Phillips). She shared the same Gospel with me as Elder Mays. I had no idea they were from the same church. At that point, I knew God was calling me to True Holiness Church of God in Silverton to be a part of His plan of salvation. Years later at one of our Annual Assembly, Suffragan Bishop Phillips prophesied to me I was called to be an Evangelist. God was merciful to me and kept me even when I did not deserve it. This too was a part of God’s plan for my life. The word of God says, “

After being invited to church by Evangelist Starting, I attended a Friday Tarry Prayer and Experience Night, and I was filled with the gift of the Holy Ghost and baptized in Jesus name a couple of days later. I became a member of True Holiness Church of God in Silverton. I have been a member for 26 years. Praise the LORD, Hallelujah. Psalm 18:1 KJV has become my walking stick. “I will love thee. O LORD, my strength.”

MY FAMILY LIFE & GOD

I was born and raised in the Mt. Auburn community with my parents in a family home. I have been married to Rodney Dobson for 31 years. I am the mother of four wonderful children: two daughters, Marijia Bailey (Howard Bailey Jr.) and Hannah Rebecca Dobson (deceased); and two sons; Christopher Dobson (Kianna Dobson) and Matthew Dobson (Diamond Dobson). I have thirteen beautiful, unique grandchildren; and two sisters, Vernita Smith (Clois, deceased) and Patricia Sherrill (Roger Shackleton).

As I reflect on my life, I didn’t understand always why my parents didn’t allow me to go certain places, do certain things or have certain friends and their choices of the schools I attended. My sisters also teased me a lot by singing a song that I was born in the Paw-Paw Patch to me, I started to believe it. My oldest sister had insisted I learn the poem “Trees by Joyce Kilmer” I had to repeat it over and over until I could recite it verbatim, and then she treated me to a Frisch’s Big Boy. I can still recite it, however, the main line that I recall often is “But Only God, can make a tree.” I now understand that God has great plans for me.

So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” I Corinthians 3 KJV Amen. God did it!

MY WORK IN MY LOCAL CHURCH

I dedicated my life in service to God within True Holiness COPA of Silverton, very quickly and was assigned by my Pastor to work on the administrative staff. I served as a Pastor’s Chorus member and Sunday School Department member.

I am part of the Missionary Circle as Chaplain, the Jr. and Sr. Usher Board, Women of Holiness President, Administrative Staff, Church Secretary, and the Pastor’s Aide President.

I give all the glory, honor, and praise to God for giving me a willing mind to work in the house of the Lord. To God be the Glory in all things. I praise God for the leadership he’s placed me under, I understand the importance of living holy and striving for masteries in every area of my life.

MY WORK IN THE SHEPHERD ORGANIZATION

I’ve had the privilege of serving in the National events under the guidance leadership of our overseer, Presiding Bishop Dr. Pamela Smith, in the past, I was a conference leader for the Women Embracing Holiness Conference, and I was a Secretary for the Board of Bishops, where I learned that God does the impossible when you least expect it. I also assisted with Banquet Services and Administrative Services.

MY PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

I received my High School Diploma from Our Lady of Angels High School. I received a bachelor’s degree from Mount Saint Joseph College. My major was Social Work, and I had a minor in Mathematics. Because of my work in my local church, the national organization, and all the training I received, God restored all that was lost. The Director at Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services created a new position for me as Administrator over a new program for men and women with developmental disabilities with more incentives. I am now retired. God has the perfect plan. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11 KJV

I BELIEVE GOD FOR MIRACLES

My God is a very present help in a time of need and trouble he can do the impossible.

I have seen the fulfillment of Ephesians 3:20 KJV in my life. “Now unto him, that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”

My son Matthew was a fulfillment of the prophecy God had spoken to my Pastor. That I and my husband would have a man child, this was not even my thoughts or my plans to have another child. The word of God says,

During the giving birth of my son, the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck. God, with his watchfulness, alerted the doctor, and she screamed don’t push. But…God.

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