Rev. Janet Montford has been a “seeker” after God all of her life. Though there was a time when she did not intellectually seek him, her heart nonetheless longed for the peace that only a relationship with the true and living God provides. While she always attended church, it was at the age of 36 that the call on her life became clear and she began her walk with the Lord. For approximately 15 years, she served in various capacities at her previous church; i.e., lay speaker, Sunday School Superintendent; Director of Christian Education and Associate Minister.

God has always dealt with Rev. Jan, as she likes to be called, in a unique way – it was at the age of 48 that she returned to school to continue her education. She obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree from Geneva College and a Master of Divinity from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (with a Black Church concentration). She was licensed in 2001 and ordained in 2005.

Reverend Montford continues her endeavor to develop a multi-faceted Women’s Ministry known as HIS Vessels. She is married to the extremely supportive, Roy Montford, has three children, Joharisha, JeRoyce and Bianka; one grandson, Jahaan; and one great-grandson, Jahaan (the one she is usually chasing around the church lobby).

While preparation is important, Jan realizes that it is not because of her intellect that God uses her. Therefore, it is her heart’s desire to walk humbly before God and to be appreciative of every opportunity to obey the mandate of scripture to “stir up the gift of God” that is within her.