First Baptist Church, Opelika
Tuskegee Lee Baptist Association
Favorite Verse: John 3:16
Favorite Hymn: “Blessed Assurance”
Hobbies: Cooking for other people
Family Status: Widow for 26 years after 55 years of marriage to husband James; two sons, Kenneth Jordan (deceased) and Rex Jordan; seven grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren
Ninety-seven-year-old Pauline Jordan, of Opelika, has had missions on her mind for many years. In fact, until recently, she was president of her church’s Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU), a position she held for more than 25 years. As a result of her devotion, the group was named for her. Even though she no longer leads the WMU group, Jordan continues to work on fundraising efforts for its projects. From the 1950s to 1994, she was a hairdresser and saw her business as a missions field. It provided a means for telling others about Jesus. She also volunteered with a girls’ ranch.
Q: What influences in your life pointed you to Christ at the beginning of your faith journey?
A: My parents were not Christians but we went to a revival (when I was 12 or 13 years old). Something happened; I asked Jesus to come into my heart. I was baptized in a creek. Nobody had ever talked to me about Jesus (prior to the revival).
Q: When and how were you led into your ministry work?
A: In 1960 I learned about WMU and got involved in it. That’s all I’ve done since then.
Q: What does your ministry work demand?
A: I owned my own shop so I sort of made my own rules. Nobody was to talk ugly. When you’re doing hair you have a good opportunity to witness. You’ve got a woman’s hair all wet and curly and she’s got to listen. Some will listen; some won’t. It doesn’t make you discouraged. There are still some you can talk to.
Q: What do you get from your ministry work?
A: Peace and a happy life. Even though everything didn’t go right, you could still be happy.
Q: How do family members support you?
A: My husband was encouraging to me. My sister encouraged me as well.
Q: How do you see yourself involved in this in the future?
A: To keep going where I’m going and doing what I’ve been doing. I’m going to still do the things that keep [the ministry] built up as long as I can get around.
Q: What difference will this ministry work make for you in the future?
A: What I will be able to do will make me content. I’ve always worked. I’ve got to learn to live without being the leader.
Q: What difference has Jesus Christ made in your life?
A: Without Him, I don’t think I would have done anything. He has guided me all these many years to a wonderful life.
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