Pam McConnell [email]
Women’s Ministry Director

As one of the founding members of East River Fellowship, Pam is by no means new to our church family. However, she is a new addition to our ministry team and it is difficult to say who is more excited that she has stepped up as the director of women’s ministry, Pam or everyone else! Pam’s path to ministry has been a long and diverse journey that has prepared her to minister to the women of East River in a huge variety of ways concerning family, marriage, children, career, and the stresses and joys of life in general. Raised in Southern California, Pam moved to the Portland area in 1991. She has been a committed believer for the past 23 years, and a committed wife to her husband Sean just as long. Together, Sean and Pam have raised three children. Working for Nike, Inc. for the last 28 years in Marketing and Business, culminating in her role as Global Director of Entertainment Marketing, Pam has been well prepared for ministry through both administrative experience and a lifetime of learning how to balance the roles of wife, mother, businesswoman, and of course, follower of Christ. Pam’s heart for women’s ministry lies in her desire to help women through the “tough stuff” by drawing on the wisdom, strength and peace of the Lord.

Words alone cannot express how excited and honored I am to lead Women’s Ministry at East River Fellowship Church.  I have always longed to be a part of a church body that connects with people as they are and becomes a real family. My desire was to be surrounded by grounded faithful believers that truly cared and would live, eat and breathe their faith. I was never looking for the “Perfect Christians” but rather those with a heart for the Lord who pursued His Will with honesty, integrity and passion.  

I have found that deep connection my heart so desired at East River Fellowship.

The Lord placed on my heart years ago that I would lead women in some way. But in what way, Lord? While waiting to receive an “answer and instructions” to my calling, I ignored it.   But His calling didn’t ignore me.  His Voice was constantly there just below the surface at all times.  I continued in my path and life as a Christian, a wife, a mother and marketing/business executive. Little did I know God’s hand was at work preparing me in everyway to be used by Him. 

My heart continued to stir and would not let up. Deep down I knew the time was coming when I would have to step out of the boat and trust Him. I knew it was an extraordinary invitation and would be a privilege to serve but what exactly was I suppose to do?  I hid behind so many excuses, some of which were very legit.

One day I was murmuring and complaining to a dear Christian brother and elder in the Church that my life was way too complicated to do ministry. I blurted out something that went like this, “Look, I can’t do this!  I’m a corporate executive, I travel often, my husband is terminally ill with an extremely debilitating disease and needs constant care, my teenage son is struggling with substance abuse to cope with the lost of his father, I am determined to still provide a safe and loving environment for my teenage daughter, I support the family on my own and my life and heart are completely broken!! What good am I to anyone? And besides, I don’t feel the least bit qualified. I know I have 28 years in corporate experience, but in ministry? None. Zip! Zero! Did I mention I don’t feel qualified?  He paused, let me collect myself from my rant and gently said, “Pam, God does not call the qualified. He qualifies the called.”  Gulp.

I was absolutely speechless – which by the way is extremely rare for me. It was at that moment I had my “answer”.  I knew then that I had to begin to walk in faith regardless of my circumstances.  I spent the next year or more in prayer and studying the Word and to be honest, I continued to wrestle and struggle with the calling and the “what ifs” as my life continued to face even greater challenges, pain and hardship.

The deeper I got into the Word, the stronger, the wiser and better equipped I had become to hear God’s promptings and to deal with the loss, hurt, pain, and pure chaos of my life. Through it all His faithfulness was ever present. A peace came over me that surpassed all understanding. My life, as I knew it, was completely falling apart, yet I was strong and began to totally accept that God was present orchestrating a sovereign plan that was vital for my growth and maturity to serve Him.  At times, I had a joy I cannot explain.  My life verse kept ringing in my ears, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil 4:13.

Then one day I just knew it was time even though my circumstances screamed otherwise. I finally mustered up enough courage to step out of the boat and tell Pastor Carlos I felt I was to lead women in ministry. He simply smiled and replied, “I know.”  It still took me months before I officially accepted the position convinced the timing wasn’t quite right (my POV of course) and my circumstances were too overwhelming.

One night shortly after having that conversation, I had a very hard time falling asleep.  I began to toss and turn knowing the Lord was speaking to me. Still, I fought it.  I finally surrendered and got up and wrote out the plan God was placing on my heart for the ministry. It was incredible to have something just pour out of you like that.

The vision was clear:  To develop woman of faith with uncompromising character, humility, integrity, love and kindness that serve the God of the bible.

My prayer and goal is to humbly walk in God’s plan (not mine) for this ministry. In Proverbs 16:3 it says, “Commit your works to the Lord and your thoughts will be established.” I do not intend to do this alone or in my own strength but rather through His strength, love, mercy, wisdom and leading.  I invite all of the wonderfully made women of East River Fellowship to come along side me through this journey.  We all have much to offer each other.  I believe God will not only use my professional experience to help administer, grow and bless the ministry, but he will also use the very things that I felt made me imperfect and inadequate, to serve to help other women and to accomplish His Plan.

God Bless you,

Pam McConnell
Women’s Ministry Director