First Lady Reverend Sarah Priester

First Lady Reverend Sarah Lynette Priester is a native of Orangeburg, SC. She is the daughter of the late Sinclair and the late Pastor Blond Ceal Dantzler (Free Spirit Baptist Church). She has enjoyed 30 years of marriage to Reverend Charcey N. Priester, Sr, pastor of the St. Paul Baptist Church, Orangeburg, S.C. She is the proud mother of two children, Charcey, Jr. and Majesty. 

Lady Priester received her formal education in the public schools of Orangeburg County. 

She went on to receive her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from South Carolina State University in English and Secondary English Education. 

She received her PhD, ABD from the University of South Carolina in English with a concentration in Composition and Rhetoric and a specialization in Black Studies. 

Presently, she is a Professor of English in the Department of English and Communications at South Carolina State University. 

Lady Priester has enjoyed the following privileges and honors: 

• University Supervisor of Student-Teachers (English Majors) 
• Published the article, Writing Pedagogy for the Student-Ready HBCUs 
• Author of the Writing Workshop: Guardrails, Guidepost, Training Wheels, and Things of That Nature 
• Creator of the Composition Writing Song used to assist students with Praxis I Writing Teacher Education Exam 
• Professor of the Year (2019) at South Carolina State University for The Department of English. 
• Named Teacher of the Year 
• Serve as the Corresponding Secretary on the Executive Committee for the South Carolina State University Faculty Senate. 
• A charter member of the Empower Her ABWA Organization. 
• Serves on the Review and Selection Scholarship Committee for the Congressional Black Caucus Essay and Issue Forum Contest of the 6th Congressional District for Congressmen James E. Clyburn. 
• Co-Chair of the Ecumenical Committee of the E and M Baptist Women’s Department 
• Parliamentarian for the Leadership Committee of the Women’s Department of the E and M Baptist Convention.
• Received “The Letter of Honors” for directing The Harlem Renaissance School-Wide Production at The Technology Center, Orangeburg, SC.
• Voted “Most Inspiring Teacher” for Teacher Superlatives at Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School.
• Named “Organizer of the Year” for the Girltrek Organization, an honor announced by Iyanla Vansant, host of “Fix My Life” seen on the Oprah Winfrey Network 
• Enjoyed becoming a Recording Artist of the hit Gospel Song, “I Feel the Spirit.” 
• Social Media Women’s Empowerment Blogger 

Lady Priester served St. Paul Baptist Church in the following capacities over the last eighteen years: 

• Trainer for the Greeter’s Ministry Workshop, 
• Teacher of Sunday School 
• Director for the Youth Choir 
• Leader for the Praise and Worship Team 
• Host for Women’s Conferences and Retreats, 
• Chairperson for Women’s Day Programs 
• Founder of the SPBC Walking Ministry 
• Founder of the Victory in Praise Adult Praise Dance Team 
• Organizer of the 4th Friday Girl’s Night Out Book Study 
• Creator of the Ninth Grade Character Academy Mentoring Program 
• Creator of the “Champion and Winners Award and the “Lydia Service Award” for the SPBC Vessels of Honor Women’s Ministry. 
• Created the “Woman of the Year” and “Lady of the Year” Awards for the SPBC First Lady’s Ministry Honors. 

Lady Priester’s original recording “Champion” was voted and accepted as the St. Paul Baptist Church Official Theme Song. 

Recently, “Champion” was rearranged for Mellichamp Elementary School’s Alma Mater: played each morning school-wide to inspire students and to celebrate the school’s motto: 

“Mellichampions: Where We Put the ‘Champ’ in Champion”. 

Reverend Priester’s favorite scripture is First John 3:14 which states, “And we know that we have passed from death to life because we love the brethren”. 

Reverend Priester believes in the Healing Power of Love

• Lecturer for the Senior Ministry’s African American Lecture Series during Black History Month, (a series she created and developed),