Minister Sheila H. Downs
Minister Sheila H. Downs is a native of New Bern, North Carolina. The seventh of eight children born to Lula K. Harris and the late Leroy Harris, she accepted Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior and was baptized at the age of 12. Growing up in a Christian home, Sheila sang in the youth choir, attended Sunday School, Baptist Training Union, Vacation Bible School, and various conferences along with the attending of worship services at Star of Zion Missionary Baptist Church in New Bern.
Minister Downs became an active member of Sightseeing Road Gospel Service at Fort Benning, Georgia while living there with her husband and children. While there, she began to really mature and grow in the knowledge and wisdom of God. In 1990 she was blessed with the in-filling of Holy Spirit and her life was forever changed. Minister Downs sang in the adult choir, served as president of the women’s ministry and as doing the work of a missionary. She accepted her call into the preaching ministry in January 2000 under the leadership of Chaplain Wayne Baker and was licensed in May of that year. She has facilitated leadership and training sessions, spoken at women’s conferences and other speaking engagements including eulogizing her eldest sister in 2005.
Under the leadership and pastoral care of Pastor Don German and Co-Pastor Annell German, Minister Downs has been a part of the IDF-Columbus family and ministry since its beginning in 2008. A true worshipper who loves the Word of God, she is the church Mother, and a prayer warrior who will stand in the gap. At IDF-Columbus Minister Downs is a servant who assists in leadership, teaching and preaching. She is the Sunday School superintendent, coordinator for the monthly Prayer for the Nation Service and spiritual advisor for the Singles Ministry.
Employed in the banking industry for over 22 years, Minister Downs retired in 2006 from TIC Federal Credit Union after more than 20 years of service. While there she advanced from the position of teller to Vice President of Operations. Responsible for the operation and staff of six branches, a call center and a back-office support group, she successfully balanced her division’s yearly budget while creating and implementing new policies, procedures, products and services.
Minister Downs is a graduate of Columbus State University holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology with detailed study on the impact of witnessing domestic violence. She and her husband of over 41 years, retired SFC Gary M. Downs, Sr. are the proud parents of four adult children and grandparents of eight. They enjoy family gatherings, sports activities, vacationing, especially to the beach and just spending time together talking about life. Her greatest accomplishment other than knowing and serving the Lord Jesus is in having raised her family to be successful productive members of society who love the Lord.