‘Women After God’s Own Heart’ is for women of all ages

Donnella Cranford says her vision for evangelism, teaching mentoring and serving others began to unfold early in her life.

But her hunger to reach people beyond her own community didn’t come into fruition until 1998, when she founded Women After God’s Own Heart (WAGOH), a ministry for women, based in Fayetteville.

Growing up in Chicago, Ill., Cranford says she realized at an early age that she enjoyed helping and working with her community. Over the years she has fulfilled a desire to serve and edify others through membership and participation in her church, community organizations and nonprofit organizations.

As the WAGOH acronym suggests, Cranford’s mission is to “empower, encourage and edify women of all ages.” Her foundational philosophy is that marriages, families and communities can withstand the challenges of our world today through women who are anchored in the word of God.

Inspired by the Biblical book of Esther, Cranford established “Debutantes 4 Christ” as a mentoring program for teenage girls. The recent Debutantes 4 Christ Ball, held at the Atlanta Airport Marriott Hotel in College Park, featured the “coming out” of teens and young women who participated in the most current program.

Through the WAGOH ministry, Cranford provides outreach services and mentoring to women of all ages, walks of life, church affiliations and denominations.

“With a focus on illuminating the spiritual beauty of all women through basic Christian principles and values, the ministry aspires to close the gap between generations, cultures and religions,” Cranford explains.

Cranford currently is an education consultant for metro area school districts and education agencies. Previously, she was an administrator in the Fulton County School System. Cranford also is on the ministerial staff of Hoosier Memorial United Methodist Church in Atlanta, where her husband, Haywood, and son, Paul, also are members.

In 2003, the Fayette County Branch of the N.A.A.C.P. recognized Cranford as the 2003 “Humanitarian of the Year.”

For more information on the WAGOH ministry, call 770-460-1369, or visit the Web site, www.wagohmin.org.