Great Woman of Excellence:
Former President of the International Missionary and Christian Women’s Auxiliary
Dr. Helen Loretta Lane Glenn, It is commonly believed among the brethren that we as saints are to emulate Christ. Matthew portrays Christ to Jews as the Son of David. Luke portrays Christ to the Greeks as the Perfect Man. John portrays Christ to the Romans as an “Incessant Worker.” It is this Markan image that Dr. Helen Loretta Lane Glenn must have imprinted upon. She was recognized by all who knew her as a vibrant and energetic worker in the Kingdom.
Dr. Helen Loretta Lane Glenn was born to the union of the Reverend William Thomas and Viola Vivian Terry Lane.
She graduated at the top of her high school class and pursued higher education at Wayne State University and Madonna University. She was the recipient of an honorary Doctorate of Divinity degree from Aenon Bible College.
December 10, 1937, she married her childhood sweetheart, George Lawson Glenn, Sr., whom she loved and cared for until his death in January 1997. They added to their bond of love and happiness then children. The “Incessant Worker” and her husband raised a family with the love of Jesus Christ, strong moral values, strict discipline and a sense of purpose. In addition to this, her concern and love for children motivated her to make room for an extended family of foster children. She was affectionately known as “Mother Glenn” to those who readily adopted her as their own.
The “Incessant Worker – while multitasked – who was also multitalented. Her career choices spanned from domestic engineer, truant officer, police woman, caterer and culinary entrepreneur, school teacher, director of an educational facility and the first female African-American Detroit Police Chaplain. She was known for her ability to touch people with genuine compassion, wit and wisdom. Her gifts and abilities were repeatedly recognized with numerous awards and commendations.
The service of this “Incessant Worker” to the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World is monumental. She served as a member of the Board of Directors of Aenon Bible College. Her unique sensitivities, to the grass-root movement of the faith community, brought a voice to this Board that will be sorely missed. Extending the reach of the College, she was instrumental in the opening of an Aenon Bible College Institute. The Institute was a source of instruction for a host of ministers, who went on to serve in the Kingdom. Born out of love for the Lord and His people, this “Incessant Worker” lived, taught and preached the Apostolic Doctrine. Her ministry and God-given gifts and talents were manifested throughout her lifetime as she progressed from the local church, to the state level and then to international positions of leadership. Among the offices she held were President of the Northern District Council Missionary Auxiliary, President of the International Missionary and Christian Women’s Auxiliary of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. Her missionary travels took her throughout the United States, the West Indies, Europe and Africa.
This “Incessant Worker” was the first radio announcer of Greater Grace Temple. Her distinctive voice rang out Sunday after Sunday, as she proudly exclaimed through the radio waves. Her work at the church included positions as Sunday School teacher, Junior Missionary organizer and president.
Besides her church work and community activities, her greatest legacy is her family of 10 children, 26 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Dr. Helen Glenn, also know as “The Miracle Woman” having endured numerous onslaughts to her physical being, continued to served as mentor, teacher and preacher in Clovis, New Mexico, where she resided with her daughter and son-in-law, Pastor Jon and Evangelist Phyllis Brock, at the True Victory Church, for the last two years.
As with so many great personalities that have lived and inspired those who read their stories, the story of this “Incessant Worker,” who came to be recognized as “The Miracle Woman,” inspires us all. It yields a light to the path for each of us, which also confirms the possibility for each saint to reach his or her full potential. It let’s us know there is no limit or ceiling-glass or otherwise-that can restrict heights of achievement of God’s people.
