Trials, tribulations and triumph
By Stephan Drew, Editor
editor@newsandpress.net
PICTURED (left to right): Enoch Jeter (son), Mike Jeter, Rev. Narcie Jeter and (daughter) Evy Jeter. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Throughout the hardships in her life, Rev. Narcie Jeter has remained steadfast in her love of her Saviour. Born in Cheraw, little Narcie grew up in the church. Her father, Tim McLendon, is a Methodist minister who served as Pastor of Wesley Chapel in Lydia, and religion has always been a big part of her life. Her brother, Josh McLendon, is Pastor of Pisgah United Methodist Church in Florence.
But, she didn’t always want to be a preacher. As a young girl, Narcie dreamed of being a high school English teacher. Graduating from Winthrop University with a Bachelor’s Degree in English and a double minor in education and social sciences, she later continued her studies at Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, Georgia, where she graduated with a Master of Divinity in 2005.
She said she received her call from God to do Campus Ministry at the Wesley Foundation and married her husband, Mike Jeter, one week after finishing college. Mike was a music teacher in Atlanta at the time. They had two children – a son named Enoch and a daughter named Evy – before her world drastically changed.
At age 30, she had a severe seizure while at Campus Ministry Conference in Winchester, Virginia, and was admitted to the hospital where she was diagnosed with brain cancer. After delicate surgery, most of the tumor was removed. However, part of it rested on the Motor Cortex and, as Narcie says, “The surgeons thought it might severely impair my daily functions and motor skills too much if they removed it all.” Rev. Jeter says she had “no motor deficits at all” after the first surgery and, she felt it may be over.
But, in 2013, while speaking at the University of Florida, she received the news that her cancer had returned, requiring a second brain surgery. This time, they got it all. After the surgery, she says, “I had severe deficits. I couldn’t speak, couldn’t move my right arm or hand but, I could walk.” After 30 radiation treatments, 6 months of chemotherapy and 6 months of Physical, Speech and Occupation Therapy, she has been in remission for almost 10 years now.
Throughout her life, she has held numerous positions and been involved in many different Christian and community programs. But, this will be Rev. Jeter’s first time preaching a Revival. When asked why she chose Trinity for the venue, she said, “Will Altman (Pastor at Trinity) called and said, ‘Why not preach our revival?’ and I couldn’t refuse.” Although she is not a member of Trinity, she said she remembers going with her father to district meetings there and, being in the nursery when she was a child while the meetings went on.
Even though she is still young, she has lived a life of true service, sacrifice and struggle. When asked what one message about her that she would like to live on, she stated, “Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine.”
Rev. Jeter will be preaching the Revival Service on Sunday, October 2nd, Monday, October 3rd and Tuesday, October 4th. Rev. Laura Parrish will be the speaker on Wednesday, October 5th. Revival services will begin at 6:30 p.m. each night.