WHO AM I

Apostle Arnita DeShields is a minister, speaker, author, educator, and community outreach leader dedicated to healing, empowerment, and spiritual growth. Licensed as a Minister in 2004 by Bishop David G. Evans and ordained as an Apostle in 2017, Arnita has spent more than two decades preaching, teaching, and serving in churches, retreats, conferences, and community settings. She currently serves as an Associate Minister and the Assistant Director of Outreach Ministries at Concord Baptist Church in Philadelphia under the leadership of Reverend Ray Gambrell.

A passionate Community Outreach Specialist and Educator, Arnita is the Founder and CEO of Go2Prayer Ministries and the founder of Butterfly Empowerment Services Transform (B.E.S.T.), created to support and uplift abused women and their children. She is also the Founder of Go2Prayer Radio and Go2Prayer TV Ministry. Arnita has previously hosted inspiring radio and television programs on various networks, sharing prayer, uplifting messages, and meaningful interviews. She also serves as an Ambassador for The Super Patch Company, integrating natural wellness and balance support into her outreach and healing ministry.

As an international spoken word artist and author of Watch God Move, Arnita continues to inspire audiences through creative ministry. With three additional books scheduled for release, her spoken word selections can be heard on all major digital platforms. Her spoken word piece Lord We Need More Peace—dedicated to those impacted by gun violence—first reached #1 on the N1M platform on December 19, 2022, and has continued to chart at #1 consistently since then. It is currently ranked #1 in the Christian category for Pennsylvania. Arnita is a certified International Christian Chaplain and a guest columnist for SCOOP USA.

Her leadership extends across numerous civic, faith-based, and community organizations. She is the past Director at Large for the National Association of the Commissions for Women and a former member of the Delaware County Women’s Commission, where she served as both Treasurer and Vice President. She presently serves on the Chaplain’s Council for the Eastern Region of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., as well as the Chaplain Council of the Philadelphia Alumnae Chapter, and previously served as Chaplain for the chapter. Arnita is also a member of the NAACP and the Urban League. In addition, she continues to serve on the board of Broken Wings Literacy Center, supporting education and empowerment across generations. In honor of her parents, Arnita established the Ranzo & Mary DeShields Legacy Book Scholarship, awarding its first scholarship this year to support students pursuing higher education. Arnita has also received various awards for her community service, outreach leadership, and entrepreneurial achievements.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Arnita is the proud mother of her son, Joseph Emmanuel. She honors the memory of her beloved parents, Ranzo and Mary Elizabeth DeShields—her father, a courageous World War II Purple Heart recipient whose act of bravery in rescuing a wounded soldier under fire remains an enduring testament to strength and sacrifice, and her mother, who lived to the beautiful age of 97 and whose love continues to guide her. As the youngest of ten children and affectionately called “Lady,” after her grandmother Lady Lee Oden, Arnita cherishes her family’s rich legacy and the love that surrounds her.

Arnita enjoys writing, sacred dancing, reading, and sharing her gift of spoken word. Her life scriptures are Philippians 4:13 — “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” Luke 1:37 — “For with God nothing shall be impossible,” and John 3:16 — “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”