WHO AM I

 Apostle Arnita DeShields was licensed as a Minister on February 15, 2004, by Bishop David G. Evans of Bethany Baptist Church in Lindenwold, NJ, where she served as an Associate Minister and received the Excellence in Service Award. She has preached and taught both adults and youth at churches, conferences, retreats, and seminaries. On April 22, 2017, she received Apostolic Ordination from Apostle Doctor Christian Harfouche and Apostle Doctor Robin Harfouche, leaders of the Miracle Faith Apostolic Global Church in Pensacola, Florida. She is grateful for the awesome leaders who have covered and mentored her in ministry.

Arnita is a Community Outreach Specialist and Educator who founded Butterfly Empowerment Services Transform (B.E.S.T.) to support abused women and children. She is the Founder and CEO of Go2Prayer Ministries, Radio Station, and Product Line, promoting continuous prayer and helping others. An international spoken word artist and author of “Watch God Move,” Arnita was licensed as a Minister in 2004 and received an Apostolic Ordination in 2017. She holds a BA in Communications from Villanova University, an MSW from the University of Pennsylvania, and is pursuing a Doctorate in Christian Theology.

Arnita serves as Director at Large for the National Association of the Commissions for Women and Chaplain for the Philadelphia Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She has received the Dr. Martin Luther King Freedom Medal and other honors for community service and is a board member for Broken Wings Literacy Center. Arnita is a member of the NAACP, the Urban League, and the National Council of Negro Women. She also serves on the Advisory Board of the Fellowship of Women Clergy and coordinates the Prayer Ministry. Additionally, she is a member of the SouthEast HealthChoices Advisory Committee.

During the pandemic, Apostle DeShields founded the National Day of Mourning to honor those who passed away from COVID-19 and support those who remain. She also created Hope & Healing Greeting Cards and Gift Cards for those in hospitals fighting COVID-19. Over the past four years, Arnita has served as a board member (Director of Public Relations) for Broken Wings Literacy Center, a non-profit organization supporting people of all ages in various aspects of their lives. She has received numerous awards and honors for community service and career achievements. In June 2022, she was appointed to the Delaware County Women’s Commission, where she serves as Treasurer.

Arnita graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice in 1999 with a Master of Social Work and from Villanova University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts & Sciences in Communications. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Christian Theology at the International Miracle Institute.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, Arnita is the proud mother of her son, Joseph Emmanuel, who graduated from college this year. She is deeply grateful for her loving parents, the late Ranzo and Mary Elizabeth DeShields, who peacefully transitioned in December 2024 at 97 years old. As the youngest of ten siblings, she cherishes her family and friends, who affectionately call her “Lady” after her late grandmother, Lady Lee Oden. Arnita enjoys writing, sharing her gift of spoken word, sacred dancing, and reading. She is an international author of the book “Watch God Move” and a columnist for SCOOP USA. Her life scriptures are Philippians 4:13 - “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” and Luke 1:37 - “For with God nothing shall be impossible!”