12 Stones Inc. is a vision come to fruition for native Philadelphian Tamiko Mc-Rae Wilkerson. This wife, mother, and grandmother is a graduate of the Philadelphia High School for Girls who has gone on to earn Associate’s and Bachelor’s Degrees in Business Administration from Pierce College, a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership and Management from Pierce College, and a Master’s Degree in Ministry from Lancaster Bible College. She is as diligent in her career as she is in ministry, working in management within the telecommunications industry. Since she was ordained on April 26, 2014, she has been relentless in ministry through the Amazing Grace Baptist Church, where she served as an associate minister. She was also appointed by The Salvation Army Philadelphia Kroc Corps, to the position of Assistant Sergeant Major and Young Adult Ministry Coordinator. Her vibrant personality and infectious smile resonates well in the hearts of all that become familiar with her. Her willingness to serve is apparent through the countless initiatives in which she engages. Frequently she has been invited as a guest speaker throughout the Philadelphia area, where she brings the Word to life in a manner that has tremendously blessed thousands. Her style of preaching makes her messages tangible with real life scenarios and practical application. The intensity of her schedule has served to augment the quality of the time that she dedicates to her loving and supportive family. She also finds solace in ministering to herself physically through Zumba, cycling, and reading. She is a marathon runner who takes exercise and nutrition seriously. She works out consistently, and she and her family were recently featured in the Salvation Army connects magazine for the way that they combine physical, spiritual and emotional growth. It was inevitable for her call to ministry to lead her in this direction because she is motivated by her desire not only to share the good news of Jesus Christ, but also to make a significant difference in her community. The responsibility of Pastor naturally includes the incorporation of Bible study, youth programs, and evangelism training from her perspective, however there are real-life characteristics that she feels must be addressed to paint the whole picture of fruitfulness. In order to rise above our circumstances, she feels that a more holistic approach has to be applied to the mission of 12 Stones Inc. Her ministry goals include, but are not limited to her determination to increase educational and life skills for those whose quality of life are less than desired. She believes that type of enrichment will ensure the ability to overcome plights that are common in urban neighborhoods. Her aspirations for ministry include a vast array of resources for strengthening the family unit. Feeding programs hold a soft spot in her heart, and the implementation of this agenda is high on her priority list. Through a combination of supplemental programs, her goal is to supply groceries to families on a consistent basis and ultimately serve hot meals where needed. She also recognizes a need for mentoring to adults as well as children and is taking the necessary steps to develop these directives. Support groups that offer counseling for dilemmas that we face such as domestic violence, parenting, child abuse, bullying, human trafficking, marital issues and other areas are the main concern, and through partnerships with other organizations will be implemented within this congregation. Pastor Wilkerson finds encouragement in Proverbs 3:5-6 where we are instructed to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” Her fortitude is the direct result of seeking God first and allowing Him to be her compass. It is this viewpoint that makes us confident in her ability to not only lead this flock but to utilize all that she has been blessed with to make us the difference that we want to see in the world. We are excited to introduce her to you, but not as excited as we are to see what God has in store for us with her, through her and around her.