Sarah Elizabeth Sutton Alford, the youngest of 7 children, was born to the late Jessie and Pauline Sutton in Hope Mills, NC. She graduated from the North Carolina Public School System and attended Fayetteville State University. She relocated to Paterson, New Jersey in December, 1965 and was employed for 30 years at Wyeth (Pfizer) Pharmaceutical holding various positions and retired November, 2002.

 

At an early age she accepted God’s plan of salvation for her life at Swans Creek Missionary Baptist Church. However, in March 1973 she had a very personal encounter with her Lord and moved from church membership to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. She rededicated her life to Him and for 30 years became a faithful member of Grace Chapel Baptist Church in Paterson, New Jersey. On January 31, 1994, she preached her initial sermon and on Oct. 31, 1999 was ordained into the gospel ministry. At Grace Chapel Baptist Church she remained faithful, dedicated and committed to her Lord, Pastor and Leaders until she relocated to Hope Mills, North Carolina in Dec. 2002. After returning back home she reunited with Swans Creek Missionary Baptist Church and served under the pastorate of Dr. T.R. Murray.

Under the leading of the Holy Spirit and after much prayer and meditation, with her husband Willie by her side, on August 9, 2005 the first weekly bible study was conducted in their home with 5 in attendance.  The name Joy Fellowship Outreach Ministry was established and On July 5, 2006 a rental agreement was signed by Willie & Sarah Alford and on September 24, 2006 the first morning worship service was held at 814 Southern Avenue, Fayetteville North Carolina.

On April 3, 2016, Pastor Alford and congregation rejoiced and gave thanks to God as they marched into their present location at 18336 Hwy 87W, Tar Heel, North Carolina and held their first worship service. With the favor of God, on September 30, 2016, Joy Fellowship became owners of their present location. Their prayers had been answered. Look what God has done. As we continue to seek God's guidance, we anticipate higher heights and deeper depths in building God's kingdom.

Under the pastorate of Pastor Alford, ministries have been added to the church and souls are being added to the kingdom. In addition, the church does charitable outreach in the community; most recently a Back Pack School program and Without Walls Ministry for the homeless.  She is a member of the WIDU Pastor’s Coalition and a regular with the “Pastors of Purpose” round table each Wednesday at 12noon on WIDU 1600AM radio station, Fayetteville, NC.

Pastor Alford graduated from The Christian Bible Institute in Bloomfield, New Jersey June, 1998 and received a Bachelors of Theology Degree. On June 9, 2018 she was conferred an Honorary Doctor of Theology Degree from Christian Outreach Bible Institute, Fayetteville, North Carolina.

When we think of trailblazers in the stories of history, they are always courageous. They take the first step in unchartered territories, making it possible for others to walk through the door. Pastor Alford did this by becoming the first female preacher at Grace Chapel Baptist Church in 1994. Trailblazers show others that it is possible, through their hard work and achievements. Pastor Alford did this by becoming the first person in her family to recieve a doctorate degree. She is always stepping out on faith, working towards what others deem impossible, proving that with God all things are possible. 

She is the Pastor and founder of Joy Fellowship Outreach Ministry in Tar Heel, North Carolina, wife of the late Willie Alford for 45 years, mother of 3 children, Chenetta (deceased), Gary and Paula -- grandmother of 6, and a servant of God. She considers it a joy, honor and privilege to be called by God to be his ambassador and preach His gospel.