Page 2 - Pleasant Hill News Letter June 2024

FEATURED MEMBER Karla Alesha McCulloch By Beverly Parker
What does it mean to be a “willing worker”? According to some sources, a willing worker is
someone who is cheerfully consenting or ready to work, doing their job energetically and
enthusiastically, and ready to work gladly in not one or two, but in several capacities as needed. PHBC is blessed to have many willing workers who are serving in numerous capacities, but Sis. Karla McCulloch is a huge standout out as a willing worker! Many have wondered, “How does Sis. Karla participate in so many activities and memberships without seemingly ready to wind down?” In this article, perhaps the question can be answered.
Sis. Karla is a lifelong resident of Shreveport. She said, “I am the proud daughter of Leonard and the phenomenal Mattie Brewer McCulloch.” She gives credit to her religious training and church participation to her mother, the late Sis. Mattie, who for years served in various capacities at PHBC and was a strong, willing worker. Sis. Karla said, “My mother was my best friend, mentor, instructor, and the one who taught me to love God and my fellowman. The best advice my distinguished mother gave me was to always ‘TRUST GOD’, and that is what I’ve always done! My only sibling, Beverly McCulloch, and I are very close ... she is someone who I regard as my earthly rock – my one and only
rock -- and someone I can depend upon who has my back in every situation. I love her and I’m blessed to have such a magnificent sister by my side. As we grew up, my mother ensured that the two of us participated in youth programs such as BTU, Red Circle, Sunshine Band, and all other organizations sponsored by the church.” Sis. Mattie brought her to PHBC as a baby, and years later in 1972, at age six, she was baptized.
Sis. Karla was educated in the Caddo Parish School System, and in 1984, she graduated with honors as one of the first four-year graduates of Caddo Magnet High School. After graduation, she attended Southern University at Shreveport, Northeast University, Centenary College, and in 1989, she graduated from Louisiana State University at Shreveport in the top 10% of her class with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. During college, she worked for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and immediately after college, Sis. Karla was hired by Arkla Gas Company as an accountant, but when the company transferred her division to their Houston, Texas location, she decided to leave the company because she didn’t want to be separated from her family. In 1994, she began helping out at Flynn Bookstore, which was then owned by the 13th District. Sis. Karla said, “My church had always been a customer of Flynn’s Church Supply, so I began volunteering in the store to help out while I contemplated the best occupational path for myself. Months later, I became a full-time employee. Sis. Karla married in 1996, but in 2000, her husband, the late Kenneth D. Belcher, passed away because of a work accident. After a time of mourning, Sis. Karla continued on with her job. After five years of working at Flynn, the 13th District wanted to sell the store, so she and a former partner purchased it; however, she later became the sole owner and has spent a total of 16 years as owner/manager of Flynn Bookstore. Currently, Sis. Karla is the only African American female owner of a bookstore in the Ark-LA-Tex.
Sis. Karla has had a remarkable life of service to her church and community. A few of her many community and professional memberships include: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority; AmeriCorps Senior Foster Grandparents Advisory Board; Women of Excellence in Business; Who’s Who Among Business Leaders; Black Chamber of Commerce; NAACP; and the KOKA Nation/Light Walker. At her beloved PHBC, she diligently serves as a Finance Team member; Trustee; Women of Destiny Ministry Director; Women’s Chorus; Youth Mentor; Caring/Sharing Outreach Committee; Sunday School Administrative Ministry; Benevolent Ministry; Samaritan Helping Hands Ministry; Kitchen/Food Committee; Transportation Director/Bus Driver, and Hospitality Ministry Leader/Greeter. Sis. Karla is the recipient of many awards which are too numerous to name them all, but at PHBC, she received the Rare Jewel and the Outstanding Contributions to the Youth Ministry Awards. She was recognized by the 13th District Missionary Baptist Association for Outstanding Christian Leadership; and the 13th District Missionary Baptist Association for Outstanding Business/Business Owner. Her civic and business recognitions, and honors include: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Outstanding Business Owner of 2020, Women of Excellence in Business; Who’s Who Among Business Leaders, Black Chamber of Commerce; NAACP Outstanding Business Woman; Outstanding Business Leader/Owner, Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. Beta Psi; Outstanding Business Owner/Leader at KOKA’s 70th Anniversary Gala, February 2021; and Outstanding Business Woman/Business during the 36th Annual Shreveport – Bossier – DeSoto African American Scholarships Awards Banquet, February 2024.
Sis. Karla is the proud godmother of five godchildren: Dennis J. Minnard (her honey bun), Kelyn Johnson, Brittany Johnson, Lauren Mae Turner, and Lyndon B. Johnson II. Sis. Karla’s hobbies are shopping, listening to all genres of music, doing puzzles, sky diving, bowling, watching t.v. crime shows and game shows. She loves to cook, and her specialty is ox tails. Sis. Karla also loves to travel, and Greece was her most amazing place to visit.
Regarding her view of PHBC, Sis. Karla said that under the current pastorship, she is happy to see the church transform into the church that reminds her of the church she knew as a child under Reverend B.M. White. To address the question of how she does it all, she said, “By the grace of God, He gives me brand new mercy and strength every day to do the work before me ... I am extremely grateful for having a wonderful life of loving, learning and trusting God, who is my way maker, promise keeper, light in the darkness, heart fixer, my mind regulator, and my present help in my time of need. I have been walking with the Master all of my life and what a difference it has made. Life happens! I have endured loss and challenges along with the enumerated victories! I am most thankful for my unwavering faith, for I am a living testimony of the Proverbs 3:5-6, ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart ... ‘because
I love people; I never meet a stranger!”
The question is now answered: It is by the grace of God and her desire to serve His people that she can do it all! To Sis. Karla, we certainly appreciate you and thank you for the service you have provided to PHBC over so many years and for being the true definition of what it means to be a “willing worker.” May God continue to bless you and return to you threefold of all that you’ve given to your PHBC family!
I truly appreciate, with all of my heart, the people that the Lord allowed to cross my path on my journey. I am better, stronger,
and wiser because of them.
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