As is so often the case, God leads people exactly where He wants them to be. For Misty Eldred, that place is as pastor of Freedom Worship Center in her hometown, Roff, Oklahoma, located southeast of Oklahoma City within the New Horizons Conference (East Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Southeast Kansas).
Pastor Misty Eldred with her family who also serve as the church’s band
Misty’s desire to follow God’s calling in her life did not start at home. Thankfully, friends of hers repeatedly asked her to come to church, and one thing after another, Misty “sold out” to God at the age of 27. In the last 18 years, she has served as a youth and associate pastor with a heart for women’s ministry which she is supported through annual women’s conferences.
About two years ago, God shared with Misty that she was going to become a lead pastor. She laughed at first, but God put the pieces into place. There was a vacant church across the street from her home, and she thought that’s where God wanted her, but not quite. He gave her the name “Freedom”. Unknown to her, the Roff Pentecostal Holiness Church had just changed its name to Freedom Worship Center. When she received the call from the retiring pastor, she knew that God was telling her exactly where to go.
It was at that same time that God began sharing Isaiah 54 with Misty:
“Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left […]” (2-3).
God’s word is truth, and in the last year and a half, Misty’s congregation has grown from 6 elderly members to serving 60-70 people every single week on Wednesdays and Sundays. This growth is truly astounding, and she is especially proud of their youth which has “exploded” to 30-40 in attendance each Wednesday where they get to enjoy food, fellowship, and God’s word together. The church has even had to put in a brand-new parking lot so there is enough parking for all who come each week.
Misty’s evident heart for God and His people is seen by her congregation as well Bishop Randall O. Drake of the New Horizons Conference: “When I first met Pastor Misty Eldred and her husband, Jeff, for a conversation about the possibility of transferring to New Horizons Ministries Conference of the IPHC, I was impressed with Pastor Misty’s deep commitment to God, her passion to be a pastor, her vision for the community of Roff, her desire to reach people with the Gospel, her easygoing, yet strong, personality, and her willingness to be open to new ideas, new opportunities, and new ministry. After a year of watching Pastor Misty being the Roff pastor, bringing in community people to the church, growing the church in membership and attendance, leading the church in outreach, and participating in conference events and activities, I know my first impression is still the right one. Pastor Misty is an anointed preacher, a true Woman of God, a caring pastor, a loving shepherd, an involved community leader, a great family wife and mom, a strong leader, and is just where God wants her to be in His Kingdom – Roff Freedom Worship, New Horizons Ministries Conference and the International Pentecostal Holiness Church.”
Attendees praying at the Women’s Conference held at the end of May 2023
Leading has also allowed Misty to offer her first women’s conference at her home church. Hosting the conference allowed her and her congregation the freedom to prepare the atmosphere for the many women who attended. Of the conference, Misty shared, “the glory was crazy” with several of God’s attributes being seen including love, compassion, and deliverance. This conference was also the largest yet with women coming from different denominations and towns: some even traveling three hours to be present!
Misty’s passion for God is evident. It is her heart’s desire that the captive be set free, that this generation remove the restrictions placed on God, on signs and wonders, on hands-on healing, and on deliverance. Misty strives to be a glory carrier for the Lord, and through her leadership, she honors God and shares His truth through everything she does.
