Elect Lady
Dr. Joyce Laverne Griffith
In the words of scripture found in Psalms 118:23, “This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.” On July 23, 2016, Dr. Joyce LaVerne Brock was united in holy matrimony to Suffragan Bishop Dr. Thomas E. Griffith, pastor of Zion Tabernacle Apostolic Faith Church.
Suffragan Bishop Griffith and Elect Lady Joyce Laverne Griffith are blessed between them to have five children with their companions, 17 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
In her new role as Elect Lady of Zion Tabernacle and through the DOZ-Daughters of Zion Ministry she offers encouragement, insight & direction to the women’s ministry groups in the church; she is also the director of the Prayer Line Ministry, the Family Forum Ministry and the Healing Hurting Hearts Ministry.
Dr. Joyce [Brock] Griffith is a native of Washington, D.C. transplanted by God to Indianapolis, IN in 1988. She is the daughter of the late Bishop William R., Sr. and Agnes Brock representing a fourth generation of Apostolic Believers. She was saved at the age of thirteen under the ministry of her grandfather (by marriage), the late Bishop Benjamin L. Lumpkins, pastor of the Old Pentecost Church - Bibleway Churches World Wide, Washington, D.C. where her father, Bishop Brock, assumed the pastorate after the passing of Bishop Lumpkins.
Her Christian service spans over forty years to include; Choir member, Sunday School Teacher, Missionary, Altar Worker, Secretary of Auxiliaries/Departments, Radio Broadcast Announcer, Radio Broadcaster – “Truth In Christ Radio Broadcast – WBRI,” Chair Publications Department, Outreach/Evangelism, Associate Minister, Church Planter, Assistant Chaplain – Indiana Girl’s School & Women’s Prison, Preaching/Teaching/Counseling/Author/Ministry Development, Foreign Missions Internship Frankfort, Germany.
She has served as associate minister in the following ministries in Indianapolis: Zion Tabernacle AFC (2007 to present), Suffragan Bishop Thomas E. Griffith; Gtr. Christ Temple, PAW, Inc. Colorado Springs, CO. under watch care of the late Ingram (2004-2007); Grace Apostolic Church (1989-2000), Bishop Morris E. Golder; MT. Zion AFC (1988-1989), Elder Lambert W. Gates.
She served as Founder & Pastor of Praise Temple Worship Center (2000-2004).
Bishop Byron Johnson & Bishop James E. Tyson served as pastoral mentors during periods of transition after Bishop Golder passed in 2000.
She received ministerial credentials in PCAF (1988) and was ordained/consecrated PAW, Inc. (1992 & 2004).
She is an NCCA-Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor-Advanced, an NCCA State Clinical Supervisor providing oversight to candidates for Christian Counseling degrees and licensing. She is an AACC Board Certified Pastoral Counselor and holds board certifications in: Marriage, Family, Child, Adolescent & Group, Grief & Trauma, & Addiction Therapy. She is a certified Life Coach coaching in area of life, leadership, relationship and conflict resolution. Registered ‘Livingworks’ Suicide Prevention Trainer. She holds memberships in various counseling associations. She has held 10 year membership with the AAMFT. She has counseled professionally for over 27 years in churches & community settings.
She is the president of Compassion Helplines, Inc. [dba] Betterliving Ministries, Inc. which focuses on crisis intervention, community outreach and evangelism in various faucets, the Women United In Intercessory Prayer Network, and the New Life Bible Institute & Christian Women’s Leadership Academy.
She served as Adjunct professor for LOGOS Christian College and Graduate School. She has special interest in and has worked for over 25 years with families, youth, girls & women in crisis in both church and community settings.
Community involvement includes volunteering for the Family Strengthen Coalition, Indianapolis, IN as a member of the pilot group to set up the program via “Family Strengthening Summits” funded by Annie Casey Foundation. Member of Indiana Youth Institute; Trained CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate for children), and volunteer counselor – Crisis Pregnancy Center.
