Dr. Revardale Middleton ~ 5-2-26

“Fully Committed”  

Dr. Revardale Middleton graduated with her master’s in divinity in May 2016 and completed her Doctorate in May 2017. We ran into each other in 2018 when I attended my cousin’s graduation ceremony at the same school.

It can be said that Revardale is a little ole country girl from a rural area in Georgia. She may be unknown to many but she earned a doctorate degree and when her season was finished in North Carolina, Revardale was led to move back close to where she came from.

Revardale is grateful for the small quiet little town, which is a different way of life, but she loves it! She is a blessing to this small community because this is the will of God for Revardales at this season of her life.

Although she has a doctorate degree, Revardale chose not to sit at the high table. She humbly served wherever the Spirit led her and it has been impactful. Her life is a living testimony of God exalting those who are humble; though Revardale is not on a billboard, she will be greatly rewarded in heaven.

Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever (Daniel 12:3). That’s the kind of billboard every child of God should want.

Although our ministerial involvement was in two different churches, we were friends with some of the same people; and several of them, like the two of us had different denominational backgrounds. Ironically, we traveled on foreign soil but not together, nor to the same places. Both of us were and we still are passionately spreading the Gospel to whoever and wherever the Lord sends us.

It certainly cannot be denied that Revardale is an encourager. She has nudged me in several ways, one which has stuck with me ever since that Saturday graduation at Apex School of Theology in Durham, North Carolina, a private, non-denominational Christian institution of higher learning.

I had no idea that Revardale previously attended the school until I went there for my cousin’s graduation; who did I run into but Revardale. My God! We were having a conversation in the lobby after the graduation, and she began to encourage me to apply to attend this school. She also shared how the Lord blessed her to go there on a scholarship.

Then Revardale said:

“I want to introduce you to the Dean.”

I went to the cafeteria where lunch was to be served, and in she walked with this tall man, the Dean of the Doctorial Program. She introduced him to me and she began to tell him that the school could benefit me and I could benefit the school. She shared with him about me having a wealth of Biblical knowledge.

Mind you, the room was full of people and they heard the conversation. What a blessing and honor how this woman of God felt that the Word of God was dwelling richly in me. Just a few days ago this came to my remembrance; I texted Dr. Middleton and asked if a story could be written and posted; she agreed.

What can be taken away from this story? Nothing is wasted with God. Everything that happens in our lives is with purpose and it ends up working out for our good and the good of others. It was not God’s will for me to attend a seminary, yet He used this wonderful friend who saw something in me which was a great encouragement for me to move forward in ministry.

Since that time, my sister in Christ has moved near her hometown in Georgia, still ministering and traveling. Dr. Revardale has been such an inspiration in my life and whoever the Lord places in her path, is also blessed.

Betty A. Burnett ~ burnettministries.org