Deacon Brenda Estes
2024 awardee
- Enrique
- April 8, 2024
- | Categories: Ezra Wiki
Early Life
Brenda Tidwell Estes, born on January 10th to Sylvester and Mary McCarthy in Chicago, is the second oldest of four siblings: Christine Price, Daria McCarthy Smith, Ramona McCarthy, and Carl McCarthy. She is the devoted wife of the late Charles Edward Estes and the proud mother of two adult sons, Elder Anthony (Tony) Tidwell and Attorney Christopher Tidwell.
Educational Journey
Brenda’s educational journey includes studies at Trinity Evangelical College in Deerfield, Illinois, Kennedy-King College in Chicago, where she earned an Associate Degree in Special Education and Residential Care, and Chicago State University, where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education. She also completed the Certificate of Progress Program (COPP) with the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., and is a Certified Christian Education Instructor with the Sunday School Publishing Board.
Church leadership & Educator
Brenda joined Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church as a preteen on August 5, 1969, under the leadership of the late Dr. Clay Evans. For 54 uninterrupted years, she has served her church community faithfully. Recognizing her potential, Dr. Evans placed her in various leadership roles, nurturing her gifts and calling.
Her roles in the church have been extensive and impactful. She began as a Sunbeam Leader for children aged 5-12 and later became an assistant helper to the children’s choir. As she grew older, Brenda received training in various classes and gained valuable experience by working with adult leaders. She was appointed to lead the Young Adult Choir for two terms and later the Adult Choir. Additionally, she served as the Assistant Lead for Fellowship’s Drama Guild and its Director, a Vacation Bible School teacher, a teacher for new convert classes, an instructor for sign language classes, and a Sunday School teacher for all ages, from children to adults.