• WHAT IF YOU WERE FORCED TO KEEP A HORRIBLE SECRET?
• WHAT IF THE SECRET INVOLVED YOUR HUSBAND?
• WHAT IF YOUR HUSBAND IS THE PASTOR OF A CHURCH OR THE BISHOP OF A MINISTRY?
   

S.E.C.R.E.T.S. Of the First Ladies, Volume I graphically chronicles the true and heart-wrenching stories of numerous First Ladies who are forced to keep shocking secrets of their husband’s incest, infidelity, homosexuality, pedophilia, alcoholism, pornography addiction, mental cruelty and physical abuse.  Sadly, these situations are occurring in the one place thought to be a safe haven and a place free of these offenses – the CHURCH!  “Christian” men, who are leaders in the church and community, have perpetuated the abuse suffered by these women.  Men who hold titles, such as Bishop, Apostle, Pastor, Elder, Reverend and Minister are committing these human injustices.

The courageous First Ladies chronicled in these pages are Spirit-filled women who love the Lord and who are suffering in silence.  Their silence is the greatest sin of all!  First Ladies must understand their silence will not make their spouse’s transgressions right, nor will it lessen the severity.  First Ladies, you must understand that YOUR SILENCE WILL MAKE YOU WRONG!  By remaining silent, you are, in essence, giving your consent and approval to the misguided actions of your spouse. 

If you are a First Lady silently struggling with S.E.C.R.E.T.S., you will find solace and comfort in the pages of this book.  Not because misery loves company, but because God will minister to you and let you know there is hope and you are not alone.  Your experience is not an isolated case and there are many other women who can relate to your situation.  First Ladies, you do not have to endure horrific acts of mental and physical brutality in order to please God!  God wants you to know your marriage vows do not include abuse, in any form.  More importantly, you will find all is not lost, there is help and there is hope. 

God loves you dearly and wants to put an end to your suffering.  First Ladies be of good courage for you serve a God that can deliver you out of your situation and heal your broken heart!  God has promised never to leave you or forsake you.  Even in your current situation, he has not forsaken you. Your spouse may seem bigger than life and maybe even bigger than God, but, “What shall we then say to these things?  If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31, KJV).  Remember, “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.  (Romans 8:28, KJV).  God’s purpose is to deliver you and in doing so, he will use you to deliver others.

Rev. Dr. Shirley Gordon is the founder and Senior Pastor of Praise Temple Ministries.  Her members lovingly refer to her as “Pastor Shirley”.  She is an entrepreneur, mentor, businesswoman, motivational speaker, Bible teacher and Woman of God. 

Pastor Shirley is also a First Lady!  She is married to Elder Ken Gordon, Sr. and they have three wonderful children – Von, Ken Jr. and Gaylene – and four amazing grandchildren – Valeree, VeNeis, Kenneth III and Cidnee. 

Pastor Shirley’s favorite scripture is Philippians 4: 13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”.