Meet Jamila Michener, for Such a Time as This

By Shyla Smith --  ICOC Salt City Church, Syracuse, NY, USA

Jamila Michener is a disciple of Jesus Christ, a wife, a mom, children’s ministry coordinator, Family Group Leader….and an Associate professor at Cornell University, renowned scholar in the field of political science, and sought-after speaker.  She has published articles in The Washington Post, Vox, the New York Times, and is a rotating panelist on the PBS/WCNY program Ivory Tower (a weekly roundtable discussion focusing on news and politics).  She is a spiritual Christian woman who is highly educated and respected among her peers in academia, nationally, and in our family of churches, serving on the editorial board of the nascent ICOC collaborative academic journal Teleios. https://www.teleiosjournal.com

At an early age, Dr. Michener was drawn to study issues of race, poverty, and inequality because of her experiences growing up as the child of working-class Afro-Caribbean immigrants in low-income neighborhoods in New York’s boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens.  Her depth of knowledge in these areas is only surpassed by her depth of compassion for those affected by poverty and inequality and concern for a wealthy society that tolerates and sometimes facilitates these conditions.

Jamila has researched and advocated for those living in poverty and under inequality for many years but in 2020, her wealth of knowledge, experience, and spiritual maturity were called upon by God to edify the body of Christ with both grace and truth.  In June of 2020, following the strong ripples in society and in the church that accompanied the killing of George Floyd, Jamila offered insight to her local congregation in Syracuse, NY.  Although it was intended for the local congregation, thanks to Zoom, more than 150 households from around America logged in to hear her speak and to participate in a prolonged session of questions and answers.  We were educated, enlightened, and equipped for the times.  Since then, Jamila has also graciously provided easily digestible insights in the Let Justice Roll Conference presented by the ICOC Teachers Service Team and the Teleios Society in March 2021.

In Esther chapter four, Mordecai, Esther’s uncle, speaks to her about the sovereignty and the timing of God in her life.  He asks a spiritual question to prompt Esther to consider God’s plan and God’s timing particularly for her. Verse 14 poses this question: “And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” (NIV).  Over many years, God was preparing Jamila through her experiences and education for the times we have gone through and are still navigating.  She has seen His hand in her life, in her esteemed position as a scholar and expert in her field and has answered the call to serve His people at just the right time.

What unique knowledge and experiences has God provided in your life?  Be alert!  God has not wasted His time nor yours; rather, he is preparing us for a time when we can impact the world for His glory. All for the sake of His love for us and all people.