This month we feature Sis. Alayah Ross as our Member of the Month. One of our young, ambitious, rising stars at Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church.

Sis. Alayah has been a member of Pleasant Grove since childhood. The proud daughter of loyal and faithful members, Deacon Nicholas and Sis. Deborah Ross. She says, “Since childhood, God has always been the center of my life. I was raised in a Christian home where I would often hear the verse “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). I am grateful for parents who always encourage and support me and the Pleasant Grove family who have been a source of advice and encouragement throughout my life. The Holy Spirit is my constant guide and teacher as I navigate my journey professionally and spiritually. My foundation in God’s Word was cemented by the teachings of the late Pastor, Dr. C.L. Jackson and our current Pastor, Dr. S.L. Jackson”.

We fondly remember Sis. Alayah playing the violin on Youth and Young Adult Days at church during the tenure of the late choir director, Bro. Dwayne Davis. She also sang in the Youth Choir under the leadership of Sis. Gina Goosby and then graduated to the Young Adult choir. In addition to singing and playing an instrument, she was a member of the Sunday School Department.

An over-achiever, Sis. Alayah was a member of the Speech and Debate Club at Carver High School where she was also a member of the orchestra. After high school, she attended the University of Houston and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. While she interned at Texas Children’s Hospital in the NICU and at Buckner Family Pathways, she developed a passion for serving families and supporting women’s health. Recently, Sis. Alayah received a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Baylor University with a certification in Integrated Behavioral Health. Her next milestone is to take the licensure exam to be a Licensed Master Social Worker. Sis. Alayah says, “I feel called to work in maternal health,
particularly supporting women of color, and continuing to pursue other opportunities within the medical field.”

Outside of work and church, Sis. Alayah finds time to volunteer. She volunteers at Buckner Family Pathways – a faith-based nonprofit organization that serves vulnerable families – during their back-to-school events and after school programs. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with her family.

Let’s continue to pray for Sis. Alayah as she seeks to fulfill her career aspirations and make a difference in the world. Show her some love in the comments below and thank God for her commitment to service.