The Rev. Lois E. Randolph is now serving the welcoming and friendly congregation of First Presbyterian Church of Lehighton. Randolph has been an ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church (USA) since April 1999.

She previously has served two congregations, the Presbyterian Church in Pluckemin, N.J. as an associate pastor and Lower Saucon United Church of Christ, Hellertown."Ever since I can remember, I have always attended church and Sunday school," she said. "I looked forward to Sundays and couldn't wait to get there."She would say her prayers as a young girl with her mother and enjoyed singing, "Away in the Manger." For her, prayer was an important part of her life from an early age."Prayer is still important," she said. "I pray about everything, even for the sun to shine during church picnics. I don't know of a time when I didn't know about God."Since she grew up in the church, she eagerly awaited being in eighth grade so she could be a member of the choir and join the church."I wanted a vote in what was being done," she said. "I took part in the youth group and was the lead teacher in a Vacation Bible School class, with two older women who didn't want the responsibility."While still in eighth grade, she attended a Billy Graham Crusade and gave her heart to Jesus and came to know Christ as her personal Savior.She attended Bound Brook High School in New Jersey. It was there that she felt the call to ordained ministry, but she didn't answer it. She remained involved in the church and at college she joined the religious group on campus."I was a key worship leader and would plan, with others, the worship services," she said. "I continued to grow as a Christian and did everything I could do in the church except preach. I taught Sunday School, became the superintendent, sang in the choir and was an elder."Before she married her husband, Tom, she told him that she had started seminary and might go back some day. In 1993, she finally answered the call to become a minister and entered New Brunswick Theological Seminary in New Jersey.Her husband gave her his support as she worked for her goal of attaining her Masters of Divinity. During this time, the couple was living in Phillipsburg, N.J. and had joined Pilgrim Presbyterian Church."I loved seminary classes and learning new things," she said. "While in the seminary, I was director of Christian education and a full-time nurse."Both of these opportunities helped her with the practical aspect of what she was learning in school."I graduated magna cum laude in 1998 and am thankful that God has been with me every step of the way," she said.Randolph enjoys getting to know people and the stories of their lives."I do this by visiting people in their homes, the hospital or in eldercare facilities," she said. "I learned how to listen to those chronologically gifted. I get along with all age groups."Randolph said that she has been warmly welcomed by the congregation of First Presbyterian Church, Lehighton."I am willing to help others in any way that I can" she said.