Irishea Hilliard Biography
No matter how much a person may desire to walk a life that pleases God, life has a way of humbling us towards depending on God. The statement said is not a discouragement to those who desire to live a life that pleases God but encourages them to expect nothing from life and depend on God for everything. Even though life may have an element of darkness, God abundantly gifts those who stick by him regardless. This is a testimony of the Senior Pastor of New Life Christian Center Church Dr. Irishea Hilliard.
Her desire is to preach the gospel, realize the vision of the mega-church she is leading, and make a connection among the generations she is serving. She has succeeded in living her passion but along the way her will to do what it takes to become successful was tested.
Irishea Hilliard Age and Ex-Husband
Dr. Irishea was born on 7th June 1977 in Houston, Dallas to Bishop IV Hilliard and his wife Bridget Hilliard. She is a sister to Tina, Pastor Preashea, and the disowned daughter Kermeshea. Irishea was brought up in the Christian way and her desire growing up has been to live according to her parent’s precepts, which are in line with the Bible.
In 2000, she got married to Jeffrey L. Lewis. The two got blessed with two sons, Ivan Harrison, and Jonathan Sean-Michael. After 10 years of marriage, Irishea called off the marriage and divorce her husband. She accused him of engaging in extra-marital affairs.
The internet has it that Mr. Lewis began engaging in such matters during the bachelor’s party and continued with the habit after the wedding. Despite the divorce, Irishea has continued raising her children with the help of her parents. In an interview, Irishea opened up about the pain she went through and how God helped her to come out of it.
Church Ministry
Raised by renowned Christian leaders, Irishea felt an obligation to follow in her parent’s footsteps. In her youth years, she made her own commitment to live by God’s standards. Growing up, she was active in school and also at home. Irishea went to The University of Oklahoma and Sam Houston State University where she did a degree in accounting.
After college, she started serving as the Youth Pastor in her father’s church. She stopped pursuing a dream outside the church to focus on her true purpose inside her father’s mega-church. She rose to the level of Chief Operating Officer of the church where she was tasked with overseeing the children’s, teen’s, and youth’s ministry.
In 2011, Irishea was promoted to the level of the on-site pastor of the west location. She spent hours counseling and educating the youth on matters of the kingdom and their personal life. Her dedication to the youth earned her the title of doctor after she was awarded the Doctorate in the Urban Youth Ministry for her service to the youth.
Achievement and Church Net Worth
In 2021, Bishop Hilliard, who was going to retire passed on the leadership baton to her daughter. That year Irishea became the senior pastor of a 20,000-plus membership church. She joined the list of a few women holding the title of senior pastor in a megachurch. The decision was received positively as many people knew her labor for the ministry and others trusted the decision of the Bishop.
Her desire is to continue the work of her father which he had been doing for over 30 years and to bring all generations together through worship and the word of God. Dr. Irishea is particularly invested in women through a ministry called Sheroes League, a community organization aimed at reaching out to women and helping them to live out their purpose. As a senior pastor and a woman, Irishea desires to be an example to women and influence both men and women through her God-given gifts.
Irishea is a representation of a modern-day Christian. She is conservative but still fashionable in the way she presents herself. She has both charisma and a pure character. Her experience as the COO of the church has helped her manage the megachurch, which can be valued above $50 million. Kermeshea who once served in the church confessed she administered millions of money, lucury cars and mansionates, making the church one of the wealthiest in the country.
