Ellen Harbin

Church: Imlay City Methodist Church

Nominated by Lisa of Imlay City
Ellen is no ordinary Lady...Jesus is the Center of her life most importantly. Followed by her husband, family and church. She gives so unconditionaly that I don't think she knows how much she impacts EVERYONE she meets or talks to. Jesus' light shines thru her in everything she does even when she found out a month ago, she has cancer, she told us that this was an assignment for God to let His glory be known. She is the Childrens Ministry Director at the Imlay City United Methodist Church, helping children see Jesus' light through After School Muisicals, Jr. Church, Sunday School, Nursery, VBS, the list goes on and on. Her love for children shows through her home with her four children and the open doors.
As I said...Ellen is no ordinary Lady...she is one of a kind!

Nominated by Cheryl of Waterford
Ellen has always been an inspiration to me with her passion and her dedication to the children in our congregation and her work with the musical side of our worship services . None of her passion or dedication has waned even with her recent cancer diagnosis. Ellen has complete faith in God and knows that He is working in her life (and her family's) even in the midst of this health crisis.

Nominated by Joan of Imlay City
Ellen is one of the strongest woman I know. Even though she is going through surgery for cancer and follow up chemo, she always has a smile on her face and shows what a srong faith she has. she is a example of what a true woman warrior is.

Nominated by Bob of Holiday, FL
Pastors Wife's Name: Ellen Harbin
Ellen is very special Pastor's wife because she is always envolved. Even though we attend her church only 4 months of a year, during the summer, she treats us like we go all year around. She shows her love by working very hard on all projects and it is clear to everyone, that even if she were not a Pastor's wife, she is a committed Christian. She is a devoted mother and wife. What more could we ask for?

Nominated by Mindy of Imlay City
She is director of Children's Ministries at the church, leads bible studies and many other roles.
Ellen has a strong positive attitude. She is a driving force at our church who I think works on overdrive. She wants things to fit together and to workout and be better for everyone and she is determined in her duties.
Ellen is a very happy person who is pretty much always smiling. She has a warm friendly voice and is someone you love to hear from. Ellen knows what needs to be done, directs people, and motivates our congregation to be involved all the while making them feel loved and appreciated. That is a God given gift. She is a true church leader and very respected and admired everywhere.
On a personal note I feel Ellen and our pastor have made me a better Christian and I am grateful to God for them.
In December, Ellen was diagnosed with stage 2 cancer. She had a successful surgery but has since have some complications and still has to endure chemotherapy and radiation. She is approaching this with grace and a God-filled spirit. Ellen is being encouraging and an inspiration to others. Every entry on Facebook and every time I talk to her she says 'she is on board with God and trusting Him. He has a plan for her and they are going for it. I imagine she has had difficult days and times and will continue to do so. But she prays, receives prayers and loves and trusts the Lord. She continues to spread her faith. She is a strong real deal Christian lady.
Your probably thinking how great is sounds already well it gets better! Ellen and our pastor have 4 older children and prior to Ellen's diagnosis were going to adopt. I am not going to say any ages but they are very close to empty nesters and they are going to adopt not one child but siblings.
I watched Ellen and our pastor Kevin stand at the front of our congregation with tears in their eyes and choked up voices and say why it has been put on hold they will adopt children when the timing is better and God will have the perfect match waiting for them. It is a huge sacrifice for them to be adopting at this stage in their life. When God speaks they listen. What a gift they are going to be for those lucky children waiting for them.
Ellen truly has a presence that reflects God. Everyone, of all ages, that knows her loves her, and people that meet her want to know more. Just looking at her you know she had God in her heart.
Ellen is straight from God and is a true blessing to her family, friends and to our church.

Nominated by Carol of Imlay City
We love Ellen. Woman of the Word. (W.O.W.!)

Nominated by Jan of Imlay City
Ellen Harbin is one of the greatest Pastor's wives I have ever had the privilege of knowing and working with. Her love for our Lord is evident in everything she says and does. She has a gift for working with young people....but that's not all. She demonstrates her love of God's word by sharing with other women during WOW (Women of the Word) bible studies. She also ministers to our church and at other events by using her voice to sing praises to God. She has played her flute on occasion. Her life is devoted to serving her/our Lord. She has demonstrated her trust in God to us as she battles cancer and has uncertainties ahead. I hope you will consider Ellen Harbin as you review the nominations

Nominated by Michelle of Imlay City
Ellen, is not just my pastors wife, She is a women of the word (WOW), and she will stand behind the word all the way. Ellen completes my pastor, by being a spiritual influence and a true women of the word. She inspiries every women in our congregation to be more Godlike, and not of the world. She is a special person, in my time of need when I was faced with cancer, I needed someone to just to listen and give me spiritual guidance, she took the time away from her family to listen, and now that Ellen faces the same obsticale, she still gives of herself. We love her and will always be there for her as she is the inpiration to our pastor. Ellen's passion for Jesus reflects in her way of living, and we pray for her every day

Nominated by Sharon of Metamora
We believe our Pastor's wife, Ellen is an awesome gal with a bubbly personality and caring nature. Ellen was the first person we met when moving to this area and we ran into her again when our boys played baseball together. She is a person that you will never forget and will be glad to have met. Ellen is always there to offer comfort you in your time of need and a smile in happy times. She is a true giver, and now it is our turn to be givers and take care of her as she was recently diagnosed with cancer. She is a very postitive person and we are praying and staying positive for her. It would be awesome if she could be the winner of this gift as it would not only put a smile on her face, but it will put a "SMILE" on yours too!
Thank you for this opportunity and please say a prayer for Ellen for total healing.

Nominated by Anne of Attica
Ellen is a beautiful women inside and out. She is always smiling.
The children love and respect her. At the moment she is going through some major health issues which she is handling with class. She is always giving to others of her time and her talent.
She helps everyone with all that she can do.

Nominated by Cristen of Imlay City
Ellen is not only a beautiful woman who loves the Lord, but she is an amazing example of how we should love our husbands. Her husband and our pastor, Kevin Harbin, shared with us on his last birthday how she prayed for him the morning of his birthday by "thanking God for the day her husband was born".
Ellen is now facing probably the biggest challenge of her life. She was diagnosed one month ago with stage 2 uterine cancer. We were and still are very shocked by this tragic news. However, Ellen shared with all of us at our last church service that she was reading Psalm 16:5 while she and Kevin were on their way to see the oncologist about her prognosis. She shared how God's word says "Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;" and she sees that this cancer was not given to her by God, but that He allowed it and this is "her assignement and her cup". With all she is going through (she is in her early 40's with four children), she still ministers to us.
I can think of no one more deserving than Ellen for these beautiful pearls. Even if she doesn't win them, she still shines like a diamond in my eyes.
Thank you so much for this opportunity to share how much she is loved.

Nominated by Emily of Imlay City
Ms. Harbin was been a great blessing to my home church, the Imlay City United Methodist Church, for over seven years. She has been particularly involved in childrens' ministries. Recently she was diagnosed with cancer and I think that winning this contest would help to show how much the church appreciates and supports her.

Nominated by Beth of Capac
Not only is Ellen our Pastor's wife, she is also my Sunday School teacher. As an adult class Sunday School teacher she has the ability to bring His word to life and make it relavant to our daily living. She also spends many hours working for and with our youth as it's Children's Ministry Director. Our church is better not only because of her husband but because of the shining light she exhibits daily.

Nominated by Diane of Imlay City
Our Ellen, is so special with her love of Christ and the members of her church, family, and friends, even when she is battling cancer herself she is still reaching out to others in the community. She is a true inspiration for all of us. Our church family is praying for her and we think this would truly lift her spirits more as she is to begin her Chemo sessions next week, Even if it makes her sick she will know by wearing the pearls that we are all with her and will see her thru her cancer to help celebrate her cure

Nominated by Yvonne of Imlay City
Ellen is one of the strongest women I know, even before her cancer diagnosis this was true. She wears her faith on her sleeve - loves God with all her heart and professes her faith with such confidence, it is amazingly contagious. She has a wonderful sense of humor and positive attitude, but at the same time can humbly and willingly share her doubts and weaknesses with her peers. She is an awesome teacher, mother, wife, friend, and leader with a voice like an angel and spirit and energy that never seems to wane. Ellen is quite loved my many.