Rinnita Thompson is a ‘master balancer’ who smoothly handles being a wife, mother, worship leader and first lady of Southern Missionary Baptist Church of Los Angeles.
In her opinion, there’s no big mystery about the key to her success.
“For me, the secret to balancing many roles is maintaining a constant and close relationship with God. Everything else comes after that,” said Lady Rinnita.
“The best job or career that I have is being a wife and mother. That’s my first calling and where I’m most fulfilled.
“God’s mandate for me as a wife is to be a helpmeet to my husband (Pastor Xavier L. Thompson), in every area. As it relates to my children, I’m called to train them up.
“I love my church family and the work of the ministry, however that’s not my number one priority.
”The balance for me is to first make sure the responsibilities of home are taken care of, and then I’m able to freely give of myself to the congregation. I keep the most important things on top and then make room for the rest.
“I don’t want to be a great pastor’s wife, but a bad wife and mother at home because I’m so focused on the cares and work of the church.”
At Southern Baptist, Lady Rinnita has multiple roles as well. A talented vocalist and speaker, she serves as the praise leader during Sunday worship and hosts ‘The Living Room,’ a women’s fellowship hosted by the church’s Women’s Ministry.
“I love praise and worship. It’s my passion! That’s an area I have been called to serve the Lord and the church in. With the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit, yokes can be destroyed. That’s my antidote for deliverance, praise and worship.
“I believe God has blessed me with the gift of song and I’m so grateful that He sees fit to allow me to usher His people into His presence.”
Community involvement is another area Lady Rinnita is passionate about. Her work with the First Ladies Health Initiative provides an outlet to pursue that interest.
The campaign arranges free screenings at local churches and offers educational events where medical professionals share information to improve women’s health.
“It’s an amazing opportunity to reach out and help the community at large. Many people can’t afford to go to the doctor for health screenings, such as to check their sugar levels for diabetes or blood pressure.
“Lives have been saved because of this program. It’s free and available to everyone who wants to take advantage,” noted Lady Rinnita who added that the First Ladies Health Day is set for Sunday, May 19.
While she maintains a full complement of roles in her life, another one was added in February with Pastor Thompson’s election as president of the Baptist Ministers Conference (BMC) of Los Angeles and Southern California.
On being the first lady of the BMC, she reflected, “That is so mind blowing and humbling at the same time! I’m still wrapping my head around the fact that God has placed my husband in this highly esteemed, highly visible, and highly accountable position. It’s history in the making and I couldn’t be more proud of him.
“My prayer life has been taken up a notch because ‘to whom much is given, much is required’ and seeing that God has promoted my husband, my life inevitable will change.”
Fortunately, being a ‘master balancer’ will serve her well as she moves forward in prioritizing her life.
“I really try to be who I am and that’s first, a woman of God – without any title or position. I am also guided by Romans 8:38-39,which says that nothing can separate you from the love of God,” declared Lady Rinnita.
“God is a forgiving God and says that He will never leave us nor forsake us. You can’t do anything that’s too bad that God will throw you away.
“So, holding on to that truth and knowing that God will love you in the worst and best of times, that should be encouragement to anyone.”
