Esther M. Golding

Prophetess Esther M. Golding transitioned to eternal life in the early morning hours of October 22, 2024. Known for her loving kindness and great spiritual gifts, she will be greatly missed by her family and all those she ministered to.

Esther Melody Brooks was born on May 5, 1963, in Ogden, Utah. Esther was the fifth child of Frank and Oretha Brooks’ family of seven children. Growing up in Utah, Esther was a self-professed ‘tomboy’ who enjoyed wearing her cowboy boots, climbing trees, and playing sports. Esther attended Dee Elementary, Central Jr High School, and graduated from Ben Lomond High School in 1981, where she proudly participated in the ROTC.

By her teenage years, Esther had grown into a beautiful young woman. So pretty, in fact, that while attending a church service, she caught the eye of a young man, Lawrence, who was singing in the choir. The two would begin a courtship and marry in 1980 in Elko, Nevada; their union would produce three children: Lawrence II, Brooke, and Rodrick.

As a young woman, Esther worked as a nurse’s aide in local hospitals and enjoyed the healthcare profession. Recognizing the disparities faced by black children in Utah’s public school systems, Esther worked directly with the NAACP as a civil rights activist for the empowerment of black youth in the Utah education system. A woman of many talents, she enjoyed bowling and belonged to local bowling leagues, loved fishing, cooking, and caring for her house plants. Also a dedicated student of the Bible, Esther could recite countless scriptures on demand.

Lawrence and Esther stepped out on faith and were able to purchase their first house in Clearfield, UT by 1986. Esther made that house a home and was always willing to open its doors as a place of refuge for those in need. Her children remember sharing their home with several extended family members; a practice that would continue with many cousins, aunts and uncles living with the family through the years.

In 1993, Lawrence and Esther would be presented with an opportunity to relocate to Arizona. Again, stepping out on great faith and not fully aware of the calling God had placed on their lives, the family left the familiarity of Utah. Once settled in Arizona, Lawrence and Esther began hosting a small Bible study group in their living room. That small meeting grew into Agape Fellowship Gospel Church.

Agape Fellowship, founded in April 1996, remains a well-known church in the community of Chandler, Arizona. As First Lady of Agape Fellowship, Evangelist Golding, as she was titled at the time, would establish the Children’s ministry, “Morning Sacrifice,” Early Morning Prayer service, Missionaries and Deaconess Boards, the Food Pantry and The Issues of Women Ministries. In addition, Evangelist Golding became a certified Evangelical Training Association (ETA) instructor and taught Bible College courses at Agape Fellowship.

Evangelist Golding gave her life to Christ at a young age but as First Lady of Agape Fellowship, she began to walk in her gift of prophecy. She was ordained in the office of a Prophet in 2002 by Prophetess Veter Nichols of Detroit, MI. Prophetess Golding took her prophetic gifting seriously and was obedient to God’s instruction boldly speaking the Word unashamed. In the years that followed, Prophetess Golding was invited to preach at churches locally, in Arizona, across the US and Canada.

Even with all of the work establishing a church, its ministries, and community outreach, Prophetess Golding’s most beloved role was as a mother and grandmother. She will be greatly missed by her children and grandchildren.

Prophetess battled extreme illness throughout her life with extraordinary grace and dignity, even when many others would have given up hope and lost faith. Even in her illness, she ministered to others.

Prophetess Golding was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Oretha Brooks, brother Frank Brooks Jr. and sister Virneda Brooks. She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Elder Lawrence L. Golding; children Lawrence (Tiana) Golding II, Brooke Golding, and Rodrick Golding; grandchildren Daylen, Luke, and Ava; siblings Dr. Marlon Brooks, Aretha “Net” Gardner, Owen (Camila) Brooks, and Thilene Samuels. Prophetess also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, godchildren, friends, and an extended church family.

Memorial:

Homegoing services to be held Saturday, November 9th, 2024 at 11am

Griffin Memorial Church of God in Christ

2424 E Avenue

Ogden, UT 84401

Flowers may be sent to:

Myers Mortuary

845 S Washington Blvd, Ogden, UT 84404

Condolences cards may be sent to:

Agape Fellowship Gospel Church

PO Box 11190

Chandler, AZ 85248