Like manna falling from heaven, Scriptures flow from the mouth of the Rev. Marilyn Thomas nourishing (or rebuking) the listener with the Word of God to fit his or her particular situation.

Those who meet the pastor/founder of Oracles of Deliverance Church, 6595 Inner Perimeter Road, for the first time are mesmerized by the Scriptures she has memorized and recites seamlessly as though they were everyday conversation.

“You must have memorized the Bible from cover to cover,” I teased as we sat down to what turned out to be a three-hour interview Wednesday afternoon.

“No,” she said and laughed. “It’s a gift from God.”

The Valdosta native can also thank her history teacher at Dasher High School.

“The teacher in those days demanded you go before the class and recite,” she said, smiling.

I became acquainted with the 75-year-old pastor/founder through wonderful telephone conversations we had as she submitted Sermons of the Week to the newspaper, delivered by her faithful secretary of 34 years, Angela Graham. It was good to spend time with the pastor who has spent the last 48 years in the ministry of Jesus Christ. While many pastors go from church to church in their lifetimes, Pastor Thomas has pastored only two churches for 42 consecutive years.

“It’s been a miraculous journey,” she said.

God’s blessing on her is evident in the awe-inspiring fellowship hall and 200-seat sanctuary that she envisioned building for God more than 40 years ago. Unlike the folding chairs seen in many church fellowship halls, Pastor Thomas has fine furniture in hers, similar to the long tables and chairs seen in conference rooms. The fellowship hall, which seats 100, also includes a library with a beautiful chandelier, bay window and shelves of the sermons she has preached, as well as a baptismal. There are four kitchens highlighted by custom cabinetry and granite counters and eight bathrooms in the two buildings. There are also four classrooms and two utility rooms.

The sanctuary and fellowship hall total more than 10,000 square feet — and, most importantly, they are debt free.

Both of the buildings were constructed without fund-raisers, she said.

“God spoke to me not to sell anything to build His edifice.”

She said He also “gave her a mind to design both buildings and the gate.” However, she used the architectural skills of two architects to develop and draw her plans, although she was quick to change anything she didn’t like. She said she was led by the Lord to take her husband off his job and to direct him to take a test to get his contractor’s license to build so she could work under it. Her building experience had included the construction of one of her homes in 1981. She had also renovated churches and personal properties she owned.

The sanctuary occupancy was given by Lowndes County on March 15, 1999, and the fellowship hall occupancy was Nov. 12, 2007, although the latter has not been used for the most part, awaiting the July 19 dedication.

The dual celebration for the pastor’s 48th anniversary in the ministry and for the dedication of the fellowship hall, will be held at 1:30 p.m. July 19. The program hadn’t been finalized at the time of this writing, but will include a poem read by a follower, the singing of “The Lord’s Prayer” by Angela Graham, a choir special and testimonies from two deacons.

There are 14 male followers in her church, including Youth Pastor Willie Rawls, who was asked how it was to serve God under the leadership of a woman.

“It doesn’t feel any different than being under a man because she is anointed of God,” he said. “People have a tendency to desire to follow a male instead of following the leadership of God through a woman.”

Angela, who has volunteered as her secretary for more than three decades and has observed the life of the pastor, said, “I see her as a great woman of God, full of wisdom, counsel and knowledge in all areas.”

Honors which have come to the pastor include an invitation to attend the inauguration of George H. Bush and Dan Quayle in 1989, which she declined. She and other area ministers were also honored with Achievement Awards by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. during a ceremony Feb. 9, 1991. In January of this year, she received a picture of President Barack Obama from Vice President Joe Biden and a note which said, “Marilyn, you have my deep gratitude for everything that you have done for the Democratic Party. Together we will change this country and change the world.” The pastor was quick to say she had only prayed for them and voted.

The sermons she has shared in the newspaper for 20 years and copyrighted will be compiled into a book titled, “Divine Intelligence Beyond the Human Mind.”

“That’s next on my agenda,” she said.

In the meantime, she’ll continue her intercessory prayer for her flock of less than 50, bearing their burdens, exhorting them to be pure and guiding them to repentance and peace.