About Our Director
Dr. Norva Ross has been blessed to get the education she needs to serve with wisdom to those who are in need of healing.
† Pastor of Full Gospel Ministries, Lorain, Ohio
† Serves as Founding Director of Pathways Enrichment Center
† Served as a MercyHealth Parish Nurse to the Faith Communities, retired in 2018
† Served as Vice President, Lorain Urban Minority Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Outreach Program (UMADAOP)
† Doctorate in Christian Counseling Psychology, Northeast Ohio School of Ministry
† Masters in Clinical Pastoral Counseling, Ashland Theological Seminary, Ashland, Oh
† Associates Degree in Nursing, Lorain County Community College, Lorain, Oh
† Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (PCC)
† Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor (LICDC-S)
† Registered Nurse (RN)
† Board Member - Handmaidens (Donacellas), Inc.
† Member of Lorain County Health Department’s Planning Committee
† Member of Lorain County Domestic Violence Task Force
† Member Genesis House Faith Sub Committee
† Board Member—Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition
Awards
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Honors Graduate, Lorain County Community College, ADN
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Miss Hope of Lorain County, American Cancer Society, 1976
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Norva Ross Day, Proclamation by Mayor Zahoric, May 19, 1980
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Who's Who in American Junior Colleges, 1985
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High Honors Graduate, Ashland Theological Seminary, MACPC
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Proclamation of Honor by Mayor Foltin, May 31, 2001
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Community Service Award, The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women, 2003
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SHERO Award, State of Ohio Minority Health Commission, 2004
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The Meritorious Service Award, The Lorain Club of Negro Business & Professional Women, 2004
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The Shayla Price Award, Lorain County Community College Women’s History Celebration, 2005
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The National Sojourner Truth Award, National Association of Business & Professional Women’s Club, 2004
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Woman of the Year Award; First Community Interfaith Institute, 2005
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Community Outreach Award, Elyria Ministerial Association, 2009
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Community Service Award, The Elyria Branch of the National Association of Business & Professional Women’s Club, 2010
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Robert Henderson Service Award, Akron Urban Minority Alcoholism Drug Abuse Outreach, 2016
Dr. Norva’s greatest accomplishment and pride is in accepting her call to Ministry. In her words: I heard the call to ministry in the 1970’s while in Tampa, Florida at Bush Gardens through a vision while riding on a ride at the amusement park. It seemed as if the sky lit up and I saw a rainbow with the words “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15) (Isaiah 61) and (Luke 4:18). As God continued to work in my life I became acquainted with deep suffering in many areas of my life. I believe I am called and chosen to serve. I was born for this purpose.
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Throughout the years I have experienced: “and these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16: 17 – 19). A testimonial of the power of God: Mama Zulu and family, Alabama, received the baptism of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. Her entire family repented.
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Norva advocates against the horror of domestic violence. Norva is a domestic violence survivor and speaks out about the abuse she suffered urging men, women and the African American community to educate themselves about domestic violence. Norva authored her dissertation for her degree of Doctor of Christian Counseling Psychology entitled Supporting Victims of Domestic Violence Biblical Perspectives and Practical Applications.
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Beyond her commitment to preventing domestic violence, Norva speaks about her own personal struggle with cancer and the miracle of an organ transplant and her journey back to health and wellness.
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Her most noteworthy achievement is being the wife of the late Elder William Hopkins, Sr., and they are the proud parents of seven daughters and one son.
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