Native daughter called to preach

Sodaricka Phillips was born and raised in Portales. She is the daughter of Danny Thomas Kendrick and Debra Jean Walker Kendrick. Both of her parents were preachers. Throughout high school she participated in the choir and the Air Force Jr. R.O.T.C (Reserved Officer Training Corps). She went on to study legal security at Clovis Community College and later transferred to Eastern New Mexico University to earn a bachelors degree in criminal justice with a minor in religion.

She married and had two daughters who struggle with autism. As a military spouse, she spent 11 months in Germany where she said she was called to preach.

In 2008, a year after she divorced, Phillips was ordained and began preaching at Unity Fellowship in Clovis for two years. Then, she decided to start preaching from home and still does so today. Since 2010 she said she has officiated more than 25 weddings.

She is remarried to Timothy Phillips. She enjoys having Bible studies and loves to sing.

What is your theme song?

My favorite song is by Phillips, Craig and Dean called, "You Are God Alone."

When you were a kid, what did you think you'd be doing as an adult?

We used to play "teacher" all the time. The middle sister would be the principal, the other one was the teacher and I was secretary.

What's your favorite taste?

I like pot roast.

What's your favorite smell?

Vanilla.

What do you do when you're not working?

Spending time with the family is always good. We love to be outdoors when its warm out.

How would you describe yourself in one word?

Ambitious.

Tell us about your greatest individual accomplishment?

My children and meeting my husband in 2013. We married in 2014.

Tell us how you met your spouse.

I was working a temp job for Allsups. He came in, saw me, and asked for my number. I remember telling him that I am a preacher. He responded that it was ok because he believed in Jesus too.

Tell us about your favorite place to travel?

My husband and I spent our honeymoon in Carlsbad. We enjoyed the museum and caverns. The artifacts and the model of the town at the museum is really neat.

- Compiled by The News Correspondent D'Nieka Hartsfield