Amarylis is joyfully living out her Christian walk by serving others through ministry. She believes "Ministry is not what you do, but who you are." She enjoys ministry as an ordained Elder in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church where she serves alongside her husband, Rev. Dr. Curtis L. West, Jr. Together, they serve the historic congregation of Butler Street CME Church (Atlanta, GA) and the thriving North Columbus-LaGrange District (West GA Region). Rev. West is delighted to continue the legacy of her late grandfather, Rev. Sebastian Sturghill, a CME pastor who formerly served in the West Georgia Region and beyond.
Amarylis has served God in the marketplace in non-profit organizations and retail management. She has several years of experience in executive administration, management, and leadership. She has also valued the opportunity to volunteer with the Chamber of Commerce, the League of Women Voters, the Council of Negro Women, and other civic organizations. She most recently served as the Community and Public Relations Coordinator for a non-profit mental health organization.
Amarylis enjoyed her time in The Salvation Army (Regional) Women's Ministries department helping to plan, produce, and promote women's conferences for more than 400 women annually. This would prove to be a fitting occupation, as she has also organized and facilitated countless women's conferences, meetings, and gatherings in various states with the CME Church on a local and district level. Other endeavors include The Women of Christ ministry team and her ministry called The Rapha Experience.
Amarylis incorporates her life experiences, spiritual gifts, and passion by curating meaningful Conversations, impactful Conferences, and effective Collaborations through her organization - The Rapha Creative Group. Amarylis is also a sought-after event producer whose more than 20 years of translating visions into seamless reality due to her unique joyful, and fun-filled project management style and love for logistics.
During the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Amarylis was invited to work with the 6th Episcopal District Tech Team by creating a digital space for Bishop Thomas Brown, Sr. to preside and communicate. This team hosted Annual Conferences, district and regional meetings, housed and managed digital forms, curated and produced virtual events, and maintained the 6th district website and social media.
Amarylis' proud parents, William and Mary Didley reared her in the Richmond County School system in Augusta, GA. She attended Fort Valley State University and earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Management degree with an emphasis in Biblical Studies from Belhaven University. As a product of the Civil Rights Movement, Amarylis is a strong advocate for equality and uses her platform and community organization skills to raise awareness of social injustice and matters of inequality. She rears her three children, with her husband, Cymone, Lauryn, and Curtis III to believe the love of God transcends race, age, social status, and gender for Romans 8:38-39 states, "Nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."