For DaShonda Cormier, ministry is not confined to Sunday mornings. It is feeding hungry families, counseling hurting individuals, comforting grieving hearts, and serving others with compassion whenever she gets the chance.
The Arcola native wears many hats. She is a licensed insurance agent with nearly three decades in the insurance industry, a counselor, a ministry leader, and a devoted servant at Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of D.Z. Cofield. Yet, through every responsibility, Cormier says her mission remains rooted in faith and service.
“My mantra is simple: Love yourself, love your neighbors, and love God,” Cormier said.
Rooted in faith and family
Cormier attended Christa McAuliffe Middle School before attending Clements and then Dulles high schools. A self-described foodie who enjoys gospel music and R&B, she also values education. She earned a business management degree from the University of Phoenix and later obtained a master’s degree in marriage and family counseling from Liberty University.
In addition to her accomplishments, Cormier remains deeply grounded in her faith and family. She offered heartfelt appreciation to her three sons — Oscar Galloway, Damion Cormier, and Jalen Cormier — for their continued encouragement and support.
“I love y’all, and I’m just looking forward to seeing what God’s going to do in your lives,” she said.
When she is not serving others, Cormier enjoys reading books that strengthen her spiritual walk. She is currently reading Respectable Sins.
A calling to serve
Cormier currently works full-time as a licensed insurance agent for State Farm, where she has spent 28 years helping clients. But her heart increasingly pulls her toward community work and ministry.
“If I could do anything, I would work for the church, serve, and do it for free,” Cormier said. “I want to branch off into social services, community development, and more direct positions helping those in need.”
That passion is already evident in her extensive work at Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church, where she serves in three major ministries: the church’s Food Pantry, Counseling Ministry, and Grief Share.
Cormier oversees the church’s massive food pantry operation, which serves more than 500 households and roughly 1,000 to 1,100 individuals every Saturday.
“The Food Pantry is a full-time job by itself,” she said.
Though initially reluctant to lead the ministry, Cormier said she ultimately accepted the role because she recognized the growing need in the community.
“I saw there was a need, and I love helping people,” she said. “That’s always been my passion.”
Feeding families with dignity
Cormier approaches the pantry ministry with intentionality and compassion. She understands the reality that many families face as grocery costs and economic pressures continue to rise.
“Some people who come to our Food Pantry may not have any food in their pantry at all,” she said. “They may have lost their jobs. Food insecurity in Texas is very high, and people are struggling with the cost of groceries and gas.”
For Cormier, the ministry is about more than simply handing out food. It is about preserving dignity and ensuring families receive quality meals.
“We try to make sure that whatever we give out is something we would eat ourselves,” she said. “I want families to be able to prepare nutritious meals and enjoy them.”
Seeing people’s needs met brings her joy and fulfillment.
“I look forward to Saturdays because people are so grateful,” she said.
Ministering to emotional healing
Cormier’s counseling ministry grew naturally from her lifelong interest in psychology and helping others process life’s challenges.
“At eight years old, I wanted to be a psychologist,” she said. “I’ve always been fascinated with understanding people and helping them cope with what they’re going through.”
Her church upbringing also shaped her purpose early in life. By age eight, she was teaching Sunday school, singing in the choir, and serving on the usher board.
“I was taught at a very young age that whatever you do, do it as if you are doing it for God. So I put every bit of myself into serving others.”
DaShonda Cormier
“The church has always been my safe place and my passion,” she said.
Today, Cormier uses her counseling background to assist individuals who may not otherwise have access to professional counseling services.
“I wanted to counsel in an area where people could not afford counseling,” she said. “The church became my primary place to help those in need.”
Her involvement in Grief Share ministry is especially personal. Having experienced the loss of a child, her father, a sibling, and other close family members, Cormier understands grief firsthand.
“I wanted to reach out to those who are hurting because I’ve been there,” she said. “The one source that kept me sane and in the right place was God.”
Discovering purpose through ministry
Cormier believes her life’s purpose became clearer through serving others.
“For a long time, I didn’t understand my purpose until I got into ministry,” she said. “Ministry helped me truly understand my spiritual gifts, my talents, and my purpose in life.”
Her philosophy toward service was shaped during childhood.
“I was taught at a very young age that whatever you do, do it as if you are doing it for God,” she said. “So I put every bit of myself into serving others.”
Praise for DaShonda Cormier
Those who work alongside Cormier say her compassion and leadership have transformed lives and ministries alike.
“DaShonda is truly a blessing to our church family,” said Betty Hayes. “Her dedication to the food pantry is more than just a service — it is a ministry filled with love, kindness, and compassion.”
Zachary McDonald said Cormier’s mentorship helped him discover deeper meaning through serving others.
“Through DaShonda’s teachings and patience, I’ve learned my true purpose,” McDonald said. “She’s always there with encouragement, prayer, or simply someone to listen.”
Melissa Castro praised the impact of Cormier’s leadership at the pantry.
“The transformation that has occurred due to her leadership is commendable,” Castro said. “She puts dedication and passion into everything she does.”
