December 2005
Rev. Allen Canley
Senior Pastor
Word Alive Christian Center Nazarene Ministry

This bold, Word-delivering, anointed man of God is the developer and servant-leader of Word Alive Christian Center in Memphis , Tennessee . A man from very humble beginnings now inspires many to grab hold to God's Word and walk in victory through Christ Jesus. He is effective in ministry because he has had to walk-the-walk.

Journey

One spring night in the rural south of Crossett , Arkansas , a midwife struggled to assist a young mother in the delivery of two twin boys. When complications arose, the mother was rushed to the nearest segregated hospital. Regretfully, only one of the babies would survive the breach-birth. Realizing she was unable to care for her son, she chose to give him up for adoption.

A young couple, Louise and Elgin Canley, would gladly welcome the newborn into their home. Like most young couples, they yet had giants to conquer in order to make their house into a home.

Years passed and young Allen enjoyed growing up with friends and family. He never knew that they were poor, because all needs seemed to be met and everyone around him appeared to be doing quite the same. It was a simple life of hunting, fishing, and playing ball. However, things were about to change.

On the 4 th of July 1969, his mother was invited to a tent crusade. That night, she was saved. Allen knew that things were about to change. Something was different.

Five months later, December 4 th , while waiting to participate in a youth program, at his church, Allen felt a yearning to be in services with his mother. Prior knowledge told him that right about that moment things were spiritually heating up. Unable to ignore this calling, he apologized to his youth director and bolted out of the back door. Running through the field, he was relieved to finally reach his mom's church. It was just as he anticipated. They were singing, dancing and praising God. But, little did he know, this was his night. God was calling Allen to receive and accept Him into his life. And he did just that.

Under the leadership of Pastor Roy E. Matheny and his mother, Missionary Jewel Matheny, Allen was molded and honed into a vessel fit for the Master's use. It was there that he laid before the Lord during weekend shut-ins of prayer and fasting. The Word was taught and Allen and his buddies were able to lead Bible classes in the absence of their pastor. Pastor Matheny allowed Allen to travel with him to revivals to hear some great leaders of old preach God's Word.

This journey was just preparing Allen for what was to come. Upon leaving home at the age of eighteen, Allen faced many obstacles. Yet, God had men planted along his journey that would impart wisdom and shed a new light on the Word of God.

There's not enough time to tell it all. Pastor Canley's story is one of perseverance, patience, and preparation. If you understood his past, he believes you would understand his praise. He has not better sense than to believe God. The same God that brought him through childbirth, rejection, segregation, poverty, the struggles of manhood, and servant hood, is the same awesome God that continues to open doors and prove Himself strong and mighty.

Education

Pastor Allen Canley has been teaching and preaching God's Word for 30 years. He was ordained in Tulsa , Oklahoma in 1983. He received his Bachelors in Christian Counseling and a Masters Degree in Theology from Jacksonville Theological Seminary. He is currently working on his ordination within the Church of the Nazarene.

Pastorate

Under the leadership of this servant-leader, God continues to manifest His power. The God-given apparition for Word Alive is to root out, pull down destroys and throw down the deceptions of the enemy. Pastor Canley believes they have been planted in the north Memphis area to plant, reconcile, and restore that community with love and kindness.

Rev. Canley has a strong compassion for reaching people at their point of need. Through outreach ministries and partnerships, Word Alive ministers to youth, senior citizens, the homeless, abused women, unwed mothers, substance abusers, HIV and AIDS victims, and men and women support groups.

Nazarene Affiliation

Word Alive became affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene in 2004. They organize as a Nazarene ministry in 2005. Dr. Joe Ann Ballard was the catalyst behind this God-ordained union. Pastor Canley and Word Alive have enjoyed the fellowship and powerful worship services with the sister churches.

Together the Memphis Nazarene Churches are a growing force. Each preaching and teaching holiness. The future truly looks promising and Canley is elated to be a part of this supportive and mission oriented family.

Family

Together with his lovely wife and Co-pastor Michele Lee Canley, they work vigorously to prepare God's people for a prepared place – heaven. Together they possess an anointing, innovative insights, and courageous leadership in the city of Memphis . They have four children Keenon, Aleviar, Ashlyn, and Mikiah, and three grandchildren, Kenyelle, Thallen and Anyiah.

Testimonial of Lee H. Daffin

I was born January 2, 1968 to a Pentecostal preacher, Reverend Edward Lee Daffin and a young gospel choir director, Mary Ann Daffin. My earliest memories were that of my being engulfed in the culture of “ Lively Stone Church”. Me, holding on to my mother's choir robe as she conducted gospel songs, and being with my father as he consistently remained on his knees in prayer. I believed that nothing better existed in the world. That was my first five years.

My father was much older than my mother who had gotten married at the tender age of 22 years old. My mother, after having three children total, felt that she was missing something and left my father and the church. Although my mother left the church she still seemed to have a great fear and respect of God's word, and therefore never kept me from going to church or being with my father.

I had always felt God's presence in my life and I felt as a child that he was more real than adults seemed to believe. I looked for God's word to be applied in the church, not just taught. I accepted Jesus Christ into my life as a young teenager and was baptized according to God's word.

I continued to live with my mother who was living “in the world” while still attending church. The older I got the more disheartened I became with the legalistic side of church and many of its members living what appeared to be a double life. I also had an intense thirst for knowledge regarding God's word and how it applied with real world experiences I was having at the time. Although my father was a preacher, even he gave the same responses when the answers to my questions were difficult, or it questioned ones seriousness to the application of God's word. “Just have faith”, they would say. “You will have all your questions answered on the Day of Judgment”. I then began to wonder if that is why my mother left the church.

I joined the military and stopped attending church. I did not know the word of God well from studying, as I now know that we are required to do. I thought I could believe in God and make it into heaven my own way. Oh, how wrong was I. I have always felt that God has never left me, and that He has something for me to do in the Body Of Christ.

I now have two boys of my own (11 & 13 yrs old) whom ask me some of the same questions I did at their age. God had been trying to get my attention but I felt I wasn't ready yet. I did however owe it to my children to let them know God for themselves. The entire time God has been placing people in strategic positions to let me know it is He who is calling.

In February of 2005, I was planning to get married in March 2005. Being a police officer and not having a church home or a Pastor, I thought the best thing to do is look for a police chaplain to marry us. So I choose Dr. Rev Leoatis Duren. Dr. Duren was a former active police chaplain that I now know God put into my life to glorify his plan. During our pre-marital counseling, I told him about my past and distrust of organized religion. I soon learned that the path I had taken in my life mirrored that of Dr. Duren. I felt as though I was returning home to a loving family that had missed me. Dr. Duren was unafraid to answer the questions that I had back as a child and still had now. I started attending church, which included Bible study and Sunday school. I thought I was on track and doing well until the day that changed my life, June 25, 2005. I had tried to give up smoking and drinking beer on my own and thought I was doing pretty well with only an occasional slip. The evening that my wife left for the church's Women's Retreat, a neighbor that I used to smoke and drink with came to my home that very night wanting me to go play pool with him. I could feel God telling me not to go. As most stubborn children I ignored the order. Once we arrived at the location I knew I was at the wrong place and I again felt God put on my heart not to go in. I chose a poor attempt at negotiating with God, lying to God and myself that I would be good. I was truly in a den of wolves and was approached by a local gang-banger who challenged my mere existence. Five or more unknown persons then attacked me that night, which I later learned were armed at the time of my assault. One of my attackers was wanted for murder in another case.

Surprisingly, I was bruised and sore but I suffered no serious injury. I went home and slept until morning and was awoken by the most beautiful and frightening thing I had ever experienced. At 6:30 am on Saturday June 25, 2005 God spoke to me. In an instant God was able to let me see all of the things I had done in my life and all of the times he was there for me. While I was feeling ashamed, He simple said “I HAVE SAVED YOUR LIFE…WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH IT” ? Before my mouth could even form the words, my heart said, “I'm all yours Lord do with me what you will” . The Lord filled me with his Holy Spirit and I have become a new creature in the Lord. Before June 25th, I thought I was doing well and did not know I was half hearted in my walk with God. The key all along was giving wholeheartedly and truly repenting. I, even more so than when I was a child, hunger and thirst for the knowledge of God's word. I know that God is calling me for something and I want to be ready for when he does reveal it to me.

The bonus prize is that my wife, Shelby Daffin stopped in the middle of a retreat activity to pray that God watch after me. We are not sure but we suspect that it was almost at the exact time that I was attacked. I know that she was filled with God's Holy Spirit the very same morning. After my wife returned from the retreat, we found out that not only I was delivered. My entire family had become new creatures, all in the same weekend. I know for myself that my God is real.

I hope this testimonial touches your spirit and encourages all who reads this. We Serve A Living God.

Testimony of Shelby D. Daffin

I was born Shelby Diane Handley, on July 23, 1969 at Clark AFB, Philippines. My father is Jimmie L. Handley, who retired from the Air Force and Federal Government. My mother is Lapurisima Pangan Handley, who has been a homemaker most of my life. When not in the Philippines, they reside in Memphis, Tennessee, where my youngest sister, Irene, attends University of Memphis while raising her son. My oldest sister, Nancy, is currently serving in the US Army and is stationed in Korea. My other sister, Christine, a single parent, lives in Daleville, Alabama where she is raising her two young boys. I did not have any brothers, which made boys mysterious to me.

As a young girl and military dependent growing up mostly on or near Air Force Bases, it was really difficult to establish roots in any one particular place. It seemed like every two or three years we were moving to another duty station. Although we moved a lot and I was always having to make new friends, I never once felt an outsider or alone. Now that I am older, I understand why. It is because I have always known God, even before I was introduced to Religion. As far as I can remember, I don't recall my father ever attending church unless it was a wedding or funeral. As for my mother, sadly I must say, she went to church two times a year, Christmas and Easter but claimed to be a devout Catholic. Outside of that, we were not raised in church and my sisters and I had to find out about God all by ourselves.

My fondest memory as a child was playing outside on a Sunday morning and getting really dirty. There was this really big bus that use to drive through our neighborhood and you could hear children singing and having a good time. One morning I decided that I was going to get on that bus and see what was going on. The bus pulled up and I got on and the doors closed and my life changed right then and there. There was this safe and familiar feeling and I just know that it was God's arms wrapping around me. From that point on, I did everything I could to get on the “Joy Bus” every Sunday morning even if it meant me getting in big trouble from my parents for not telling them where I was going. The “Joy Bus” took me to a safe and loving place, the Church.

Later on I found out that there was more than one “Joy Bus” and I took the liberty to get on a different one each Sunday. I was a pretty mature child for my age but not mature enough to know that I didn't have to get baptized at each church. As long as they let me, I did. So I can say that I have probably been baptized and rededicated at least 20 - 30 times in my 36 years of life. I know better now, but back then, it felt so good to get baptized over and over again. I relate that to the fact that I more than likely wanted to be cleansed from my sins, since I seemed to sin a lot. After reaching my teenage years and no longer sneaking on the “Joy Bus”, my life started spinning out of control. But somehow, I always felt God's presence in my life. It was like he was whispering in my ear, “Don't worry my daughter, this is just another part of your testimony for me.” God was so right about that. While a child, I was molested by my cousins and then when I went to college I was sexually assaulted twice, one time, left for dead. I never felt that God had left me, even then. Once I became a young adult, I found myself in one abusive relationship after another, and living a promiscuous life in search of love. Although I looked like I had everything going right on the outside. The inside was like a dark hole. My outward appearance seemed like a lie, probably because it was. I lived a secret life that I thought would never come to light. Silly me, God sees everything. Nothing was going right for me until I got “right” with the Lord. Once I realized that there was a light at the end of all of this pain, I created a support group for women like me, unworthy of his grace and mercy. It was called Victims No More. We stopped living like victims and started living like survivors. That I know for sure is how I have come to where I am now. Even though life was tough for me, I knew that God was still with me, whispering in my ear.

I never seemed to finish anything in my life, at least it seemed that way. I was always running away from something or someone. Operating out of fear. All of that changed in November 2002. My oldest sister was stationed here in Colorado Springs and asked me to come for a visit. Once I got here, there was this awesome magnetic feeling drawing me to the mountains. I decided that Colorado Springs was where I wanted to live. So I went back to Memphis and packed my bags, said my goodbyes and by January I was here for good, with no intentions of looking back. In all my years, I was finally running to somewhere rather than running from somewhere. It was a liberating feeling. Once reality set in I realized that I had moved here with out a plan other than living with my sister and looking at the mountains. Shortly after I arrived here, my sister was deployed to Iraq and I found myself with no place to live and no job to mention. This is where a new chapter in my life started.

I was introduced to Lee, my husband by a mutual friend. It was a time in my life where I didn't trust men as far as I could throw them. God was showing me to put his trust in him and so I did. I didn't worry about my circumstances, I trusted in my faith in the Lord. Shortly after meeting Lee, I found out that he was a single father and I realized that he needed help raising his boys. Well, he realized that I needed a safe place to live and get established, so he opened his home to me. I became the Nanny. Hard to believe that I of all people was taking care of young boys, but God made sure that I could do. Lee and I weren't really attracted to each other but strangely we were drawn to each other, kind of like the mountains. We now know that was God setting his plan in motion by putting us together. He made an unlikely couple into an extraordinary pair.

After a year and half of dating, secretly praying about it, and a big push from the kids, Lee and I got married in March 2005. While dating, Lee shared with me his reservations about religion and church. He even made the statement that he would never go back to church. God had a different plan for us. The day after our wedding, Lee, the boys and myself attended church for the first time as a family. Our life as a family began to change right before our eyes. In June 2005, I attended a Spiritual Retreat for the first time. It was a true turning point in my life. While I was at the retreat, this feeling of urgency for prayer came over me in the middle of night. I got up and began praying for protection over my family but particularly over my husband. I went back to sleep and I woke up rested and renewed. I was excited and wasn't sure of why. Later I found out while I was at the retreat my husband had encountered some unexpected and unwarranted trouble and that God had spared his life. The most amazing part outside of God's mercy on Lee, is that Lee surrendered his life at the very same moment that I was praying for him. There is no one on this green earth that can convince me that God didn't have his hand on us. The following Monday, my children told me that there was something amazing about that weekend and that they wanted to give their lives to Christ. Lee and I had not even shared our experiences with the kids. We will never forget that on June 25, 2005, Lee, our boys and myself surrendered our lives to God and became a new creature family. From that day on, we have been serving the Lord each and everyday. Lee received his calling and is attending Nazarene Bible College pursuing a degree in Pastoral Ministries. My sons have been baptized and are witnessing for Christ at their school and serving in various positions in our church. As for me, I am serving as the founder and ministry leader of SWAT for Christ (Sisters With A Testimony For Christ) which is a women's ministry that goes out into the communities and shares testimonies of what God can do in anyone's life. Also, I have plans to attend Nazarene Bible College and pursue an education in Christian Counseling.

My family and I are pleased to announce that we have joined the Church of the Nazarene. If anyone wants to know about God's love for his children, just ask us. We have good news for them; it's called the Gospel.

September 2005
Rev. Lemzel Johnson

Lemzel Johnson was born in Saint Louis, MO and grew up in Madison, MS. He completed his undergraduate studies at Tougaloo College in Jackson, MS and is currently working on his Masters of Biblical Counseling from Birmingham Theological Seminary. He is the church planter of the Community of Hope Church of the Nazarene in Ardmore, Oklahoma. Lemzel accepted the Lord as his personal Savior at the age of five and has committed his life to God's work.

He is faithfully married to Trinita Keeler-Johnson. They have three children Trizel, 6; Zarya, 4; and Lemzel, Jr., 3. In 1996 he and his wife were called into the homeland mission field (Decatur, AL) two months after their wedding. There Lemzel worked to meet the needs of the underprivileged by helping their immediate problems and then developing a relationship to direct their lives. For eight years he was an advocate for the poor in the Decatur community.

Lemzel's life goal is to help youth and young adults' transition from dysfunctional principals to purposeful life steps of living to have successful lives.

Growing up as a Pastor's Kid, Lemzel had a lot of “I don't want to's ….” But as he grew older he realized that God had a strong calling on his life. He had a lot of life struggles but through them he learned that there were many reasons why he had to go through them. One of his close calls, he says, was in 1977 when he and his family watched their house burn down to the ground. They lost everything except a few clothes drying on a fence. Today, Lemzel thanks God that he and his family survived a close call of losing their lives. This experience and many more has given him faith to understand a key scripture in his life. That scripture is Romans 8:28 which says, “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Accepting the Lord and His plan at an early age has caused Lemzel not to be harsh with his life challenges and struggles he has faced. Today, Lemzel is helping victims of Hurricane Katrina in Ardmore, OK by sharing how God has brought him through experiences of hard knocks and struggles. He solicits prayers, calls, and support for his wife and children as the tough challenges of ministry face him in a new way.

Lemzel Johnson
P.O. Box 724
Ardmore, OK 73402
(580) 224-0704
E-mail: lemzel@arilion.com

Rev. Althea C. Taylor was born in New Rochelle, New York and raised in the Bronx, one of the five boroughs comprising New York City. She was dedicated to the Lord and raised in the Church of the Nazarene. Today, Rev. Taylor is an Associate Pastor with Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene, Bronx, New York. She studied at Clark University, Worcester, MA, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and earned a Master of Science in the Management of Technology from Polytechnic University, Brooklyn, New York and a Master of Divinity from Howard University School of Divinity. After working for almost ten years in corporate America, Rev. Taylor answered a call to fulltime ministry in 1999 and feels deeply called to lead the church in being a prophetic witness in the world.

Her ministry experience includes serving as a coordinator and liaison for Christian clubs in the public school system of New York City, Seekers Christian Fellowships, where she trained students in areas of leadership and evangelism. In addition, she served as the Youth Pastor and Administrative Pastor for Bronx Bethany. She currently serves as the Associate Pastor for Community Outreach and as the Executive Director for Bronx Bethany Community Corporation, a not-for-profit subsidiary dedicated to community outreach and serving the underserved within the community. Rev. Taylor also served as a visiting Adjunct Professor to Caribbean Nazarene College, Trinidad, West Indies.

Rev. Althea C. Taylor currently lives in White Plains, New York. She serves on the Advisory Board of Bronx Bethany's Chosen, a gospel choir ministry committed to reaching souls for Christ through music. She sings and travels with the group as they travel to minister within and outside of the United States. Rev. Taylor also serves on the Metro New York District Nazarene Youth International Board, where she coordinates retreats and discipleship sessions for Youth in the Metro New York region for the denomination.

Rev. Taylor is committed to the Lord in both word and deed and strives to serve God by serving others.

I started full-time ministry in the Pilgrim Holiness Church (now Wesleyan Holiness) in 1965 to 1972. In 1972 I felt the call of God to go to St. Croix, USVI to pastor the Central Church of the Nazarene. The church was in its early stage, and is continuing to grow.

The call came for me to be the pastor of the Tunapuna Church of the Nazarene from 1976 to 1981. The Lord has given us years of fruitfulness.

From 1981 to present, I have been pastor of Calvary Church of the Nazarene, and serve a people with a vision, and who are willing to work.

I also serve as Mission Director of the Brooklyn zone from the year 2000 to present. In addition, I serve on the New York district as member of Court of Appeals, Board of Credentials, Finance Committee and Advisory Board.

I attended Caribbean Nazarene Theological College (CNTC) from 1974 to 1977, and graduated with a ministerial diploma. From 1994 to 1996 I attended Eastern Nazarene College and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. From 1996 to 1997 I have done graduate studies in Pastoral Counseling.

I am thankful to God for a very supportive family, who is dedicated to the work of God and serve in various capacities of our church and community.

The Lord saved me in February of 1957, and called me to ministry in 1965. I have an up-to-date experience with the Lord; I am saved, sanctified and still have a great sense of God's call upon my life.

Elder Albertha Marie Rogers is the Senior Pastor of the Eastside Church of the Nazarene in Memphis, Tennessee. She is a unique vessel in the body of Christ in that her congregation is ninety-five percent Hispanic. Elder Rogers has served as a Nazarene pastor for eight years. She received her call into ministry in 1982 in a Bible class while studying the book of Acts. Her motivational scripture is Acts 20:24 “But none of these things move me neither count I my life dear unto myself that I might finish my course with joy and the ministry that I have received of the Lord Jesus to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” (kjv) She received this word from the Lord and began working in inner-city missions. She became affiliated with the Nazarene Church through serving as Director of an Affiliate Neighborhood Christian Center. Elder Rogers is married to Solomon who serves as director of the Bus ministry at Eastside. Her five children are all Christians and her son works in Youth Ministries at the Neighborhood Christian Centers in Memphis.

Elder Rogers graduated from Crichton College in Memphis with a degree in Biblical Studies and an emphasis in Christian Education. She completed her Ministerial studies under the leadership of Elder Charles A.Tillman former pastor of the Memphis Friendship Church of the Nazarene. She was ordained Elder in August 2003 on the Tennessee District.

Elder Rogers is empowered by God to develop the work at Eastside. The church is purchasing a new van and a food pantry and clothes closet is available at the church to minister to the community. She is advancing the outreach capabilities of the church by establishing a compassionate ministry center, Eastside Service and Training Center (ESATC) which was recently approved for 501(c)3 status.

Elder Rogers serves as Treasurer of the Memphis Area Nazarene Ministers Association (MANMA) and Secretary of the Southeast Zone Fellowship of Black Nazarene Churches. She is also supervisor of distribution and operations at the US Postal Service.

Elder A. M. Rogers, pastor
Eastside Church of the Nazarene
4141New Willow Rd.
Memphis, TN 38111

Dr Larry C. Lott is the Senior Pastor of the Blue Hills Community Church of The Nazarene in Kansas City, Missouri. He has served in this position for the past twenty-eight years. He has a very strong call to pastoral ministry and loves being a pastor. Dr Lott's wife (Bettye) for 45 years, and all three of their children are involved in the ministry at Blue Hills Community Church of The Nazarene.

Dr Lott attended Lincoln University, Penn Valley Community College, MidAmerica Nazarene University and Nazarene Theological Seminary. These schools have helped shape Dr Lott's philosophy of ministry. Dr. Lott was saved in April 1972 in a small dry cleaning shop on East 27th street in Kansas City, Missouri, through the ministry of John Gray who was a minister in the Park Avenue Church of the Nazarene, the only African American Church of the Nazarene on the Kansas City District. Dr Lott was sanctified in January of 1974.

After accepting his call, he began his divinity education at MidAmerica Nazarene University in the fall of 1974. After finishing MidAmerica Nazarene University, and while attending the Nazarene Theological Seminary he accepted the call to pastor the Blue Hills Community Church of The Nazarene (formerly, Park Avenue Church of The Nazarene) in August of 1977. The church has grown steadily under Dr Lott's ministry, started many new programs, and community outreach through its Blue Hills Family Life Center. The church's ministry is focused on meeting the heartfelt needs of its community.

Because of the church's growth, Dr. Lott and the Blue Hills congregation are worshipping in the Nazarene Theological Seminary Chapel. At this location, Dr Lott continues to reach new Nazarenes, develop new leaders, and compassionately serve the Blue Hills Community.

In October of 2001 the Church under Dr Lott's leadership voted to purchase nine acres of land at 6812 Elmwood. Through the acquisition of this land and a viable Capital Stewardship Campaign, the Church's assets have grown significantly. There is a Building and Finance Committee in place to guide the church as it moves ahead with plans to build a 29,000 square feet worship facility.

Dr Lott serves as the Chairman of the Board of the Blue Hills Family Life Center, The District Advisory Board, The District Nominating Committee, The President of Nazarene Theological Seminary Alumni Association, Trustee of Nazarene Theological Seminary, Chairman of National Black Ministry Committee, Trustee Nazarene Bible College 1991-2001, and delegate to the General Assembly 2005.

Rev. Charles A. Tillman, originally born and raised in Syracuse, NY. He later moved to Meridian, MS where he was saved as a teenager under the ministry of Dr. Charles Johnson at Meridian Fitkin's Memorial Church of the Nazarene. In his senior year, Tillman felt the call to the ministry. Upon graduation he attended Nazarene Bible College in Colorado Springs, CO.

After completing Bible College in 1982, Tillman planted New Life Church of the Nazarene in Richmond, IN. He led this dynamic new work for 13 years and received over 250 persons into membership. Tillman resigned from New Life with an active membership of 150. In 1995, Tillman accepted the call to lead Friendship Church of the Nazarene in Memphis, Tennessee. After 7 ½ years he resigned from Friendship after a 125% increase in membership and giving. In February of 2003 Tillman accepted the call to lead Woodville Church of the Nazarene in Richmond, VA. Woodville has experienced a 25% increase in attendance and membership in response to his bold leadership. Tillman was also appointed the Virginia District's Director of Black Ministries – and challenged to start 6 new churches in 5 years. Two new church plants are already underway.

Tillman serves as a member of the Nazarene Bible College Board of Trustees, Chairman of the Southeast Region Black Nazarene Fellowship and member of the National Black Strategy Committee. He recently graduated from the Richmond Police Department's Faith Leaders Academy and is active in various community affairs. Tillman serves on the Virginia District Advisory Board, Board of Ministerial Studies and the Board of Ministerial Credentials. He also served on the Tennessee District board of Ministerial Studies. Tillman has served on many community groups and boards including, Earlham College's Service Learning Center Advisory Board, Richmond (IN) School Superintendent's Minority Advisory Board, United Way, Ivy Tech's Minority Advisory Committee, Reid Memorial Hospital's Home Health Care and Young Life's Urban Ministry Board

Reverend Tillman is an experienced educator and instructor and has served as an Administrator at 4 different colleges and universities, including: Manager of Enrollment/Student Support at Ivy Tech State College, Director of Student Life at Memphis College of Art, Vice President for Enrollment/Community
Affairs at Crichton College in Memphis, TN, and Director for YouthBuild at Mid-South Community College in West Memphis, AR. He was an adjunct instructor at Indiana University East and Ivy Tech State College. Tillman has earned an Associate of Biblical Studies from Nazarene Bible College, a Bachelor of General Studies with a concentration in Social and Behavioral Science from Indiana University East, and a Master of Arts in Student Personnel Administration from Ball State University. Tillman has earned ABD “All But Dissertation” status at The University of Memphis. He expects to complete his Doctorate in Higher Education in the next 12 months.

Pastor Tillman is married to the former Georgia (Mae) Hudson and has three children: Charles II, Jonathan, and Adam. The Tillman's have been married twenty-four years. Tillman considers his family the foundation of his ministerial success and a constant source of encouragement.

Tillman is a Spirit-filled preacher and expositor of the Word of God. He has a distinguished record as pastor, educator, lecturer, community activist and evangelist. Tillman is an active speaker for revivals, seminars, lecture series and workshops. He has preached in various Christian Colleges and pulpits of many different denominations, including, but not limited to: Baptist, Church of the Nazarene, Church of God, Church of God in Christ, African Methodist Episcopal Church, Wesleyan and Presbyterian.

I started full time ministry service in 1995, in Jamaica as the Director of Evangelism at our local church. Prior to this, I was trained and experienced in marketing management and new product development. Ever since entering ministry, I have responded to God's call to pioneer new structures and ministry. Each year, I participated more in mission projects and eventually we formed a local mission's agency that initiated church planting work in Tanzania, East Africa.

In 1998, my family moved to California for me to attend Fuller Seminary to study leadership and church growth in a cross cultural context. By the end of my studies, the Lord clarified his calling for me to be involved in Church planting and train leaders who will do the same. I am fully convinced that church planting is the most effective means of the gospel being established among the nations of the world.

During my studies at Fuller, I interned at a multinational cell church in Cerritos and eventually would lead that church for three years. In November 2003, our church merged with another church and became part of the Nazarene Denomination. We moved our family to Victorville in August 2003 and the Lord opened our heart to the community.

It was during a 40 days of purpose campaign that the Lord spoke to me regarding the clarity of purpose he had given me during school. Combined with a number of confirmations – the Lord made it clear: there is a harvest coming to the High Desert and I am to raise up workers for the harvest and to do this by planting a missional, discipleship oriented – purpose driven church.

I attended the church planting track of the Purpose driven church conference and again was convicted and confirmed that this is what the Lord would have me do. In obedience to his direction and sense of destiny – My wife and I committed to plant a church in the High Desert and raise up workers for the Harvest in the Desert and then from there – the rest of the world.

Paul serves as the outreach pastor at Crossroads Multinational Church of the Nazarene in Cerritos California. The Cerritos church is the main sponsor of the new start in the High Desert. The Launch date for the High Desert Harvest Church is March 27th, 2005. Please pray for this new work and if you would like to send a summer mission team or partner with this newstart – contact Pastor Paul at mailto:paulearle@hdharvest.com.

Birthplace: Lake City, South Carolina (Grew up in Brooklyn, New York)
Military Service: Served in the United States Air Force in Texas
Family: Earnestine, wife of 40 years, and his six children, Fredia, Vivian, Carlos, Sam Jr., Trina, and Michael
Pastorates: Gary, IN, Pittsburgh, PA and New Orleans, LA. Currently the
Senior Pastor of Miami Central Church of the Nazarene

Testimony

After pastoring the New Orleans First Church of the Nazarene for six years, Rev. Peterson took early retirement due to his wife's asthma and respiratory problems. They moved to Tamarac, Florida. Six months after arriving in Tamarac God reached down and called Rev. Peterson to his current assignment at Miami Central, a congregation of over 125 in worship attendance.

Rev. Peterson said, “It is the greatest thing in the world to be in the center of God's will. My love for souls and the Church of the Nazarene has been my constant joy for almost twenty-five years and God has been with me all the way.” Rev. Peterson has a word for pastors today. “Be faithful and a person of integrity. Look not to numbers or location but to the almighty God himself, who will prove himself faithful in the end”.

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