A few words
About Us
Our History
“HUMBLE BEGINNINGS”
On August 4, 2013, Elder Dwayne Brinkley organized a gathering to declare his call to the ministry and the Lord’s mandate to form a church. Missionaries Vera Walker and Brenda Gipson attended the meeting with him and his wife Terrie.
Elder Brinkley had the vision to present to God a ministry that was devoted to proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ, equipping its members to make a difference in their families and communities, and developing a ministry that exemplified God’s love through serving others. The name “Community Empowerment Center” for the church was given to Elder Brinkley by the Lord.
In a conference room at the Regency Hotel in Jackson, Mississippi, located at 400 Greymont Avenue, Pastor Brinkley, his wife Terrie, and their two children, Katelyn Olivia and Kaleb Alexander, officially opened the doors to Community Enpowerment Center Church on Sunday, August 11, 2013. Missionary Vera Walker, Missionary Brenda Gipson, Brother Dennis Harris, Brother Christopher Terrell Hall, Sister Malinda Johnson, Brother Michael Johnson, Jr., Tynisha Nicole Arrington, and Mauricus Johnson were the first members to join the church.
On April 11, 2014, a celebration marked the official opening of the Greymont church. Those present for the opening were The Elder James Brinkley, Jr. and the Fairfield First Church of God in Christ in Fairfield, Alabama. Elder Brinkley stated a willingness to serve in District 14 of the Mississippi Southern First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, under Superintendent Larry Weems and Jurisdictional Prelate Bishop Hollis Musgrove.
The pastor convened a meeting to examine finding a different location that was more suited to the church’s objective and purpose after experiencing some difficulties at the Greymont location. The Committee gathered at a nearby restaurant at 1:00 p.m. in early June 2014 to go over the specifics of selecting a new location to move the church. We were peeking through the windows of 3580 Old Brandon Road, Pearl, MS, about 5:00 that Sunday after much prayer and the great hand of God at work. We traversed the property and reclaimed the structure in the name of Jesus.
After much effort, on July 18, 2014, the Lord granted us the ability to buy our first building, and on July 22, 2014, at 10:28 a.m., the sale was officially completed. The Community Empowerment Center Church of God in Christ moved to 3580 Old Brandon Road, Pearl, MS after deeds were registered with the Rankin County Chancery Clerk. The structure is located in a densely populated region of Pearl, Mississippi, on two acres of ground.
The first service in our new location was held on September 18, 2014, a Sunday. Elder Brinkley feels that receiving the opportunity to teach God’s holy word is God’s way of showing gratitude for his spiritual fidelity. With modest beginnings, the ministry is just getting started, and we eagerly anticipate what God has in store for His people. Our mantle is… “If we live right, God will bless.”
OUR PASTOR
Pastor Dwayne Brinkley is the founder and senior pastor of the Community Empowerment Center in Pearl, Mississippi, which is located at 3580 Old Brandon Road. He is a business-minded leader.
Among Pastor Brinkley’s educational accomplishments are his graduation from Jefferson County High School; his time as president of the Minority Student Association and captain of Belhaven University men’s varsity basketball team. He received the honor of being chosen by Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges at Belhaven University in recognition of his exceptional merit and academic achievements. Elder Brinkley continued on and graduated from Belhaven University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1996 and a Master of Theology in 2013 from New Birth Theological Seminary.
Pastor Brinkley is well renowned for his down-to-earth teaching approach, which enables audiences to apply the eternal truth of the Bible to their daily lives. Because he is committed to teaching the Bible, Elder Brinkley is a force for good.
Since 1996, he has been wed to Terrie, his wife. Katelyn Olivia Brinkley and Kaleb Alexander Brinkley, who are also actively involved in the ministry, are their two children.