THEME: “IF NOT NOW, WHEN?: SEIZE THE DAY”
HONORING
FOUNDER & SENIOR PASTOR
Terence A. Merritt was born in Waycross, GA and reared in St. Petersburg, Florida. While in elementary school, he was labeled a slow-learner. However, after giving his life to the Lord, he began excelling academically and was later placed in the class for the gifted.
He became the first black valedictorian of his 50-year-old high school and was named the top graduating male in all 14 high schools of Pinellas County. The recipient of a full academic scholarship to attend Morehouse College in Atlanta, he graduated Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude. Upon graduation, Dr. Merritt went on to pursue a career in medicine at the prestigious Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, also on a full academic scholarship.
After extensive clinical work in the field of Psychiatry, he graduated with a Doctorate in Medicine. He was employed for several years as a cardiovascular medical director of one of the nation’s largest pharmaceutical companies. He was a partner in Elite Properties and MBC Ventures, and the sole owner of CANAAN Properties, all real estate investment companies.
Dr. Merritt grew up attending Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ (COGIC) in St. Petersburg, FL with his family. He accepted the call to the ministry while at Morehouse College. During his freshman year, he began “Abundant Life,” a Bible study for Morehouse and Spelman students. Many students were introduced to the Lord; several of which are in ministry today. Dr. Merritt was later ordained in COGIC, while in medical school. He is an anointed and gifted teacher, preacher, intercessor, and motivator.
For eight years, Dr. Merritt served the Church of God in Christ ( COGIC) in the Jurisdiction of Brazil as Superintendent of the Fifth District, under the leadership of the late Bishop Samuel Moore. There, he oversaw the growth and expansion of COGIC in north Brazil. Under his leadership, the oldest church in the district was purchased, and eight new churches were birthed.
In January 2010, Dr. Merritt established the LIFE Church in the Candler Park Neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia, by leading weekly Wednesday evening Bible Study. Sunday Services commenced shortly thereafter in February.
In August of 2013, LIFE Church made its first acquisition. The then three year old ministry purchased a 25,000 square foot facility in Southwest Atlanta. Three years later, the ministry made its second acquisition. LIFE purchased a shopping plaza adjacent to the main campus. During the 11th Church Anniversary, Pastor Merritt led the church in raising over $105,000 on Super Seed Sunday 2021, subsequently retiring the debt on the plaza. In January 2022, LIFE Church officially burned the mortgage for the LIFE Plaza.
LIFE Church has taken in well over 1000 members in the past thirteen years of ministry, with active members in more than 10 states. To date, many ministries have been birthed through LIFE Church, including youth and teen mentorship (Y’Church), a vibrant college and young adult ministry based at the AUC (Merged), prison ministry, quarterly community life skill empowerment symposiums, LIFE Community Development Corporation, and food and clothing ministries. Lives are being radically transformed for the better. LIFE Church has truly become a place where “miracles are common”. With documented miracles, LIFE Church is without question an ACTS church.
In addition to his pastoral responsibilities, Dr. Merritt serves in the Jurisdiction of North Central Georgia of the COGIC as an Administrative Assistant to Bishop J.E. Hogan, his college Pastor while attending Morehouse College. He also serves as a District Superintendent of the Zoe District, in which he established in 2013. As the author of LIMITLSES, Dr. Merritt was featured both on television and radio for his valued ministry perspective.
In 2021, Pastor Merritt was appointed to the Executive Board of the Joint College of African American Pentecostal Bishops. In this capacity he aides in providing leadership and support to the college, preserving the legacy of its founder and establishmentarian, Bishop J. Delano Ellis. In the same year, under the leadership of Presiding Bishop J. Drew Sheard, Pastor Merritt was appointed to the Board of Directors for COGIC Charities, the benevolent arm of the Church of God in Christ, a board responsible for educational scholarships and the dissemination of domestic and foreign aid.
In recognition and honor of the many contributions Dr. Merritt has made in ministry, he was inducted into the prestigious MLK Board of Preachers of Morehouse College; and he received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the President of the United States, President Barack Obama.
Bishop Liston Page II, uses his candid, straightforward delivery of the Word of God to inspire others to strive for God’s best in their lives. His passion is breaking down the Bible into practical applications that show people how the Word can transform them. For over 35 years, he has preached across the United States and internationally at churches and conferences in Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Caribbean. For the past 19 years, he has served as Senior Pastor of The Highway Church in Paterson, New Jersey.
Using his gift for innovative Christian development, Bishop Page has created ministry programs that foster growth and development in children, youth, adults, and seniors. As a devout community leader, Bishop Page’s partnerships within the Paterson, New Jersey area have led to a decline in crime and the spread of the Gospel throughout surrounding neighborhoods.
Bishop Page serves as First Vice-Presiding Bishop of Greater Highway Deliverance Ministries, Inc. and he also serves as a covering for 30 pastors. He is the author of the transformative book, How to Survive Your Storm, the upcoming book, Distractions from Your Destiny, and has made appearances on Daystar Network, The Word Network, and Trinity Broadcasting Network.
Bishop Page earned both his Doctor of Ministry and Master of Sacred Theology degrees at Drew University. He also holds Master of Divinity, Master of Theological Studies, and Bachelor of Theology degrees. Bishop Page is the son of Bishop Liston Page, Sr. and Dr. Hazel Page of the Greater Highway Deliverance Temple in New York City. He is a loving father to his daughter and son and is the proud grandpa of one granddaughter and grandson.
Senior Pastor, Highway Church
Paterson, New Jersey
“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.”
-1 Timothy 5:17-22
MUSICAL PRELUDE
PRAISE AND WORSHIP LIFE Music & Arts Ministry
+INVOCATION
Deaconess Denisha McNair
+THE HYMN OF PRAISE “We’ve Come This Far By Faith” Elder D. Denard Jones
We’ve come this far by faith leaning on the Lord; Trusting in His holy word, He’s never failed me yet! Oh! Oh! Oh! Can’t turn around! We’ve come this far by faith!
THE OCCASION Jessica Tate
CHORAL WORSHIP LIFE Music & Arts Ministry
FOUNDER’S DAY SALUTE
THEME ILLUMINATION
“If Not Now, When”
G’Khyri Patterson
CHORAL WORSHIP LIFE Music & Arts Ministry
MINISTRY OF GIVING
Presentation of Tithes & Offering
INTRODUCTION OF SPEAKER
SERMONIC SELECTION
Bishop Liston Page II, GUEST SPEAKER
Senior Pastor, The Highway Church - Paterson, NJ
+CALL TO CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP
CLOSING REMARKS
+BENEDICTION
Pastor Isaac Sparks, Ed.D.
LeDessa Brown, Guest Psalmist
Pastor Terence A. Merritt, M.D.
Founder & Senior Pastor, LIFE Church
+: Please kindly stand and refrain from walking where indicated.
Senior Pastor, Citadel of Deliverance COGIC Memphis, Tennessee
Authentic, Compassionate, Organic, and Uniquely Gifted are only a small fraction of words that the dictionary provides as a verbal description of Linwood Dillard, Jr.
This national evangelist, vision engineer, and 21st century ministry leader is changing the world with impactful messages of deliverance, hope, and success. His powerful preaching style, uncanny leadership skills, and business-based background are seamlessly sown together to permit this ministry giant to succeed in any arena of life.
Bishop Dillard’s national reach emanates from the sanctuary of the Citadel of Deliverance in Memphis, Tennessee, where he leads and pastors one of the city’s fast-growing churches and rapidly emerging gospel choirs. Through his evangelistic and pastoral ministries, he has fostered a platform that transcends economical, racial, social, and religious barriers. I
Bishop Dillard is the author of the inspirational literary gem, “Engineering Your Vision: Seven Principles For Obtaining Ultimate Success In Every Area Of Your Life.” This book is a necessary life tool that ignites the fire of spiritual purpose, vision, and growth that is sure to change the lives of people and organizations in all areas and aspects of life. As the “Vision Engineer,” Linwood Dillard’s passion for leading others along the journey to building a sound life, that will ultimately change their lives and the lives of others, is an attribute that cannot be overlooked. He is a noted Recording Artist and Executive Producer – “Pastor Linwood Dillard Presents Churchin’ With The Citadel.”
In 2009 Bishop Dillard was appointed President of the International Youth Department for the Church of God In Christ, alongside Chairlady Joyce L. Rodgers. Subsequently in 2013, Bishop Dillard was appointed the Chairman of the International AIM Convention (Auxiliaries in Ministry) for the Church of God In Christ, which is a staple experience for thousands of attendees worldwide. In 2018 Bishop Dillard was consecrated to the Bishopric by Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr., and currently serves as Prelate of the Tennessee Metropolitan Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, of which he is the establishmentarian and senior leader.
Bishop Dillard earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He also studied at Christian Brothers University pursuing a Master of Science Degree in Engineering Management. He has also been recipient of numerous awards, resolutions and proclamations, and citations for his ministerial, social, academic, and community involvement and achievements.
Out of all of Bishop Dillard’s accomplishments, the greatest of these is that he is happily married to his wife and best friend, Stephanie Marie Dillard. They are the proud and loving parents of three beautiful children, Faith Marie, Joy Marie, and Linwood, III.
PRAISE AND WORSHIP
+INVOCATION
LIFE Music & Arts Ministry
Elder Kevin R. Moore
+THE READING FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT Mother Patricia Hart
+LEVITICAL RESPONSE “Praise the Lord”
LIFE Music & Arts Ministry
+THE READING FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT Elder Dwight Owens, M.D.
+LEVITICAL RESPONSE “Praise the Lord"
+THE AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
+THE HYMN OF PRAISE “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
THE OCCASION
CHORAL WORSHIP
THEME ILLUMINATION “Carpe Diem: Seize The Day!”
FOUNDER’S DAY SALUTE
PASTORAL TRIBUTES
LIFE Music & Arts Ministry
Pastor H. Bernard Robinson
Elder D. Denard Jones
Mother Pat Grigsby
LIFE Music & Arts Ministry
Cheyenne Cisse
Pastor Connell M. Newton Kingdom Life Atlanta
Pastor Angelic D. Simmons
Total Victory Worship Center
Pastor Jesse H. Smalley, II
First Community Church & Emmanuel Church
JURISDICTIONAL HONORS
Mother Mary B. Tucker
Supervisor, North Central Georgia Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
Bishop J.E. Hogan, Sr.
Prelate, North Central Georgia Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
CHORAL WORSHIP
MINISTRY OF GIVING
INTRODUCTION OF SPEAKER
SERMONIC SELECTION
LIFE Music & Arts Ministry
Pastor Steven Sledge
LeDessa Brown, Guest Psalmist
Bishop LINWOOD E. DILLARD, GUEST SPEAKER
Senior Pastor, Citadel of Deliverance COGIC, Memphis, TN - Chairman, International AIM Convention, COGIC
+CALL TO CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP
FINAL REMARKS AND BENEDICTION
Pastor Terence A. Merritt, M.D.
+: Please kindly stand and refrain from walking where indicated.
