NCT CAMPUS FOUNDER

I was born and raised in the Crestwood Manor area in Chesapeake, Virginia. I was educated in the Chesapeake Public Schools system. I had the honor of graduating from Great Bridge High School with the class of 2004. Growing up in the Crestwood Manor area was a tremendously powerful, very impactful and positive experience. I would most definitely say that it has helped to shape me into the woman that I am today. I have had the opportunity to be raised in a family-oriented home and community that really helped to foster the love, compassion, outreach and respect that I have for others. It was an amazing experience to live in a community where some of our teachers, coaches, relatives and ministry leaders lived. What I remember most is the nurturing and the correction that they extended. It was never out of anger or evil intentions, it was because they loved us enough to try to keep us all (the younger generation) on the right path in life. Everyone does not get the opportunity or experience to have that sense of belonging, protection and community. We were a very accessible, loving and tight-knit community! Overall, I just remember that our neighborhood greatly understood the value of the family unit, our community, and the next generation of youth. Honestly speaking, Crestwood Manor was a very strong support system for me even into adulthood.

On the other hand, I was able to make some amazing friends and lasting caring relationships. So much so, that I have been blessed with the opportunity, at this wonderful God-appointed time, to serve with a few of them on my New Clark Temple (NCT) campus and boards. It was the time that I spent growing up in the Crestwood Manor area of the city that I will always hold near and dear to my heart. It is the time that they (community residents) genuinely spent with all of us and the wonderful memories that were made that I will forever cherish. I hope to pass on that same sense of community while here building on our New Clark Temple (NCT) campus. I intend on building healthy interactions with our partners, families, student body and the overall surrounding communities in Chesapeake.

Being saved and accepting Christ into my life was and will always be the absolute best decision that I have made for my life above all else. I have never regretted my walk or time with the Lord. I attended St. Stephens Holiness Church, under the Pastoral leadership of Elder Paul H. Arrington, from birth until my second year of college. It was there, at St. Stephens Holiness Church, that I received Christ into my life at a Saturday night “tarry service” at the age of 11 years old. I am grateful for the spiritual witnesses that led me to accepting my personal relationship with Christ. Weeks prior to that service, my mother, Minister Walease M. Reid, took out personal time in our home to witness to me over a few days. She thoroughly explained the importance of having a relationship with Christ. My mother allowed me to ask questions about Jesus, Salvation, baptism, and the role it would play in my life. As a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, she went on to explain the consequences of a life without Christ and what it would be. She explained the eternal consequences of my own actions in rejecting the free gift of Salvation. The night before the service, my mother (Minister Reid) and my other spiritual mother, Elder Bernice Spellman, also a St. Stephens Holiness Church Elder, both explained what a “tarry service” was to me. It was at that Saturday tarry service that I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. The prayer team and witnesses included Elder Joseph Haskins (Church Elder), Elder Charlotte Clark Holmes (Bishop Monroe J. Clark’s daughter/ Ministry Elder) and Sister Beulah Haskins (Church Member).

My public declaration in my commitment to Christ through baptism was made one year after accepting Christ as my personal Savior at the age of 12 years old. My baptism happened during our corporate organization’s annual United Pentecostal Churches of America’s (UPCA) Convocation. The UPCA Convocation was held at Healing Temple Church under the leadership of Bishop John R. Savage. I was officially baptized by Bishop John R. Savage with the ministerial witness and assistance of Elder Anthony S. Albritton, Sr. and Elder Paul H. Arrington (my Pastor). In addition to those in assistance of my baptism, there were other witnesses which included: Min. Walease Reid (mother), my family, First Lady/Evangelist Gladys Savage (wife of Bishop John R. Savage), and the UPCA State Mother, Mother Nannie Cowell.

My background in areas of ministry is one that is full of diversity and full of unique experiences. Initially, I was able to serve and train in my local assembly at St. Stephens Holiness Church, from my pre-teen years until I reached the age of 25. The break in my service in the local assembly was due to transiting into my Interdisciplinary Studies program in Pastoral Care, Business and Theological Studies at Liberty University. However, I count it as a great privilege and honor to serve the Lord and the Body of Christ in my home church. It was a very humbling opportunity to be trusted in that position while still in my high school years. During those early years of ministry, I served as the Youth Director for St. Stephens Holiness Church. In this capacity, I led various programs in the arena of community outreach and youth ministry. For example, in 2005 I was able to hold a fundraiser called SOS-Saving of Souls Concert. I believe I was 19 years old at the time. I was blessed with the opportunity to reach out to Rock Church International, located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. In speaking with the Rock Church International’s Facilities Manager, I was afforded the opportunity to discuss my desire to raise money for the Hurricane Katrina victims for Operation Blessing in Virginia Beach. To my surprise, Rock Church International allowed me to use their facility free of charge to host the event. I will never forget that! That night we raised $1,000.00 for our youth department’s donation to assist Operation Blessing in their efforts to assist hurricane victims. I believe that this was one of my most memorable moments in my early years of ministry. As Christians, we were able to place the love of Christ at the forefront of our mission. We never allowed any denominational differences to separate us in our efforts for Christ and the community. I have taken that experience with me into every other ministry moment since then. That night, the SOS Concert was able to include numerous singers, choirs and churches of various denominations.  The only thing that mattered in that moment of worship was giving God all of the honor and glory, while also accomplishing our engagement and fulfillment of the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. It was our love in action and a sense of community that was so important as we strived to resolve an immediate crisis.

Also, in the United Pentecostal Churches of America (UPCA) organization, I was responsible as a participant and leader for our local ministry’s role in the annual UPCA Youth Convention. During this annual event, all youth ministries within the organization would engage in musicals, biblical demonstrations, time of worship, discipleship and fellowship.

As my experiences grew and my journey expanded over the years, I joyfully collaborated behind the scenes on events and programs with individuals from the Baptist and Church of God in Christ (COGIC) denominations. Graciously, I was able to learn how to operate on a deeper level of administration and I gained vast understanding of organization and community development. This sharpened my knowledge, skills and abilities in the local assembly. I am ever grateful that these experiences have exposed me to greater accountability and responsibilities. Having my eyes opened to a greater depth of diversity in the Body of Christ helped me to better serve in various ministry capacities.

In 2006, I began working at a local Christian bookstore in Chesapeake, Virginia. I worked there as an Assistant Manager of the bookstore until its official closing in January of 2011. As an employee there, I learned how to serve the overall Body of Christ from a different aspect than I had previously experienced. Serving in this area of ministry and business was a very enlightening experience in many ways. I learned lessons that were vital to serving those in official capacities and positions in clergy. One important aspect that was key to serving in the Christian Bookstore as a manger, was understanding the specific denominational needs of each ministry and customer. My position deeply required that I would have an extensive and thorough knowledge of all clergy apparel and accessories. This also included the processes necessary to complete proper fittings as well.

Oftentimes, I would have to utilize my training, skills and knowledge in educating ministry leaders and facilitators on the available curriculums and programs depending on their specific area(s) of request and ministry type. On the other hand, one of the greatest opportunities of my experience as a Christian bookstore manager, was being able to witness to unbelievers that showed interest in the materials that we carried. This allowed me to engage in apologetics and evangelism. I enjoyed answering questions of those that were unchurched or unbelievers. Nothing compares to leading a soul to Christ through evangelism and healthy relational interactions. Answering their questions and providing adequate materials on diverse Christian subject matters of interest are seeds that contribute to their spiritual growth and development.

Educational Accomplishments: 

• 2004 Graduate from Great Bridge High School (Chesapeake, Va)
• 2009 Light University Caring for People God’s Way Certification
• 2010 Light University Breaking Free Certification
• 2011 Light University Caring for Kids God’s Way Certification
• 2019 Liberty University Bachelor of Science Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies: Theological Studies, Christian Counseling (Pastoral Care) and Business
• 2025(Pending Graduation/ Current Studies) Regent University Graduate Degree Program at the School of Law for a Master of Law Degree with a double concentration in Nonprofit Law & Cyber Security Law

Career & Community Accomplishments: 

• 2008 City of Chesapeake Certification for the Chesapeake Neighborhood Leadership Fundamentals for Civic League Developments
• 2021 Licensed Notary Public for the Commonwealth at Large
• Bill Winston Ministries: Ministry Partner
• CEO/Founder of New Clark Temple Campus & Schools
• Corinne Cosmetics CEO/Owner
• Tribes Christian Bookstore CEO/Owner
• Cowell’s Bakery & Ice Cream Shop CEO/Owner
• Start Healthy Magazine
• CIFT Television & Network CEO/Owner
• Chesapeake Public Schools Substitute Teacher

Organizational Affiliations: 

• Va Student Bar Association Member
• Phi Delta Kappa International Organization (Liberty University 2018)
• National Black Law Student Association
• Pre-Law Chapter Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity for Men & Women (Regent University 2024)
• George Washington Chapter Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity for Men & Women (Regent University 2024)
• American Numismatic Association (ANA)

I had the awesome opportunity to serve in ministry under the late Bishop Jesse E. Featherson, Sr. While under the leadership of the late Bishop E. Featherson, Sr., I consistently served during my time at his church, Trinity Faith Center, located in Chesapeake, Virginia. During that season of my training, I accepted my call to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in addition to my public service and Theological Studies program at Liberty University.

As time passed, I was officially and eventually ordained and licensed to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ on May 12, 2013 at Trinity Faith Center. My ordination happened at the Mother’s Day Sunday morning worship service. Bishop Featherson requested that I would preach at that particular morning worship service. The service was held in the sanctuary of Trinity Faith Center, at the late Bishop Jesse E. Featherson’s church. It was a privilege and honor to also have my former Pastor, Elder Paul H. Arrington, in attendance for the momentous occasion. Being licensed in ministry is a ministerial moment that I often reflect upon in my journey. I will always appreciate the spiritual investments of those that God has used in my personal ministry and in my personal life.