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Bishop Larry O. Jones, Diocesan

Midwestern District Council

12th Episcopal District, Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc.

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MDC Pastors

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Suffragan Bishop

Robert K. Buckner, Sr.

Living Word Apostolic Church

SUFFRAGAN BISHOP ROBERT K. BUCKNER, SR. was saved under the Pastorate of the late Bishop P.L. Scott at the Lively Stone Church of God, where he was baptized in Jesus Name and filled with the Holy Ghost, with the evidence of speaking in tongues, as the Spirit gave utterance. He obtained all his foundational training at the Lively Stone Church. He served as Vice-Chairman of the Youth Department, Asst. Instructor, Sunday School, Secretary, Ministers Board and Asst. Pastor.

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In addition, he served as Chairman of the Midwestern District Council Youth Department, Asst. Chairman of the Pastors’ Advisory Board, Chairman of the Pastor’s Advisory Board, Chairman of the Ordination Committee, Dean of the Ministerial Institute and Parliamentarian.

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He is presently serving as a Member of the International Missions Department of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World and presides as Parliamentarian and At-Large Member. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri-St. Louis, where he received a B.A. degree in Speech Communications and the Covenant Theological Seminary, where he received a Master’s Degree in Theological Studies.

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He is a recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Missouri- St. Louis, Most Outstanding Community Organization St. Louis Public Schools, Who’s Who St. Louis and a host of similar awards.

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He is the proud father of three children, Robert Jr., Latricia and Candace and three grandchildren, Bobby III., Camille and Brandon.

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Suffragan Bishop

Paul H. Evans, Sr.

Grace Gospel Temple

Suffragan Bishop Paul H. Evans has been married to the lovely Lady Helen R. Evans since the 14th of June 1959. He is the father of three children – Karen (Orlando), Sheila (Christopher), and Paul Jr. (Nolla). He began his ministry in the year of 1966 at Lively Stone in St. Louis, MO. He became the Pastor of Lively Stone – Mt. Vernon, IL in 1975 and served as their pastor for 27 years. Suffragan Bishop Evans has been the pastor of Grace Gospel Temple of St. Charles, MO since April 2002.

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Suffragan Bishop Evans received a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Washington University (St. Louis, MO) in 1984. He received the most invaluable religious instruction and training under the guidance of his pastor, Bishop Phillip Lee Scott. He served under his leadership for nine years. While there he served as: President of the Youth Department, Assistant Secretary of the Ministerial Board, member of the Noonday Prayer band, and member of the choir. He has also served two and a half terms as the Chairman of the Midwestern District Council, three years as Vice Chairman, three terms as General Secretary and three terms as Assistant General Secretary. He has served as the President and Vice President of the Midwestern District Council Young People’s Department and as President of the Midwestern District Council Choir. God has certainly blessed this man of God because he is one that reaches and preaches the unadulterated Word of God!

 

“Jesus is the best thing that ever happened to us…”

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Pastor LaTunya Farr

The Mission Apostolic Church

Pastor Latunya Farr was introduced to the apostolic faith by a co-worker and was baptized in Jesus name and filled with the Holy Ghost in 1998 at Bethesda Temple Church. And became a member in 1999 under the leadership of Bishop James A. Johnson and Pastor Julian Johnson.

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She was called into the ministry in 2005 and has served as Sunday school teacher, Bethesda Temple Bible Institute Professor, Director of the Evangelism & Outreach Ministry and President of Midwestern District Council International Missions Department.

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She has completed mission work in Port-au-Prince & Leogone, Haiti, Ghana West Africa, and Puerto Rico.

On November 4, 2017 Evangelist Latunya Farr was called into the pastorate.  And began the Mission Apostolic Church on Sunday, December 11, 2017.

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She holds a Master of Science Degree in Human Resource Management from Webster University and a Master of Theological Studies from Urshan Graduate School.

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Pastor Carlton Francis

New Life Empowerment Center

Elder Carlton J. Francis is a native of Saint Louis, MO. he received his studies at University of Missouri St. Louis, as well at the Bethesda Temple Bible Institute.

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Elder Francis was saved and reared under the pastorate of Bishop James A. Johnson at the Bethesda Temple church of the Apostolic Faith. He was ordained in the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World in 2005.

Elder Francis served as the assistant pastor of the Temple Church of Christ for approximately 6 years where District Elder Ronald E. Stephens is pastor.

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Over 18 years ago He started a vision to work with under-privileged youth. Through this vision the “Role Models” program was formed in partnership with the Juvenile Courts of the City of St. Louis where hundreds of youth have participated and benefitted from this program.

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From a professional standpoint he is currently employed by Optum Health, (a subsidiary of United Health Group) as Director of Operations for the Population Health Management division, providing Case, Disease Management and Wellness Support for the Medicare and Retirement population.

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On December 31st 2017, Elder Francis was confirmed as the pastor of the New Life Empowerment Center where District Elder Christopher D. Collier was Pastor and Founder. Elder Francis is committed to serving the Kingdom through this venue with a theme #and they continued!

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Carlton is married to the love of his life Sanoris, he has one daughter Carlisha Janelle Elam and Son in law Elder Curtis Elam Jr. and a new grandson Carter who is the new pride of his life.

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District Elder Oscar Houston, Jr.

Zion Apostolic

Pentecostal Church

Elder Oscar Houston Jr. was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri by Oscar and Cora Belton-Houston.  He was educated in the St. Louis Public Schools and graduated from Soldan High School in June 1973.  He excelled in sports and received full scholarships in football and wrestling.  Pastor Houston attended Harris Teachers College. 

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He received the baptism in Jesus Name at the age of seven years old at the Temple Church of Christ under the pastorate of the late Bishop Austin A. Layne and later received the baptism of the Holy Ghost under his pastor and mentor in the gospel the late Bishop Samuel A. Layne. 

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He held several leadership positions in this ministry as well as elected offices for 12 years with the Midwestern District Council youth department of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc.  As president of the MDCPYPU he won third place in the National Presidents Award and with his leadership the MDCPYPU purchased the first computer system in the district as well as implementing the Teen Rally for Jesus in 1989 which is still active today. 

He was elevated to District Elder in 2009 and currently serves as Chairman of the Midwestern District Council of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. In 1989 Pastor Houston evangelized throughout the country full time for about three years. 

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Professionally he worked for the Department of Defense in the contracts division as well as with the St. Louis Housing Authority as a Contract Specialist and a Construction Specialist in the Development and Technical Division. 

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In 1994 he and his wife heeded the call to the pastorate and founded the Zion Apostolic Pentecostal Church.  Under this ministry many souls have been added to the kingdom and four (4) churches have been established, to the glory of God.  On May 14, 1977, Pastor Houston was joyfully joined in matrimony with his lovely wife, Sister Wanda Jones-Houston.  Pastor Houston’s family, brother Joseph, sisters Piccola Hall (John) and Anna Hardnett and many other family members are all active members of this assembly.  His father Oscar Houston Sr. and mother Cora Irvin were both active member before their transition.  He lost his beloved baby sister, Pastor Lenora Nelson of Atlanta, Georgia in November of 2008. 

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District Elder Julian R. Johnson,

Bethesda Temple Church

Pastor Julian R. Johnson, an anointed preacher, teacher, and soul winner. He is the youngest born to Dr. John L. Johnson and Sister Artimese L. Johnson.  At the tender age of 6, two of his aunts, the late Mother Sudie Davidson and Mother Willie Mae Summers of the Lively Stone Church of God, laid hands on him and he was filled with the Holy Ghost at a Watch Night Service on December 31, 1980.  He was later baptized in Jesus’ name at The Redemption Temple Church pastored by Elder Gilbert E. Summers.  In 1987 his family joined Bethesda Temple Church of the Apostolic Faith, Inc. in St. Louis, Missouri under the leadership of the honorable Bishop James A. Johnson.

 

He graduated from Lutheran North High school in St. Louis, MO in 1993 and then graduated from Hampton University in Hampton, VA with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting in 1998.  During his college years he was a member of Christ Church Apostolic in Hampton, VA under the leadership of Bishop Robert A. Baker, Sr.  He was very active in his local assembly and also served the Virginia State Council Young People’s Union as their Director of Outreach and Evangelism. In July, 1998 he married Sister Melanie Sims.  They are the proud parents of two sons, Joseph and Jonathan. 

 

In January, 2003 Elder Johnson relocated back to St. Louis and was reunited with his Bethesda Temple Church family.  He actively served in several roles upon his return and was eventually elevated to the position of Assistant Pastor by Bishop James A. Johnson on March 8, 2010 and again as the Associate Pastor on October 30, 2013.

 

After the demise of his beloved father in the gospel, the late Bishop James A. Johnson in May, 2015, Elder Johnson was elected by the congregation to serve in conjunction with Deacon Malcolm Townsend III, Chairman of the Deacon Board to lead the congregation until a pastor was selected.  On February 1, 2017 the Bethesda Temple Church members in good standing voted Elder Julian Johnson as its new pastor.

 

In his professional life Elder Johnson has been employed with the Missouri Housing Development Commission as an Accountant and Sr. Financial Analyst where he manages multi-million dollar budgets and financial statements for the state of Missouri’s Housing Department. He is the author of one book, “The Garden of Eden,” which gives a rich history of Eden associated with African nations. He is a licensed and ordained minister in the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc., active within the Midwestern District Council, and has served for 23 years on the Convention Evangelism and Outreach Staff of the PAW.  He also currently sits on the Board of Directors for the International Missions Department of the PAW and has previously served as the International Pentecostal Young People’s Union (IPYPU) Director of Evangelism.

 

In his travels preaching the Gospel, many souls have been saved.  To God be the Glory!

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Pastor Harmon L. Swanigan,

Assistant Treasurer

Pastor Harmon L. Swanigan is a Licensed and Ordained Elder of the Gospel through the Pentecostal Assembles of the World Inc... Elder Swanigan has been preaching and teaching the Word of God since 1982. Pastor Swanigan is the son-in-law of Suffragan Bishop A. John McCoy and Dr. Norma J. McCoy founders of Grace Apostolic Church -- a church which they founded 50 years ago. In 2014, Elder Harmon Swanigan was elevated to the role of pastor of Grace Apostolic Church, Inc., consecrated with a heart of a shepherd with a passion and commitment to empower and strengthen the flock as he is leading the church into the new millennium.

 

Prior to this elevation, Elder Swanigan also served as Youth Pastor for over 10 years in which time he initialed and led the Youth ministry along with a powerful 25 plus voice Youth Choir. As the Youth Pastor, a Nursing Home ministry was birthed and developed under the direction of Elder Swanigan. During his tenure at Grace Apostolic Church, he also served as Assistant to the Superintendent and later became the Superintendent of the Christian Education Department. For two years he served as Chairman of the Grace Apostolic Ministers Alliance where he trained licensed Elders and developed non-licenses ministers. No task was too small for Elder Swanigan, he also served God people as an Usher at Grace Apostolic Church for many years. As a member and a leader of Grace Apostolic Church, in 2000 Elder Harmon Swanigan was elevated to the role of an assistant pastor. He earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Christian Ministry through The Sure Foundation Theological Institute in 2007. In the professional secular arena, Elder Swanigan worked in the carpentry industry for over 36 years, where he recently retired from the St. Louis Housing Authority after serving the community in a professional manner over 25 years.

 

Pastor Harmon has been married to the lovely and anointed Lady Crystal Swanigan for over 37 years. The Swanigan’s have labored in love and ministry together for almost three decades. They have two beautiful children – Eric (Lashawnda) and Krista (Marcus), both married to wonderful mates and three darling grandchildren (Jaylen, Jeremiah and Skylar).

 

Pastor and Lady Swanigan give God all the credit and glory for the wonderful gifts, experiences, accomplishments and opportunities they have had throughout their lives. They love God and love to worship and praise Him daily as they work to win more souls to Christ.

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