Pastors
BISHOP MARCUS STRONG
Broken through adversity, mended through ministry, Bishop Marcus D. Strong is a native of Shelby, NC. He was educated in the Cleveland County School System, where he graduated from Burns High School in 1993. He received his Associate’s Degree in Old & New Testament Studies in 1993 from the Follow Peace Holiness Theological Seminary in Miami, FL. He continued his studies at the Christ Cathedral Preaching Institute under the tutelage of Bishop Freddie Marshall, Jr. He is presently pursuing his Bachelor of Theology at Apex School of Theology Durham NC.
Bishop Strong has been married for 29 years to the former Evelyn Jones of Forest City, NC. God has blessed their union with three handsome and gifted sons: Caleb Rashad Strong, Jairus Marquis Strong, and Marcus Evan Strong. Bishop Strong is the son of Ms. Victoria Strong of Shelby, NC and The Late Mr. James Blye of Lawndale, NC. Bishop Strong accepted the Lord as his Savior at eight years of age and was baptized at the Friendship Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Lillie Mae Littlejohn.
At the age of thirteen he joined Mighty Miracle Temple Follow Peace Holiness Church of God under the tutelage of Bishop Samuel Martin, where he served in many facets of the ministry. After experiencing a greater call to the ministry, he joined the New Jerusalem Full Gospel Baptist Church under the tutelage of Bishop Xavier H. Terrill Sr. In 2007 he was consecrated a Bishop in the Lord's church under the hands of Bishop Xavier H Terrill Sr. Bishop Randy Borders and Bishop Freddie B. Marshall Jr.
Bishop Strong has traveled throughout the world as an itinerant Prophet unto the Nations. He has traveled international to London England and Monrovia Liberia, Africa. He is the Founder of M.D. Ministries International. Bishop Strong has 14 years of Pastoral experience and has been sharing God's Great Gospel for over 26 years He is Nationally and Internationally known. Presently, Bishop Strong is the Senior Pastor of DESTINY LIFE CENTER Church of Shelby, NC Bishop Marcus D. Strong has dedicated his life to ministry, fulfilling the purpose of God and pursuing Destiny. His desire is to bring men and women of God into the fruition of their calling in such a time as this.
PASTOR EVELYN STRONG
PASTOR JARIUS STRONG
Young, Creative, and Devoted to Jesus and the art of worship. Pastor Jairus Strong is a native of Shelby, NC. He is the son of Bishop and Co-Pastor Evelyn Strong. Pastor Jairus is an Alumni of Crest High School here in Shelby, NC where he is well known and loved by all who know him in the community.
After high school he pursued his musical career in music and moved to Los Angeles, California where he worked with well known recording artist. After hearing the call of the lord over his life he moved back home to work in our music ministry, and is now formally known as our Worship Pastor.
He is very adamant about cultivating a sense of unity that bridges the gap between all ages; cultures, and denominations through the music ministry by integrating and incorporating a vast variety of praise and worship genres ranging from CCM music from artist like Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music to Gospel music from artist like Travis Greene and William Murphy.
Pastor Jairus is excited about where the music ministry is going. He is proud of how much it has grown under his direction. He desires to grow deeper with the lord and express the love of Jesus through worship!