The Deliverance Temple Church family has devoted the whole month of September, honoring the founder pastor and father of the church, Bishop C. L. Wilkes. This Sunday the month-long observances will climax with the commemoration of his 35th Anniversary, which will be held at 2:30 P.M. at the Deliverance Temple, 779 Strozier Street in Roanoke. Elder Mark Phillips, and wife Kelley who serve as Co-Pastors of Deliverance Temple, have been instrumental in staging the month-long commemorative activities. The People’s Voice had the distinct pleasure of receiving some of the more interesting facts of Bishop Wilkes’ life in the ministry as his children shared excerpts from a book that he is now writing. The story of his inspired life in the ministry is a stirring testimony that moved on the altar of our hearts, and we just had to share it with our readers. Bishop C. L. Wilkes begins his life testimony in this way: “On August 6, 1933, a baby boy, Charlie Louis Wilkes, was born to Johnnie and Lola Wilkes. This was the last of four living children. About nine months later Lola died and left Johnnie with the children. The second child was a girl (Thank God). She stayed around for three or four years to see after the little boy. My dad was the best dad in the world. He was the most loving and caring person that anyone could ever have for a parent even without a wife. Many young men and boys don't have a role model like I had. Thank you Jesus, for my dad… After a year or so my dad was blessed to meet this very fine woman. She had no children at all but loved and wanted them. Early in 1942 my dad married that wonderful woman; Oh! What a wonderful thing, I now had a mom! He was a happy man and I was a happy little boy ― So at around 8 years old for the first time of my knowledge I could call “Mom.” My dad would treat his wife with all the love and kindness that any lady could ask for. And she catered to his every need and mille. I would sit and watch the way my dad would do and I would say in my heart, “I want to be just like him. Kids today, especially the most of them just don't have dads that love them enough to be with them and teach them how to be a real man, a real husband, and a real dad… My dad didn't go to church regularly because there was not a church close to our home. The neighbors got together once a week and they would sing and pray from house to house. We enjoyed and looked to that. Today there are churches almost on every comer with services weekly, and most dads are too busy to take their families. At the age of 10 my dad lost his health and spent 15 years in the TB sanitarium. This was an incorrect diagnosis, but that's another story. So now I had to drop out of school and become a man. Two years before this my parents adopted a little boy named Rufus to grow up with me and this was a real blessing… Shortly before the age of 10, I gained interest in the guitar. Mr. Kenny Stephens would come around the house and play and sing. He would let me pick on his guitar. At age 11 or 12 my mom purchased my first guitar! Mr. Stephens later tuned it and played “I Shall Not Be Moved.” After several months of practicing I finally played that song like him. As a teen, I joined a group as guitar player with Mr. King George Thornton. We sang at Wehadkee Baptist, Rock Mills Baptist, and Hunters Chapel Methodist Church. In 1952 in Gadsden, Alabama I organized the Five Revelators. I sang and played with them until I moved to Texas in 1957. In Texas, I sang and played with the Christian Melodies until I began preaching in 1966… Early in 1952 in Gadsden, Alabama (where my mom, brother, and I were now living) I met a fine young lady in a little holiness church where I had gone to play with the group. Her name was Shirley Ann Harris. We communicated for four months and couldn't stand it no longer, I popped the question. She said yes. At nineteen years of age and on December 21, 1952 we married at my brother's house. My little wife was my new toy for Christmas. This union lasted forty-eight years, seven months, nineteen days, one hour; and fifty-five minutes. Our contract ended when. the Lord took her to glory. There were two boys and seven girls that God blessed to this union: Lola, Norma Jean (Tina), Charles. Johnnie Mae, Ke11ey, Sara., Charlie Jr., Dorothy, and Syretta. Prior to the marriage I had one son, Curtis. Shirley never punched a time clock; she was a wonderful wife and sweet mother…. We moved to Texas after the first three children were born, so I could find better work. In. Houston, Texas four daughters and one son was born. Although God took young Charlie Jr. at the age of two. It was in Houston, Texas that we stumbled into Church of the Living God, Pillar, Ground, and Truth (PGT). A little man was preaching a big gospel. Shortly after I experienced the bright light in the cab of my 18-wheeler headed toward New Mexico. The Lord filled me with the Holy Ghost and I was no longer the same. God educated me in everything. I could read and write (you see I. became block-headed. when I had to drop out of school). I was a master mechanic, electrician, carpenter, and anything else I needed to be; God gave me wisdom. I even drew the blueprint for Deliverance Temple in Roanoke… Deliverance Temple Church of the Living God, Inc. came into existence during the leadership of Bishop W. T. Matthews. It originated from the original PGT. This was a small group of people who received the Holy Ghost in PGT and because of circumstances the group was dismissed from the body. The Lord spoke to Bishop Matthews to write Deliverance Temple above the name. And so Deliverance Temple Church of the Living God, Pillar, Ground, and Truth was born in 1968. Under this leadership of sixteen ministers were called, which included Bishop C. L. and Evangelist Shirley Wilkes…. In the month of August, 1971, the Lord spoke to me and told me to go to Roanoke and preach the Word. In September 1971 I left Houston and arrived in Roanoke on the 20th. We resided in an old house on Old Tin Shop Road, outside the city limits. On September 26, 1971, Deliverance Temple Church of the Living God was born in the pastor's home in Roanoke, Alabama with 5 adults and 5 children along with the pastor, his wife, and 7 children.. The five adults were Lela Mae Jones (also the assistant pastor), Thelma McGuire, Annie Ruth Foster, Zera Bell, and Paul Edmondson. Annie P. Clark was influential in the establishing, but was unable to attend the first meeting. Two weeks later the congregation started worshipping in an old cafe building on Old Highway 431. We called it “The Storefront.” In October 1971, the church began to broadcast over WELR radio, preaching and singing. The radio broadcast continues today with Bishop Wilkes and Pastor Mark and Sister Kelley Phillips every Sunday morning at 9:30a.m… “In March 1972, the church decided to buy land to build a church building. They tried to buy land from several land owners, but the property owners would not sell to “Sanctified” church people. Finally before the end of March, Mr. H. T. Rosser came forth and said, "I'll sell the church land." This land was purchased on 817 (now 779) Strozier Street in Roanoke for the church site. It was a 5-year loan, but God paid it off in twelve mouths. We graded off the land and set up a tent the following summer. God saved many and wrought many miracles. We also bought our first bus and traveled to Houston and attended our first camp meeting in June… “By August of 1973, the church had saved $400.00 but it was not enough to start a building. Not knowing what to do, I prayed and the Lord said "Go Ahead." The Lord led me to Exodus 14:15: “The Lord said to Moses, Wherefore cry thou unto me? Speak unto the children of IsraeI that they go forward." I read and read that word over and over. As usual Satan spoke to discourage me. So I went; into the woods beside a big oak tree and prayed again. Then the Lord led me to Psalms 127, "Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain." I told God's people, "Let's build the Lord's House". Construction began in August and a completely finished Sanctuary was dedicated to the Lord in November 1973. Today the Deliverance Temple Church of the Living God still stands. In August 2001, I instal1ed Elder Mark and Kelley Phillips as pastors and the kingdom work continues… To date sixteen ministers were called in this ministry, four of which are presently pastoring: Fred Bell of Community Fellowship Church in Riverdale, Georgia, Brady D. Bell of Sweet Home Christian Church Pillar and Ground of the Truth in Roanoke, Alabama, Robert Smith of the LaFayette Circuit Of The United Methodist Churches, and Mark Phillips, current Pastor of Deliverance Temple in Roanoke. One of the first ministers called were Sister Lelia Mae Jones, Sister Annie P. C1ark, Annie R. Foster, and Frances Burden. Youth ministers were Fred and Brady Bell, Charles Wilkes, Jerome Huffman, Fannie Burden. Brenda Hutchinson, and Marie Burden. in the later years as pastor the following were called, Micbae.1 Goss (Present Assistant Pastor), Mark Phillips (Pastor), George Bailey, Robert Smith, Ronnie Morgan…. Bishop Wilkes then writes about losing his lovely wife, Shirley: “We know that a1l things work together for the good to them that love the Lord. Also in August 2001 the Lord escorted my Princess to glory. In. January The Lord blessed me with another wonderful wife, Mildred. We are enjoying our years with ministering the gospel of Jesus Christ all over the country. This is just a small portion of my life. The rest is in the book I am writing and hope to finish one day soon.” Some of the activities have included: On September 3, 2006 at 3:00 P.M. there was a “Parade Around The City” (3 Times For God Has Given Us The City) Joshua 6; Luke 5:1-7; later that afternoon beginning at 4:00 P.M Pastors Brady & Minnie Bell of Sweet Home Christian Church. During the week of September 10-12, 2006, Revival Services were held with Pastor Craig Holloway of Christian Memorial Church, Roanoke. On Saturday, September 16 at 11:00 A.M many friends and loved ones gathered for the “Friends & Family Luncheon” which was held in the church’s dining facility, for Bishop and Sister Wilkes. Then, on Sunday, September 17 at 4:00 P.M., Pastor Fred & Malinda Bell of Community Fellowship Church were special guests. On this Sunday, September 24, at 11:00 A.M., Pastor Mark Phillips, will be preaching. Communion will be offered during morning worship. At 1:30 P.M. worshippers will enjoy a “Celebration Feast.” Sunday afternoon Anniversary program will begin at 2:30 P.M. with a Ceremonial March Of the Bishop, followed By Pastors & Leaders. The House Blessing will be spoken over the congregations, and rejoicing will begin (I Kings 8:54-66); Spoken Word “Ask God What Offering To Sow.” The day will conclude with Pastor Kenneth Bryant of Bethsaida Baptist Church who will preach the Anniversary Sermon during the afternoon program. In the testimony of Bishop C.L. Wilkes, and the birth and maturation of Deliverance Temple Church of The Living God, we have seen the power of God at work, manifest in the life and works of one of His brightest stars. Bishop C. L. Wilkes, is truly an unsung hero of Randolph County, Alabama…an outstanding member of the human race and friend to mankind. |