Cordell Carter, Sr.

 Elder Carter married his high school sweetheart, Erma Carter, in April of 1971. Together, they have three children, Pamela F. Bennett, (Pastor Anthony) of Woodbridge VA, Cordell Carter II (Corey) Bethesda, MD, and Tramaine L. Walton (Stephen) of Portsmouth, VA, with a total of four grandchildren to date.

By trade, Elder Carter is a retired Supervisory Naval Architecture Technician, having retired with 35 years of service from the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, VA.  He enjoys woodworking and carpentry in his spare time.  He also is a retired Master Sergeant in the U. S. Army Reserves, with whom he served honorably for 30 years.

Elder Carter accepted Christ as his personal Savior at the New Community COGIC in Portsmouth, VA in October 1972 in a Revival conducted by Evangelist Geraldine Smith.  He was baptized in the Holy Ghost in a Spring Revival conducted by Evangelist James Moore of Richmond, VA the following year.  He has served in many capacities in the local church (Youth Leader, Sunday School Teacher, Central District YPWW Vice-President, District Treasurer, Van Ministry Captain, Choir President, Deacon (17 years), Trustee Board Chairman, etc.).  He was licensed to preach in December 1991 at the New Jerusalem COGIC Tacoma, WA under the leadership of Bishop T.L. Westbrook, Prelate, Washington State Jurisdiction, and was ordained an elder on August 1997 by Bishop Ted Thomas Sr., Prelate, Historic First Jurisdiction of Virginia.  Under the tutelage of Bishop Ted Thomas, the Lord has richly blessed him and his family.

In 1992, Elder Carter received religious training at the Institute of Biblical Education (IBET) in Tacoma, WA, earning a certificate in Biblical and Pastoral Studies. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biblical Studies, and a Master's degree  in Theology from North Carolina College of Theology. Elder Carter has completed Substance Abuse Training, and is a licensed Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) for the Commonwealth of Virginia.  He is also a Notary Public for the Commonwealth of Virginia for over 38 years.  He has also completed Prevention Counseling Training (HIV/AIDS) through the Virginia HIV / AIDS Resource & Consultation Center (Eastern) EVMS of Norfolk, VA. In December 2016, Elder Carter graduated Cum Laude from Norfolk State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in History. 

Most of all, Pastor Carter loves the Lord and the people of God.  His desire is to be a strong and uncompromising voice for Christ in these last days.