Our Story

On November 1, 1969, at Apostolic Church of God, 601 West Walnut Street, in Decatur, Alabama, 26 delegates from the states of Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia met for the purpose of forming a District Council in the Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith Organization. Representatives for the Organization included Bishop D. Rayford Bell and Bishop Robert L. Little. After a unanimous vote, the decision was made to form a Council and Brother Gennie Sheriff was appointed Sargent-At-Arms. It was the consensus of the body that the name “Southeastern District Council” be used for identification purposes.

A skeleton crew of officers were elected until the first Council meeting. They were as follows:

Chairman- Bishop Robert L. Little

Secretary- Sis. Evelena Brown

Treasurer- Sis. Gaynell Green

Missionary Chairman- Sis. Callie Marshall

Secretary- Sis. Mary Taylor

Young People’s Chairman- Bro. Gennie Sheriff

Secretary- Sis. Dorothy Coleman

Sunday School Superintendent- Bro. Robinson

Secretary- Sis. Ella Mae Evans

Honorary Chairman- Gus Hogan

The body voted to meet the first Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in February, June, and October. However, on October 2, 1976, these meeting dates were changed to the first Friday and Saturday of April and October.

Points of interest during this meeting were that the offering raised for the Council was $44.95 and Elder Herman Finley was presented as pastor of Apostolic Church of God for a trial period of six months.

On November 2, 1969, Bishop Little submitted his resignation as the Chairman of the SEDC and Elder Phillip Coleman was elected in his stead. The rules were suspended, and District Elder Walter McBride was asked to serve as Vice Chairman. Sis. Dorothy Harbin served as Recording Secretary for this Council Session.

At the February 6, 1970 session, the staff of officers was completed as follows:

Assistant Council Secretary- Sis. Dorothy Henderson

Home and Foreign Chairlady- Sis. Evans from Jackson, Mississippi

Vice Chairlady- Sis. Lizzie McBride

Secretary- Sis Maxine Morris

Assistant Secretary- Sis Eula Finley

It was at this time that it was set forth that all officers of the Council should be in attendance on the first day, everyone should purchase meal tickets, and each auxiliary should have badges. The night’s offering was $85.80 and the Chairman’s love offering was $46.36.

At present, the SEDC is comprised of 24 churches and over 3,000 members. The Lord has truly blessed us to continue to carry the gospel throughout the Southeastern United States.