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Church Staff
Pastor: Timothy C. Mitchell and wife Shirley
Timothy C. Mitchell’s spiritual roots began with an uncle who discovered the Acts 2:38 experience at a Pentecostal altar. Edward Artigue then brought his mother, two sisters (Gertrude Mitchell and Loretta Bernard, former missionary to Korea) and brother-in law to the Lord. From that small beginning to now, all of the children in these three families for four generations have received the Holy Ghost and been baptized in Jesus Name. Not one has backslid at any time!
Bro. Mitchell was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He attended First Pentecostal Church where his father served as Sunday School Superintendent for over 30 years. Called into the ministry at the age of eight when he saw a vision of Jesus coming in clouds of glory, his entire life has been devoted to serving the Lord. He received a Bachelor of Theology from Texas Bible College. He was ordained into the ministry by the United Pentecostal Church in 1973. A successful bi-vocational minister, in 1981 he founded New Testament Christian Center and Fiberglass Repair in Montgomery, Alabama. He is also a real estate investor and developer. He has been a writer for adult Word Aflame® Sunday School curriculum for many years. Coming from a rich and varied secular and spiritual background, you will enjoy his unique scriptural insight, practical approach to subjects, and unusual prophetic ministry.
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Assistant Pastor and New Life Director: Rendell L. Smith and wife Christine
Rendell L. Smith, Jr. was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. He joined the Air Force in 1977 and met Christine in England who also was in the Air Force at the time. They were married July 15, 1981. He was stationed at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery in 1994 and shortly thereafter was baptized in Jesus name and received the gift of the Holy Ghost after Pastor Mitchell taught him a Bible study. After serving over 25 years in the Air Force, he retired in 2002.
God called Bro. Smith to the ministry and he received his ministerial license in 2005. He received a Bachelors degree in Human Resources Management in 1997 and completed his Masters degree in Elementary Education in 2004.
Youth Pastor and Church Administrator: Steven M. Bender and wife Sharla
Steven M. Bender was born and raised in Farmington, MI. Following his love of theatre he enrolled at the University of Evansville in Evansville, IN where he received a bachelor’s degree in theatre design and technology in 2004. While vacationing in Memphis, TN he received the gift of the Holy Ghost at Grey Road Church of the Lord Jesus Christ under the leadership of Rev. Don Johnson. A few months later he was baptized at Life Apostolic Tabernacle in Evansville by Pastor Kerry Davis. After graduation, Bro. Bender followed God’s leading and enrolled in graduate school. He now holds a Master’s degree in Theatre Design and Technology in 2007 from the University of Alabama. While he was still in school he met his wife, Sharla. They were married on July 14, 2007. He is currently serving as the youth pastor and church administrator as well as the head of the sound and drama departments at New Testament Christian Center in Montgomery, Alabama. Bender received his local license with the UPCI in 2010 and progressed to general license in 2012. He serves as the section six youth director in the state of Alabama as well being the head of the district sound department.
Sharla A. Bender was born and raised in Montgomery, AL. Being raised in the church gave her a lot of exposure to music. Since the age of eight she has had an interest in church choral and solo music. That love has translated into a Bachelor’s degree in music from Huntingdon College in Montgomery, a Master’s degree in Piano performance from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, and she is currently working on her Doctorate in Piano Performance. In addition, she has performed as a violinist with the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra as well as wedding and other special events. In 2001 she opened Sharla Bender (formerly Mitchell) Studios at New Testament Christian Center. The studio teaches voice, violin, and piano to a range of students from 3 years old to adult. Her studio has since moved to her home. She currently serves as the assistant music director, youth band and choir leader, hostess, and mime team member.
Click Here to Learn More About Sharla Bender Studios
