Our Pastor

 

Our Pastor & 1st Lady: Superintentdent Freddie Starling was born in Crossett, Arkansas where he graduated from T. W. Daniel High School.  He and 1st Lady Vivienne Starling, who was born in Keokuk, IA, were united in marriage in September 1968.  For a brief period, Superintendent Starling served in the United States Army.  He also attended Shorter College, an A.M.E. Christian School in North Little Rock, Arkansas.  He and 1st Lady Starling completed a year of Theology in Ft. Madison, IA.

 

Superintendent and 1st Lady Starling accepted their calling to the ministry on October 21, 1971 at St. John  A.M.E. Church in Burlington, IA under Pastor Robert G. Clay.  In February 1972, they were sent to serve at St. James A.M.E. Church in Monmouth, IL.  While serving at St. James, Elder Starling received his license to preach from the A.M.E. conference.

 

From 1973 to 1974, Elder and 1st Lady Starling evangelized, placing their membership at Union Baptist Church in Burlington, IA, where Elder Starling was later ordained under Pastor William Hornaday.

 

In April 1975, Elder and 1st Lady Starling came to Macomb to assist Elder Derrick at Mt. Calvary C.O.G.I.C. Elder Starling was subsequently ordained in the Church of God in Christ and appointed as Pastor of Mt. Calvary C.O.G.I.C. in 1976.  He currently serves as Superintendent of the West Central District, under Bishop Cody Vernon Marshall.  1st Lady Startling currently serves as a licensed Evangelist Missionary.

 

Besides all the ministry work already mentioned, Superintendent and 1st Lady Starling also organized Gospel Temple C.O.G.I.C. in Keokuk, IA in 1979 and Faith Temple C.O.G.I.C. in 1980.  Superintendent Starling has also been active in the state prison ministry at the Iowa State Penitentiary for the past 21 years, the jail ministry for the past 4 years, and the Half-way House since 2011.

 

Superintendent and Mother Starling continue to provide leadership and support through their dedicated service to God.  Under Superintendent and 1st Lady Starling's leadership, over 41 ministers have been called to preach and many Missionaries have been birth through this ministry and are working throughout the U.S..