Our Pastor

Sheldon Southerland is a bi-vocational pastor, as reflected in this biographical sketch. He has served dually in the marketplace as a public school teacher and administrator for over four decades and in church service for more than 30 years.

Education

Sheldon Leon Southerland attended South Lumberton Elementary, South Lumberton Jr. Sr. High School, and graduated from Lumberton Senior High School in Spring 1971.  He Attended North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and received three degrees. BS in Industrial Arts, 1976; MS, Industrial Arts, 1982 and an MS, School Administration, 1985.

He Attended the University of North Carolina – Greensboro and received an advanced educational Specialist degree, EDS, Educational Leadership, 2000.  He also received a degree from Western Carolina University – MPM, Masters in Project Management, December 2011.

Work

He taught Technology Education at Horton Middle School, Pittsboro, NC – for ten years; Dudley High School, Greensboro, NC – for three years; Gibson Middle School, Danville, VA. – 3 years, George Washington High School, Danville, VA. – 7 years and am currently in his 2nd year teaching at Westwood Middle School, Danville, VA.

He served as Director of Career and Technical Education in Burlington City Schools for ten years and retired as Program Manager, Career and Technical Education, Winston/Salem Forsyth County Schools for seven years.

Church Service

He served as Pastor of Locke Street Church of God, Salisbury, NC, for seven years, as Church administrator at Stokesdale Church of God, Stokesdale, NC, for three years, and am currently in his 25th year serving as pastor of Friendship Community Church of God, Greensboro NC. He currently serves on the advisory council of International Ministers Fellowship, London, England.

Leadership Roles

He served as president of the Chatham County Association of Educators, President of the North Carolina Association of Vocational Directors, State Chairman of The North Carolina Ministerial and Campground Association for five years, and Ministries Council member of The Church of God, Anderson IN.

Hobbies 

His hobbies are Reading, Woodworking, biking, and fishing for men.

Service /Fraternal Organizations

His fraternal affiliations are Sertoma International and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.

Family

He is married to Deborah Smith Southerland for 49 years, and have three children, Lisa, Sharon, and Tavion, and have eight grandchildren.