PAstor Graham
Pastor Anthony Graham is a native of Lynchburg Virginia and is the fifth child of seven siblings. From a very young child until around the age of eight Pastor Graham attended White Rock Baptist Church. As a result of his family relocating within the city of Lynchburg, he began attending Thomas Road Baptist Church pastored by the late Jerry Falwell. It was at this tender age of eight and during this early church experience that he developed a love for studying the bible. Later at the age of ten, he was introduced to Wayside Mission Church of God in Christ by way of his step-grandfather, Pastor Lester Jennings. God continued to groom Pastor Graham during these early years through the teachings of his step-grandfather. Pastor Jennings often talked about holiness and faithfulness during the many occasions when the then young Pastor Graham assisted him in his cleaning business.
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Pastor Graham gave his life to the Lord at the age of twelve while attending Wayside Mission COGIC. Moving into his early teen years, Pastor Graham began to teach the youth Sunday School class. He also participated in the choir and assisted in the music ministry by way of playing the drums. At the age of fourteen as his relationship deepened with the Lord, he received the infilling of God’s spirit. God allowed Pastor Graham to see a glimpse into his future at the age of sixteen by way of a prophetic word that was spoken over him. God revealed at this time He had a call on his life and that he would be going to a place where he would possess the land.
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Upon completing high school at the age of seventeen, Pastor Graham felt compelled to join the military. He accepted the call to preach after a year of military service and was licensed as a Minister by the late Bishop Archie Buchanan who was the COGIC Bishop of Japan. One month later he met Lady Rosemary Graham whom he later married in the spring of 1984. It was in January, 1987 when Pastor Graham was licensed as Elder while on his second tour of duty in Japan. Then in March, 1988, Pastor Graham became Pastor of Misawa COGIC. God greatly increased the church both naturally and spiritually under his leadership.
In July, 1989, God transitioned Pastor Graham from military service to civilian life. He and his family relocated from overseas to Murfreesboro, Tennessee where he became the Assistant Pastor of what was known then as the New Hope Mission Church of God in Christ. He served faithfully by Pastor Franklin Hollie’s side for twenty-seven years. On August 14, 2016, Pastor Graham moved to the office of Pastor as Elder Hollie transitioned to the position of Pastor Emeritus. He was officially installed as pastor by Bishop James M Scott on October 23, 2016.
Pastor Graham is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. He also studied at the C H Mason Seminary located at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta Georgia. He is a bi-vocational employee with the federal government as well as serving as a full-time pastor.