Lavelle Whitaker at 37, a retired Detroit police officer and current full-time pastor has been in ministry for 15 years. Whitaker was recently appointed pastor of Fenkell Gospel Temple Church of God in Christ by Bishop John H. Sheard of COGIC South West #1 Jurisdiction in 2008. Now it is six years later and Pastor Whitaker is still serving the capacity he was ordained over. And throughout each day of being apart of the ministry, he continues to strive to be a better servant. Whitaker recently retired from the police work force and is fully committed to the work of the ministry. He currently resides as the Superintendent over five churches , and serves as Chief of Security over the South West #1 Jurisdiction.
In 2003, Whitaker got injured in an accident while on duty, that later caused him to retire early because he could not commit to a full-time schedule. Now that Whitaker is a full-time pastor, he has more time to dedicate himself to the church. “Besides the police department, my wife and my children and yet trying to take care of my injured back, I still put God’s business first” Whitaker said. “ I believe I do my very best day in and day out, to see about the people of God, to be there for them if they need information, or counseling, I’m there for them and I will stop everything for them.”
Whitaker does not put a time capsule on the needs of his members. He typically tries to set Mondays for his day of rest and recuperation but the moment he gets a phone call, he gets dressed and goes wherever he is needed. Spending hours over member’s houses, comforting bereaved families, praying for hospitalized patients, or simply fellowshipping with members of his church. Unlike his former occupation Whitaker is never allotted a time for being off duty.
He preaches and teaches at his local church on the west-side of Detroit willingly without a salary.
“I’m more worried about the people of God and their souls, the finances will come as of right now I know the Lord continues to provide,” Whitaker said. I never get caught up in the salaries of other Pastors. Right now I know my church isn’t at a point to where I can be put on a salary so I wouldn’t dare enforce one because I’m more focused on getting the vision, building capacity, and aesthetics of the church to where it should be.”
Whitaker’s faithfulness and dedication to God’s work is applauded by the parishioners and staff he works with on the daily.
“Elder Whitaker is such a blessing to our church, because he constantly teaches us how we can be better, grow, and live sanctified. said Pamela Coleman, missionary of Fenkell Gospel Temple.
And ultimately, Lavelle has a vision to continue to be used and led by God and provide the community with a place of refuge, worship, and shelter.
“I thank God for the teaching I received from my childhood pastor. Who instilled in me that the work of the Lord is to be cherished. And still to this day it is an honor to serve the Lord with gladness. Even though I am a newly appointed pastor, I envision our church as the original church God established.” Whitaker said. “As well as the community outreach church that does It’s best to aid the need of a hurting community. From feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting and assisting the elderly, and developing a place for families to call our place of worship home.”
Similar to most pastors, Sunday mornings are the highlights of Whitaker’s work period. Whitaker spends four to five hours about three times a week studying; and meditating in prayer while preparing a sermon, or bible study lesson for the members of his church.
And thus far, in his position as a pastor he has had corporate prayers, clothing drives, adopted families in need over the holiday seasons, fed the hungry, back to school rallies, visited nursing homes and countless humanitarian efforts to meet the needs of people who are deprived.
“God’s vision for the church is still what I as a pastor see for the vision of Fenkell Gospel Temple to be that place of refuge, or shelter in a time of storm. When we look at life, it is always some type of “storm” occurring. So why not have somewhere to go that is different from any other social place? Whitaker said. “That place is church and that’s the vision I see for Fenkell Gospel Temple COGIC.”
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