DALLAS — Just recently, Gaylon D. Pierce had gotten all dressed up in his Holy Communion black and white attire and was preparing for Sunday morning worship.
It wasn’t long thereafter that God had given him some simple instructions.
“The Holy Spirit directed me to West Irving this morning,” Pierce said as he addressed a near capacity throng of worshipers at the Irving, Texas-based church that is pastored by longtime Dallas-Fort Worth-area preacher Andrew Jackson, Jr.
Moments later, while offering blessings, well-wishes, and pleasantries to the audience, Pierce offered a rather intriguing admission, one that essentially sums up why God had strategically altered his plans on where to attend worship the first Sunday in May.
“A short time ago, I went home to my wife and I told her that I am going to give this up,” Pierce said as his voice echoed across the sanctuary. “I told my wife that I would rather give up pastoring and become a faithful pew member somewhere and I’d be fine.”
Nevertheless, as Pierce had ultimately found out, even while working diligently at establishing a ministry that has endured his share of hardships and turmoil in recent years, he couldn’t merely call it quits, thus provide the enemy with ammunition to come in and wreak havoc in the life of one the Metroplex’s youngest pastors.
“Thanks to people like Superintendent Jackson, I knew I couldn’t quit,” Pierce told the audience. “It’s people like him who has kept me encouraged during these times.”
Most importantly, it is because of the unyielding support of his congregation, coupled with his bend-but-don’t break faith that has greatly given way the 28-year-old Pierce having adopted some renewed enthusiasm as to why he was called to preach and spread the gospel in the first place.
A native of Tyler, Texas — which is approximately 90 minutes south of Dallas — Pierce is the Senior Pastor of Word City Church and Founder/Evangelist at Gaylon D. Pierce Ministries.
Word City Church is located at 9550 Forest Lane, Suite 616, in Dallas, just minutes from Garland.
CHECK OUT WORD CITY CHURCH VIA SOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.facebook.com/WordCityChurch/.
Having spent virtually his entire young life grounded and rooted in the church, amongst the notable things about which Pierce’s parents instilled in him was to steadfastly keep Jesus Christ the Focal Point of his life and, in doing so, “everything would fall into place.”
Today, unlike never before, such a vital spiritual analogy certainly rings true for this young, vibrant man of the cloth whom, to his distinct credit, appears destined to conquer all of that which the adversary tosses his way.
And, as Pierce can greatly attest, satan surely has tossed some shade in his direction of late, these potentially chaotic and tumultuous plots and schemes and spiritual curve balls that, at one point in time, seem too unbearable and insurmountable to overcome.
But God…
“I learned about the very nature of God,” said Pierce, alluding to the 2012 tear-jerking encounter with his wife, Lady Key Shanice, whose unborn son was diagnosed with a rare form of Dwarfism known as Lethal Skeletal Dysplasia. “I learned to totally trust and depend on God. It is because of this testimony that has strengthened my walk, ministry, and witness.”
Pierce’s upbringing involved church — and a whole lot of it.
As a young lad growing up in Tyler, he became a pillar at Smith Temple Church of God In Christ under the leadership of Bishop David R. Houston. There, he became a fixture in the youth department, having made his presence felt as part of the drill and step teams.
Years later, Pierce’s family relocated to Dallas, where they joined Compassionate Community Church of God In Christ under the leadership of Elder Carl R. Butler Sr.
As usual, he wasted little time becoming active in kingdom work, this time as part of the music ministry. Consequently, he was named youth choir director, a post that eventually led to him being installed to the same position of the adult choir at the tender age of 12.
Approximately two years later, Pierce and his family deemed it essential to change their membership and later joined Victory Cathedral Church of God In Christ under the leadership of Superintendent Benjamin Garrett.
It was then that he began to discover that God was equipping him to assume more leadership responsibilities in ministry.
“While there, God expanded my ministry,” Pierce said.
The rest, as they say, was history.
At just 15 years of age, Pierce had graciously accepted his divine calling to preach the gospel, having given his first sermon on the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in January 2006.
A little more than 11 years removed from having brought forth the word before God’s people for the first time, it’s no wonder that even after the assortment of challenges Pierce has endured of late as one of God’s appointed spokespersons, he thought it necessary to share during a recent testimony at nearby West Irving that he simply couldn’t give up.
After all, he knew better.
“I was 12 years old when I saw God positioning me for ministry,” said Pierce, whom after he and his wife had witnessed the expected death of their infant son, was blessed with the birth of a their daughter, Keylen Shanice-Hope Pierce, on September 28, 2013. “I never did fit in with what my friends and family were doing. I have always had a fondness and felt at home in church.”
All of which practically explains why even under the harshest, most gruesome of circumstances, it would be pointless for anyone to count out this young, vibrant man of the cloth.
Especially the adversary whom, as this young preacher can greatly attest, has tossed much shade in his direction.
But God…
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Andre Johnson is Founder and Publisher of Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and former sports reporter for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson is the former chief adjutant to Elder Andrew Jackson, Sr. of Faith Temple Ministries Church of God In Christ. Based in Dallas, Texas, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division. To reach Johnson, call him at 901-690-6587 or send email to memphisgraduate@yahoo.com. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.
I watched this young man grow up. It’s all true and a little understated. Gaylon is amazing, because HE is an amazing God we serve.
Amazing Bro!!