Elders
Our Elders
Elder Larry D Crayton
Elder
Elder Larry D. Crayton, a native of Orlando, Florida, received the Holy Ghost in 1992. He has been serving at the Apostolic Worship Center for the past 27 years. An original member, he served in the ministries of Usher, Youth, Cook Committee, Transportation, Outreach, Deacon, Minister, and Sunday School. As a specialty chef, ice sculpturer, banquet manager, and business owner, he has a vast knowledge of skills and experience. He serves faithfully where needed and has a passion for the word of God. He is a father and grandfather and loves spending time with his children and family.
Elder Marie Dawson
Elder
Elder Marie Dawson, a native of Haiti, received the Holy Ghost under the late Overseer Nina L. Bond, in Stamford CT. There, she served in Sunday School and the Food Bank Outreach. After coming to Orlando, she served under Bishop Preston Rolle of the Apostolic Church of Jesus.
Evangelist Dawson has a testimony of deliverance, and trusts God, unconditionally. In 1996, she joined the Apostolic Worship Center under the leadership of Bishop-Elect, Dr. Frank E. Thompson. She has served in the ministry as a Sunday school teacher, youth leader, altar worker, intercessory prayer leader, outreach evangelist, and decorator.
She was ordained, “Elder,” and has continued to lead with selfless dedication and commitment to the saving of souls. When it is all said and done, her response is, “To God Be the Glory!”
Elder GeRai Mays
Elder
Elder GeRai Mays, a native of Port Orange, Florida, received the Holy Ghost in 2001. She has been serving at The Apostolic Center Church for the past 18 years. She served in the ministries of Youth, Media, Member Services, Pastor’s Aide, Women’s and as Adjutant to the senior Pastor responsible for the administration of the Worship services.
She believes one should continue to serve through blessings, trials and the changes life brings. She says, “I told the Lord, Yes” that means “yes,” regardless of the situation and circumstance. She has earned degrees from Florida A&M University and Troy University. Her studies were in Psychology, Human Resources and Educational Leadership. She is an elementary school Principal with Orange County Public Schools. Elder Mays is a proud parent of two children Jordan and Taylor.
Elder Patricia NiBlack
Elder
Elder Patricia NiBlack is a native of Winter Garden, Florida. She began her Christian journey in Hindenburg, Germany, more than 30 years ago, while her late husband was on a tour of duty with the United States Army. Through years of independent study and active church
involvement, she sharpened her skills as an educator and operated within the ministry teaching in homes, institutions, and churches. Elder NiBlack has been serving at the Apostolic Worship Center for the past 22 years. She was employed as the Financial Administrator, served in the Christian Education Department as a teacher, and has been instrumental as the writer of resolutions, class lessons, and organizational procedures.
She was ordained as an Elder in March of 2009 and demonstrated her gifts and talents wherever they were needed. As an entrepreneur, she is an author, an independent publisher
(Freehand Publishing Desk, LLC), a custom greeting card designer, under the trademark Freehand Greetings, and a freelance photographer. She is a mother of five and enjoys the blessings of seven grandchildren. Her favorite scripture is Mark 11:24 “Therefore I say unto you what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive and you shall have them.”