Our Pastor

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Pastor Horace T. Whitson was born December 28, 1963 in Opelika, Alabama. He is the middle child of three boys born to Victor and Gracie Whitson. He was raised in a Christian home and at an early age he remembers feeling the presence of God and knew there was a call, but just didn't know what. In his early years Pastor Idella would invite him to attend church service and on one particular night he was introduced to and received the precious gift of the holy ghost, there was now a fire lit and a calling from God. Pastor Horace attended John Herbert Philips High School in Birmingham, AL and while in the 11th grade, he enrolled in the United States Marine Corps. Upon graduation in 1982, he headed to Parris Island, South Carolina for boot camp. During his 2 enlistments, he served in many commands at home and aboard. He received many awards and commendations. The most cherished of all the awards he received is the Navy Commendation Medal which was presented by the Secretary of the Navy for his bravery for rescuing Marines from a helicopter crash in 1984. In 1989, with two honorable discharges, he left the military and married the love of his life Valerie Y. Whitson. Pastor Horace has a beautiful family that includes his two daughters Ebonee' (Antonio), Asia, and now his first grandchild Nova-Grace. With a servant's heart, he continued to serve in the ministry at True Love Deliverance Church and was ordained as Minister on January 10, 2010 under the leadership of Pastor Idella Larry. The calling that started when he was young grew even deeper which called him and appointed him as Assistant Pastor on February 12, 2017. He is currently employed as a Locomotive Engineer with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad and enjoys custom cars and his family. Pastor Horace is a fun-loving person who enjoys making others laugh, but more importantly he loves God's people. Pastor Horace has a true servant's heart. There have been countless people that have poured, spoken, touched, and helped build him into the Man of God he is today. God spoke to Pastor Horace and with much prayer, he accepted the call and allowed God to elevate him to Pastor of True Love Deliverance Church September 11, 2021 and he knows that with God all things are possible to him who believes.