Staff
Rev & Mrs Jesse Starr - Pastor:
After 20 years of ministry in Oregon, the Starr’s arrived at Minot in September of 2008. During their ministry, the Starr’s have served in a variety of ministries including evangelism, youth, young minister’s mentorship, ladies, Christian education and management. Their passion is to see a strong church that is a place for people to come and serve Jesus Christ together.
The Starr’s met during college at Apostolic Bible Institute in St. Paul, MN. Sis. Starr grew up on the East Coast where her dad pastored in Dayville, CT. Pastor Starr was raised in the Northwest where his dad pioneered churches in three different states. After marrying in 1988, their ministry was launched in Oregon, and they continued to work there until recently. Their three children, Jared –age 17, Jonathan – age 14, and Jessica –age 6, are an integral part of their lives and ministry.
The Starr family is excited and blessed to be a part of Apostolic Faith Church. They are committed to the AFC family and the Minot community, and look forward to great growth and revival.
Rev & Mrs Tom April - Minister
Rev Tom April was born in Seattle WA, and moved here to Minot ND in June of 1992. That is the year that he came to the Lord and repented of his sins, was baptized in the wonderful name of Jesus and received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Since then Rev April has been a part of Apostolic Faith Church, working in the Sunday School
Department as a dedicated Sunday School teacher.
Through the years he has been used in the Sunday School Dept. Over the last 14 years he has taught SS classes, been a SS Bus Driver, assistant SS director and currently is our SS Director at Apostolic Faith Church. Rev April and his family, wife Peggy, son Anthony 8 and daughter Cassandra 5, have been blessed of the Lord to be able to go out and do Children's Evangelism. As "Shorty" the clown they have evangelized children all over North Dakato, conducting children's church services at local United Pentecostal International (UPCI) churches.
They also have been blessed to minister at the North Dakota Children's Camp as well as the Central Canadian Camp. In 2004, Rev April received his minister's license through the UPCI where God has blessed him to teach and preach this wonderful truth. Currently Rev April is working to obtain his Teacher Certification for the UPCI Sunday School. They are active in all ministries of the local church.
Rev & Mrs Rick Johnson - Minister:
Rick and Denise arrived in Minot in January 1989 and were stationed at the Minot Air Force Base. They were a part of the Air Force community for 20 years and retired from active duty in 1999.
The Johnson's met and married in Sedalia, Missouri in January 1981. Sis Johnson repented, was baptized in Jesus name and received the Holy Ghost in September 1979. Bro Johnson's experience occurred soon after in December 1979. No matter where the military moved them, they actively worked and supported the local church. Bro Johnson felt the call of God on his life and entered the ministry in 1987. After their arrival in Minot the Lord blessed them in December 1990 with a son, Brandon.
The Johnson's are very involved at Apostolic Faith Church and in the North Dakota District. Bro Johnson serves on the church board and as the secretary/treasurer. Sis Johnson is the Ladies Ministries secretary for the North Dakota District. Their son Brandon enjoys playing the piano and drums.
Jesus, church involvement and a godly home reflects this family's focus.
Rev & Mrs Gilbert Pearson - Minister:
Rev. Gilbert Pearson received his license with the United Pentecostal Church, International in 1972.
Rev. Pearson and his wife, Barbara, have been involved in ministry for 34 years. He was baptized and received the Holy Ghost in Rockford, IL at the age of five, in 1949. His wife was baptized and received the Holy Ghost in Woodlake, CA in 1961. The couple met in Woodlake, CA where Bro. Pearson's dad pastored the church. They married in October 1964. They have three boys, Nathan, Charles, and Vaughn and one girl, Peggy. The children are involved in ministry and are active participants within their local churches. Bro. & Sis Pearson are also proud grandparents to 11 grandchildren. They pastored in Minot for 25 years. They retired from the pastorate in September 2008 and are currently evangelizing.
Rev. Pearson also serves as the North Dakota District Superintendent.
Rev & Mrs Vaughn Pearson - Minister
Rev. Vaughn Pearson is a licensed minister with the United Pentecostal Church since 1991. He served as Apostolic Faith Church’s Youth Pastor for 10 years and was elected Pastor of AFC in June of 2006 just prior to his 36th birthday. He served in this position for two years. He also served the North Dakota District United Pentecostal Church as Youth President for 12 years.
Rev. Vaughn Pearson was born in Santa Barbara, California. He enjoyed growing up in a pastor’s home and lived in several states before moving to North Dakota in 1983. Here he met the love of his life (Wendy Sletten from Ryder, ND) and they married in 1990. He received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Minot State University in 1996. Vaughn and Wendy Pearson are parents to two boys – Garret and Preston (now a teenager!).
His wife, Wendy, is the Music Minister and Ladies Ministries Coordinator at Apostolic Faith Church. She home schools their boys and teaches piano lessons at the church.
Rev. Pearson’s most important interests are his family and Apostolic Faith Church. He enjoys golf with his boys and playing ball with the church guys. His passion is to continue in the path of his hero, his father, Rev. G. W. Pearson.
They consider it an honor and privilege to serve the community of Minot, ND. This is truly God’s country!
Rev & Mrs Jerome Williams - Minister
Jerome & Carey Williams met while they were both attending the University of Alabama in 1978. Jerome joined the U. S. Air Force in March 1980 and was sent to Lowry AFB, CO for two months of technical training. While there, he and Carey were baptized in Jesus’ name on 11 May, were married on 14 May, and both received the Holy Ghost shortly thereafter.
They came to North Dakota for the first time in 1984, being assigned to Grand Forks AFB. They have lived in North Dakota (Grand Forks and Minot) for 14 years. They have five daughters: Fayola, Keturah (Nowak), Dorcas (Sefcik), Rachel, and Kristin.
Bro. Williams has been in the ministry since 1989. He and Sis. Williams have facilitated marriage seminars, enrichment groups, and retreats. He is the ND District Coordinator for Ministerial Training, and serves on the district Home Missions Board.
Rev & Mrs Nathaniel Pearson - Minister
Rev Nate Pearson received the Holy Ghost in Oxnard California in 1972. Virginia received the Holy Ghost in Minot in 1981. They met in Minot in 1984 and were married in 1991.
Bro Nate has been in the ministry for 10 years. He is active in the local church and serves as the district's Sunday School Secretary.
They have 4 children Clarissa, Nathaniel, Caitlyn and Logan.
Mr. & Mrs. Jason Sletten - Youth Leaders
Jason received the Holy Ghost and was baptized in the name of Jesus at a young age. He loves to worship and serve the Lord. Shawna, raised in Wyoming and Wisconsin, moved to Minot at the age of 9. They married in June of 1993. They have 4 children: Leesha (12), Taniel (9), Jaylynn (4), and Germain (1). They love them very much.
Since 2003 they have helped in the Youth department as Youth leaders. The church has helped them a great deal when they were teenagers and they remember the youth retreats, banquets, services, rallies and games with other Christian teenagers. They see the importance of these activities and try to give the young teens a chance to have the same opportunity as they were given.
