Our Founders

“And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.”

Jeremiah‬ ‭3:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

God’s Deliverance Church was birthed by the leading of the Holy Spirit, through two mighty women of God – Pastor Mary Lou McKinnon and Evangelist Helen L. McAllister. At the time of our ministry’s conception, both founders were faithful members of St. Matthew United Church of God, in Brooklyn NY, under the leadership of Bishop Matthew J. Graham. In the early 1970s, Pastor Mary Lou and Evangelist Helen relocated to Raeford, NC and unbeknownst to one another began attending and later joined Mt. Sinai Holy Church of God under the leadership of Bishop J.A. Jackson. In 1976, Pastor McKinnon and Evangelist McAllister humbled themselves to the call of God for a greater work. They knew the next step was to confide in their pastor, Bishop J. A. Jackson for guidance. Bishop Jackson confirmed the Holy Spirit’s direction by instructing them to move forward with the message that God had given to them. This was the beginning of our ministry as we know it.

God’s Deliverance For All People’s church doors were opened in May of that same year, with Pastor McKinnon as the Senior pastor and Evangelist McAllister as the Assistant pastor. The ministry began to grow, as our founders went out into the community and championed souls for Jesus Christ. Some of our most dedicated members were a result of their outreach ministry. Pastor McKinnon and Evangelist McAllister were mighty women of prayer and often drew people in for noon-day prayer. They would even travel from home to home praying and interceding for the families in Raeford, the Jones Hill Community and other neighboring communities.

This astounding revelation had to be orchestrated and designed by the hands of the Lord. This should serve as a testament to us all about the importance of the Holy Spirit and listening to the voice of God. Through their faithfulness, so many years later God’s Deliverance For All People is still standing! We thank God for our founders – Pastor Mary Lou McKinnon and Evangelist Helen McAllister for their commitment to the call of God; their dedication to winning souls, making disciples, and their legacy of prayer. There’s so much more that could be said about their service to Hoke County and its residents, to God’s Deliverance, and the body of Christ, but we believe their legacy continues to testify to that fact.

God’s Deliverance church continues to minister to Hoke county residents and surrounding areas. God’s Deliverance is an affiliate of Sanctuary Deliverance Churches of the Living Word Incorporated; headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina under the leadership of Presiding Prelate Bishop Arlester Simpson (Sidney Grove Church of Deliverance- Ellerbe, NC).