In the early 1950’s God laid it upon the heart of Overseer Wyoming Wells, the Bishop of North Carolina, to gather the preachers in the Wilmington area to form a District. This became known as the Wilmington District. At that time, there were only a few churches which had very small memberships. through spiritual leaders and spirit-filled services, this small district began to grow. The spirit of evangelism broke out and more churches were established and are still coming–making this one of the largest districts in the 2nd North Carolina Jurisdiction.
This District has been pioneered by great leaders such as J. D. Thomas (deceased); Elder Ringo (deceased), Jacksonville, NC; Elder Fred Dorcas (deceased), Wilmington, NC; Elder John C. Reid, Superintendent of the Southeastern District, Fayetteville, NC; Elder J. H. Turner, Sr. (deceased), Southern Pines, NC; Elder D. C. David, (deceased), Hamlet, NC; Elder B. E. McNeill, Kinston, NC (deceased); Mother Laura Tew (deceased) was appointed, District Missionary of Wilmington District. It was said, “because of these great pioneers, any pastor, superintendent or district missionary that followed will have a tough act to follow.”
In the mid-seventies, God already had a man willing and ready to take on the challenge, the Elder C. Ellis Anderson of San Antonio, TX. He came with an open heart and mind to the voice of God. Bishop L. B. Davenport appointed him as Pastor of Faith Temple, Wilmington, NC, and later consecrated him as District Superintendent. Through Superintendent Anderson’s administration the district grew from two (2) churches to fifteen (15) churches.
District Missionary Laura Tew’s health began to fail to the point that she could not get around to all the churches. Superintendent Anderson appointed Missionary Patricia D. Lofton to serve as Mother’s assistant. After the home going of Mother Tew, Missionary Lofton was consecrated to the office of District Missionary.
Psalm 75:6, “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge; he pulleth down one, and setteth up another.”
After the death of Bishop J. Howard Sherman, Prelate of North Carolina Second Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, God, in His infinite wisdom, again touched the life of Superintendent Cornelius E. Anderson. Supt. Anderson was appointed and consecrated to the office of Jurisdictional Bishop. He was assigned to serve North Carolina Number Two. Bishop LeRoy Woolard, the Prelate of Greater North Carolina gave Bishop Anderson permission to take his local church over to the Second Jurisdiction. Five of the District pastors wrote letters to Bishop Woolard requesting to be released from Greater North Carolina to continue in fellowship with Bishop Anderson. Bishop Woolard gave permission for these five: Elder Thomas Wiggins, Elder Ronald Roland, Elder Larry Green, Elder David Curtis, and Elder Johnson Hooper. Once again the brotherhood was together.
Bishop Anderson appointed Elder Thomas Wiggins, who had served him for more than fifteen (15) years, as the new District Superintendent of the Wilmington District. Missionary Lofton was reinstated as District Missionary. This team sought God for a name for this reorganized district. The Lord gave them “The Greater Wilmington District.” The first District Conference was held at Faith Temple Church Of God In Christ (District Headquarters), February 10-14, 1997. Surely we can see the hand of God in this Jurisdiction and on this great District. Fifty-eight (58) years later, the District continues to grow with additional churches. Elder Tyrone Pickett of Bread of Life Deliverance (BOLD), Burgaw, NC and Bishop Linwood Nesbitt of New Covenant Ministries, Wilmington, NC.
In Feb 2018, The Greater Wilmington Districted Conference celebrated sixty (60) years under the leadership of Superintendent Lorenzo Edge. Pastor Lorenzo Edge, was appointed as Superintendent of the Greater Wilmington District by our Jurisdictional Prelate Bishop Stenneth E. Powell, Sr. on July 2016.