Vice President Willard Payton
Born in Chicago, IL to the late Missionary Mary Louise Payton, Elder Willard Payton was blessed by the godly influence of the late Elder and Mother Johnie B. Wheeler, where a sanctified home was the source of the sound foundation upon which his life was established.

With the Chicago Public School and the University of Illinois providing most of his formal education; and a managerial career with LTV Steel and marketing positions with National Refractories adding other life skills, the Pastors’ path reflects God’s preparation for God’s will in his life. The New Birth Church has played a great part of his life, for it was there that he married Gloria Lynne Barber in 1966, and accepted Christ as His Lord and Savior in 1968. Pastor Payton was nurtured by the late Bishop Louis Henry Ford, and has enjoyed working in various Jurisdictional and National positions in the Church of God in Christ since 1972. At the passing of Elder Johnie Wheeler in 1991, Bishop Ford appointed Elder Payton as the Pastor of the New Birth Church of God in Christ, and the church’s continuing spiritual growth and development as an active participant in the affairs that effect our community, are the results of the faithfulness of God to his Word.

Vice President Roderick Hennings
Pastor and Founder of Zion Dominion Ministries and Roderick L. Hennings Ministries, this prolific speaker has graced the pulpits of hundreds of churches across America. His ministerial reach stretches as far as Canada, Africa and China.

Pastor Roderick L. and Mrs. Pamela Hennings are originally from Youngstown, Ohio. The Pastor, Roderick L. Hennings organized his ministry in 1993 in a local YMCA with approximately twenty members. Today, Zion Dominion has an active membership of well over 2000 parishioners in weekly attendance. There are a total of twelve full-time and part-time employees on payroll. The 30,700 square foot cathedral known as Zion Dominion Church Of God In Christ, is paid in full. He maintains a weekly presence on radio and on his regional television broadcast, "It's A Matter Of Dominion", every Monday evening at 7:00pm on Channel 49-WNYB, TCT Television Network. y have two beautiful daughters, Ariane and Chloe. Pastor Hennings has a unique ability to communicate the Word of God to the Body of Christ without Compromise. He has a clear prophetic word in his mouth. He is in demand across the country and across the world, with extended invitations to Africa, Europe and China. The thrust of the ministry is developing God's first place of dominion, the family. Crossing denominational lines, racial barriers and economical partitions, Pastor Hennings has been depositing into people's lives for over twenty years. He is the chairman of the ordination board of the Churches of God in Christ (C.O.G.I.C.) in Western New York as well as International Vice President of the youth department of the churches of God In Christ worldwide. He has been the institute instructor of the Holy Convocation of Western New York for two Consecutive years, and has been invited to several colleges and seminars as a guest lecturer. Pastor Hennings has also appeared on Bishop G.E. Patterson's Bountiful Blessing Broadcast on BET Television. He is also the chairman for the BLCA - Black Leadership Commission on Aids Inc. in Western New York.

His ministry is exploding as men and women from all across the city and country find themselves relocating (by the Spirits leading), to Zion Dominion C.O.G.I.C. where their thirsty souls are being quenched by the life-giving word of God that he faithfully delivers.

When visiting the Greater Metropolitan Area of Buffalo, please accept my warm invitation to join me in worship service. My wife and I would be honored by your presence.

Pastor Kevin Knight, Sr.

The fourth of seven children, Kevin E. Knight, Sr. was born in Jersey City, New Jersey to working class parents Fannie B. & John L. Knight. He received his grammar and high school education in the Jersey City public school system. He earned an Associate degree in Applied Science in Public Policy and a Bachelor of Science degree in Urban Studies from Saint Peter’s College, Jersey City, NJ. He is a 2000 graduate of NLI (Neighborhood Leadership Initiative).

While, working as a manager of the family owned business, he married his spouse Mary L, a graduate of St. Peter’s College. To this union, were born two beautiful children, Kevin Jr. and Shantae’ Merie.

In 1974, Elder Kevin accepted the Lord Jesus and began his upward walk to maturity in Christ. In 1976 he accepted the call to the ministry and was appointed by his father, Pastor John Knight, the Youth/YPWW President at his local church Heavenly Temple C.O.G.I.C. As he grew and matured in the Lord, he was appointed the Youth President of Hudson-Northeast District Youth Department in 1983. Further calling and conviction lead to his ordination as an Elder in the Church of God in Christ in 1984 and thereafter appointed Assistant Pastor in his local Church in 1989.

It did not take Elder Kevin long to realize the special calling of God in life. His Youth ministry and service within the Church of God in Christ and abroad includes multiple areas of service many of which he serves simultaneously. At his local church, in June 1999, his father Bishop John L. Knight passed on the mantle of leadership to him. He now serves as Pastor of Heavenly Temple, Church of God in Christ Jersey City, NJ

Areas of service include:

NJ Third Jurisdiction Hudson-Northeast District of churches,
• In 1995, Appointed by Supt. Randolph D. Johnson as District Secretary

New Jersey Third Jurisdiction,
• In 1995, appointed by Bishop Norman Prescott President of the Jurisdictional
Youth/YP Department,
• In 1999, appointed by Bishop Norman Prescott Chairman of (A.I.M.) Auxiliaries In Ministry,
• In 2002 appointed by Bishop Prescott Jurisdictional Secretary

On the National level
• In 2001, appointed by President Brandon B. Porter, Regional Youth Director for the International Youth Department. Area include: Eastern New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland/Washington, Virginia and West Virginia.
• In 2005, appointed by Bishop G. E. Paterson, Presiding Bishop of the Churches of God in Christ, as one of the Vice Presidents Of the International Youth Department of the Churches of God in Christ.

After becoming pastor of Heavenly Temple COGIC, in 1999 Pastor Knight revitalized the Community Outreach Team, Inc. (COT); a Non-profit housing, education and vocational service organization; and established the Real Life Community School through the Outreach Team in which he serves as President of both. In 2003, Pastor Knight completed the Community Outreach Teams first housing unit.

In addition, he is a member of the Neighborhood Empowerment Council (NEC) a member of the Interdenominational Ministers Alliance in Jersey City, NJ.

Awards:
He has received numerous awards and Proclamations under the past 3 administrations in the city of Jersey City. He has also received a Mayoral SNAP (Strategic Neighborhood Assistant Program) proclamation and a NAACP Award

Pastor Knight loves his family, church, and community but most of all, he loves and serves the Lord with all His heart.