Associate Ministers

Rev. Willie Mae Jones accepted Christ in her early pre-teen years under the leadership of the late Dr. R.H. Faulkner, Pastor of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, Marion, Indiana. She is one of eleven children that were taught the Word of God by her loving parents and is one of four Ordained Ministers amongst her siblings.

Prior to relocating to Sun City Arizona in May 2014, she served under the leadership of Pastor Kim Outlaw, Living Water Fellowship Church located in Indianapolis Indiana. She was one of the seventeen founding members in 2009 and accepted her call as a Minister of the Gospel in May 2010. The membership grew to over five thousand members by May 2014. During her tenure there she served as Minister of Finance and taught several Finance Classes that were scripture based. She also served as Finance Ministry Leader at New Life Worship Center located in Indianapolis, Indiana under the leadership of Pastor John Ramsey where she served for more than 10 years.

Rev. Willie Mae is very passionate about teaching and preaching the Word of God. Her passion is to live and teach others to live according to Romans 13:8 “Owe No Man Nothing But Love”. She has taught this scripture-based concept in many venues and has seen and heard many success stories with lives changed and souls saved. She served nine years under the leadership of Bishop William A. Burden, Church of The Good Samaritan, Phoenix, Arizona prior to his transition to his Heavenly home October 7, 2022, and was Ordained by the same, November 2017. She served faithfully preaching and teaching the Word of God. She currently serves under the leadership of Pastor John R. Powell of Gideon Missionary Baptist Church, Surprise, Arizona.

In 1992 she became the first female Vice-President and CFO of a multimillion-dollar financial institution in Indiana and the first woman of color for the same in that company’s 65-year history.  In May 1999 she was promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer of the same financial institution, where she retired from in April 2006.  From 1993 to 1999 she served on the Advisory Council Board for a major Data Processing Company for Credit Unions.  She later served on the Advisory Board of Credit Unions for the Indiana Credit Union League as a liaison for credit unions. Currently Rev. Willie Mae serves on the Board of Directors for the Christian foundation of You Give It We Grant It as Emeritus CFO (located in Fort Worth, Texas).

She is a published author and has written two books “The Strength to Kick” and “RESTORED” under her Author name of “Willi Jones”. She has always had a passion for creative writing and writing Christian novels. The love of her life, Deacon Fred Jones, together have 5 children. She is the proud mother to her beautiful daughter, Rachelle and “Bonus Mom” to Tonia, Sean, Tameka and Tyra.  Grandmother to 18 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Her motto will always be to remain as a humble servant to the Lord and a willing vessel to be used by God and live a life reflective of the same as she says, “Living Life on Purpose”.

Rev. Ernest J. Polk, faithfully served from 1996 - 2005 in various auxiliaries under the leadership of Pastor Roy M. Brown and the New Life Baptist Church of Christ in Sacramento, California.  Rev. Polk answered God's call to ministry and was licensed in 1999.  During his tenure at New Life Baptist Church of Christ, he served in the roles of Director of Christian Education for Sunday School and member of the Deacon and Trustee Boards, respectively.

On January 23, 2005, Rev. Polk was ordained.  Later that year on July 28, 2005, he accepted the role of Assistant Pastor at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church of Sacramento, California, under the leadership of Pastor Eugene J. Washington.  Rev.  Polk studied Theology from City Seminary of Sacramento, while working a full-time job in transportation to support his family.  Trusting God to see him through it all and finding it less burdensome, he transitioned to online studies where he completed his bachelor's in biblical studies, with a concentration in Pastoral Ministry from Ames Christian University.

Believing in God to continue his leadership training and development, in 2010 Rev.  Polk began serving at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church of Sacramento, California, under the leadership of Pastor, Dr. Ephraim Williams.  Rev.  Polk was active in the Men's Ministry, Christian Education Department, and New Membership Department, where he taught the topics of evangelism, discipleship, and apologetics.  As a servant leader, Rev. Polk later became President of the Associate Ministers.

Like Abraham, heeding the of God to move, he and his wife, Rochelle, relocate to Surprise, Arizona in April 2024 and have touched down at Gideon Missionary Baptist Church to labor together for the Kingdom.  Rev.  Polk possesses strong convictions regarding ministering.  His personal mission statement is:  

• To bring people to Christ through evangelism,
• develop them through discipleship, and 
• encourage all for ministry and missions.

Rev. Polk is blessed with a woman of excellence, Rochelle, and between them they are proud parents of five adult children:  Ernest Jr., Eryn, Andre, Jeremiah, and Nia, whom he affectionately calls "The People of Polk County." 

Rev.  Larry V. Mitchell accepted his call to preach in 1994 under the leadership of Dr. William R. Lott at the Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church.  His 1st sermon was titled "Guess who's coming to dinner" from the text of Luke 15:1-2.  Larry Mitchell served as the Assistant Pastor from 2004-2009 under the leadership of Dr. Aaron Richardson.  Rev. Mitchell was called by God in 2009 to serve as Pastor of the Lord of Host M.B. Church until his retirement in October 2022.

Rev. Mitchell was born in Oseeola Arkansas, his family moved to Charleston Missouri in 1962.

He graduated from Charleston High School in 1967, he lettered in 3 sports in his senior year of high school.  Rev.  Mitchell moved to Chicago IL.  after graduation and his 1st full time job was at Sears and Roebuck in 1967.   He is the 3rd of 13 children, he received Deborah Bailey as his bride on June 4, 1977, he is a devoted husband and very proud father of 7 children.

Rev. Mitchell received a Computer Programming Degree from the computer learning center, an Associate Business Management Degree from Wright College and B.S. Degree in urban Ministry from Aspen Christian College.  He also holds a Pastoral Care Certificate from Moody and Trinity Christian Colleges.

Rev. Mitchell served as 1st Vice Moderator and Dean of the Midwest Baptist District Association in Chicago, and he served as President of Christian Education of Illinois Missionary Baptist State Convention.  He served as an Associate Professor at the United Faith Institute and Bible College, and he served as the Evangelism Instructor for the NMBCA Winter Board for six years.

Rev. Mitchell strongly holds to the idea that Christian Education is a must and those who claim Christ must demonstrate their proclamation through Christian living.  He holds very strongly to the fact that Evangelism and Discipleship is a requirement that God gave to the church and to not follow after these is direct disobedience.  II Timothy 3:16 serves as his calling card to ministry.

After his retirement from his pastorate at the Lord of Host M.B. Church in Chicago, he and his wife moved to Sun City, Arizona in October of 2022.  On Christmas Day of 2022, he and his wife joined the Gideon M.B.  Church of Surprise, AZ under the leadership of Pastor John R. Powell.

Rev. Pamela Scroggins was born and raised in Marion, Indiana.  She comes from a family who shared their strong faith and dedicated work in the church.  She accepted Christ in her pre-teen years at Allen Temple AME church where her mother was the pianist for 50 years.

After graduating high school, she attended the Marion General hospital School for Radiologic Technologist graduating as the first Black student to attend.  She was the only Black technologist working there for 4 years.

She moved to Detroit, Michigan where she lived for several years while working at Henry Ford Hospital. She began teaching there as well when she attend John Wesly AME Zion Church.

Returning to Marion in 1990, she became a weekend Supervisor at MGH and taught a few classes to her fellow technologists.  About 6 years later she moved again to Willowbrook, Illinois where she eventually became the manager of Grant Square Imaging for 9 years.  She went to work for Midwest Center for Advanced Imaging ana obtained her advanced registration for MRI and CT Imaging.  She retired in 2016 after 46 years.

She came to the Phoenix area in 2017 after reuniting with her high school sweetheart, Brother Jerry Scroggins.  They became members of the Church of the Good Samaritan under the leadership of Bishop William A. Burden until God called him home on October 7, 2022.  She was Ordained by Bishop Burden on October 17, 2021.

Rev. Pam and Jerry together have 4 children.  She is the proud mother of Dayna and Jordan and bonus daughter Heather and bonus son Josh.  They have 5 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.  She loves to read, music and loves to share information.  Her greatest hope is to be an obedient servant to the Lord and to be a willing vessel to the Master Potter.

Rev. Henry Turner born in Clinton, Louisiana to Mr. Jesse Turner and Mrs. Rosie Lee Turner; graduated from High School in 1969, married to his high school sweetheart in 1969, with 3 children, 6 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild. 

Then Baptized at the New Hope Baptist Church; moved to Michigan in 1970, worked for General Motors for 36 years. Then joined the Antioch Baptist Church in 1975. Later joined Jerusalem Baptist Church in 1980, became a usher, trustee, and an ordained Deacon. In 1998, was called to preach the gospel; 38 years of a faithful worker of God with his blessings, until moving to Arizona. Now, a dedicated worker for the Lord at Gideon Missionary Baptist Church, as an Associate Minister.