Rev. Powell is approaching 40 years of proclaiming the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.  God has been merciful and allowed Rev.  Powell to currently be in his 35th year of serving as a shepherd of God's people.  Pastor Powell served as pastor of the Willow Grove Missionary Baptist Church of Phoenix (1989-2002), and the Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church of Surprise (2002-2006).  In January of 2006, God led Rev. Powell to organize the Gideon Missionary Baptist Church of Surprise.  Gideon and through the tender mercies of God, he currently continues service unto the Lord in Surprise.  We give God all the glory for what He has done.
     Pastor Powell's formal education was at Arizona State University where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in May of 1977.  Through the years God has allowed Rev. Powell to attend various classes and seminars to further his studies in the Word of God.  Pastor Powell is currently pursuing his course studies for a Masters of Theology degree through Andersonville Theological Seminary.  He is praying that God shall bless him that he might be a blessing of God's people.
     On a state level and national level, Rev. Powell has served in the Salt River Valley General Baptist State Convention in various positions ranging from Brotherhood secretary, convention financial secretary, vice president of the convention, and president of the convention.  In all these positions Rev. Powell was always mindful that he was just a servant of the Master.   He has also served as a board member of the Home Mission Board of the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc.  At present time Rev. Powell is concentrating on leading Gideon into all that the Lord would have it to be, and Gideon has no state or national affiliation.
     Rev. Powell is married to Anita Klines Powell and the have been married for 21 years. She is dynamic helpmate for his ministry and each day he thanks God for her.  Their two sons, Reginald and Jonathan (Stephanie) are doing well.  Both sons are graduates of Arizona State University.  Reginald also has a Master's degree from Penn State University and currently is a principle of a Pan American Charter High School.  For the past 18 years, Jonathan has been an early childhood educator with the Tempe Elementary School District.  Pastor and Sister Powell are rejoicing that Jonathan has accepted his call into the Gospel.  Through the blessings of God, Pastor and Sister Powell have two adopted daughters, Kizzy Watts-McLemore and Chelika Johnson.  There blended family brings them great joy and specially with their grandchild, Amaiya, Omega, Celia, Joseph, Cruz, Kyra and Kendra
     Whatever Rev. Powell maybe or have accomplished, he recognizes that it is only by tender mercies of God.  Each day God gives to Pastor Powell, he is reminded of Galatians 2:20, "I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless, I live.  Yet, not I, but the Christ lives in me and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God who love and gave Himself for me."  Rev. Powell always says, "I am a servant of Christ and just want the world to see the Christ within me."