• 20+ yearsPastoring
• MilitaryU.S. Marine Corps · Texas Army National Guard OCS
• EducationB.A., Southwestern Assemblies of God University
• FamilyMarried 27+ years to LaNita

My Story

I am a high school dropout who was raised in a great spiritual home with both of my parents. We didn't have much money, but we had everything that money couldn't buy. I started off living a comfortable life, and then all of that got flipped upside down and I lost all of my confidence.

While at rock bottom, I called on the name of Jesus, repented of my sins and asked Him to come into my life. It was that day that I received a Christ consciousness. I no longer walked in my lower consciousness, and I began to walk according to the Christ oil.

I am a follower of the Bible, not through religion but by spiritual interpretation, so that my life on earth is as it is in heaven. I don't have to wait until I get to heaven to be like Christ in my thinking. Material possessions are not my only measure of success or failure in my life. I want the mind of Christ more than anything else.

Leadership

My leadership experience comes from my time in the United States Marine Corps. I learned a lot through discipline and through being part of a great organization and the number one fighting force in the world. I also learned an enormous amount about leadership as a graduate of Officer Candidate School in the Texas Army National Guard.

Education

After receiving my GED at the age of 16, I went on to graduate from Cedar Valley Community College in Lancaster, Texas, with my Associate of Arts degree. I also have a Bachelor of Arts degree from Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, Texas. I am also an intermediate Spanish speaker.

Life & Ministry

I have been in business for many years. I have hit rock bottom on several occasions, but I have successfully recovered each time and learned valuable lessons each time. Absolutely no regrets. I also hold a CDL as a truck driver.

I have been pastoring for over 20 years. I am not trying to be perfect; however, I try to make the Bible come alive, where it can be applied with results and not just religion.

Family

At the time of this writing, I have been married for over 27 years to my wife, LaNita Sherpell. We have three daughters together, I have a son from before we were married, and we have grandchildren as well.

Psalms 1:3a (KJV)

"And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water."

• Born 1947Near Allport, Arkansas
• GraduateArkansas AM&N (now UAPB)
• Married 1970To Brenda Bryant
• 22 yearsSheriff's department, Texas (retired)
• 10 yearsPastor, Trinity Temple COGIC
• TodayPastor, Church at Allport, Arkansas

Early Life

Pastor Clyde Sherpell, Sr. was born in July 1947 in the country near Allport, Arkansas. He was raised in his grandparents' house alongside his one brother, and while his grandparents raised him, he always kept a close relationship with his parents.

He went on to graduate from Arkansas Agricultural, Mechanical & Normal College (Arkansas AM&N), which is now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

Called by Name

Pastor Sherpell once worked at a rice mill in Stuttgart, Arkansas. One day he was badly hurt in a machine at the mill. In that moment he called on the name of Jesus, and he came out alive. Grateful to have survived, he gave his life to the Lord. He has been a born-again believer and a preacher of the Gospel ever since.

Service

Pastor Sherpell served his community in law enforcement, retiring from a sheriff's department in Texas after 22 years.

He also pastored Trinity Temple Church of God in Christ in Gainesville, Texas, for 10 years, shepherding God's people with the same faith that carried him through that day at the rice mill.

Today he is the pastor of Church at Allport in Allport, Arkansas, back near the place where he was born.

Family

In 1970, he married Brenda Bryant, now First Lady Brenda Sherpell, PhD. Together they raised three children: two sons and one daughter. Their son Marcus is the Senior Pastor of Walk4God Church.

Retired from law enforcement, Pastor Sherpell enjoys raising chickens with his wife.

Messages

Watch messages from Pastor Clyde Sherpell, Sr.

Psalms 118:17 (KJV)

"I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord."

• Born 2000Known to everyone as BJ
• Baylor UniversityBachelor's and master's degrees
• CoachHigh school football
• Licensed ministerFaithful Missionary Baptist Church

A Soldier for Christ

Byron Hanspard, II, known to everyone as BJ, was born in 2000. He has been a soldier for Christ since a very young age.

Football and Education

BJ played football at DeSoto High School and earned a full scholarship to Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where he received both his bachelor's and master's degrees. Today he serves young people as a high school football coach.

A Line of Preachers

BJ comes from a line of preachers. His grandfather on his mother's side pastored Faithful Missionary Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, for many years, and his father, Byron Hanspard, Sr., is now the pastor there. BJ carries on that legacy as a licensed minister at Faithful Missionary Baptist Church.

Family

BJ married Harmony Sherpell in 2023. They have one son, with more children on the way.

Sermon Notes: "I Will Not DIE Here"

From BJ's sermon on the prodigal son, Luke 15:11–24 (March 2026):

• The pig pen symbolizes rock bottom: dirty and unclean.
• Your mental chaos invites a position of physical turmoil.
• You go from a victim to a volunteer.
• There are some things you can escape from, but there are other things you have to repent from.
• We're not doing 360s. 180s all day!
• Sin will keep you longer than you want to be kept.
• My way got me here, but God's way will get me out.
• You can't let your actions contradict your beliefs.
• The distance was great, but the love was greater!
• God loves you right where you are.
• We're living in idolatry because we are worshipping our mistakes and shortcomings. Let it go!

Luke 15:20 (KJV)

"And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him."

Watch BJ Preach

• Born 1978Bullard, Texas
• EducatorTeaching since 1999
• EducationUniversity of North Texas · Master's in education
• Married 1999To Pastor Marcus Sherpell

Early Life

First Lady LaNita Sherpell was born in 1978 in Bullard, Texas, to Nathan Cantley and Naomi Johnson Cantley. She has two older sisters. She grew up in Bullard and attended Bullard High School. She has been serving Christ since a very young age.

Education and Career

After graduating from Tyler Junior College, she earned her degree from the University of North Texas in 1999, preparing to teach elementary school with an emphasis in mathematics. She went on to earn a master's degree in education from the University of Texas at Arlington.

She has been teaching since 1999 and now serves as an educational coach, helping other teachers grow.

Faith

First Lady Sherpell has read the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. She is a faithful tither and places her complete trust in Christ.

Ministry

She is the lead singer at Walk4God Church, and she emcees every Sabbath service.

Family

She has been married to Pastor Marcus Sherpell since October 1999, and together they have three daughters. She enjoys taking vacations and spending time with her children.

Psalms 104:33 (KJV)

"I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being."