Join us as we celebrate our Pastor's 30th Anniversary and 55th Birthday. The Celebration Banquet will be held Friday, February 4, 2023 7:00 PM at THE VENUE 494.
Wendell B. Sumter hails from the Palmetto City of Columbia, SC, the Capital City of the Carolinas! Bishop Sumter was born on February 9, 1968 and is the proud son of the late Mrs. Luella S. Dinkins and the late Mr. Herbert Neal. The grandson of the late Mr. Rubin and Juliette Neal, and the stepson of Mr. Willie Dinkins, Sr. He is the oldest of five children and a devoted father to his only daughter, Kristin Marleyna Sumter and granddaughter Mariah Trinity Williams. Wendell B. Sumter grew up with humble beginings playing on the dirt roads of Hopkins SC. Bishop Wendell Bernard Sumter’s ministry began at an early age at Zion Benevolent Baptist Church in Hopkins, South Carolina, where he served as Associate Pastor for five years and was actively involved with the youth and the music ministry. Bishop Sumter was ordained to preach in 1990 and has faithfully served as Pastor of Zion Mill Creek Baptist Church in Columbia, South Carolina since February 1993. When Bishop Sumter was called to serve at Zion Mill Creek his desire was to pastor a church that was willing to grow and God has granted him that and every desire of his heart as he delighted himself in the law of the Lord. Under the leadership of Bishop Sumter, the church has undergone growth in membership, property acquisitions, ministries and countless testimonies of faith. More importantly, lives have been rededicated to Christ and several have become ministers of the Gospel. Above all, the ministry has blossomed into an abundantly blessed and united family of believers who stand firmly on the promises of God. Bishop Sumter has devoted his entire professional career to public education and preparing students for the next realm of academic excellence. Bishop Sumter holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Morris College and a Master’s Degree of Education from the University of South Carolina. A twenty-plus year veteran, Bishop Sumter has taught Second, Fourth, and Sixth Grade. Leaving the classroom, Bishop Sumter moved into a leadership role where he served as an Assistant Principal for Lower Richland High School in Hopkins, South Carolina for five years. He furthered his career by taking on the role as Principal of Great Falls Middle School and Great Falls Elementary School in Great Falls, SC. Under his leadership, he was able to take his faculty, staff, and students from good to great and from great to world class achievers! His school was named a Microsoft Showcase Show, SC Title One Distinguished School for Progress, and became a National Title One Distinguished School. He currently serves as Chief Human Resources Officer for Chester County School District in Chester, SC Bishop Sumter is a member of the Microsoft Education Advisory Board, A Learning Specialist with NCCE (Northwest Council of Computer Education), A Microsoft Innovative Educator and Trainer and a member of the American Association of School Personnel Administrators. Bishop Sumter has traveled the world visiting Prague, Spain, Amsterdam, and India, as a consultant with NCCE/Microsoft and has presented at numerous educational conferences and schools motivating student, teachers, educators, and people from all walks of life! Bishop Sumter is a Pastor, motivational speaker, faculty and staff morale booster, and a confident and proven leader. He believes every child can learn and every child must learn to compete with students world-wide. Bishop Sumter masterfully practices the art of educating and preparing students to achieve the unreachable and spiritually guides those who hear the word of the Lord!