Our Pastors

---

“God is our refuge and strength a very present help in time of trouble”  Psalm 46:1

Pastor Woodrow Vereen is the honored husband of Deborah Vereen, father of 5 and grandfather of 7.  He is one of twelve siblings, raised in SC.  

Pastor Woodrow loves the Lord and he loves his family.  He enjoys family gatherings and sharing the Word of God.  

His aim is no game, that is to win souls for the Kingdom!

Pastor Woodrow accepted Christ in 1973 at Charity Pentecostal Church, under the auspices of the late Bishop James Vereen, where he served faithfully in ministry as a Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, on the choir and an usher.   He received extensive training in discipleship and street ministry under the leadership of Bishop James Vereen. 

In 1987, being led of the Lord, the Vereen family established membership at The Cathedral of Praise C.O.G.I.C., International where Bishop John C. White is Senior Pastor.  

He had no reservations as he immediately put his hands to work.  Deacon Woodrow Vereen, a faithful, dedicated member, servant and ambassador for the Lord, was soon elevated to a licensed Minister and then an ordained Elder under the auspicious of Bishop White and soon became the Chief Elder, assisting Bishop White as the Director of the Leadership Council Ministry which consists of the Elders, Ministers, Deacons and Deacons-in-training.

Pastor Woodrow served in many capacities at Cathedral of Praise (formerly known as Turner’s Faith Temple).  He was the Director of the Youth Ministry, New Converts Ministry, Singles and Couples Ministry and he also served on the Board of Directors; 20 year Prison Ministry volunteer for the Dept. of Corrections .  

Pastor Woodrow attended Bethel Bible Institute in Jamaica Queens, NY and completed courses in Biblical Studies, Evangelism, and Bible Doctrine where he received Certificates of Completion and an Associates Degree.   

God has called, anointed and appointed him to preach and teach the gospel.  He has been a facilitator for couples’ seminars as well as men’s conferences.  He is committed to serving the Lord and faithful to the work of the ministry.  His desire is to see lives changed by the power of God as he lives a daily lifestyle of holiness.  He is not ashamed to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and shares it with those he comes in contact with.  

Pastor Woodrow has proven to be a man of valor, integrity, discipline and honor.  As a God fearing, humble, true man of God, he desires to let his light shine that others will see Christ and be transformed.  

Elder Woodrow accepted the call as Pastor of Mercy Tabernacle Church and the church was established January 13, 2013.  

  “I will bless the Lord at all times, and his praise shall continually be in my mouth” Psalm 34:1

Deborah Vereen is the proud and honored wife of Pastor Woodrow Vereen, mother of 5 and grandmother of 7. She believes that ministry begins at home exemplifying God’s love and his Word with her family which is her first priority.  A native of Bridgeport, CT. One of fourteen siblings, raised in Father Panik Village Housing Project where poverty, drug infestation and alcohol abuse were prevalent, along with prostitution, violence and crime. 

As noted in the Word of God… “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Yes, indeed, in 1979, Deborah experienced a transformation as she accepted Christ as her personal Savior, under the leadership of the late Bishop James Vereen. Deborah, affectionately called “Missy,” was called out from the housing project and saved by grace through faith by the power of the Almighty God. Father Panik Village, identified as “The Ghetto,” was reported on national television as the armpit for crime and violence, yet Deborah is not afraid to preach to those of her city because God rescued, saved, and prepared her as his prophetic mouthpiece to share his goodness without fear or compromise.  In 1987, being led of the Lord, the Vereen family established membership at The Cathedral of Praise C.O.G.I.C., International where Bishop John C. White is Sr. Pastor and Presiding Prelate.

Deborah: 

· Attended Foundation Bible Institute and graduated from Bethel Bible Institute in Jamaica Queens, NY. 

· Served as an Associate Elder at Cathedral of Praise under Bishop J.C. White 

· Personal Assistant/Adjutant/Armor Bearer for First Lady Gloria White (26 years)

· Founded the Big & Little Sisters Ministry, providing a positive support for youth & young adults to grow into adulthood (10 years) 

· Carl Robinson Correctional Facility Prison Ministry (20 years)

· New Converts Ministry (20 years)

· Bereavement Ministry (15 years)

· Children’s Church Director (10 years)

· Author – Personal Assistant (A Servant’s Heart) 

· Notary Public - State of Connecticut

She partnered with “Women of Destiny” under the auspices of Prophetess Kathy Lounsbury of Lighthouse Ministries and Pastor Mary Gardner. 

Her commitment to her community and church does not go unnoticed as she was honored in 2007 at a F.P.V. Community Reunion. In 2010, she received the Humanitarian Award sponsored by the Al-Aziz Islamic Center for “Women who are making a difference in the community.”

 She has been a pillar in her community as a Eulogist for more than 300 funerals sharing the Word of God to thousands. 

Elder Deborah has traveled from the East Coast to the West Coast as a motivational speaker/facilitator declaring the Word of God, with a desire to encourage the discouraged she has a passion for souls ultimately challenging people to make a decision to believe in the Lord and see their lives transformed by the power of God. 

Deborah declares she never could have made it without the Lord, because there is no one like him. God never left her but has proven to be faithful at all times. God is first in her life and she desires for Him to be seen and heard in her daily Christian lifestyle. 

She gains daily strength through a consistent life of prayer, praise and fellowship with the Lord. 

Elder Deborah accepted the call as Co-Pastor of Mercy Tabernacle alongside her husband, Pastor Woodrow Vereen and the church was established January 13, 2013.