Pastor's Bio
JAMES KENNETH GRIFFIN, SR.
BIOGRAPHY
EDUCATION
• Born Seattle, Washington
• Educated in Seattle Public Schools
• Bachelor of Education Degree, Seattle University
• Graduate Studies at John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA
• Enrolled Masters of Divinity Program, Memphis Theological Seminary, Memphis, TN
MILITARY CAREER
• Commissioned Officer United States Army
• Twelve Years Active Duty
• Eleven Years Army Reserve
• Retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, United States Army Reserve
• Master Army Aviator
• Qualified to fly both Fixed-Wing and Rotorary-Wing Aircraft
• Viet Nam Veteran, flew the AH-1G, Huey Cobra, Attack Helicopter during the Viet Nam War
CIVILIAN CAREER
• After leaving active duty, hired as a Corporate Pilot by the Weyerhaeuser Company, becoming the first African-American pilot to be hired by the Weyerhauser Company
• After five years with the Weyerhaeuser Company, hired as a pilot by the Federal Express Corporation
• After twenty-three years, retired as a Captain in the A-300, Heavy, Airbus
MINISTERIAL BACKGROUND
• Called to Ministry in 1975
• Ordained in 1986
• Former National adjutant, COGIC
• Former Adjutant Overseer for Holy Communion, International Holy Convocation, COGIC, Memphis, TN
• Former Minister of Worship, Pentecostal Temple Institutional COGIC, Memphis, TN
• Former Chief Adjutant, Headquarters Jurisdiction, COGIC, Memphis, TN
• Chairman Ordination Board, Headquarters Jurisdiction COGIC, Memphis, TN
• Founder and Senior Pastor of New Beginnings Community COGIC, Germantown, TN, since January 10, 1999
MARITAL STATUS
• Married to Bette Jean Northington in March of 1968
• Three children, James K., Jr. (Monica), graduate Tennessee State University; Damon Keith (Elke) graduate, with honors, Morehouse College and University of Tennessee Law School; and Marian Donika Griffin-Thomas (Myron), graduate of University of Memphis
• Grandfather of 8; Myles James and Donovan Bryson Griffin, Myron Sanchez Thomas, Jr. Damon Keith Griffin, II, Mariah LeeAnne Thomas, Maya Kennedy Thomas and Madison Daneil Thomas
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