Living Word Church of Faith
Apostle Vernon D. Singleton
A Man Dedicated
“I’m just simple enough to obey God.”
Apostle Singleton was born and grew up in Monteocha, a rural community of Gainesville in North Central Florida, a son of Moses and Rev. Geraldine Singleton. He was educated in the public school system and graduate from Buchholz High School. He completed an AA and AS degrees at Santa Fe Community College and subsequently received a Bachelor’s Degree in Education with high honors from the University of Florida. After teaching one and one half years at Buchholz High School, he entered the Air Force through Officer Training School in San Antonio, Texas. Once commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, he began a 22 year military career as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer. During his military career, he earned a Master’s Degree in Business Organizational Management after completing his studies at the University of La Verne.
A Man Dedicated to Duty
During his first assignment at Moody Air Force Base, he was introduced to and later married Mitzi Griffin (Pastor Mitzi) from Valdosta, Georgia. With each new assignment, their family grew. He was man totally dedicated to his family and Air Force career until the Lord captivated his heart. He continues to be dedicated to family, second only to his commitment to service for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
A Man Dedicated to Service and Change
In 1991, while stationed at Eglin Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, he and his wife and three children (1 daughter and 2 sons) joined and became actively involved in a local congregation named Gregg Chapel AME Church pastored by Rev. Dr. I. E. Cotton. He served as an usher and steward. He later began teaching a Young Adult Sunday School class along with his wife. The couple also started a men’s and women’s fellowship and became involved with a deliverance ministry and The Hidden Places Drama Club. Eventually, after he was empowered by the Holy Ghost, Apostle Singleton submitted to his calling to preach the Gospel. When he was promoted to Major at Eglin AFB, the Lord spoke to his heart that in the future he will be promoted to Lt. Colonel, but after that “even if they gave you the rank of Full Colonel do not accept it.” His response was, “Yes Lord!” It was during that season in Fort Walton Beach that his wife, Mitzi, discovered she was called into the ministry also.
A Man Dedicated to the Call
In 1993, he and his family were assigned to Eielson Air Force Base near North Pole, Alaska. They quickly became involved in the Chapel’s Gospel Service, pastored by Elder Avon Lynch, a Church of God in Christ Elder. Major Singleton informed Elder Lynch that he was called into the ministry. During his assignment in Alaska, he prospered in the Air Force as well as ministry. He served on the leadership board for the Gospel service. He taught Sunday School. He and his wife began a men’s and women’s fellowship and a drama ministry. Elder Lynch placed him in charge of the lay minister’s scheduling to determine each Sunday who was to serve over youth ministries, ushers, and the organization of fellowship Sundays. In 1996, after a three and a half year ministry training under Pastor Lynch, he was ordained as an Elder. After graduating from University of La Verne with a the Master’s Degree in Business Organizational Management, he was also promoted to Lt. Colonel. During that time, he was given the responsibility as Commander of the Eielson AFB Maintenance Squadron with oversight of 550 Air Force members.
A Man Dedicated to Leadership
In the Summer of 1996, Pastor Vernon was reassigned to be the Commander to equivalent of two ROTC detachments at Mississippi Valley State and Delta State Universities as Commander and Professor of Aerospace Studies in the Mississippi Delta near Greenwood MS. He continued his ministry training under then Pastor Milton Glass at New Green Grove Missionary Baptist Church. He served Pastor Glass and Pastor Glass’ vision for New Green Grove. (Subsequently, the church became a non-denominational ministry and changed the name to New Green Grove Church of Faith and Apostle Singleton was licensed through the ministry also.) During that time, Pastor Vernon formed Catch the Vision Ministries, a ministry dedicated to outreach and giving. Also, Pastor Vernon and his wife began an intercessory prayer group at New Green Grove which grew tremendously. In 1999, he was transferred to the Doctrine Center at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. During that assignment, he and his family settled in Prattville, Alabama. They joined Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church, and Pastor Vernon faithfully served for two years as Assistant Pastor to Rev. T. L. Goodman. He began teaching Adult Bible Study which also grew substantially. During that assignment, he was offered the rank of Full Colonel, which he turned down in obedience to the Lord's direction while stationed at Eglin AFB in 1991. Instead he retired from the Air Force in 2001.
A Man Dedicated to God as a Servant
Pastor Vernon and his family relocated to Lake City, Florida in 2002 and started Living Word Church of Faith. He was ordained as Apostle through Joyful Sound International Ministry in Valdosta, GA. Presently, Pastor Vernon serves as founder and Senior Pastor of Living Word Church of Faith located in Alachua Florida. Living Word Church of Faith is accountable first to God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, and secondly to both Bishop Milton Glass of New Green Grove Church of Faith located in Greenwood, Mississippi and Apostle Julia Grant Berry of Joyful Sound International Ministries located in Valdosta, GA. In addition to their three adult children, Pastors Vernon and Mitzi now have 1 daughter- in- law and 2 grandchildren. He believes that “God is my life and the length of my days.” Pastor Mitzi concurs and says, “AMEN!”