Grace Tabernacle Christian Center
Apostle Tyrone Tillman, Founder and Senior Pastor
Apostle Tyrone Tillman comes to Grace Tabernacle Christian Center as the Founder and Senior Pastor. He was born on December 4th 1955, being the oldest of 6 children born to the blessed union of Mr. & Mrs. James (Esther) Tillman. He completed his high school education in the public school systems of Hoke County graduating with the class of 1974. He furthered his education by attending Wingate College where he received an Associate of Science Degree in Business Management. Pastor Tillman, after retiring from Kelly Springfield Tire Company, became full time in ministry serving God’s people in many facets and pushing them to fulfill their purpose in God.
Pastor Tillman has earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Theology; a Bachelor’s Degree in Pastoral Studies and a Master’s of Divinity Degree. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Christian Counseling and is licensed as a Certified Clinical Counselor, specializing in Behavioral/Temperament Counseling as well as Family and Marriage Counseling, with the National Christian Counselors Association (NCCA) where he was licensed in October, 2011. Pastor Tillman was called into ministry and began preaching in 1980. After hearing God and responding to the ‘call of God’ he along with his lovely wife, became Founders and Pastor of the
Grace Tabernacle Christian Center that was established in the year 1986. With this vision from God, he was obedient and began to establish the work. Pastor Tillman has a heart for family. He aspires to reach the young and the old. He desires to see the family both married and single, reach their full potential in Christ while being an example to the world on how a ‘Christian family’ was ordained to be. Being full-time in ministry, he is available to assist those that call upon him for counseling and to find the strength to become the family that God designed. God has gifted him and anointed him to be a positive influence in the Body of Christ and in the community. He is a man of prayer; one who teaches the unadulterated Word of God. His evangelistic thrust is that of encouragement and faith to the body of Christ. He teaches that Evangelism is the heartbeat of Ministry; it is our commission to win souls for the Kingdom of God.
Pastor Tillman is happily married to the beautiful Mrs. Benita Scriven-Tillman, a retired School Administrator and awesome help meet to her husband. TOGETHER they are the proud parents of four beautiful children and have been blessed with six grandchildren. They have been successful in raising their children to love the Lord with their whole heart and to honor God in everything. TOGETHER Pastor and First Lady Tillman are dedicated to building the Kingdom of God. Their passion for Christ and His people flows throughout the ministries at Grace Tabernacle Christian Center and their strong desire includes teaching believers to become disciples of Jesus Christ by growing in maturity to conquer their full purpose and potential in God. God uses him mightily in numerous gifts to bring healing and deliverance to His people.
Pastor Tillman is saved, anointed and appointed to lead God’s people by His word. He has been summoned to the office of an Apostle; a call he doesn’t take lightly. He carries an Apostolic anointing and has a corporate mandate to train believers for the work of Kingdom ministry! A radical worshipper, ever thirsting for more of God! He desires Gods Glory to rest upon the lives of all people, our ministry and throughout the world! He is spiritual father to many and a man who loves God. He inspires to lead a holy life daily as he continues to walk in the way of the Lord.
HISTORY
“Upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it!” Matthew 16:18
In the year of our Lord 1986, God saw fit to call a young man to lead his people into new heights and a greater future; out of obedience to God, Grace Tabernacle Christian Center came into being. The first location was at 40001 Old Fort Bragg Road,
Fayetteville, NC. This church consisted of approximately 15 founding members which included: Deacon James and Sister Barbara Scriven, Minister Brenda Whitehead, Evangelist Carol Lucas, Sister Erica McNeill, Sister Chrystal McNeill, Deacon Jose, and Sister Pamela Parrah, Sister Gouzman and family, and Sister Debra Debose.
With a vision from God and a strong determination to do the will of the Father, this small congregation began to go forth and run with the vision set before them. Through several years of growing pains and with bigger and better things in mind, the church moved to 6040 Cliffdale Road in 1990. At that time, some of the great people in leadership were Church Administrators Elder James Tillman and Evangelist Felicia Brooks, Office Administrator, Elder Tyries Walker, Head Deacon, James A. Scriven, Jr., and Accountant, Minister Brenda Whitehead. With our church being based in a military town, many people who played a tremendous pat in our history have moved on. We thank God for them touching our lives and leaving a lasting imprint in this ministry. Through the member’s desire to take God at His Word, and trust what he promised, we began to build God another house of worship. In 1996, the process began to build our new Church at the current location, so that ministry could continue to be expressed in many other facets.
On February 22, 1997, Grace Tabernacle held its groundbreaking services for the establishment of the Tyrone Tillman Family Life Center, which houses Grace Tabernacle Christian Center. This edifice is Phase One of a three-part vision that God has given to our Pastor. This is the beginning in which and God has promised to see us to our end. For we know, that before God establishes a vision, he has already finished it! This was a very momentous occasion for not only the founders of Grace Tabernacle, but also for its growing membership.
On November 16, 1997, the doors to the Tyrone Tillman Family Life Center opened, being located at 3640 Applegate Road, Hope Mills, NC. We held the dedication of the building on Sunday, March 1, 1998, Pastor J.C. Monroe, Chief Consecrator and Elder James Tillman, presiding. This was a time we will never forget! For with the little we had and the works of our faith, God brought us here! This is a testimony that Jesus will do just what he said. On September 17, 2002, the wooded land behind us was cleared and the way began to build Phase II, our sanctuary. This vision is greater than our natural eyes can see; yet we still believe God, that this will come to pass. We are expecting and know that God will honor his word and reward our faithfulness.
In April 2009, the mortgage on the Tyrone Tillman Family Life Center was retired and burned just after 12 years of being established. A title to this building had been transferred to the Founders and the members of Grace Tabernacle Christian Center as owners! The Mortgage burning ceremony was a day of high praise as God gets the glory for the amazing things he has done. Bishop J.C. Monroe and members of Abundant Life Ministries celebrated this momentous occasion with us. During this service the mortgage was burned by our Pastor and officials of the Board of Directors. If we can continue to trust God, take him at his Word, we shall witness great things. Grace Tabernacle, we shall behold the things that God has promised us!
On September 13th , 2013, the keys to the property located at 3668 Applegate Road were given to our Pastor with only a few months remaining on the mortgage. This was God’s Word of Prophecy being fulfilled, and we are expecting much more to come! We can share many testimonies of miracles, healings, financial blessings, favorable employment, restoration of marriages, and many other blessings that testify to the marvelous works God has performed here at GTCC. Our vision not only entails physical growth, but spiritual growth, which is most important, because if we continue to seek the Kingdom of God first, all other things will be added to us. We believe that God has a purpose for this ministry and that purpose is to win souls for the Kingdom of God, Evangelism is the heartbeat of this ministry, and we must continue to work to fulfill our assignment given by God. We are to “Go into all the World and preach and publish the Gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).
Our present-day executive leadership includes the: Board of Elders (Sister Regina Black, Sister Barbara Scriven, Sister Michelle Kallie, Elder James Tillman, Sister Natasha Walker, Minister George Sansbury, and First Lady Benita Tillman); Pastor’s Assistants (Minister George Sansbury, and Minister Timothy Whitted); Board of Deacons (Deacon James Scriven, and Deacon Derrick Glenn, Sr.); Executive Church Administrator (Elder James Tillman); and Office Administrator (Natasha Tillman-Walker). It is our desire to see Grace Tabernacle Christian Center Reach its ultimate purpose in God. God has given our Shepherd an awesome Vision, and we, as members vow to be the body of believers who will honor God with our best efforts to see the Vision come to pass!
mission & vision
Apostle Tyrone Tillman and First Lady Benita Tillman have a great desire for members to a “Great Commitment to the great Commission so that we can produce a Great Church.” He teaches that evangelism is the heart of ministry. For this is the commission God has called us to.
The mission of this church is in reality a continuation of Christ’s earthly ministry (John 14:12). Evangelism is the ministry proclaiming good news of Jesus Christ that will bring men’s souls into fellowship with God.
Grace Tabernacle Christian Center vows
To proclaim the gospel throughout the world and make disciples of all kinds of people.
To serve as a community of worship and fellowship to manifest the presence and love of Jesus.
To mature believers and prepare them to perform the works of ministry.
To represent the interest of the Kingdom of God in the world, and to influence our society with ideals of the Word.
We will and are able to love, care for, and to meet the needs of humanity while upholding the redemptive truths and righteousness of Jesus Christ. “And let our people also learn to maintain good works to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.”
This church shall be a Church that possesses an atmosphere of spiritual edification; a place where God’s Word is taught, where believers are grounded, encouraged and led toward maturity in God.