All the Rev. Joseph Mullins ever wanted to do was be a pastor and he has returned to his first love as pastor of the Legacy of Faith Worship Center after serving as statewide bishop of the Bedford, Texas-based Pentecostal Church of God and its more than 50 Oklahoma churches.
“I missed the feeling of being with the one body of a church,” said the Rev. Mullins, a native of Flint, Mich., who has been in Odessa since July. “This church has taken us in and accepted us as part of their family.”
Asked what he tries to accomplish each week from the pulpit, he said, “I try to reach people’s hearts for Jesus with a message.
“Jesus knows we are hopeless and he gifts us with the hope of eternal life.”
Bedford is east-northeast of Fort Worth.
Formerly Faith Tabernacle, Mullins’ 1420 E. 42nd St. church averages 30 people at its 10:30 a.m. Sunday services. He and his wife LaRee, the co-pastor, have three children and nine grandchildren.
Mullins graduated with a degree in ministry from the Free Gospel Bible Institute in Export, Pa., and was the pastor of churches in Talihina, Poteau and Wolverton, Okla., before assuming his administrative duties.
His father Don of Milford, Ind., is a retired minister. His mother’s name is Wilma.
“God is with us and for us,” Mullins said. “He tells us that he will never leave us or forsake us.
“God can take your brokenness and restore your life. We are saved by faith in Jesus, who is our savior.”
Edward Cunningham, Mullins’ secretary when he was bishop, said he is a good pastor because he is very engaging and is interested in the welfare of his members at all times.
“Joseph is a likable fellow,” Cunningham said. “LaRee has a great heart for people and the people of Odessa will be blessed by them being there.”
