ISPA Board, Biographies

Dr. Nathan Lofton, President  |  Evang. Cherlyn Williams ~ Vice President  |  Dr. Anthony L. Buckles, Treasurer    

Sonia Little, Asst. Treasurer  |  Kathy Belcher ~ ISPA Executive Secretary  |  Gidget R. Armstrong ~ Asst. Executive Secretary

Evangelist Celeste R. Mathis ~ Administrative Assistant

As a young child, Nathan understood his calling on his life.   He was reared with Christian principles by his parents, Elder Andrew (deceased) and Gwendolyn Lofton. He graduated in 1991 from Christ Temple Christian Educational Center .  He was water baptized and received the gift of the Holy Ghost at Christ Temple Apostolic Faith Church Dayton, Ohio under the pastorate of Bishop Fred and Clara Majors (deceased).

He served at Christ Temple as member of Board of Director’s, Minister of Music, Youth President, Communications Director and member of the Culinary Staff as well as working on various committees and special projects.

In 1994, he graduated from Sinclair Community College with a degree in Applied Science (Hospitality Management).  He is employed with Senior Resource Connection as Food Production Supervisor and oversees food preparation for the Meals on Wheels Program, Private Vending Contracts and Catering Services in 14 counties producing 4,000 meals daily. 

He served the International Pentecostal Young People’s Union (IPYPU) of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World as Teen Program Director, Program Facilitator and Praise and Worship Chaplain for over 10 years.  He accepted his call to kingdom ministry in 1996 and founded Latter Rain Outreach Ministries.  Latter Rain sponsors various outreach programs, music recognition events and inter-denominational fellowship services.  

As the Bible states, study to show thyself approved, he graduated from Grace International College with a Bachelor Degree in Christian Education, received certification in Leadership Development from the Ohio Leadership Institute, Christ Temple Bible Institute, and received an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from International Apostolic University of Grace and Truth in July 1999.

He is a member of Greater Grace Temple, Springfield , Ohio where Dr. Ronald and Monica Logan are the Senior Pastor’s.  He serves as coordinator for the Pastor’s Aide Ministry and administrative adjutant to Bishop Logan.

He currently serves as President of the International Single People’s Alliance (ISPA) of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. A progressive and growing ministry meeting the needs of the never-married, single parents, divorced and widowed.  In February 2009, he joined in fellowship with Bethesda Temple Apostolic Church where Suffragan Bishop Craig High is Pastor,

Some people him to be a Praiser, others to be a Worshipper, to hear him speak most ask if he is a Preacher.  But most importantly, he is only a Called, Chosen and Anointed vessel and is a servant to the Body of Christ.  Back to top

Minister Cherlyn A. Williams is now a native of Ohio and a graduate of Franklin University with a Bachelor degree in Business Management and Human Resources.  Minister Williams received the Holy Ghost at the age of 12 and was baptized in Jesus Name She also graduated from Gospel Lighthouse Bible College under the Deanship of Dr. Friar.  Minister Williams has held various positions in many capacities such as Young People Leader, Church Secretary, Church Treasurer, Comptroller, Vice President of Women’s Ministries, Sunday School Teach and Children Ministry.   Currently Minister Williams Serves as Asst to Children Church Ministries and President of Single Ministry under the leadership of Suff. Bishop Dr. Eugene Lundy and our First Lady, Elaine Lundy.  God called Minister Williams in to Ministry since 2000.  God has blessed Minister Williams with 5 beautiful children (Tiffany, Tanisha, Devon, Brandon and Andrea) and seven grandchildren.  Minister enjoys the fellowship of the Saints and a student of the Word of God.  Minister Williams believes that if you can think it then you can achieve it now (Word of God).   

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Anthony L Buckles, MD, who is called a modern day “St Luke”, is a Family Practice/ Emergency Room physician and ordained elder within the Pentecostal Assembly of the World.  He is a native of Natchez , Mississippi , and is presently living in the great city of Chicago.

Dr. Buckles received his undergraduate B.S. degree at Xavier University (’94) and his MD degree from the Univ. Of Alabama School of Medicine (’99).  Dr. Buckles completed his family medicine residency at Univ. of Alabama- Tuscaloosa FP Program (2002), and his maternal childcare (OB) fellowship at West Suburban Hospital , Oak Park , Illinois (2003).   Dr. Buckles obtained his ministerial and ordination certificates through Aenon Bible College , and now is presently enrolled in a Master of Ministry through AFOL Bible Institute.  Dr. Buckles is a board certified physician and 

member of the American Academy of Family Physician.

In 2003, Dr. Buckles successfully opened his first private solo-family practice in Morgan Park, south Chicago , and opened his second practice in 2006 in Olympia Fields, south suburban Chicago.  God has truly blessed his work in the field of medicine.  Dr. Buckles also began Kingdom Living Healthcare in 2004 which hired other physicians for the field of nursing home group psychotherapy programs.  This company grew to a total of 8 physicians and was very productive in serving over 600 patients weekly who was dealing with psychiatric, mental, and drug abuse problems.  With the power of the Holy Ghost, Dr. Buckles weekly serves as an ER physician at Trinity Advocate, Metro South, Roseland Community, and Bethany Advocate Hospital in Chicago , and serves in the Family Practice Department at St. James Medical Center, Olympia Fields.  Often, the “sound of Pentecost” can be heard throughout the medical floor, ICU, and other places in the hospital as Dr. Buckles lay hands on the sick and pray for those who have many spiritual and physical infirmities.

Dr. Buckles has served in the past as the state treasurer for the Alabama State District Council Sunday School Department.  Also as a gifted musician since the age of 5, he has served as musician and minister of music for several churches throughout the state of Mississippi , Alabama , and Louisiana .  Presently, Dr. Buckles is an associate elder at Apostolic Pentecostal Church of Morgan Park under Bishop William A. Ellis, where he serves as a teacher for a focus class of APC Sunday School Department (focusing on the books of prophecies, church leadership, and gifts of the spirit), as the president of APC Health Professional ministry, as a member of the alter team, and as the choir director for the APC Men’s Ministry Choir. He is also one of the Illinois District Council Singles Ministry Advisor.  On an international level, Dr. Buckles serves as the treasurer for the ISPA, as one of the P.A.W. convention medical doctor and assistance medical advisor for the International Health Profession, and as one of the team medical physician for the International Mission Department (team to Ghana , Africa, and Dominican Republic).  Back to top  

Evangelist Hilda Houston, a native of Bremerton, Washington, is a long-time member and ministry leader at Emmanuel Apostolic Church under the leadership of Bishop Lawrence R. Robertson, Sr.

As part of a growing ministry, Evangelist Houston has been a faithful member of Emmanuel for over 33 years. During those years, she has held a variety of roles, willingly answering the call to serve. Evangelist Houston has served as:  

·         Altar worker

·         Sunday School, teacher

·         Children’s Church, teacher

·         Voices of Emmanuel Choir, member

·         Choir Secretary

·         Executive Director, interim

·         Usher Board –PNDC, Vice-President

Presently, she is an altar worker, adult singles Sunday School class teacher, a member of the Bremerton African American Ministerial Alliance (8 years) and is currently the President of the Singles Auxiliary, Pacific Northwest District Council – PAW.

Evangelist Houston lovingly ministers the Word of God to the hurting and the lonely. She herself being single and at one-time a single mother, has a sincere passion for provoking single individuals; divorced, widowed or never married, to embrace their identity and individuality as those who are “fearfully and wonderfully made”.

Evangelist Houston’s genuine concern for souls and an enduring commitment to the vision of her Pastor has enabled her to experience the powerful favor of God. Because of this, she eagerly looks forward to the opportunity to impart God’s healing and deliverance into the lives of others. Back to top

I am originally from Texas, but I was raised in Indiana. My mother was a Catholic, and she raised all of her children in the Catholic faith. When I was 22, I was at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, IN. It was there that a friend invited me to see a play at Bethlehem Temple Apostolic Church. I had been to the church when the Holy Ghost had moved, and I was scared to go back after that. However, I decided that I could handle a church play. It was September 10, 1999, and that night I was baptized in the Name of Jesus. Between midnight and 1:00 a.m. on September 11, 1999, I received the precious gift of the Holy Ghost. My first pastor was the late Bishop Jester Purnell. I was faithful to the church, and my first job in the church was serving on the usher board. 

On August 4, 2000, the LORD moved me back to Greenwood, IN. I started going to Greater Faith Apostolic Church under the leadership of the late District Elder Mark Plummer, Sr. I served on the usher board and the LORD blessed me to learn more about leadership there. District Elder Plummer made me the leader of the Lord’s Release Auxiliary. It was an outreach ministry of giving. Everything we brought in went towards helping someone in need. We helped people with groceries, gas, even those who had debts to pay.

In 2005, the LORD blessed me to work with the ABSA Singles’ Ministry as Vice President under Evangelist Kandy Morrell. I also worked with Minister Jermaine Wilson with the Indiana Central District Young People’s Union as Assistant Secretary. In 2007, Greater Faith switched organizations and joined the Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith. I was blessed to be able to finish out my term. Even though I was not able to serve again in 2008, I was still faithful to the ABSA Council.

On September 30, 2008, the LORD moved me again. This time He moved me to God’s Love Christian Church under the leadership of Suffragan Bishop G. Victor Morrisey, Jr. The LORD has blessed me tremendously at God’s Love. On October 5, 2008, Suffragan Bishop Morrisey installed me as God’s Love Singles’ President. I am very involved in my church. I currently serve as an usher, altar worker, minister, Sunday school teacher, and church secretary along with being the Singles’ President. 

When the LORD blessed me to be back with the P.A.W., I immediately got involved again with the different ministries. In March 2011, the LORD blessed me to be voted in as the ABSA Singles’ President. My staff and I plan to do a few things a little differently than what was done in the past. Some things will stay the same, but it is time to unite the Singles in Indiana. With the LORD’s help, we will do it.

I have my Bachelors Degree in Accounting. When the timing is right, the LORD will allow me to become a Certified Public Accountant. I look forward to serving the churches even greater with this certification. It is always an honor to be able to serve the Body of Christ. Back to top