Our Pastor

Geoffrey V. Dudley, Sr., PhD, D.Min. is from Goldsboro, NC and is the youngest of 11 children from the union of the late Bishop Leamon Dudley, Sr. & the late Mrs. Ida Dorothy Dudley. He gave his life to Christ when he was 12 and began ministry at the early age of 13. He grew up in the United Holy Church of America, Inc. He was ordained by the UHC

in 1986. In order to serve as a chaplain in the United States Air Force, he changed denominations and became an ordained Elder in the Church of God in Christ in 1989. He is a retired Air Force Chaplain, Lieutenant Colonel, and in his 21 ½ years of service he has lived and ministered in many states and several countries. He diligently pursued formal

education to prepare for a lifetime of ministry.

•1981 – Bachelor of Arts, Communication, Drama & Speech, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

• 1991 – Master of Divinity, School of Theology, Virginia Union University

• 1992 – Master of Human Relations, University of Oklahoma

• 1997 – Post Master Education Specialist, University of Memphis

• 2000 – Doctor of Ministry, Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology, Virginia Union University

• 2019 – PhD in Organizational Leadership, Regents University

He has been leading and preparing to lead all his life. From leading his high school basketball team as co-captain, being voted Outstanding Senior of his graduating class at the University of NC at Greensboro, called to the ministry at age 13, to his 21½ years as an Air Force Officer retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was consecrated a Bishop in 2009. Every church he has planted or covered has had exponential growth. He is a John Maxwell Associate trainer. He has written six books: “Leading Through Storms: Successfully Navigating Ministry While Maintaining Your Mental Health, 2025;” “Family’ish: How to Raise a Fabulous Family”, 2021; “How to Live My Life on Purpose”, 2017; “Morning Manna for Your Day;” 2017; “What’s My Ministry: What Does

God Want From Me?”, 2013; and “Prayer: Answers Guaranteed”, 2009. He is an adjunct professor for Strategic Leadership at North Central University, Minneapolis, MN (TD Jakes Divinity School). He has started

several businesses to include iLead Enterprises, LLC DBA iLeadAcademy.net. It is an online leadership development platform targeting staff, workforce development, and consulting. Changing Lives Ministries (CLM) is a ministry specializing in leadership, vision casting, coaching, mentorship and church planting. CLM

provides spiritual covering for a network of churches. He is an ambidextrous and multi-gifted leader in that he

is also a community leader who has served on several boards including:

• Focus St Louis Greater St. Louis United Way

• Greater St. Louis Urban League Black Leadership Roundtable

• District 90 School Board

• Founding President of O’Fallon Metro East Branch NAACP

• Founding President of New Life Community Development Corporation

Bishop Dudley is the former Vice-President of the Central Western District of the United Holy Church of America, Inc. He is also the President and CEO of New Life Community Development Corporation which

consults on and develops affordable housing and community initiatives. Their current project is North Bend Residences a 42-unit $20M project – a Village of New Life; and the O’Fallon Boys and Girls initiative. He is

also the UHC General Church Liaison Bishop for Education. He is the founding pastor of one of the fastest growing churches in the Metro East (O’Fallon, IL) area of St. Louis, MO, New Life in Christ Church. 

LifeChangers, as they call themselves, are committed to changing lives in their lifetime. Bishop Dudley is married to the former Glenda D. Jones of Spring Hope, NC. They have two children, Mahogany Kneecoal who

is married to Travis Finley and Geoffrey Vincient II. Pastor Mahogany is the Director of Spiritual Formation at New Life in Christ Church; Pastor Travis is the Executive Director of Kids Across America; and Geoff II is an

Ordained Elder.