Tallahassee, FL

The Progressive Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ of Tallahassee, Florida has presented a standard, service, and hope to a dark world since 1976.

Elder Wender R. Gavin became the pastor of the Progressive Church of Tallahassee, Florida in August of 1977. Elder Gavin's tenure began at a challenging time in the history of the church. He embarked on the awesome task of moving the church forward. He believed that revival and spiritual renewal began with the Word of God. Therefore, he emphasized the preaching of the true Word of God. He assured the church that if it heeded to the Word that God would bring revival to those who needed spiritual renewal. He made a decision in his life to make a stand and a difference by putting true holiness in the forefront.

Elder Gavin graduated from Lively Vocational School with a degree in Nursing in 1967. He attended Duke University for open heart surgical training in the early 1970's and later became the first African-American to work on the open heart surgical team in Tallahassee, Florida. Elder Gavin was the owner and manager of Gavin's Cleaning Service from 1963 until 1995. Currently he is the Assistant Director of Progressive Care (a support group ministry) and the President of The Progressive Foundation.

Sister Callie Rosier Gavin is the wife of Elder Wender R. Gavin and is the First Lady of the Progressive Church in Tallahassee, Florida. Elder Gavin married Sister Callie M. Rosier on June 2, 1961. To this union the Lord added three daughters – Wanda Darcia, Wendy Lavet, and Winifred Faye. Elder and Sister Gavin have five grandchildren - Gavin Boulware, Brittany Boulware, Apryl Bailey, Briana Beard, and Sierra Beard.

Sister Gavin is also a member of the National Women's Board of the Progressive Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Inc., representing the Florida/Georgia area, and is President of the Lydia Prayerband in Tallahassee.

Sister Gavin has coordinated Women's Prayer Retreats in Tallahassee since 1992 and Women's Conferences since 1997. The Women's Retreats and Conferences have dealt with spiritual topics, life management topics, health topics, and topics dealing with married, single, and teenage women. Her vision is to help women raise their level of womanhood to the highest level in Christ

Dr. Timothy L. Beard, CRC, is a native of Port St. Joe, Florida. He was saved at the age of 10 years old. He was called into the ministry at the age of 15. Dr. Beard is an ordained Elder and over the past 25 years has served in numerous capacities in the First Born Church and the Progressive Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ. He has served as a Sunday School Teacher, Youth Department President, Brotherhood Chairman, Finance Committee Chairman, Evangelist, and Associate Pastor.

Dr. Beard graduated from Port St. Joe High School with honors in 1980. He obtained a general studies degree from Florida A&M University in 1982. He was awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree in Rehabilitation services/counseling in 1986, a Master of Science Degree in 1987, and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in 1998 in vocational rehabilitation/counseling from Florida State University. He also possesses a national certification as a rehabilitation counselor and provides private case management services to individuals with developmental disabilities on a part time basis.

Dr. Beard was employed at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering from 1990 to August of 1999 in several administrative positions, including Director of Graduate Student Services, Director of Career Services, and Director of Outcome Assessment and Special Programs.

Dr. Beard was appointed Director of Student Affairs for the School of Allied Health Sciences and Assistant Professor of Health Care Management at Florida A&M University in August 1999. Dr. Beard has given presentations at national student retention conferences and career development works. His research interests include the academic progress of African American students with learning disabilities.

Dr. Beard is married to Wendy Gavin-Beard. They were married in 1986 and have two daughters – Briana Princess and Sierra Nicole.

Service Schedule
Sunday Morning School of Learning	10:00 AM
Sunday Morning Worship	11:30 AM
Sunday Night Service	6:30 PM
Wednesday Night Bible Class	7:30 PM
1st and 3rd Monday	Lydia Prayer Band

We believe In. . .

The Bible is the inspired, infallible Word of God, written by holy men of old as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. – II Peter 1:20-21.

… in one God who is infinite in power, holy in nature, attributes and purpose, omniscient and omnipresent. We believe that He was revealed to us, Father in creation, Son in redemption and Holy Spirit in His comforting grace that never leaves those who trust Him. – I Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 4:6; II Corinthians 5:19; Joel 2:28.

… that in Jesus Christ dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; for it pleased the Father that in Him should all the fullness dwell. – Colossians 2:9; Colossians 1:19.

… in the virgin birth, that Jesus was both human and divine-God manifest in the flesh.

… in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. We believe that He ascended on High and has sent His spirit, the Holy Ghost, which was poured out at Jerusalem over 1900 years ago and is still filling the hearts of those who diligently seek Him today.

… in the baptism in water by immersion in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and baptism of the Holy Ghost, speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. This constitutes the new birth.

– Acts 2:4, 38.

... in a holy sanctified life, divine healing, communion, and the glorious rapture of the saints when Jesus returns in the clouds of glory to take His people to Heaven. – Thessalonians 4:3,7,13, 17

Our chief aim is to glorify our Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. – Titus 2:14.

Service Schedule