Along with the States of Mississippi and Arkansas, Tennessee has served as the foundation for the church that has become known as one of the fastest growing churches in the world.

Mother Shirley Perpener

Shaped and developed in a pastor’s home, Mother Shirley Perpener is a vessel serving in God’s calling. As the daughter of Mother Linzell Phillips and the late Pastor Samuel Adam Phillips, Sr., she fell in love with God and ministry very early in life. Shortly after being united in the body of Jesus Christ under the leading of her father/pastor, she began to serve the church faithfully. Mother Perpener completed her educational studies at Lane College where she met and married her college sweetheart, Pastor Andrew E. Perpener, Jr. She is the First Lady of Holy Nation Church of Memphis where he is pastor.

While attending Lane College, she became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, the first historically black sorority of which she is still active. During that time, she also crossed paths with then Pastor Brandon B. Porter and became a member of his church, Greater Victory Temple COGIC and Tennessee Central Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, under the late Bishop W. L. Porter. For many years, she worked at Lane College and Jackson State Community College, but later chose to commit her life to fully serve in ministry at Greater Victory Temple COGIC. Her faithfulness and experience propelled her to move to Memphis, Tennessee and continue expanding her career as Financial Administrator of Greater Community Temple COGIC.

Although Mother Perpener was born in Holly Springs, Mississippi, a town known as Mississippi’s best kept secret, it is no secret to anyone of her love, loyalty, and longevity to God’s people. Mother Perpener has successfully devoted her time in two different jurisdictions namely, Tennessee 4 th Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction under Bishop Jerry L. Maynard and Tennessee Central Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction under Bishop Brandon B. Porter. Her positions have varied from executive secretary, lead décor coordinator and to everything in between.

Chief Operating Officer at her local church, Executive Director of Chosen Gems Pre- School Academy, marriage ministry counselor at Agape/Better Relationships Center, non-profit founder of Petals of Love Girls Camp, Perfecting Vessels YouTube host, Women’s ministry Director and author of two books, “Prayer Walk” (a daily journal of prayers & scriptures) and “Keep the Tradition Alive” (a family-based cookbook), are all her active ministry pursuits.

As an over 30-year licensed evangelist missionary and a W.L. Porter Training Institute graduate, Mother Perpener strategically studies and meditates in the word of God so that she may be “a workman who needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (II Timothy 2:15b)

As an obedient servant to God in His divine timing, it is with honor, gratitude and pleasure that Mother Shirley Perpener continues her course for elevation and greater works assigned to her hands as Supervisor of Tennessee Central Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction.