"Interpreter's House for Everyone"
Reverend Rudolph porter
Pastor
Reverend Rudolph Porter was born in Jacksonville, Florida, and he grew up in the urban community of Durkeeville. At the age of twelve, he was baptized by Reverend Dallas S. Graham. After graduating from William M. Raines High School in 1969, he matriculated to Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Florida. While at Bethune-Cookman, his musical interest and talents earned him the distinction of serving as President / Section Leader of the Concert Chorale. In 1973, he earned his B.S. Degree in Psychology from Bethune-Cookman College graduating Cum Laude.
Upon Graduation, he was led to relocate to Anderson, Indiana, where he experienced a twenty-six year professional career with the Delco Remy Division of General Motors in the areas of manufacturing, supervision, engineering, marketing, customer service and warranty administration. In 1988, he was appointed Deputy Mayor of the city of Anderson. As a result of this appointment, he birthed his outstanding career in public service.
During his sojourn in Indiana, he served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church in Anderson. He also served as President of the North Eastern District Indiana Brotherhood Convention, representing Christian men in twenty-seven churches. His commitment and dedication to the Lord did not go unnoticed, and he was ordained as a Deacon of Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church in 1996.
In 1999, Reverend Porter relocated to Douglas, Georgia. In 2002, he was licensed to preach the gospel at Young’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church by Reverend Booker T. Rose, Jr., and he was also ordained by Reverend Rose in 2005. Continuing his extensive work in public service and community involvement, he was employed as the human service professional of the HARP Foundation, a residential group home for adolescents, in Douglas. He is the recipient of numerous awards including: The Bethune-Cookman College’s Distinguished Alumni Award, The United States House of Representatives’ Hoosier Hero for community work with youth award, and the Urban League president Image Award. Reverend Porter is especially proud of his appointment, by Mayor John Peyton in Jacksonville, Florida, to lead the Mayor’s Faith and Community – Based Partnership Office due to his extensive experience in both the public and private sectors.
All of the afore-mentioned qualities and traits are just stepping stones which have served to complement his special calling to preach the gospel and to lead the least among us, the last among us, the lost among us, and the left out among us to Jesus Christ through Bible-based, Christ centered, Holy Spirit led, Mission Bound Ministries. Desiring to have a body of parishioners who are members of the “construction team” as opposed to the “wrecking crew”, he readily ascribes to and teaches others to accept the tenet of I Corinthians 14:40 – “Let all things be done decently and in order.” Prior to being called to Shiloh, Reverend Porter served as Pastor of the Irvin Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Valdosta, Georgia and was Vice-Chairman of the Douglas District union, which is comprised of thirteen churches.
Upon accepting the Call as Pastor of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, Reverend Porter came with a vision and has focused mainly on two areas, the Church and the Community. He developed a New Member’s Orientation and Instruction Document to encourage and inform new members and also implemented a Telephone Ministry to maintain contact with members that are sick and shut in. Reverend Porter has also been instrumental in instituting the following ministries: Health & Wellness, Hospitality, Senior Citizens, Street & Evangelism and Young Adult ministry. At the invitation of the Moderator of the Fowltown Missionary Baptist Association, Reverend Porter taught Pastors at the Association and also the Congress of Christian Education on “Church Doctrine.”
Some of the Community efforts that Reverend Porter has assisted with implementing or participated in and supports are: Stop the Violence Initiative, Opioid Task Force, and the Human Trafficking Workshop. He involved himself with and supported events sponsored by PLIGHT, Inc. Reverend Porter was instrumental in having Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church sponsor Bethune- Cookman University Concert Chorale and worked with pastors of Tifton’s First United Methodist Church in hosting those community enrichment experiences. He maintains membership in Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and is a lifelong member of the NAACP.