Rev. Charles E. Wilkins, Pastor
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Rev. Charles E. Wilkins, Pastor
 The Rev. Charles E. Wilkins is a native of the Chicago area. He was raised in the Northern suburbs of Chicago where he completed his undergraduate studies at Kendall College, Evanston Illinois and later at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago. He along with his wife of 31 years, Laura and their four children relocated to the south Jersey area while regional manager for the Builders Square Corporation.. The Wilkins currently resides in Voorhees New Jersey. His wife is employed by Independence Blue Cross in Philadelphia.
Wilkins has been in the Ministry of the African Methodist Episcopal Church since 1983 and has been an Itinerant Elder since 1989. He transferred from the fourth Episcopal District, North Chicago to the First Episcopal District, New Jersey Conference in 1996.
Rev. Wilkins is currently the Pastor of the Bethel A.M.E. Church of Millville New Jersey. Rev. Wilkins received his assignment to Bethel in August of 1997 as interim Pastor. He was given the appointment the following year, and has been re-appointed every year since. Under his leadership the 140-year-old congregation completed a new two million dollar worship center and Community Service facility a little over four years ago. The Congregation has grown from approx. 60 members to the current membership of approximately 300 worshippers. The Bethel Development Corporation was formed to administer the social service programs of Bethel in 2003.
Wilkins, as CEO of Bethel Development Corporation, joined with Tri County Community Action Partnerships of Bridgeton to form a partnership of Faith eight years ago. Out of that partnership Bethel now houses a Head Start, WIC office and Neighborhood Services Center. Bethel Development Corporation is now a site for Education, Employment and Training services as well as Neighborhood services (i.e. utility assistance, etc) and serves as an extension of the One Stop Career. BDC also operates a weekly soup kitchen and food pantry. Bethel operates a Youth Enrichment program and a mentoring program which Rev. Wilkins serves as the coordinator and provides direct services in weekly.
In addition to his position as full time pastor at Bethel, until October 1, 2006 he was the Program Coordinator for the New Jersey Human Development Corporation/ Project FAITH, State Commission on HIV/AIDS serving the Atlantic City & Southern Region. Previously, he served as Secretary of The Board of The New Jersey Human Development Corporation, which oversees Project FAITH and Project REBUILD. NJHDC works as the states faith initiative to establish HIV/AIDS education and service ministries in houses of worship throughout New Jersey. Rev. Wilkins also served as Chair of the Cumberland County HIV Planning Council for three terms. He currently serves on the following community committees: Millville PAL Board of Directors, AHOME Board of Directors, Millville Weed & Seed, a member of the Cumberland County Non-Profit Congress, and the Millville (Center City) Neighborhood Strategic Plan Committee. |
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CEO of Bethel Development Corporation
Wilkins, as CEO of Bethel Development Corporation, joined with Tri County Community Action Partnerships of Bridgeton to form a partnership of Faith eight years ago. Out of that partnership Bethel now houses a Head Start, WIC office and Neighborhood Services Center. Bethel Development Corporation is now a site for Education, Employment and Training services as well as Neighborhood services (i.e. utility assistance, etc) and serves as an extension of the One Stop Career. | |
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