Bishop Wallace J. Sibley 

Dr. Sibley was born, the third child of eight children, born to Peter James and Ernestine Sibley. He completed high school at Ralph Bunche High in Camden County, Woodbine, Georgia. While in high school, he sang in the Glee Club and played football under Coach Paul, former Edward Waters College football coach. 

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After graduation from high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving four years. In 1960, he worked at the Gillman Paper Plant in the maintenance department. He had a strong desire to pursue his dream to attend college. He grew up as a child in the Church of God. Some of his pastors were: Paul Green, Thomas Myers, F.H. Spence, W. L. Ford, and E. M. Parris. It was under the leadership of Rev. E.M. Parris that he felt the call to preach the gospel. He began his ministry as an evangelist, preaching in various churches around Georgia and Florida. In 1963, he preached a revival in Woodbine, GA; without credentials to preach, he organized the Woodbine Church of God, that is still active today.

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In 1963, he received his first pastoral appointment to the East Cumming St. Church of God, Valdosta, Ga. During that pastoral period, he met and married Dorothy Herring in August, 1964. To that union, they have 4 children, three sons and a daughter.

In 1966, while serving as pastor of Eastside Church of God in Jacksonville, FL. Dr. Sibley enrolled at Edward Waters College, graduating in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English. Shortly after graduation, he was hired to teach at Old Stanton High School. (Reverend Sibley was appointed as the Youth and Christian Education Director for the state of Florida Church Of God in Jacksonville, FL.)

 

While serving as Florida's Youth & CE Director, at the beginning of the school year in 1970, he was transferred to Jean Ribault Senior High. While working at Ribault Senior High School, he continued his education by enrolling into the Master’s Degree program at Florida A & M University. He graduated 1972, with a Master’s Degree in Administration and Supervision. He was hired as Dean of Boys at John Gorrie Junior High School, working until 1978. During that same time, he also pastored Wheeler Street Church of God, St. Marys, Georgia. During those years working as a pastor and a school dean, he felt a strong desire to leave the educational arena to become full-time in the ministry. He was appointed by the Church Leadership to serve in Tennessee as Regional Director of Evangelism for Southeastern Black Churches, 1978-1982.

 

In 1986, Dr. Wallace Sibley made history in the Church of God by becoming the first person of color to be elected to the highest council in the Church of God. He has served the Church of God in many positions namely, State Administrative Bishop of Florida (1982-86), and State Administrative Bishop for Southern New England (1996-2000). Other positions held: Director of Cross Cultural Ministries (2000-2004); First person of color to be elected - Assistant Director, and Director of Evangelism and Home Missions. (2004-2008)  In 2008, Wallace Sibley was elected (first person of color) to the International Executive Committee as Secretary General. (IEC)

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July, 2012, Dr. Sibley was inducted into the Hall Of Prophets for his work in the Church of God and for his accomplishments in planting over 200 churches in the Church Of God, USA and Africa.; and $35,000 - scholarships - for perspective students. A few months later, Dr. Sibley was elected by the Church to serve as Third Assistant General Overseer; to God Be the Glory!

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Currently, Dr. Sibley serves on the International General Advisory Council, former IEC member, World Missions Board member, and Operations Compassion Board member.