Hey, Fam. Come on in.
That time is now. For over 25 years, we have lived by the belief that not only is the Word the Living Truth, but it is totally doable. Our church home is built on a foundation of Biblical teaching, love, accountability, maturity, and practicality for everyone.
Ultimately, you’re not called to be perfect but you don’t have to stay where you are either. Growth aint promised to be easy, but we can do it together through the power of the Trinity and empowerment of Their body (AKA all of us!). Come on in and let’s do this. (P.S. we have children’s & teen areas, so bring the whole fam!)
BISHOP ORLANDO R. BURT
In addition to his pastoral duties, Dr. Burt is a Board Certified Specialist in Internal Medicine. Originally from Michigan, Dr. Burt attended Michigan State University, where he completed medical school. He was led by the Spirit of God to move to Hattiesburg, Mississippi in 1993 and pursue opening a medical practice. However, he later gave up his thriving medical practice in order to fulfill his God-given call to the ministry. Dr. Burt is a member of the American Osteopathic Association, and the American College of Osteopathic Internists, where he received the distinction as Fellow in 1999. He has also served in his local community as a board member of United Way of Southeast MS, Pine Belt Boys and Girls Club, Salvation Army, and Community Bank. He has been the proud husband of Pastor Toni Burt for over 30 years and is a father to two beautiful children.
PASTOR TONI BURT
A registered nurse with specialty training in critical care, she has been married to Dr. Orlando Burt for over 30 years and is the mom to three children, Erin and Ian, and Tazzy the chubby cockapoo. Pastor Toni serves as the co-pastor of Word of Faith (Hattiesburg/Gulf-Coast campuses) and Faith4Life Jackson.
In addition to family and ministry responsibilities, she is the co-founder and Vice President of the Word of Faith Christian Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
In 2009, she received the Strong Women
Award for Leadership. This award, presented in partnership with Wesley Medical Center (now Merrit-Wesley), Comcast Spotlight, and Lifetime Television honors women who inspire others to take action for the common good.
Pastor Toni also leads Word of Faith & Faith4Life women’s ministries, “Women of Virtue.”
DR. OSWAGO “HAMP” HARPER
After Mid-Plains, he attended the University of Tennessee at Martin, where he lettered as captain of the men’s basketball team and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology in 1998. After graduating from UT-Martin, Dr. Harper returned home to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and entered the education profession. He earned a Master of Education degree from William Carey College in 2001, and then a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2005. He currently serves as Superintendent of the Moss Point School District. Dr. Harper has also served as Assistant Superintendent of the Moss Point School District, Principal of Gulfport High School and Gulfport High Ninth Grade Academy, as well as a middle school and high school assistant principal, teacher, and coach. He has also served as an adjunct professor of education at William Carey University and the University of Southern Mississippi.
Dr. Harper is also the Campus Pastor at Word of Faith Christian Center, Gulf Coast, serving under the leadership of the senior pastors, Bishop Orlando and Pastor Toni Burt. He received his Ministerial License in 2014, Ministerial Ordination in 2016, and was assigned as Campus Pastor in 2018. Dr. Harper is married to Dr. Tamara Walker Harper, who is a native of Moss Point, Mississippi.