Rev. Charles Edwards Wilkins, Sr.
Pastor
Pastor
“Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.”
-Jeremiah 17:1
-Jeremiah 17:1
The Rev. Charles E. Wilkins is a native of Illinois, born and raised in the north suburbs of Chicago. Rev. Wilkins completed his undergraduate studies at Kendall College, Evanston Illinois and later at Northeastern Illinois University in
Chicago. He along with his childhood sweetheart and wife of 43 years, Laura and their children relocated to the south Jersey area while serving as the Regional Installed Sales manager for the Builders Square Corporation. The Wilkins have five children, Corina, Kevin, Charles Jr., Chardey and Cassandra, two daughters-in law, Kristy and Brooke, 2 sons-in-law Ronald and Lenzy and 10 grandchildren, Jordan, Jayda, Jaxyn, Cyla, Charles III, RJ, Kingston and Silas, Layla and their newest, Aleena. Rev. Wilkins currently lives in Vineland New Jersey, now a widower since his wife Laura made her transition October 4, 2017, Laura was employed by Independence Blue Cross in Philadelphia until her retirement in October 2009.
Reverend 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 served as the Pastor of the Bethel A.M.E. Church of Millville New Jersey for 21 years. Rev. Wilkins received his assignment to Bethel in August of 1997 as interim Pastor. He was given the appointment the following year and was re-appointed every year since. Under his leadership the 152-year-old congregation completed a new one and a half million-dollar worship center and Community Service facility.
The Bethel Development Corporation was formed to administer the social service programs of Bethel in 2003. Bethel has been over the last 18 years or so a site for Education, Employment and Training services as well as Neighborhood services (i.e. utility assistance, etc) and served as an extension of the One Stop Career Center. Bethel continues to operate a weekly soup kitchen and food pantry which serves an average of 3800 meals monthly and has over 1700 households registered to use their food bank. Bethel Learning Center, established by Rev. Wilkins and his daughter Corina Gadson, provides Childcare for up to 32 families, ages 1 to 6 years old. Bethel is partners with many agencies throughout Cumberland County. Rev. Wilkins has served as one of the Police Chaplains for the City of Millville Police Department.
Rev. Wilkins and his children are still try to adjust to life without his wife and their Mother. Laura went home to be with the Lord October 2017, she is missed by all who knew and loved her. He and Laura enjoyed 43 years of marriages, she was a major part of his ministry and will always live on in our hearts.
Rev. Wilkins was given his appointment to Grant Chapel A.M.E. Church on July 9th, 2018 by Bishop Gregory G.M. Ingram. He looks forward to working with the members and community in the Trenton area.
Chicago. He along with his childhood sweetheart and wife of 43 years, Laura and their children relocated to the south Jersey area while serving as the Regional Installed Sales manager for the Builders Square Corporation. The Wilkins have five children, Corina, Kevin, Charles Jr., Chardey and Cassandra, two daughters-in law, Kristy and Brooke, 2 sons-in-law Ronald and Lenzy and 10 grandchildren, Jordan, Jayda, Jaxyn, Cyla, Charles III, RJ, Kingston and Silas, Layla and their newest, Aleena. Rev. Wilkins currently lives in Vineland New Jersey, now a widower since his wife Laura made her transition October 4, 2017, Laura was employed by Independence Blue Cross in Philadelphia until her retirement in October 2009.
Reverend 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 served as the Pastor of the Bethel A.M.E. Church of Millville New Jersey for 21 years. Rev. Wilkins received his assignment to Bethel in August of 1997 as interim Pastor. He was given the appointment the following year and was re-appointed every year since. Under his leadership the 152-year-old congregation completed a new one and a half million-dollar worship center and Community Service facility.
The Bethel Development Corporation was formed to administer the social service programs of Bethel in 2003. Bethel has been over the last 18 years or so a site for Education, Employment and Training services as well as Neighborhood services (i.e. utility assistance, etc) and served as an extension of the One Stop Career Center. Bethel continues to operate a weekly soup kitchen and food pantry which serves an average of 3800 meals monthly and has over 1700 households registered to use their food bank. Bethel Learning Center, established by Rev. Wilkins and his daughter Corina Gadson, provides Childcare for up to 32 families, ages 1 to 6 years old. Bethel is partners with many agencies throughout Cumberland County. Rev. Wilkins has served as one of the Police Chaplains for the City of Millville Police Department.
Rev. Wilkins and his children are still try to adjust to life without his wife and their Mother. Laura went home to be with the Lord October 2017, she is missed by all who knew and loved her. He and Laura enjoyed 43 years of marriages, she was a major part of his ministry and will always live on in our hearts.
Rev. Wilkins was given his appointment to Grant Chapel A.M.E. Church on July 9th, 2018 by Bishop Gregory G.M. Ingram. He looks forward to working with the members and community in the Trenton area.