Americans celebrate Black History Month during February to honor the contributions of Black Americans. The month transpired from Carter G. Woodson’s idea of Negro History Week, which began in 1926. Black History Month has blossomed 50 years after Negro History Week was established, and today includes local parades, ceremonies and gatherings featuring the work of Black artists, entrepreneurs, politicians and pastors. This year, The Feather will be bringing you stories about local black leaders who have positively impacted Fresno and the Central Valley of California.
Head Pastor Bishop Dewayne “JR” Coleman from The Word Community Church, is an upstanding citizen in the Central Valley, contributing to many lives and sharing the gospel in as many places as possible.
Coleman was raised in Southern California into a Bible-reading family, being brought up with Christ at the center of his life. Coleman had respect for many people, but his respect for his father surpassed all. Coleman looked up to his father’s substantial love for God.
“My dad is my hero, and as a young boy growing up all I ever saw was my dad on his knees praying,” Coleman said. “As I was growing up, I had the great opportunity to have a front row seat in watching what a real Christian man looked like.”
After graduating from high school, Coleman went to college in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on a baseball scholarship. He was later drafted to The Texas Rangers and proceeded to play professional baseball for five years, showcasing his talent and ability on the big field. Coleman used sports as an outlet, continuing to glorify God both on and off the field.
After his baseball seasons, Coleman went on to work at a church, helping the youth and becoming a pastor. Being shown new opportunities in ministries in other various churches, Coleman decided to take the path God was leading him to, preaching and teaching others about the gospel in any way he was able.
“After I stopped playing baseball, we really got more involved in the Church,” Coleman said. “It was a natural thing for us to jump back into our faith. We strongly jumped back in and then I started working at a church, overseeing the youth.”
Coleman continued down this path and became an ordained minister in 1993, continuing to use his God-given ability to teach, spreading the gospel through lessons and sermons. Being a natural born leader for the majority of his life, he continued to lead in the church. Coleman moved to Fresno and joined the ministries team at People’s Church from 2001-2005. In early 2006, he began working at Word Community church where he has been for almost 20 years. Trusting in the Lord’s plan for him, Coleman is a man devoted to carry out what he is called to do.
“Once I really committed and surrendered my life, leading came naturally to me,” Coleman said. “I never really had a dream of becoming a pastor, I just wanted to share the gospel, and one thing led to another and from sharing the gospel. I got the great opportunity of meeting key pastors who pointed out to me my calling to be a pastor, so I continued down that road.”
Coleman not only leads The Word Community Church as the head pastor but is known as a “pastor of pastors.” Gaining his ordination in 2017, Coleman became a bishop, overseeing the pastoral duties of leaders in our community and far beyond it. Coleman founded The Word Covenant Fellowship International program, setting up a place for the leaders in many communities to turn to, supporting the many who also need assistance and guidance. The TWCFI foundation oversees more than 140 churches ranging from Fresno to overseas in countries such as Cuba, Haiti and Mexico. Coleman manages these many leaders, giving advice and traveling far distances to assist in leadership training, ordinations, baptisms, etc.
Managing both a personal life along with many responsibilities is no easy task, but Coleman continues to persevere, gaining his strength from the Lord.
“The Lord gives me the strength to keep doing this,” Coleman said. “There’s times when naturally we face discouragement and times when we feel down but it’s the fire that God places inside and always wanting to succeed and do better at what I do.”
Superintendent at Fresno Christian Schools, Jeremy Brown, worked with Coleman at Peoples Church in the early 2000’s. Brown and his wife worked alongside Coleman, assisting in ministries to youth at Peoples Church. Knowing Coleman for over 20 years, Brown maintains a dear friendship with him, beginning with being leaders and devoted to helping others.
“JR has always been a passionate follower of Christ. He is also not afraid to ask for help or to admit that he doesn’t know everything,” Brown said. “He has been someone that has been a role model and a brother in Christ for me. Whether we were together at Peoples Church or him serving somewhere else, he has always been a friend and resource for me.”
To read more from The Feather, visit Black History Month Spotlight: Dr. Deshunna Monay Ricks inspires local community or Black History Month Spotlight: Bobby Griffin Jr. influences local music scene
