OUR CHURCH HISTORY
led by Roy and Barbara Gerald

It’s been written that we have nothing to fear for the future, except when we forget the way God has led us in the past. The congregation of South County Christian Center has watched God lead through founders Roy and Barbara Gerald and feels secure that God will continue to lead in the future.

It was February 19, 1953 when the Geralds began their ministry in St. Louis with a small group that met in a small building on Clyde Avenue. With growth came the need to find something more permanent and in 1963, a new facility was built in a fast-growing area of St. Louis County on Telegraph Road.  During the next twenty years, the church continued to grow. A K-12 school was founded as well as a daycare. With its rich Pentecostal heritage, the church fostered the spiritual development of various ministers and leaders who are currently serving around the world.

The 80's were a time of shaping for the church. Even though we were grateful for our heritage, there were substantive disagreements with the doctrinal stance of the affiliated denomination. These centered on our belief that Christians are saved by grace through faith. Our emphasis of a biblical understanding of grace resulted in our eventual separation from that denomination. Although our paths have diverged, we are still very mindful of the great contribution this denomination made to who we are today.

After a time of transition, including holding services in a shopping center and a banquet center, the church was able to purchase property on Kerth Road in 1993. By June of 1995, the congregation moved into their new building.

“Having seen and experienced changes in so many lives has been an awesome experience,” said Pastor Gerald. “God’s word was fulfilled with lives transformed by the presence of God.”

Pastor Gerald has been listening to God’s word from an early age when he was called into the ministry. Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 1931, he graduated from Baton Rouge High School in 1948 and attended college in Mississippi and Minnesota. It was in Mississippi that he met Barbara, who was a student music teacher. They were married in June of 1951.

In addition to leading a growing congregation, the Geralds raised two children who’ve continued their parents’ work in the ministry. Daughter Melodye married Steve Munsey and they pastor at Family Christian Center in Munster, Indiana. Son Kevin married Sheila Munsey and they pastor Covenant Celebration Church in Tacoma, Washington. The Geralds have three grandchildren and three great grandchildren who help their parents in ministry.

In February 2006, when the Geralds retired as senior pastors, their congregation recognized their ministry by anointing them as Bishop and Lady Gerald. They continued to be called on for counsel because they’ve followed the admonition of  1 Peter 5:2: Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. (NLT)

On March 19, 2007, Lady Barbara Gerald entered her eternal rest surrounded by her family. Services were held at South County Christian Center on March 21 and 22 followed by a private burial on March 23. Those she’s touched throughout her ministry mourned her loss. Donations as a memorial to Lady Gerald may be made to Hebron Children’s Home in care of South County Christian Center.