Bishop
Kenneth E. Preston
But the Lord said unto him, go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me (Acts 9:15). For many are called; but few are chosen (Matthew 20:16).
Bishop Preston is the fourth son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Preston Sr. He is the husband of First Lady Dorothy L. Preston (Assistant Supervisor of Mississippi Southern Second Jurisdiction) and celebrates over forty-five (45) years of marriage. They are the parents of three daughters, grandparents of two granddaughters, and one deceased grandson.
Bishop Preston is a 1977 graduate of Jackson State University, having received his BS Degree in Finance & Banking. He is also a graduate of the American Institute of Banking (AIB) and C. H. Mason System of Bible Colleges (1977).
Making “full proof” of the higher learning, gifting, and abilities the Lord had bestowed upon him, he was the Owner/Executive Director of MTEC Child Care Services, Inc in South Jackson, MS for over 33 years. He was, also, the co-owner of the Prestod Consultant Services established in 1999 by First Lady Preston. The gifting of Bishop Preston was more specifically realized when Miracle Temple Evangelistic COGIC (located on nine acres of land) was burnt to the ground by a devastating fire on October 2, 2018. Bishop Preston, being the financial savvy businessperson and committed giver to the ministry that he is, worked untimely and wholeheartedly to pay off the existing mortgage and rebuild a new “state of the art” facility with no further indebtedness. What a mighty God we serve!!!
Bishop Preston was called to the ministry at the early age of 16. He was saved under the ministry of his Pastor, Late Bishop J. E. Eaton, and the evangelistic ministry of Late Bishop J. D. Husband. In 1976, Bishop Kenneth E. Preston was ordained, as a teenager, by the Late Bishop Theo Davis, the youngest ever to receive ordination in MS Southern First Jurisdiction, at that time.
In August 1976, at the tender age of nineteen (19), Bishop Preston was sent to Pastor his first church, located in Edwards, MS. His pastoral ministry spans over forty (45) plus years, with him having served as Pastor for five churches. He is, currently, the Pastor/Founder of Miracle Temple Evangelistic Church of God in Christ (MTEC) in Jackson, MS, where he has served as Pastor for over thirty-Five (35) years.
Bishop Preston has served in the following offices and ministries:
• Traveling team worker with Late Bishop J. D. Husband/National Evangelistic Team
• Executive Secretary – Mississippi Southern Second Jurisdiction/Late Bishop Elson McDowell
• Assisted the General Secretary Board of the International Church of God in Christ under Bishop G.A. Ross
• Administrative Assistant to Bishop A. V. Jordan/Mississippi Southern Second Jurisdiction
• Personal Secretary (over 15 years) to Bishop A. V. Jordan/Mississippi Southern Second Jurisdiction
• Financial Secretary to Bishop A. V. Jordan/Mississippi Southern Second Jurisdiction
On March 26, 2021, Pastor Kenneth E. Preston was elected by the pastors of Mississippi Southern Second Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction to serve as the Jurisdictional Prelate. On April 28, 2021, he was ratified by the Church of God in Christ General Assembly and served as MSSCOGIC Bishop Designate.
In October 2021, Bishop Preston was elected as Chaplain of the 2021 Virtual Episcopal Class. His consecration service was held and recorded at Greater Community Temple COGIC in Memphis, TN on November 3, 2021. The COGIC Virtual Episcopal Consecration was aired internationally on December 21, 2021, and Bishop Preston was inducted into the COGIC College of Bishop the same day.
Bishop Preston has a great love for God’s people and is, therefore, working wholeheartedly to place new leadership where it is need and to encourage continuous prayer and unity amongst God’s people. There is, also, a great need for souls to be saved, delivered, and set free.
He has a tremendous love for the Church and has devoted his life to the Church, the work of God and God’s people. His Motto: 1 Corinthians 11:1 – “Be ye followers of me as I, also, am of Christ”. His Word to God’s People: DON’T STOP, STAY FOCUSED, DRIVE AND GO FORWARD. He is living proof that if you do this, you will find out what God has in store for you.