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Apostle William J. McKissick, Jr. is a native of Philadelphia, PA, the second child born to the late Rev. William J. McKissick and Phyllis Harris-McKissick. Apostle McKissick was called to preach in 1983 and preached his initial sermon on Feb 3, 1983 at First Baptist Church in Hartford, CT. Apostle McKissick followed God’s leading and direction, and in 1989, he founded New Jerusalem Christian Center in Middletown, CT, where he serves as the Chief Under Shepherd. He served as an Associate Minister at First Baptist Church of Hartford, under the direction of Archbishop LeRoy Bailey, Jr. from 1983-1985.  Apostle McKissick served as interim Pastor at Blue Hills Baptist Church in Hartford, CT from 1985-1986.
 

Apostle McKissick served as interim Pastor at Blue Hills Baptist Church in Hartford, CT from 1985-1986, later serving as Pastor of Zion Baptist Church in Middletown, CT from 1986-1989.

 

Apostle McKissick is an anointed preacher and teacher. He is currently employed as Chaplain for the Department of Corrections, currently serving at MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution.  He was previously employed at IBM Corporation as an Account Administrator from 1969-1999. He also serves on the faculty of the New England International School of Ministry, and Middlesex Institute of Theology and Technology in Middletown, CT.  

Apostle McKissick was elevated to the office of Bishop through (IBC) International Bishops Conference in June 2009, then to the office of Apostle less than two years later.

 

Apostle’s accomplishments include a Masters of Divinity Degree and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Religious Studies from Biblical Life College and Seminary.  He is a graduate of Hartford CT Seminary’s Black Ministries Program and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry Degree.

 

Apostle McKissick believes in the life changing power of the presence of God. He endeavors to reach the lost, the down-trodden and the hurting through outreach and discipleship.  He is a spiritual father to legions of men and women in the state of CT and beyond, esteemed throughout the area, and well known for his ability to reach beyond emotional, psychological, and cultural barriers, to help people see themselves as God sees them.

 

Currently, Apostle is President of Middletown’s Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, Vice President of Home Ownership People Empowerment (H.O.P.E.), Secretary for Youth Challenge International of Hartford, and serves on the following boards:
 

  • Identifying Children And Responding Early (ICARE)

  • Youth Services Board of Middletown (YSB)

  • Juvenile Review Board of Middletown (JRB)

 

He is a past member of African American Missions Board, the Board of Directors for the Village for Families and Children in Hartford, past President of Adoption of Black Children (ABC) and a past board member of One Child, One Church.

 

Apostle McKissick was a recipient of the National Council of Adoption Award, the CT Council of Adoption Award, The Y.M.C.A’s Black and Hispanic Achievement Award, and a two time recipient of the IBM Means Service Award.

 

He is the beloved husband of 39 years to Cheryl Walker McKissick. They are the proud parents of 5 children, William III, Toye, Kasi, Kyle and Korey, and the grandparents of 12 treasured little ones.

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