Meet our Minister

Bro. Houston began his Christian journey in the summer of 1980, while serving in the armed forces in the Washington, D.C. area. He is a native of Shreveport, La. He holds numerous degrees and post-graduate accomplishments. Doctorate of Theology from Buxton University; Masters of Divinity in counseling and biblical studies from Harding Graduate School of Religion. B.A. from Harding University A.A. and 3rd year Bible Certificate from Northeastern Christian College.

He is listed in Who’s Who among Students in American Junior Colleges 1984-85, Outstanding Young Men of America 1986. He also received the Northeastern Christian Junior College Scholarship Award 1984, Most Representative Sophomore Award 1984, and Honorable Service Awards for six years of military service 1977-1983, and a host of other accomplishments.

Bro. Houston has conducted Gospel Meetings, Revivals, and Lectureships, as well as Leadership, Singles’, Youth Rallies and Marriage workshops all over this country.

Bro. Houston is a certified Chaplain and has completed two-one year residencies in Clinical Pastoral Education. He served as a Chaplain while in Memphis, Tennessee for the Methodist Hospitals of Memphis and worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs as a Chaplain for two years. He served as a counselor for addicts, leading supports groups for grief stricken families who lost loved ones; or dealing with a fatal illness, loss of limbs, or any social or emotional issues needing to be addressed as well as marriage. He has also lead support groups helping Veterans overcome the effects of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). His accomplishments in chaplaincy led him to receive the highest award among residents at the Veterans’ Affairs Medical Center, “The John G. Patterson Memorial Award.”

He served as the minister for the East Haven Church of Christ in Memphis, Tennessee for over ten years from 1988-1999, the longest tenure of any minister in the history of that congregation at that time. He led that congregation to new heights in spiritual and numerical growth. Under his leadership that congregation grew from 60 members to over 300.

In February of 1999, Bro. Houston continued his ministry with the historic Reynolds Street congregation, which is now known as the East Henrietta Road Church of Christ. Under his leadership, just short of eleven years, they baptized more than six hundred and have become one of the fastest growing churches in the northeast. He is married to the former Deborah R. Hemphill of Philadelphia, Pa. Brother and Sister Houston have two children, Amber Symone and Janae Lindsey and they make their home in Rochester, NY.