By Eliz Dowdy

The congregants of Spirit of Christ Tabernacle in Victorville are joyfully making preparations to celebrate their pastor's first anniversary with them. Bishop Dexter L. & First Lady Brigitte Kilpatrick joined the Spirit of Christ family one year ago. The church was founded by the late Bishop Nathaniel Ruffin in 1981. When he

was called home in late 2009, the church congregation created a healing place before selecting a new shepherd. They found that shepherd in Bishop Kilpatrick; he stepped into the stream and they began the forward movement together.

The first anniversary celebration is divided into two segments. On the evening of August 24 at 7:00 p.m., the renowned Dr. Manuel Scott Jr. will be the guest speaker. Sunday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. Dr. Robert L. Fairley, senior pastor of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in San Bernardino will be the guest speaker. The Kilpatricks came to Spirit of Christ from New Hope.

The theme chosen for the celebration is: “And I will set up Shepherds...” taken from Jeremiah 23:4.

Bishop Kilpatrick was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico; the family moved to California when he was still in elementary school. He attended Abbott Elementary and Hosler Junior High in Lynwood, and graduated from Jordan High in Long Beach. When he made the move to the Inland Empire, he studied criminal and business law at San Bernardino Valley College. For his ministerial studies he chose New Covenant Bible College for their theology and counseling program. Bishop Kilpatrick is currently working to complete Doctorate of Divinity courses at Next Dimension Bible College in Rancho Cucamonga. A child prodigy, he was playing music at three years of age, learning from his uncle, John Lewis Kilpatrick.

He became youth pastors at Bread of Life Church in Compton and Carson Community Deliverance Center; associate pastor at Calvary Resurrectional Baptist Church in Compton, and senior pastor at its satellite church in Fontana. When he was consecrated bishop at age 31 he became one of the youngest bishops.

The bishop is a man of prayer; his vision is unity in the Body of Christ. “If we all read the same Bible, serve the same Lord, how can we be so divided?” is a question he often asks.

The church family of Spirit of Christ Tabernacle invites Victor Valley to join them in the celebration of ministry honoring Bishop Kilpatrick and his family for both days of joy, praise, and worship.

The church is located at 17111 Stoddard Wells Road, in Victorville. The office contact is: 760-243-4154