But who so looketh into the perfect law of liberty and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.  (James 1:25)

Bishop William H. Cheek Sr., pastor, husband, veteran, spiritual father, and Bible teacher is truly blessed in his deed.  He started his deed in 1958 when he received Jesus as his Lord and personal Savior in Washington, DC.  He joined New Mount Carmel Baptist Church where he matured in this ministry and became a Deacon, Superintendent of Sunday School, and Assistant Pastor.

Being a dedicated minister of the gospel requires a steadfast, energetic, spirit filled, and loving companion whom Pastor Cheek has in his darling wife, Mother Lucille Parker-Cheek.  She has blessed him with a peaceful home life with their seven children working along with him through the years in various capacities in church, home and community.

A native of Halifax County, he received his early education from Halifax County Schools, and later studied at George Washington Carver Vocational School for auto body repair.  His theological training was received from Shaw University and supplemented by various Bible courses in the surrounding areas.

This ministry, under the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ, was started in 1968 as Pastor Cheek delivered sermons from the stairway of his Tillery, NC home.  In 1969, the growth of the house gathering made it necessary to move to another location.  With only his family, Reverend William H. Howard and family, and $100.00 to rent a building the "Store Front" ministry was born.  Because God tremendously blessed this man and this ministry, we now have a beautiful sanctuary, along with the original church facility spanning almost half a city block and the satellite parking lots.

Personal:

Paul T. Veney, Sr., was born on January 27, 1941. He was born in Chester, Pa. Bishop Veney has been married to the former Barbara Jean Geathers for over 37 years (8/5/67).

Christian experience:

 1.) Bishop Veney became a Christian in 1952 - at age 11.

2.) Bishop Veney was called to preach in September 1955 - at age 14.

3.) Bishop Veney was credentialed as a licensed minister by his pastor the late Bishop Cornelius Range, Sr. (Range's Memorial Church of God in Christ) in the Spring of 1956 - at age 15.

4.) Upon the recommendation of his pastor, Bishop Veney was ordained as an Elder of the Church of God in Christ. The late Bishop O. T. Jones, Sr., who was the Jurisdictional Bishop of the Commonwealth Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania, ordained Bishop Veney on September 23, 1964.

5.) Bishop Veney was consecrated to the office of Bishop and Overseer of The Abundant Life Ministries International (a group of Churches located in Arkansas, Pennsylvania, and Trinidad, W. I. Bishop Robert Hawthorne of Plano, Texas consecrated him in April 1993.

Ministry experience:

Bishop Veney has extensive experience as an Evangelist, Youth Rally, and Workshop speaker. He has traveled to and ministered in several states along the east coast, and as far west as Salt Lake City, Utah. In addition he has done a mission trip to South Africa, three mission trips to Haiti, one trip to Bahamas, and just returned from his eighth trip to Trinidad/Tobago both as a missionary and overseer. 

Bishop Veney and his wife Barbara started the Gospel Tabernacle Church of Harrisburg, Pa (September 1971) with seven people for 20 years. At the twentieth year anniversary of GTC the name of the church was changed to Abundant Life Community Church. Pastor Veney pastored this church for twelve years.