Rev. & Mrs. J. Tim Merritt

 

At an early age, Pastor Merritt felt a longing to know more about God. As a teenager, 

in the throes of rebellion, Tim would have been considered anything but a Christian 

and certainly not a preacher. God’s guidance and mercy could be traced as his life 

led him from singing in bars and clubs throughout Louisiana in the late 70’s to a 

policeman during the 80’s and early 90’s. After years of searching for meaning and 

satisfaction in life, Pastor and Sissy Merritt began attending an Apostolic church and 

found what real life was about. On April 16, 1989, Tim repented of his sins, was 

baptized in Jesus Name, and received the wonderful gift of the Holy Ghost. Since that 

time, God has done an incredible work in Tim’s life. The Lord delivered Tim of 

addiction and began to put his life on track.

 

Shortly after his conversion, Bro. Merritt was asked to assist his pastor, the late Rev. 

Gayln M. Allen. After three years in this position, the Lord led Bro. and Sis. Merritt to 

New Beginnings of Tupelo, Mississippi.  They worked as field representatives for 

two years, placing children from Tupelo Children’s mansion with Pentecostal 

families. Bro. Merritt’s next eight years were spent evangelizing across the United 

States and Canada and witnessing hundreds of people receiving the Holy Ghost.

 

In November 2003, God again led Tim to a new area of ministerial leadership, calling 

him to Pineville, La., where he is the Pastor of Truthway Church. Under the pastoral 

care of Bro. Merritt, the church has grown from 17 people and a half million dollars 

of debt to a thriving Apostolic congregation. Over 500 individuals have been 

baptized during the first ten years and countless lives have been changed.

 

Pastor Merritt has earned a Graduate Ministry Certificate from Apostolic School of 

Theology, an MA in Christian Leadership from Hope International University, and is 

pursuing his doctorate in Christian Leadership from Grand Canyon University. Tim 

serves as an adjunct professor for Hope International University and the Institute of 

Conservative Apostolic Theology. Pastor Merritt is also a member of the board of 

directors for the Wilson Pacific University Foundation, and is a sought after 

evangelist and speaker..