Reverend Delbert R. Pope is a native of Seat Pleasant, Maryland. He was educated in the Prince George’s County public school system, graduating from DuVal High School. He has attended Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland majoring in Instrumental Music Education.
At age 15 he responded to God’s call to preach the gospel and was licensed in February 1983 by the Carmody Hills Baptist Church. Under the Pastoral guidance of the late Reverend Thomas Martin, II he served faithfully with the musical staff and as a Sunday school teacher. After his return from college he served, under the direction and leadership of the Reverend Phillip M. Coram, on the musical staff, as a Youth Director and Men’s Discipleship Instructor/Director. On May 21, 1994 Reverend Pope was ordained and continued his service to the Carmody Hills Church as the Assistant Pastor.
While serving at his church Reverend Pope was employed by the Greenhorne & O’Mara architectural firm. During his employment with this firm he felt God’s call once again to enter into full-time ministry. With the consent of his wife and a great exercise of faith he left the firm in April of 1996.
In October of 1997 Reverend Pope was reacquainted with Pastor Patrick J. Walker of the then Dudley, now Destiny Baptist Church, Martinsburg, West Virginia. Pastor Walker was seeking a full time minister of music and asked Reverend Pope to consider the position. With much prayer and consideration in February 1998 Reverend Pope joined the then Dudley, now Destiny Baptist Church staff as the Pastor of Music and Worship. In 2001 Reverend Pope served the church as its Interim Pastor until the arrival of their new Lead-Pastor Carl Que Hickerson in November 2002. In June of 2003 Reverend Pope’s ministry and life was threatened and nearly lost when he was stricken with double-pneumonia. But God, who is rich in mercy healed him and restored his life and ministry. In August of 2005 Reverend Pope completed his service as the Worship Pastor of Destiny Baptist Church, Martinsburg to serve as the Lead-Pastor of Destiny’s first church plant – Destiny-Frederick Ministries.
The most memorable day in his life and ministry was June 12, 1993, when he married his love, the former Ms. Kimberly Williams of Suitland, Maryland. She has proven to be an invaluable asset to the ministry of her husband and their family. They are blessed with three beautiful children, Deborah, Kyle and Micah.
Reverend Pope is convinced that is it through the preaching and teaching of God’s word that the body of Christ has power to minister to suffering humanity and win them to Him!