Bishop Walter Droke receives Lifetime Achievement Award

The Tennessee District of the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI) recently presented Bishop Walter Droke with the Lifetime Achievement Award at their annual statewide conference. The award recognizes the outstanding ministry and accomplishments of over 30 years of faithful and diligent service to the body of Christ and for his contributions to the United Pentecostal Church International.

Tennessee District Superintendent Doug Ellingsworth presented Bishop Droke the award alongside Tennessee District Secretary Jackie Wilkerson to honor Bishop Droke's commitment and sacrifice to the cause of Jesus Christ. He was commended for his work as pastor to the church in Manchester, TN from 1986-1993 and his pastoring of the church in Hohenwald, TN from 1993-1998. During those years, Brother Droke served the Tennessee District as the Home Missions Secretary and as the District Foreign Missions Director. For twelve years, Sister Droke served as the District Ladies Ministries Director. Bishop Droke was further recognized for following the call of God to serve as missionary to the nation of Kenya, Africa from 1998-2006. Upon returning to the states, he again became pastor of The Sanctuary 1st UPC of Hohenwald where he endeavored to build a new sanctuary and labored to retire the debt by 2020. In 2021, he was elected as the very first Bishop of The Sanctuary at the same time that his successor was elected as the new pastor, current Pastor Justin Pearcy.

Under the leadership of Bishop Droke, the Sanctuary 1st UPC has seen many baptized in the name of Jesus and filled with the Holy Ghost. We thank God for blessing us with a wonderful Bishop and Lady Bishop (Shirley Droke). The Sanctuary 1st UPC has a mission to reach the community with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ and values making families whole through our connection with Him.