Philip Steven Watkins,
the youngest of five siblings, was born in Columbus, OH to the late
Pastors Charles Clifford and Bernice Watkins. At the age of 18, Pastor Watkins
enlisted, and served 4 years in the US Marine Corps at the Quantico Marine Base.
In 1975, while at Quantico, VA, he was introduced to
the Apostolic Doctrine at the New Light Church of Christ in Dumfries,
VA where the late Bishop Jesse F. and Mother Poultria Pemberton were founders.
Pastor Watkins was baptized in Jesus’ name, and on Sunday morning, July
17, 1977, he received the joy and power of the Holy Ghost speaking in other tongues as the Spirit of God gives the utterance.
He followed as Bishop Pemberton taught Colossians 3:23: “And whatsoever
ye do, do it heartily, as unto the Lord.” Pastor Watkins sought the Lord
and served in many offices for the effectual working of the ministry. In 1980,
Elder Watkins acknowledged his call to the ministry and began to teach and preach faithfully at the New Light Church of Christ
in Dumfries, VA until Bishop
Jesse F. Pemberton went home to be with the Lord.
In 1985, Pastor Watkins began attending The Greater Morning Star Pentecostal
Church in Wash., DC under the pastoral ministry of Bishop
Ramsey N. Butler. Bishop Charles Johnson succeeded Bishop Butler after Bishop
Butler became ill. Both of their testimonies greatly increased Pastor Watkins’
perception of the purpose of ministry and of the need to minister the Word with understanding through discipline, preparation
and compassion. In 1986, Elder Watkins was licensed in the Pentecostal Assemblies
of the World and later graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministry from the Aenon Bible College, Inc. of Indianapolis, IN. By the grace of God, Pastor Watkins remained faithful as his ministry grew. Moreover, on March 29, 1997, Pastor Watkins was united in holy matrimony with Sister Gwendolyn Arnold of
Washington, DC and the Lord
blessed them with a beautiful daughter, Emily Ross Watkins, on April 11, 2008.
In 2000, Elder Watkins was appointed by Bishop Johnson to start a church in
Fairfax County, VA. The Greater Morning Star Apostolic Church was established on June 5, 2000, with its
inaugural service on July 2, 2000, at the Mark Twain
Middle School in Fairfax, VA. The vision for the Greater Morning Star
Apostolic Church is none other than what Pastor Watkins has received from those “faithful men” referenced in 2
Timothy 2:2 – “Keep Jesus First.”
On Sunday, July 4, 2010, GMSAC celebrates its 10th Church and Pastoral Anniversary. For the past ten years, GMSAC, worshipping at Mark Twain Middle School,
has continued in the faith as Pastor Watkins exhorts all people to repent, to be baptized in JESUS’ name for the removal
of sins, to receive His gift of the Holy Ghost and to walk in holiness. Through
weekly worship services; outreach - including an active nursing home ministry; the annual Showers of Blessing Apostolic Youth
Conference; the Prayer Warrior’s Prayer Breakfast; and, holiday food basket programs, GMSAC lifts up Christ who changes
lives through salvation, healing and deliverance.
Having obtained help of God, Pastor Watkins faithfully proclaims the gospel
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ across the country through Fellowship, Revival and Conference services. Pastor Watkins preaches and teaches the anointed Word of God which truly destroys the yoke. Even now, as GMSAC moves into its new edifice at 7929 Richmond
Hwy, Alex., VA, Pastor Watkins
admonishes us all: “Keep Jesus First!”
