Live Oak AME Church

SENIOR PASTOR

The Reverend Fedrick A. Wilson is the Pastor of Live Oak AME Church in Vance, South Carolina, serving since October 2016.

Pastor Wilson, a native of Nesmith (Williamsburg County), SC, is the son of the Reverend Moses and Hester Nesmith Wilson. He is happily married to the love of his life, Tenessa Bell Wilson, and they currently reside in Lexington, SC. They are the proud parents of one daughter, Taylor Alena Wilson, and two sons, Timothy Allen and Trenton Andrew Wilson.

Pastor Wilson graduated from Hemingway High School in Hemingway, SC, and South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, SC, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and a Master of Education Degree in Counselor Education plus 30 hours. Pastor Wilson also attended Hood Theological Seminary in Salisbury, NC, for theological preparation and graduated from Dickerson-Green Theological Seminary at Allen University in Columbia, SC, with a Master of Divinity Degree.

Pastor Wilson is an ordained Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church and previously served successfully as the pastor of Cedar Grove AME Church in Orangeburg, SC (Central Annual Conference) and Saint Luke AME Church in Eastover, SC (Columbia Annual Conference).

Pastor Wilson participates in and/or holds membership in several professional, fraternal, civic, and non-profit organizations, community and statewide boards and committees, and ecumenical partnerships. He is a proud member of Saint Mark Lodge #374 (Prince Hall F&AM) and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He also served in the United States Army Reserves as a commissioned officer.

Additionally, Pastor Wilson serves as Executive Director of the South Carolina Respite Coalition. It is the only statewide non-profit organization in South Carolina addressing the needs for respite across the lifespan for all people caring for a loved one who has a significant disability, special need, or chronic illness. Respite Care is a short break from primary caregiving duties. It gives the caregiver an opportunity to rest, refresh, and recharge.

Most importantly, Pastor Wilson loves God and seeks to follow the biblical mandate "to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with God."

FIRST LADY & ASSOCIATE MINISTER

Licentiate Tenessa B. Wilson, an Associate Minister at Live Oak AME Church in Vance, SC, is a native of Hemingway, South Carolina (Williamsburg County). Tenessa is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas (Martha) Bell. She is happily married to the love of her life, Pastor Fedrick Allen Wilson, and they currently reside in Lexington, SC. They are the proud parents of one daughter, Taylor Alena Wilson, and two sons, Timothy Allen and Trenton Andrew Wilson.

Tenessa attended Hemingway High School, where she graduated with honors. In 2005, she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Science with an emphasis in Health and Fitness from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC. In 2010, she received a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) from the School of Public Health at Strayer University. She is employed at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Columbia, SC. She is also an entrepreneur and real estate investor.

Tenessa has a passion for evangelism, community service projects, meeting new people, and spending time with family. She has served in the following ministries at various churches: Local Advisor of the Women’s Missionary Society, Praise and Worship Leader, President of the Women’s Ministry, Sanctuary Choir member, Director of the Youth Choir, Chair of the Women’s Day Ministry Team, and Co-chair of the Church Anniversary Ministry Team.

In 2014, she accepted her call into the preaching ministry and gave her initial sermon on Saturday, January 31, 2015. Tenessa is an emerging leader with a God-sized vision to help people reach their full potential and fulfill their God-given purposes.

Her motto is "God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called."