Our Founder & Sr. Bishop

Bishop Terence M. Sykes

Born in Portsmouth, Virginia, and the third son of five children to the late Vanderbilt T. and Ruth A. Turner-Sykes, Bishop Terence M. Sykes is a graduate of Norfolk State University in Norfolk, VA where he holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public School Music Education with a major in piano and a double minor in voice and organ. Bishop Sykes also holds a Master of Divinity Degree in Pastoral Ministries from Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA.

Bishop Sykes has been pastoring for thirty-six years at Shekijah Preparation Assembly, located in Lynchburg, VA, where he is also Founder. He has been married for forty-two years to the former Shereé Smith of Lynchburg, who is also the Co-Pastor of Shekijah. Their spiritual union, ordained of God, as Bishop & Co-Pastor, was the first of its kind in the Lynchburg and surrounding areas (since the church’s inception in May 1987), and they maintain that bond and position to this day. Their natural union, also ordained of God, has produced two fine offspring in the persons of Terence-Christian (Valencia), and Jordan Christopher (Cherish). Bishop and Co-Pastor Sykes are also the blessed grandparents of six beautiful grandchildren, Zy’ona Symone Sykes, Talia Rose Sykes, Noah Elijah Edwardo Sykes, Aria Nicole Sykes, Havayah Grace Sykes, and Lucas Alexander Sykes.

Bishop Sykes has done revivals, workshops, concerts, seminars, and guest appearances in a number of cities in the Continental United States and Canada, as well as internationally in the Islands of Nassau, Bahamas; Port au Spain, Trinidad; Port au Prince, Haiti; Sagamihara, Japan; London, England; Rome, Italy; Toronto, Canada; Lagos, Nigeria; and Kenya, East Africa. Additionally, Bishop Sykes has been featured on several album projects of which two were anointed albums featuring his church choir, “LEVITICUS”. He is the writer of two featured songs, recorded by nationally acclaimed producer/songwriter Donald Lawrence and the Tri-City Singers (entitled “And Yet, I’m Still Saved” and “Uzziah”). “And Yet, I’m Still Saved” was also released on the Sunday Best (Season 5) runner up’s recording by Alexis Spight (“L.O.L. Living Out Loud”) in April 2014. Bishop Sykes recorded his first L-I-V-E Solo Project (2005) entitled “Real Worship” at the Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church in Washington, DC where his pastor and apostolic covering, Archbishop Alfred A. Owens, Jr., along with Co-Pastor Susie C. Owens, minister. Bishop Sykes is also working towards another recording project that he desires to be released in the not-too-distant future.

In addition to being an accomplished musician, songwriter, and psalmist, Bishop Sykes is an anointed preacher and teacher of God’s Word, as well as the author of “So, You’re Gonna Be A Preacher?” (Amazon). His gifts have truly made room for him. Along with his pastoral duties, he is the State Bishop for the Virginia District (where he oversees five other churches) of the Mt. Calvary Holy Church of America, and also the newly appointed 2nd Vice Bishop under the leadership of Presiding Bishop Marc Talbert. He is also past Chaplain (2010-2020) of the Joint College of African-American Pentecostal Bishops under the leadership of the late Archbishop J. Delano Ellis (Cleveland, OH).

While there seems to be a lot that Bishop Sykes has accomplished, that which is most important is that he is a saved, sanctified, and Holy Ghost filled sold out vessel of God and is committed to this calling. His ultimate desire is to please the ONE for whom he lives and loves, the Lord Jesus who is eternally the Christ of God!