New Destiny Church
The story of New Destiny Church, located at 122 McBride Street in Richland, Mississippi (formerly the First United Pentecostal Church of Plain), is a narrative of faith, sweat, and supernatural protection. Compiled primarily through personal recollections by Rev. J.W. Culpepper and other early pioneers, this history stands as a living testament to a community’s commitment to God. Anyone holding additional memories or historical details is warmly encouraged to reach out to us at 601-278-8712 or through our website at newdestinyrichland.com.
The journey began around 1945–1946 when Rev. A.V. Williams pitched a revival tent in Plain, launching the very first Pentecostal work in the Jackson area. Helped by faithful men like Mr. Ford and Mr. Lack, the fledgling congregation soon built a modest worship space. Rev. Parker emerged as the first official pastor, and on March 3, 1946, the church formally received its Membership Certificate from the United Pentecostal Church organization. On September 26, 1946, trustees L.W. Kennedy, W.S. Hutson, and S.H. Frazier bought the McBride Street land from Ms. Grace McBride for $500. Free of land debt, the men of the church secured a small loan for concrete blocks and joined hands with local neighbors to build a 1,500-square-foot (50x30 feet) worship center. The congregation couldn't wait for completion; by 1947, they were already holding services right on the bare dirt before a floor was even laid.
Growth unfolded quickly over the next decade. Rev. Chisholm stepped in as pastor in 1949, bringing 12 new members during his three-month tenure. Late that year, Rev. W.E. Gamblin took the helm, plastering the building inside and out in 1950, installing a heater, stippling the ceiling in 1951, purchasing a new pulpit, and acquiring a parsonage on Reno Drive. Plain’s central location even made it the proud host of at least one District Conference and Camp Meeting. In 1953 Rev. Gamblin planted First Pentecostal Church in Jackson, later pastored by Rev. T.L. Craft, and now pastored by Rev. Greg Frazier. He resigned in 1954 and became pastor of FPC Jackson and was followed by Rev. Lee Broadhead. Local members under overseer Mr. A.D. King hauled fill dirt by wheelbarrow to pour a solid concrete platform to replace the decayed wooden one, furnishing the sanctuary with used pews bought from a Jackson church. Rev. Broadhead pastored from 1954 to 1956, laying asphalt floor tiles and personally laboring alongside Mr. Kennedy to build a new parsonage on church property. Rev. Hulon Sanford followed from 1956 to 1960, living in a trailer on the back lot while clearing the remaining land and installing the church's first indoor plumbing equipment.
The 1960s and early 1970s brought steady modernizations under a sequence of faithful leaders. Rev. John W. Culpepper pastored from May to November 1960, adding a new roof, painting the building, and completing the much-anticipated indoor restrooms. Rev. G.W. Milner (1960–1962) graded the parking lot and added a front stoop. Rev. Billy Burrell (1962–1969) brought the church its very first air conditioner and covered the parsonage in asbestos siding. Rev. Darrell Wilson (1969–1970) spray-painted the church exterior a crisp white. Electing Rev. Elmer Cross on March 15, 1970, ushered in another wave of updates: new windows, wood paneling, rich red carpeting, updated Sunday School space, an overhead projector, a bus ministry, and a brand-new brick sign. They even installed an outdoor baptistry on a rear concrete slab—which was later gifted to former pastor Billy Burrell for his new church in Seminary, Mississippi.
When the town of Plain incorporated as Richland in 1975, the congregation rebranded as First United Pentecostal Church of Richland under Rev. Moss (1974–1975). On July 3, 1975, Rev. Hulon Sanford returned for an extraordinary 18-year second pastorate. Seeing the need for growth, members voted in 1978 to build a brand-new 100x40-foot sanctuary. Financing was tight, but after a single Sunday morning appeal, the congregation raised $15,000 for the foundation on the spot. To clear room, Mr. Guillory hooked up his dozer and rolled the old parsonage and Sunday School structures right off their footprints on 8-inch pipes.
Construction of the new building was a true labor of love: Rev. Raymond Moore oversaw the slab, Larry Shelly dug foundation trenches and wired the electricity, Joe Higgins served as foreman, and Bo Holman bricked the walls. Securing a $30,000 finishing loan on July 31, 1979, the men of the church—including Austin Sanford, L.W. Kennedy, David Ellis, Joe Higgins, Stanley Sanford, Allen Tullos, Mark Smith, J.W. Culpepper, Todd Sanford, and Herman Sanford—labored loyally every single Saturday for a year.
Disaster struck during construction when the historic Easter Flood of 1979 poured three feet of water into the original church—leaving Bro. Bill Burrell and Bro. Sanford to famously row a boat right down the middle aisle—yet the new building remained miraculously unharmed. The sanctuary opened with a new piano on September 9, 1979, and was formally dedicated on August 8, 1980, with Rev. Gamblin returning to preach. Right afterward, supervisor Mike Ainsworth led the crew in taking out an $8,300 loan to remodel the original building into a dedicated Sunday School department. Soon after, members raised $11,000 and borrowed $30,000 to construct a 100x50-foot Family Life Center, featuring plumbing, electrical, and air conditioning systems installed by Henry Majors. From 1982 to 1988, this facility housed the Richland Christian Academy under Principal Sanford and teachers Margaret Fortenberry and Katherine Harkins. In the summer of 1993, the church purchased a new Hammond C3 organ shortly before Pastor Sanford’s resignation in September 1993.
A new chapter opened as Rev. J.W. Culpepper briefly managed church business—re-roofing the Sunday School building—until Rev. Sidney Poe was elected pastor in October 1993. During Pastor Poe's tenure, updated by-laws were sent to District Headquarters, a $4,600 sound system was installed, platform wing-backed chairs were added, the sign was restored, and exterior painting, window replacements, and roof repairs were completed before his departure at the end of 1995. On January 23, 1996, Rev. Britt Prince was elected pastor, beginning decades of steady leadership. The church formally incorporated on February 7, 1996, opening the roll book for signatures, and celebrated its 50th UPCI anniversary that year. After a 1997 District-sponsored Small Church Growth Crusade, an unprecedented 29 new members were added that year.
Facilities continued to flourish as evangelist quarters were redecorated in 1998, upstairs game rooms were built, and sanctuary renovations began in early 1999 with services temporarily held in the Family Life Center. The newly transformed sanctuary—complete with brass chandeliers, recessed lighting, frosted windows, fresh flooring, textured walls, and a new drum set—opened on Easter Sunday 1999, adding an electronic keyboard in 2000. On April 19, 2000, District Superintendent, Bishop G.R. Travis, led a joyful note-burning ceremony as the church stepped into complete debt-freedom. During these years, Pastor Prince also taught at Jackson College of Ministries, turning the church into a vibrant training ground where young ministers preached their first sermons and music students blessed the congregation with their talents.
The momentum accelerated into the 21st century. The Family Life Center’s top floor was converted debt-free in 2005 into a 1,500-square-foot, 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath apartment for ministry families. In 2006, the congregation officially voted to embrace the name New Destiny Church and installed a new lighted street sign. In April 2008, a Deaf ministry was launched. What began with one couple and a single interpreter grew rapidly as Rev. Meloy Richmond commuted weekly beginning October 2008, eventually moving with his wife, Tressia, in February 2009, to become founding pastors of New Destiny Deaf Church—supported by Pastors Britt and Bonita Prince in securing official UPCI ordination and church planter status.
Even through trials, divine grace was constant. In September 2011, the Family Life Center was renovated into a spacious fellowship hall with new sheetrock, bathrooms, and flooring. Just weeks later, four to six inches of floodwater surged inside; yet the waters receded quickly, allowing full restoration without major reconstruction, completely debt-free. Between 2013 and 2014, the saints raised funds by making and selling delicious homemade peanut and pecan brittle to replace the old gravel parking lot with smooth concrete, debt-free once more. In 2018, Bonita Prince launched a Prodigal Prayer Ministry, praying every Sunday over large glass bottles filled with names and witnessing countless prodigals return home. In 2019, Pastor Prince expanded his community reach, serving as one of seven instructors for a 30-man Bible study in Richland that meets twice monthly.
To preserve our sanctuary for future generations, in the summer of 2026, we completed a full $60,000 interior renovation of the sanctuary building. Thanks to the sacrificial giving of our members, half of this milestone was fully funded, with the remaining $30,000 secured through temporary financing.
As we look toward the future, our vision expands to completing needed updates across our campus. We invite our church family and friends to prayerfully consider partnering with us through faithful giving. Your contributions will help us swiftly retire our building loan and propel these next campus improvements forward, ensuring that New Destiny remains a strong, welcoming beacon of hope for years to come.
The saints of New Destiny have spent decades planting seeds and watering them with tearful prayers, confident in God’s perfect timing. Today, standing on the shoulders of those who sacrificed their time and resources, the congregation remains passionately devoted to reaching Richland with the gospel and offering hope to the hurting. On September 20, 2026, New Destiny gathers for a historic service featuring guest speaker Bishop David Tipton and music by The Dunaways to celebrate an incredible double milestone: our 80th Church Anniversary and 30th Pastoral Anniversary, honoring our rich past while stepping boldly into a bright future.
Rev. A.V. Williams (c. 1945–1946) Pioneered the work with the initial tent revival
Rev. Parker (c. 1946) First official pastor; oversaw initial construction and UPC affiliation
Rev. Chisholm (c. 1949)
Rev. W.E. Gamblin (1949–1954)
Rev. Lee Broadhead (1954–1956)
Rev. Hulon Sanford (1956–1960) First pastorate
Rev. John W. Culpepper (1960)
Rev. G.W. Milner (1960–1962)
Rev. Billy Burrell (1962–1969)
Rev. Darrell Wilson (1969–1970)
Rev. Elmer Cross (1970–1974)
Rev. Moss (1974–1975)
Rev. Hulon Sanford (1975–1993) Second pastorate (18 years)
Rev. Sidney Poe (1993–1995
Rev. Britt Prince (1996–Present)