Sylvia Jean Roberts

Sylvia Jean Roberts was born on April 26, 1938, in Ponchatoula, Louisiana, to Hiram and Sally Holland, farmers-turned-evangelists. She was the eighth of ten children, born while her parents traveled the South in a truck with a camper, planting and pastoring churches in Mississippi and beyond.

Sylvia received the Holy Ghost in January 1942, just shy of her fourth birthday, and felt her call to ministry at age 13. She preached her first sermon at 14 in Louisiana on the topic, “You Have Confidence in God, But Does God Have Confidence in You?”

At 14, living in Vicksburg, Mississippi, Sylvia saw T.M. “Mack” Roberts for the first time, instantly connecting with him. Mack had received the Holy Ghost during a revival at Hiram Holland’s church, alongside many young men who later became ministers. The two began dating, secretly became engaged as teenagers, but called it off after divine intervention and family guidance.

Tragedy struck when Sylvia, 15, and her younger sister Jewel, 11, lost their parents and baby brother in a car accident. They moved in with their older sister, Virginia, until they could regain stability. Meanwhile, Mack’s father, guided by God, declared that Sylvia would one day be his daughter-in-law.

Jean and Mack reconnected in Natchez, re-engaged, and were married on June 2, 1956, by W.E. Gamblin in Vidalia, Louisiana. Mack worked as a road contractor specializing in concrete while also pursuing his call to preach at age 30. The couple pastored churches in Louisville, McComb, New Hebron, Ridgeland, Tupelo, Walnut Grove, and eventually Philadelphia. They expanded their family with their firstborn, Tony, and adopted Theresa and Ricky.

After Reverend George Roberts’ passing in 1998, Sylvia and Mack took full leadership of Philadelphia’s church, pastoring for 24 years until Mack was called home on December 29, 2013. Their son, Tony Roberts, assumed the pastorate of Christian Life Tabernacle in Philadelphia upon his father’s death and pastored until his own passing. Sister Roberts remains a faithful member of Christian Life Church in Philadelphia.