Anthony Mansfield

Anthony M. Mansfield was born in a log cabin in Folsom, Louisiana, on February 24, 1938, to John and Lela Mansfield. He was delivered by a midwife that told his mother he would not survive because of his jaundice and irregular breathing. However, God had big plans for him.

In a tragic store robbery on March 26, 1956, Anthony watched his 13-year-old best friend die by gunshot. His life was spared and this devastating event led him to finally surrender to God. Anthony was filled with the Holy Ghost at the age of eighteen in a revival preached by seventeen-year-old, Reverend G.R. Travis.

After graduating from Loranger High School, Brother Mansfield attended Pentecostal Bible Institute in Tupelo, Mississippi. In 1957, he joined the Navy and served from 1957-1961 as a medical corpsman. While stationed in San Diego, he was assigned to the U.S.S. Jason (a repair ship) and toured the Western Pacific. Revival Tabernacle, San Diego, California, pastored by Reverend David Gray, offered the perfect setting in which to meet his future wife, Harriett Clifford.

After leaving the Navy, Brother. & Sister Mansfield lived briefly in Louisiana, then moved to Indianapolis, Indiana. While attending Calvary Tabernacle, Sister Mansfield’s home church, Brother Mansfield’s ministry began. The Youth Director, Brother Chet Bufford, began asking him to speak at Youth services. During this time, Reverend Nathaniel A. Urshan mentored, encouraged, and instructed him.

Brother Mansfield pastored briefly in Cole Lake, Mississippi, at a church founded by then Mississippi District Superintendent, Reverend J.E. Anderson. He received his local license with the United Pentecostal Church International in 1963 while in Mississippi.

In March of 1964, Brother Mansfield was recommended by Reverend Urshan to pastor Apostolic Bible Church in Stewartsville, Indiana. He lovingly pastored in southern Indiana until 1971. While there, he built a parsonage, and helped remodel and build an addition to the church that included an educational wing. He was ordained in 1967. Their daughter, Lynette, was born while they were there.

A brief pastorate in Ovett, Mississippi, was followed by a divine call to First United Pentecostal Church, 33rd and Fir, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, in the fall of 1971. While pastoring in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Brother Mansfield added an educational wing. Working with his friend, Reverend James McCroskey, allowed him to do residential construction that would supplement his and the church’s income. Additionally, he built and sold five homes during this time. Because of his love for aviation, he obtained his private pilot license in 1975 and purchased a Piper Cherokee in 1976. His passion for Prison Ministry began in Arkansas. Brother Mansfield traveled to Cummins Prison every Saturday at 8 AM from 1974 until 1982. He baptized many in Jesus’ name and saw many receive the Holy Ghost. He continued to maintain correspondence with men he met there for many years.

While in Arkansas, Brother Mansfield served as Sunday School Secretary from 1972-1975 and Section 2 Presbyter from 1975-1982. He also worked closely with former Arkansas District Superintendent, Reverend James Lumpkin, to oversee the Arkansas District Campgrounds. While serving as Sunday School Secretary, he planned and served at the Junior Camps. He spoke and taught at Senior Camps, served as Camp Meeting Choir Director, and preached youth revivals across the state.
In 1982, following the call of God, the Mansfields moved to Meridian, Mississippi, to pastor First United Pentecostal Church, now known as Abundant Life Tabernacle. This allowed Brother Mansfield to serve under the leadership of his dear friend and mentor, Superintendent, Reverend G.R. Travis. Brother Mansfield helped the congregation finish the building they were erecting. The first service in the new building was Easter 1982. He also assisted the church in building a Youth Facility.

After a call from a local assembly in 1987, Free Gospel Temple became a daughter work of Abundant Life Tabernacle. He pastored there for 11 years. This great opportunity began Pastor Mansfield’s work with multicultural ministry. In 1991, God gave him the vision to begin a Black Evangelism Conference in Meridian, Mississippi. This conference was the forerunner of the Building the Bridge Conference, hosted by the Mississippi District.

In 1996, the UPCI Mississippi District mailed Brother Mansfield the keys to a church in York, Alabama, and another daughter work began. Brother Mansfield served on the UPCI National Committee for Black Evangelism (now Building the Bridge) in 1993-1994.

Brother Mansfield’s passion to “preach the whole gospel to the whole world” afforded him the opportunity to participate in a mission trip with Reverend Melvin Clifford to South Korea as liaisons of the Apostolic faith. He also traveled with Reverend Stanley Wachstetter to pass out Bibles in pre-coup Russia, prior to it being open to missionaries.

In 1996, Brother Mansfield traveled to Washington D.C. where he was awarded a Washington Times Foundation National Service Award. Also, he was awarded an Honorary Theology Degree from Jackson College of Ministries in 2001. In 2017, he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Mississippi District Conference. At the 2018 National Bridge Builders Conference, he was awarded a Building the Bridge Ministry Leadership Award.

Brother Mansfield served the UPCI in the State of Mississippi as Section 7 Presbyter from 1989-2007. He served as Section 7 Honorary Presbyter from 2007-2023.

During his 57 years of full-time ministry, he preached revivals, spoke at ministers’ retreats and banquets. He was a singer, songwriter, guitar player, poet, and orator. His greatest joy was being a shepherd to all the churches he was privileged to serve.

Brother Mansfield and his wife, Harriett, were married for over 60 years. Their marriage was representative of a true biblical relationship of Christ covering their home, as they showed a spirit of servanthood to one another. They had one daughter, Lynette, her husband Buddy, and grandchildren Chase, Colton, Alexa, and Cade. The Mansfields’ ministry was characterized by unconditional love, generosity, and compassion. They genuinely care about people and are genuine, living examples of Jesus first, others second, and themselves last.

Rev. Mansfield passed from this life on August 21, 2023.

His slogan was: The natural cannot touch the supernatural without a visible manifestation!