Samuel White

Samuel Titus White was born on January 8, 1928, in Minden, Louisiana. He received the gift of the Holy Ghost in the late 1940s while attending church in Prichard, Alabama, where Brother D. J. Witten served as his pastor. Shortly thereafter, he answered God's call to preach the Gospel.

From 1951 to 1952, Brother White attended Pentecostal Bible Institute in Tupelo, Mississippi. In early 1952, he married Naomi Moore of Meridian, Mississippi. Later that year, Brother and Sister White, along with Naomi's family, helped pioneer First Pentecostal Church in Meridian. During their years in Meridian, God blessed them with three sons: Mike, Tim, and Phillip.

Over the next twelve years, Brother White faithfully pastored the Meridian congregation, which grew from a small group to a record attendance of 247—a milestone that remained unmatched for more than thirty years. Under his leadership, two church buildings were constructed: the first on 10th Avenue in 1953 and a second at 11th Street and 38th Avenue in 1964. Following the completion of the new sanctuary, Brother White resigned as pastor in November 1964.

Brother White continued his ministry by pastoring Shady Grove United Pentecostal Church in Jena, Louisiana, from 1964 to 1970, followed by First Pentecostal Church in Brookhaven, Mississippi, from 1970 to 1977. While serving in Brookhaven, he was elected Presbyter and served on the Mississippi District Board.

In 1977, Brother White accepted the pastorate of First Pentecostal Church in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he faithfully served until 1993. When he arrived, the congregation worshipped in a house with approximately twenty-five people in attendance. During his sixteen-year ministry, the church grew to a regular attendance of 200–250, and two new sanctuaries were constructed, the latter seating more than 500 worshippers. He also served as a Presbyter and member of the Florida District Board for several years.

Upon retiring from pastoral ministry in 1993, Brother and Sister White returned to Mississippi. Even in retirement, his passion for ministry remained evident as he served as assistant pastor alongside Brother Glenn McLeod in Quitman, Mississippi.

Brother White also had a deep appreciation for the outdoors. An avid hunter and fisherman, he faithfully returned each November to a deer camp in northern Lauderdale County near Meridian, where he enjoyed two weeks of deer hunting. While living in West Palm Beach, one of his greatest pleasures was taking his 26-foot houseboat into the Atlantic Ocean to fish.

Brother White was known for his joyful, enthusiastic worship. It was often humorously said that he "wouldn't be in heaven before the seventh seal was opened" (Revelation 8:1), because there would not be "about the space of half an hour" of silence with him there. He loved to worship the Lord with all his heart, and many fondly remember hearing him sing and play the guitar, especially his favorite songs, Who Was He? and Purple Robe.

On May 22, 2016, Brother Samuel Titus White received his eternal reward, leaving behind a lasting legacy of unwavering faith, uncompromising integrity, and a lifelong love for the truth of God's Word. His ministry and influence continue to bless the generations that follow.