Wayne Ellard

Donald Wayne Ellard was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi on September 8, 1945, to Rev E. Josh and Delza Ellard. He grew up in the Kosciusko and Greenville areas. He graduated from High School in Greenville.

He met the love of his life and married Barbara Gayle Marshall on January 1, 1965. They had three daughters: TaJuana, LaRonda, and Alison.

Wayne had the call of God on his life from an early age. Therefore, he decided to attend Pentecostal Bible College in Tupelo before attending Texas Bible College in Houston, Texas. Later, he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from Jackson College of Ministries in Jackson, Mississippi.

His leadership was superb, and he held various positions in the Mississippi District UPC. He was elected to serve on the Mississippi District Board at age 36 and served for 27 years. Wayne was also an instructor in the Ministers’ License Seminars for 15 years. While serving as Presbyter, he and the entire Mississippi District Board representing the UPC at a religious seminar, were privileged to go to Washington, D.C., and they visited with Mississippi Senators James O. Eastland and Thad Cochran.

Following in his father’s footsteps, he became pastor of the United Pentecostal Church of Greenville, Mississippi, where he pastored for 37 years. Under his leadership, he was founder and superintendent of the New Life Christian Academy for 34 years.

Under his pastoral leadership, his Sons in the Gospel are: Edward Cantu, Steven Cantu, Herman Creel, Howard Creel, Charles Fisher, Justin Fisher, Tim Foster, Brian Gipson, Kendall Graves, Seth Hayes, Ken Irby, Steve McMillon, Chase Oltremari, Meloy Richmond, Royce Winters, Mark Winters, Rudy Ward, Billy Wright.

Wayne was chosen to be one of the Who’s Who in the Mississippi Delta. His entire ministry was spent in the Mississippi Delta supporting and establishing churches.

To all who knew Reverend Wayne Ellard he was a gentleman and an icon in the Delta representing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His earthly journey ended on February 18, 2014, at the age of 68; his accomplishments and memories of him live on.