Our History

A Legacy of Brotherhood, Vision, and Apostolic Order

Divine Ministries International Fellowship (D‑MIF) was not born from strategy — it was born from relationship, loyalty, and a sacred commitment to remain connected no matter where God led each man. What began as brotherhood became covenant. What began as covenant became vision. This is our story.

The Brotherhood Begins (1990–2000)

Elders Ron Alexander, Derwin Dickerson, and Michael Robinson, along with Minister Antonio Matthews, faithfully served under the leadership of the late Pastor Sylvester Pigues of New Independent Baptist Church in Memphis, TN. During these formative years, a bond was forged and a covenant of brotherhood was rooted in unity and servanthood.

They vowed to:

  • remain connected in ministry no matter where God assigned them,
  • maintain friendship and fellowship,
  • and honor the spirit of unity Pastor Pigues instilled in them.

During this season, Minister Antonio Matthews joined the military and later settled in New Orleans

Callings and Losses (2000–2005)

  • 2000: Elder Ronald Alexander became pastor of Divine Purpose Church.
  • 2001: Minister Travis Starks passed away.
  • 2002: Pastor Sylvester Pigues passed away.

After Pastor Pigues’ transition, Elder Michael Robinson became pastor of New Independent Baptist Church, (now God Ministries Christian Church). Elder Dickerson served faithfully with him until he was assigned to pastor New Faith Ministries in Sardis, MS, (now located in Memphis, TN).

The Birth of The Fellowship (2006)

In January 2006, Elder Alexander sought God for direction on how to preserve unity among the brotherhood. The love and investment Pastor Pigues had poured into “young preachers” became the foundation of the vision. God gave Elder Alexander the framework for D‑MIF. He wrote the vision, gathered Elders Dickerson and Robinson along with clergy from his church, Elder Michael Tate and Minister Melissa Tate, and shared what God had given him. Elder Dickerson did not commit fully at that time due to his new assignment in Sardis, MS, more than 70 miles away. In September 2006, the name was established and the fellowship was organized as Divine Ministries Independent Fellowship.

Establishing Episcopal Order (2006–2008)

  • November 2006:
    • Elder Alexander was consecrated to the Office of Bishop.
  • September 22, 2007:
    • Bishop Ron Alexander, Pastor Michael Robinson, and Elder Michael Tate were consecrated to the Office of Bishop with Apostolic Succession.
    • Minister Melissa Tate was ordained as Elder.

In 2008, Episcopal polity was adopted. After attending the Joint College of African American Bishops, Bishop Alexander returned with a deeper understanding of Episcopacy. With Bishop Tate’s help, a discipline of Episcopal order was established, and the name was officially changed to Divine Ministries International Fellowship to be identified as a global episcopal Fellowship.

Growth, Consecrations, and Expansion (2008–2019)

    2008

    • Consecrated Bishops Jerald Bailey, Stevie Burks, and Bobby Nesbit
    • Name changed to Divine Ministries International Fellowship, Inc.
    • Launched the D‑MIF School of Ministry

    2009

    • Reaffirmed Bishop Harold Hunter
    • Consecrated Bishop Antonio Matthews
    • Honored Mother Mae Pearl Pigues as Distinguished Matriarch

    2010–2015 Consecrations

    • Bishop Larry Jackson
    • Bishop Chris Pipkin, Sr.
    • Bishop Vincent Tharpe, Sr.
    • Bishop Norman Timmerman
    • Bishop Terry L. Murden
    • Bishop Corey Johnson
    • Bishop Gerald Mitchell
    • Bishop James Brodnax
    • Bishop Marvin Luckett, Jr.

    2016 — Decennial Year

    • Celebrated 10 years of service
    • Completed first live recording under Director Vincent Tharpe, Jr.
    • Consecrated Bishops Curtis Curry, Jr., Derwin Dickerson, and Tyras Simmons

    2017–2019

    • Named Overseer Earl Lacy as Overseer of Protocol
    • Installed Pastor Sherry Kennedy as Overseer of First Assistants

    The Covid-19 Pandemic (2020–2023)

    During the global shutdown, all fellowship activities ceased. D‑MIF suffered significant losses, including:

    • 1st Assistant Presiding Bishop Michael Robinson passed away
    • Matriarch Mother Mae Pearl Pigues passed away

    This season marked a time of grief, reflection, and quiet endurance.

    Season of Reassessment (2024-2026)

    2024

    • Lady Lula Robinson named D‑MIF Matriarch
    • Bishop Vincent Tharpe, Sr. elevated to 1st Assistant Presiding Prelate
    • Bishop Larry Jackson elevated to 2nd Assistant Presiding Prelate
    • Overseer Earl Lacy elevated to Officer of Protocol
    • Bishop Derwin Dickerson named Bishop of Leadership Development
    • Bishop Tyras Simmons named Bishop of International Ministries

    2025–2026

    • Quiet Reassessment

    A New Era of Fellowship (2026)

    In 2026, D‑MIF entered a new era of fellowship. After a season of quiet reassessment, Bishop Alexander received prophetic confirmation to relaunch the Fellowship. The fellowship emerged refined, restored, and re‑centered on its original mandate: covenant relationship, biblical order, and the strengthening of churches, church leaders, and ministries. In addition, God spoke new vision. Realignment because the theme.  This new vision established D‑MIF as a fellowship to be built on the five‑fold ministry ecosystem of church alignment, welcoming churches, church leaders and ministries from every functional office in the kingdom. 

    2026

    • The official website was totally redone to reflect the new vision for D-MIF
    • The New D-MIF School of Ministry format was created
    • The Official Experiencing Fresh Wind Conference Title was change to Divine Ministries Annual-Affirmation Conference (DMAC)
    • New leadership structure within the operations of D-MIF was initialized
    • A new ecosystem of episcopal alignment was created removing all titles
      • Bishop Ron Alexander changed his assignment to Presiding Steward of D-MIF and created the House of Stewards and the House of Servitude
      • Bishop Vincent Tharpe, Sr. was appointed as Steward of Fellowship Alignment
      • Bishop Larry Jackson was appointed as Steward of Fellowship Unity
      • Overseer Earl Lacy was Designated to the Office of Bishop and appointed as Steward of Protocol
      • Sister Wakonda Cox was appointed as Executive Administrator
      • Bishop Tyras Simmons was appointed as Steward of International Alliances
      • Bishop Derwin Dickerson was appointed as Steward of Pastoral Support
      • Elder Lisa Lacy was Designated to the Office of Overseer and appointed Steward of Clergy Wives Consortium
      • Elder Bruce Chapple was Designated to the Office of Overseer and appointed as Steward of First Assistant Development
      • Prophetess Remona Dickerson was Designated to the Office of Overseer and appointed as Steward of Intercession
      • Servant Chris Holmes, Sr. was appointed as Chief Adjutant
      • Lady Wanda Jackson was appointed as Ecumenical information Coordinator
      • Sister Tatonia Dunlap: was appointed as Event Planning Coordinator
      • Terrance Carpenter as appointed to Ministry of Music Coordinator
      • Overseer Sherry Kenney was appointed and Steward of Ministry Leader Development
      • The offices of clergy development and hospitality we created to complete the new alignment structure with stewards and servants TBA

    This year marked a decisive shift: D‑MIF became a fellowship no longer defined by ranks, but by alignment. The year 2026 stands as the moment D‑MIF stepped fully into its new identity as a covenant family committed to clarity, maturity, and the strengthening of the Church.

    It’s All About the Fellowship!