📜 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. This is our story.

 

👥 The Brotherhood Begins (1990s–2005)

A Covenant Formed in Faith

Elders Ron Alexander, Derwin Dickerson, and Michael Robinson, along with Ministers Antonio Matthews and Travis Starks, all faithfully served under the leadership of the late Pastor Sylvester Pigues of New Independent Baptist Church.

In those years of serving together, a bond was formed — a covenant of brotherhood. They vowed to:

• Remain faithful in ministry

• Stay connected wherever God sent them

• Maintain relationship and fellowship

• Honor the spirit of unity Pastor Pigues instilled in them

Minister Antonio Matthews later joined the military and settled in New Orleans, where he served faithfully under Bishop Paul S. Morton.

 

⚠️ Loss, Transition, and Calling (2000–2005)

A Season of Pain and Purpose

• 2000: Elder Ronald Alexander became the first of the group to pastor.

• 2001: Minister Travis Starks passed away.

• 2002: Pastor Sylvester Pigues passed away.

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

These losses shaped the heart of the fellowship — reminding the brothers that unity is sacred and time is precious.

 

🌱 The Birth of the Fellowship (2006)

A Vision Received in Prayer

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 of F‑E‑L‑L‑O‑W‑S‑H‑I‑P.

He wrote the vision, gathered Elders Dickerson and Robinson, along with Elder Michael Tate and Minister Melissa Tate, and shared what God had given him.

In September 2006, the name was established and the fellowship was organized as:

Divine Ministries Independent Fellowship

 

⛪ Establishing Episcopal Order (2006–2008)

Consecration, Structure, and Apostolic Identity

• November 2006: Elder Alexander was consecrated to the Office of Bishop.

• September 22, 2007:

  • Bishop Ron Alexander

  • Pastor Michael Robinson

  • 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.

The fellowship expanded its identity as an Episcopal Reformation with a mandate to:

• Defend the Faith

• Love and Shepherd the Saints

• Educate the Body of Christ in unity and oneness

 

🌍 Growth, Consecrations, and Expansion (2008–2019)

A Reformation Takes Shape

2008

• Consecrated Bishops Jerald Bailey, Stevie Burks, and Bobby Nesbit

• Name changed to Divine Ministries International Fellowship, Inc.

• Launched the first semester of 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 Consecrated:

• 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.

Transferred Apostolic Succession to:

• Bishop Jackson

• Bishop Pipkin

• Bishop Tharpe

• Bishop Timmerman

• Bishop Brodnax

2016 — Decennial Year

• Celebrated 10 years of service

• Hosted Bishop Darryl D. Woodson

• Completed first live recording under Director Vincent Tharpe, Jr.

• Consecrated Bishops Curtis Curry, Jr., Derwin Dickerson, and Tyras Simmons

2017–2019

• Transferred Apostolic Succession to Bishops Dickerson and Simmons

• Named Overseer Earl Lacy as Overseer of Protocol

• Ordained Pastor Sherry Kennedy as Overseer of First Assistants

• Held first graduation for the D‑MIF School of Ministry

 

🕊️ A Season of Loss and Silence (2020–2023)

The Fellowship Pauses

During the global pandemic, D‑MIF suffered significant losses:

• The passing of 1st Assistant Presiding Prelate, Bishop Michael Robinson

• The passing of Matriarch Mother Mae Pearl Pigues

In response to the global crisis, all fellowship activities ceased.

This was a season of grief, reflection, and divine pause.

 

🔥 The Attempted Restart (2024)

Movement Without Momentum

In 2024, several leadership appointments were made:

• 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

Although the structure was set and the leadership was in place, the fellowship did not fully relaunch. There was movement — but not momentum.

 

⏸️ The Discerned Pause (2024–2026)

A Holy Delay, Not a Denial

After attempting to restart, Bishop Alexander paused the fellowship once again. This was not retreat — it was discernment.

This pause became a season of:

• Quiet rebuilding

• Healing

• Reassessment

• Spiritual preparation

• Listening for God’s timing

What looked like inactivity was actually God resetting the foundation for what would come next.

 

🌟 The Divine Reset (2026)

A New Beginning Rooted in Legacy

Now, in 2026, D‑MIF rises again — not as a repeat of the past, but as a refined, restored, and re‑centered fellowship built on:

• Unity

• Integrity

• Apostolic order

• Family

• Fellowship

This is the year of clarity. This is the year of re‑establishment. This is the year of the Divine Reset.

 

💬 Closing Declaration

“It’s All About the Fellowship.”

From brotherhood to reformation, from loss to restoration, from pause to purpose — our story is a testament to God’s faithfulness and the power of unity.

And as we step into this new era, one truth remains:

It’s All About the Fellowship.