We Welcome You!

We would like to welcome you to the official web site of the Usher's Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. Our church is located at 411 Railroad Street in the city of Fort Valley, Peach County, Georgia (see maps here). Our pastor is Rev. William S. Banks (). Please come and experience the dynamic preaching and scripture-filled teachings of our pastor, Rev. Banks. Being recently appointed, we welcome him and his lovely wife, Mrs. Elaine Banks, into the Usher's Temple C.M.E. family.

Rev. Banks is an enthusiastic and visionary servant of God. He was appointed as Pastor of Usher's Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Fort Valley, Georgia in July 2009. Prior to his assignment to our church, Rev. Banks successfully pastored the following churches across the Sixth Episcopal District:

• Clifford Temple C.M.E., Thomasville, Georgia
• Mt. Sinai C.M.E., Milner, Georgia
• Bethel C.M.E., Roberta, Georgia
• Mt. Zion C.M.E., Roberta, Georgia
• Mt. Olive C.M.E., The Rock, Georgia

Rev. Banks serves and has served as a regional officer of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church: currently, Joint Board of Finance, Central Georgia Region; and formally, Chair, Committee on Ministerial Examination and Joint Board of Finance, South Georgia Region.

As part of his journey in serving the C.M.E. Church, Rev. Banks has also pursued his education in ministry as well as other areas of study. His educational background includes the completion of his degree work at the Interdenominational Theological Center, Phillips School of Theology of Atlanta, Georgia in M.Div., Mastors of Divinity, Concentration Theology/Philosophy; and at Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia with a BBA in Management and an AA in Commercial Music.

Although Rev. Banks has given most of his time and talents to serving the church and pursuing his education, his work experience has allowed him to hold the position of Office Manager and Business Manager for the Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia, for approximately 10 years, from 1995 to 2005. He is currently invested in fulltime ministry here at Usher's Temple C.M.E. Church. His specialized training includes "Managerial Mediation" - Georgia State University; "Conflict Management" - Interdenominational Theological Center; and "Marriage Counseling: Basic Training for Couples" - Georgia Family Council. In addition, Rev. Banks is a columnist, author, poet and composer. He is affiliated with and serves on several Boards of Directors/Advisors and is very active in community service and ministry development.

On a personal note, Rev. Banks is married to Mrs. Elaine H. Banks and they currently reside in Clayton County, Georgia. Rev. and Mrs. Banks have five wonderful god-children and a host of nieces and nephews that they love and nurture.

Usher's Temple is a church where its members are growing and moving by the power of God's Holy word, and by the inspiration of The Holy Spirit. We are a faith-based fellowship of believers in the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Over (146) years of Preaching, Praying, and Praising God is evidence that the life and legacy of Christ continues to abide in the lives of this great congregation.

We welcome you and invite you to worship with us anytime. Audios of some of our services are available on the website's Audio/Video page. Also, we invite you to view and listen to our services which are broadcast on the local TV Cable Channel 7 (broadcast times may vary).

Thank you and be blessed!!!