The Pentecostal Church of Deliverance all began with God's vision; at the same time, I was minister of music for the Angelic Choir at the Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church. In August 1998, I formed a community choir called the Pentecostal Voices of Deliverance. Deacon Paul Perry was the bass player, my son Kendrick was the drummer, and yours truly was the organist. The choir grew to 65 voices, including 17 churches representing different denominations.

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My vision was to bridge the gap and be one voice when we sing until the power of heaven comes down. We minister throughout Hampton Roads from 1998 to 2000. Our Ministry through concerts became spirit fill, and the services transitioned from concerts to altar calls. Many were delivered and set free, both young to old.  Prophecies were spoken over people we'd never seen before. There were confirmations from Pastors stating that we were on the mark because the Holy Ghost had taken over the services. God was birthing a more powerful voice inside of me. One New Year's revival at the Gospel Light Church of God in Christ Berkeley section of Norfolk on January 9, while sitting in the pulpit, I heard a voice say it's time to feed my sheep.  Immediately I said yes, Lord because I heard the same voice ten years ago.

My prayer, Lord, what do you want me to do, and he answered, preach my word. In 1984 I promised to obey Him despite who would be against me.  November 1985, I received my Minister’s license under Superintendent Y.D. Thoroughgood, Pastor of the Advent COGIC, formerly the Bright Star COGIC. In 1994 I received my Elders' license from Virginia Second Jurisdiction of the Church of God in Christ, Inc., led by Emeritus Prelate Bishop Samuel L. Green, Jr.

The Pentecostal Church of Deliverance was birth January 9, 2000. God provided a building, and out of the 65 voices from the choir, three families began the church, the Byrds, Loves, and the Perrys.  God gave us a name representing the flow of His spirit to become the Pentecostal Church of Deliverance, known as PCOD, our acronym Prayer, Changes our Destiny. Pentecost is not a denomination, but it's a celebration of restoring power, love, and a sound mind. The church represents the people that enter his gates. Deliverance represents the results of repentance and recognizes that we are healed, delivered, and set free only because of Calvary.

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In the year 2001, the Lord speaks and says, bring your wife by your side, according to Genesis 2:18. There will be hurting families that will need some spiritual nutrition, and because you are one, I will put words of healing and deliverance into your mouths to feed my sheep. During a convention in Baltimore, Maryland, my wife hears the voice of confirmation. Now we are working together in Ministry to heal brokenhearted families and help restore them to life. Many have come throughout our years of Ministry and have witnessed the power of Pentecost. We are still here, and we are thankful for those who have stayed with us through it all. We are PCOD; our motto is "when God is in it, there is no limit!"

 

Twenty-one years later, God has bought us full circle back to the place where the visions of expanding the kingdom and serving the people of God began.  "The vision is for an appointed time, and at the end, it will speak and not lie." Now the second phase has birth through the word of Co-Pastor Byrd. We are now the Prayer Changes Our Destiny Ministry, keeping our acronym of PCOD. It was difficult for me to accept the change. After going before God about this change, He showed me Jacob, leaving his "place of construction" after 21 years to a "place of instruction" to transition into a new chapter. God changed Jacob's name to Israel after he wrestled with the Angel.

God allowed me to accept our new name after I wrestled with the change. January 1, 2021, I acknowledged that we are now the Prayer Changes Our Destiny Ministry simply because it was the right time at the right place. Just as God changed Jacob to Israel in the 21st year, God has also changed our name in the 21st year.

April 1, 2021, we officially received our new credentials for our new name, and God confirmed it with a scripture in the old and new testament. II Chronicles 7:14 and Matthew 21:13 speak volumes of our new chapter. Due to the pandemic, we have a live Worship Service every Sunday at 10:00 am and Bible Study every Wednesday at 7:00 pm, on Facebook and Zoom.

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I have declared that PCOD is in our "Bonus Season," expecting extraordinary blessings from the Lord. We are transparent, ready for a transition, transformation, and prepared to possess.

 

In His Service,

 

Pastor Joseph A. Byrd