Pastor Dallas Wilson
Senior Pastor Center for Hope Ministries
Born the 5th of 12 children to Deacon Robert John & Evangelist Betty Sue Wilson in Astoria Queens, New York, Dallas was never supposed to make it out of the “hood”. At the age of 12, his oldest and only sister was raped and murdered in her college dorm room. At age 17, he was filled with rage from watching his mother recuperate from being shot at point-blank range in front of a church and a few years later his first born son died in his arms. Every excuse one may use to turn to a career of crime he owned, but there was a greater plan for his life.
Educated in Long Island, New York, Dallas became a basketball standout. He accepted a full athletic scholarship to the University of Bloomsburg, in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, where he played all four years and was selected to the all state team. As with most boys, a dream of becoming a professional basketball player was his life’s aim. After two years of semi-pro ball and a failed attempt to play over seas, Dallas found himself alone, depressed and just existing in the fast paced New York City street life.
Church was always a part of his life as a child. Raised in the Church Of God In Christ (COGIC) from birth, educated in a Catholic elementary school and a Baptist junior high school, he developed a broad sense of just who God is. In the midst of a low tide in life, a routine trip to a little house church changed him forever. During prayer, Dallas heard God say, “I love you…Always have…Always will. All that you are looking for is in me.”
Surrendering to that still small voice, Dallas made a decision to live for God and answer a divine call to ministry. He attended the Interdenominational Theological Center, in Atlanta, Georgia to obtain a Master of Divinity degree in Old Testament and Marriage and Family Counseling. There he was elected Student Body President, received the Bishop J.O. Patterson Distinguished Preacher Award and was listed among Who’s Who in American Students for high academic achievements. Dallas attended Mercer University in Atlanta, GA where he obtained his Doctorate of Ministry (DMin.) in Homiletics degree in May 2014. His dissertation topic was: “What Can the Church do to Attract and Retain Black Men?”
His former occupations consist of chaplain, police officer, counselor and principal. He is the former Southeast Region Youth, College and Young Adult Director of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and formerly an educator in the Clayton County Public School System. Today, Dallas is the founder and Senior Pastor of the Center of Hope Ministry, Inc., Church of God In Christ and Superintendent of the Empowerment District. In this role, he oversees and provides spiritual leadership for several churches. One of his spiritual fathers and mentor is the honorable Bishop Frank O. White of Freeport, NY.
Pastor Dallas C. Wilson Sr. was called to form a fellowship with other pastors who embodied the same ministry ambitions, vision for spiritual growth, and fellowship. He formed the Dunamis Church Fellowship Ministry in 2007. The fellowship consists of churches from different denominations with one common goal: to build the local church.
Adding to his list of accomplishments, Dallas released his first book in 2010 entitled, “Why? Answers for the Anointed” and now broadcasts the weekly worship experience of the Center of Hope around the world via internet.
Pastor Dallas C. Wilson, Sr. is the loving and devoted husband of the former Bertina R. Watson. Tina is a talented and anointed singer songwriter who has traveled extensively sharing her gift in song with the masses. They are the loving parents of three daughters Kayla, Symphony, Kerrington and son Myles.