POPLAR GROVE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
Pastor Willie C. Alford is the youngest of 10 children born to the late James B. and Mary Jane Alford. Pastor Alford married to the former Nancy “Jackie” Corbett and they reside in Harrells, NC. They are the proud parents of two daughters; Latisha and Willetta and a grandson, Christian Alford.
He received his education in the Sampson County Schools system where he graduated with honors from Union High School in 1973. He was a superb basketball player for which he was offered several scholarships to various universities. During this time his mother became ill and taking care of her was paramount to him. However, in order to do so, he had to give up his scholarship offers.
In 1995 he graduated with honors from Liberty University Bible School in Lynchburg, Virginia. He also attended seminar classes at Shaw University from 1988-1994. Pastor Alford resigned as Youth Counselor Chairperson of KEMBA in January 2003, after serving for over ten years. He completed a twelve month Clinical Pastoral Education Chaplaincy Program from New Hanover Regional Medical Center (NHRMC) in 2007.
He served as a Board Member for: The Governor’s Unmet Needs Committee of Sampson County; The Sampson Emergency Food and Shelter Committee; and the Coastal AHEC Cancer Community Outreach Board in New Hanover County.
Pastor Alford served as one of our associate pastors under the leadership of the late Pastor R. W. Lowe before undertaking the pastorship at Poplar Grove Missionary Baptist Church. He was elected to his role in May 1990. Under his dedicated leadership, PGMBC actualized their vision of a new church in September, 2004. We, the members of PGMBC believe that he is an anointed man of God and a great spiritual leader.