Pastor Kenneth W. Telsee Sr.

Pastor Telsee is a native of Shreveport, Louisiana; born on December 22, 1964.  He faithfully attended the Evergreen Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverent Charlie J. Jefferson.  He is a 1982 graduate of Booker T. Washington High School.  After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army on August 23, 1982.  On September 31, 2004, Pastor Telsee retired from the US Army as a First Sergeant with 22 years of honorable service and is the Founder and Senior Pastor of True Joy Healing and Restoration Ministries, Incorporated. 

Pastor Telsee met the love of his life in October 1985 at Fort Myers in Arlington, Virginia and married his lovely wife, Lavonne D. Coates in May 1987.  Together they have three beautiful children, Talisha, Ken Jr., and Kortney Marie, of whom they are both very proud.  

While stationed at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland Pastor Telsee surrendered his life to serving the Lord in 1992 under the faithful mentorship of Robert W. Whitley, Pastor of Refuge Temple Ministries Church of God in Christ.  In January 1995, while stationed in Alexandria, Virginia, he heard and answered God’s call of ministry upon his life.  In April 1995 he delivered his first message to the body of Christ, “Keep Your Eyes Focused on Jesus”, Matthew 14:22-23 and was licensed as a minister at Gethsemane Church of God in Christ in Alexandria, Virginia under the tutelage of Pastor & Superintendent Lloyd C. Coles Jr.  After proving himself a worthy minister, a man of Godly character, consistent integrity, commitment, faithfulness, and love, Pastor Telsee was ordained as an Elder in August 1998. 

While stationed at Fort Lewis Washington, Pastor Telsee began to hear the voice of God beckoning him to a higher calling.  It was at this time that he knew that the Lord was calling him into the office of the Pastorate.  With much prayer, Pastor & Lady Telsee began to consult the Lord for instruction and direction concerning the new task they were about to undertake.  Not long after relocating to Aberdeen Proving Ground, the Lord gave them a green light to go and “Build a Church that He would Bless” in the city of Aberdeen Maryland.  On September 7, 2003, the doors of True Joy Healing & Restoration Ministries were opened and the first service was conducted.   This meek and mighty man of valor tirelessly displays the heart of “the good Sheppard”.  His heart’s cry is that men, women, and children will establish a healthy relationship with God so that they may daily experience True Joy.  Because of his genuine love for God and God’s people, Pastor Telsee is tearing down spiritual, social, cultural, ethnic and economic barriers within the city of Aberdeen and abroad.  On September 19th 2004, Elder Telsee was officially appointed, empowered and installed as Pastor by the Province of Saint John, International Community of Christian Churches Prelate, by the honorable Bishop Eugene V. Reeves.