SUFF. JOSEPH C. FARMER
Virginia State Council Chairman
Suffragan Bishop Joseph C. Farmer was born in Halifax County, Virginia, on May 3, 1948, to the parents of Deacon Benjamin Farmer, Sr. And the late Sister Sue Edmonds. He attended Christ Temple Blue Rock under the leadership of his grandfather, the late Elder Earl Edmonds.
Suffragan Bishop Farmer was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and filled with the Holy Ghost at an early age. He accepted the call to preach the gospel at the age of 17 while still under the leadership of his grandfather, Elder Earl Edmonds.
While residing in Hampton Suffragan Bishop Farmer joined Church of Jesus in 1972, under the leadership of the late, Dr. M. L. Ford, Sr. And remained a faithful member until his resignation in May 2005. While a member of Church of Jesus, Elder Farmer served as assistant pastor, adult Sunday school teacher, and most notable, he served as chairman of the trustee board for thirty years. His leadership was instrumental in the completion of the new edifice for the Church of Jesus in 1989. Upon his resignation in May 2005, Suffragan Bishop Farmer became the new pastor of White Stone Pentecostal Church. He was installed in July 2005.
Suffragan Bishop Farmer earned many achievements and served in various capacities. He has taken courses at Thomas Nelson Community College and Norfolk State University while pursuing a Social Science Degree. He has been a regular attendee at the Hampton University Minister’s Conference, which has sharpened his preaching and leadership skill within the realm of the church. He was selected as the first Vice President and the second president of the Virginia State Council Youth Convention. When called upon, Elder Farmer served as assistant pastor to the late, Pastor Matthew Scott, Bethlehem Temple of Danville, Virginia. In July 2003, the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, through the Virginia State Council, 28th Episcopal District, ordained him an Elder by the honorable Bishop Clarence E. Moore. In July 2007, he was consecrated as District Elder. Suffragan Bishop Farmer now serves as the Pastor of White Stone Pentecostal Church and District Elder of five church in the district.
Suffragan Bishop Farmer celebrates over 38 years of marriage to Sarah Jane (Blackwell) Farmer. They are the proud parents of two children, Carson and LaTanya, and grandparents of Kayla and Khalil.
Suffragan Bishop Farmer graduated from Mary M. Bethune High School in 1968. In 1969, he joined the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in 1971. After his discharge from the Navy, Elder Farmer relocated to Hampton, Virginia, and started working for the Newport News Shipyard. After 39 1/2 years of service, he retired in February 2008.