DOBBINS HEIGHTS — It was a bitter-sweet morning on Saturday, Oct. 21 as eight candidates readied themselves in white robes for a special baptismal service: the last for Bishop Thomas L. Wooten after 48 years in ministry.
Many arrived at the House of Prayer Feed My People Ministry in Dobbins Heights Saturday morning to be part of the special service. The pool was set up and ready for all those who entered in.
Wooten opened in prayer and the service began as all attendees sang “Walk Into the Water.”
As each participant was baptized, they took several moments to meditate on the experience and give thanks to God. All were honored to be part of Wooten’s last service. First Lady Elder Mary A. Wooten was also there.
Wooten is a native of Richmond County, born and raised in North Yard which is now called Dobbins Heights.
He was called into the ministry in 1970 while in Florida where he evangelized and helped build churches there as well as in Virginia.
In 1984, Wooten moved back to Dobbins Heights and founded as well as pastored the House of Prayer Feed My People ministry in McCain. He also established multiple churches in surrounding areas: Rowland and his hometown; as well as Dillon and Bennettsville, South Carolina.
When the Lord led Wooten to open a church at 335 Earle Franklin Drive, many told him they would burn it down; but fearlessly Wooten obeyed the spirit of God and built the church anyway. He would not let anyone’s threats stop him from doing God’s work.
Throughout the years, three other churches joined his ministry including two from Bennettsville — Upper Room Feed My People Ministry No. 1 with Bishop Willie Gibson Jr. and Community Prayer Feed My People Ministry with Pastor Willie Butler — and Prayer Without Ceasing Feed My People Ministry with Pastor Charles Jacobs in Centerfield, Georgia.
Wooten was involved in numerous outreaches which included several radio ministries. He also saw a great need in the community for street outreach, so he began a tent ministry which spread throughout many different states. Another ministry that God laid on his heart was to open a soup kitchen/food pantry.
Wooten will be greatly missed by his congregation, but the works Wooten has done for the Lord will live on through the many people who have received blessings from his ministry throughout all 48 years of service.
