Pastor Neal L. Generette is the youngest of seven children born to Elder Link II and the late Sister Bertha Generette. He is married to Evangelist Missionary Marquette Generette and has three sons: Neal II, Nathan Generette and D’Angelo Smith. He was educated in the public school system of Memphis, TN and received a BA in Communications from Rust College in Holly Springs, MS. After a brief career in radio broadcasting and television production, Generette returned to school at Lemoyne-Owen College in Memphis where he obtained a teaching license and began a long career as a teacher with Memphis/Shelby County Schools.
Neal developed an interest in music at an early age. Soon he began singing at churches throughout the city and performing in programs and talent competitions at school. At Rust College, he sang with the world renowned A’Cappella Choir which toured several states and foreign countries. After college, he played the piano for several churches in the Memphis metropolitan area before joining Temple of Deliverance under the leadership of the late Presiding Bishop G. E. Patterson. Through his affiliation with Bishop Patterson and the Voices of Bountiful Blessings, Generette was privileged to sing background with many gospel recording artists. His introduction to the national recording scene as a solo artist came through Evangelist Myrna Summers and the late Eld. Timothy Wright on the 1988 Stellar Award winning album, “We’re Gonna Make It,” singing “I Love You Lord.” Pastor Generette continues to demonstrate his love for music as he recently recorded with the C. H. Mason Memorial Chior’s “We Must Never Forget” project, under the leadership of Dr. Judith Christie McAllister, leading the song “My Faith Looks Up to Thee.”
In January 1992, God revealed a new plan for Generette’s life that extended his ministry to the preached word. His first sermon, “But We Preach Christ Crucified,” was taken from 1 Cor. 1:23 and delivered at Temple of Deliverance the 3rd Sunday in October, 1992. He was licensed to preach by Bishop Patterson in 1995 and was in the first class of elders to be ordained in Tennessee Fourth Jurisdiction by the newly appointed bishop, Jerry L. Maynard, Sr. in 2001.
Since then, the Lord has blessed him to preach to thousands of people in many different venues, including opening night of the 99th Holy Convocation of the Church of God in Christ.
In November, 2011, Elder Generette was favored by God and appointed by Bishop Maynard to pastor South Side COGIC and also named Director of Urban Initiatives for TN 4th Jurisdiction. The Lord has blessed the ministry of Pastor Neal Generette causing the congregation to grow spiritually, numerically and financially under his leadership. Because of his humility before God, ability to accomplish assigned tasks and commitment to the bishop and jurisdiction, Generette once again found favor in the sight of God and Bishop Jerry Maynard who appointed him as Superintendent of the O.T. Jones, Sr. Memorial District within TN 4th Jurisdiction.
First Lady Marquette D. Generette
Marquette D. Generate was born in Memphis, TN. While attending Holy Temple COGIC I confessed my salvation and was baptized on May 16,1993. While serving at Holy Temple I was called into the work of evangelism. I studied at All Saints Bible College and received my certificate in biblical studies and later received my evangelist missionary license.
I have been on the battle field fighting for The Lord every since; as I continue to fight I am proud to say the God has elevated me to a higher calling as the First Lady of South Side COGIC. I'm doing all I can to be the saint the God had called me to be. The Lord has led me to start a monthly meeting for women as well as a monthly meeting for pre-teens called the "Ladies in Waiting."
I will work the work of Christ while it's still day for when night comes no man can work. God Bless!