The Pastor and First Lady of the St. Emmanuel Church of God in Christ are Elder and Mrs. Larry L. Polk. They have the heart of a true shepherd. These loyal and dedicated servants were appointed to this historic church by the late Bishop J. Neaul Haynes, Jurisdictional Prelate of Texas Northeast First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction and Emeritus Member of the General Board of the Churches of God in Christ, Worldwide. Currently, Pastor Polk and the St. Emmanuel Church is part of Texas Northeast Fourth Jurisdiction, under the dynamic leadership of Bishop Nathiel D. D. Wells, Jurisdictional Prelate.
Lady Carolyn Polk is the Supervisor of Women at St. Emmanuel and a former educator. Mrs. Polk taught middle school Honors English and Reading for more than thirty-six years and received the designation by the state of Texas as “Master Teacher.” Her strong leadership netted her Department Chair for English and TAKS Coordinator. Mrs. Polk was twice selected to Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.
At St. Emmanuel, First Lady Polk assists with the Intermediate Sunday School Class, works with the Youth Department, and facilitates a monthly training program for women of the church as they prepare for ministry. She has been instrumental in providing shoes for children in Africa, through the Department of Women (DOW), raising funds to build a drinking well in Africa and coordinates service projects in the Denison community to provide personal and hygienic needs for seniors. She is a dynamic and powerful woman of God.
Our Pastor, Elder Larry L. Polk, is a former college professor and professional counselor. He has been a minister of the gospel for more than almost fifty years. Pastor Polk currently serves in the Greenville District under the leadership of District Superintendent Davy L. Stoker, Texas Northeast Fourth Jurisdiction. He served as Chairman of the Ordination Committee for Texas Northeast First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction which prepared missionaries and ministers for work in ministry. He is a former professor of Grammar and Public Speaking. He formerly served as the Jurisdictional Sunday School Superintendent for Texas Northeast and the Southwest Regional Sunday School Superintendent for the International Sunday School Department of the Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Bishop Alton Gatlin.
On a more personal note, Pastor Polk is married to the dynamic and lovely Carolyn Polk and blessed to have two wonderful daughters one handsome grandson and a beautiful granddaughter, his princess. His favorite songs are the Church of God in Christ’s International Anthem, “Yes, Lord,” and “Can’t Nobody Do Me Like Jesus.” Come and meet these true servants of God and be blessed under their dynamic ministry.